TRAK SHAK

[rangietragic]

Anyone else own a Trak Shak?

[Graz]

I owned one for about 5 years. Got rid of it in the end as it was difficult for one person to set up and then pack up. Needed to be set up on relatively flat ground as well. Had problems in side winds due to the surface area and in side on sleet rain the water found its way through the side window zips and wet the beds.
On the plus side its good for a bigger family in wet weather due large under cover area. I read somewhere to stear clear of the later models as they were made in China and not in SA and that there were some problems.
Mine had a lot of problems with corroding electrical system. A coupe times the fridges stopped due corroded terminals in the fuse holders. The fridges (Waeco) shut down due low voltage as the wiring was too light a gauge and causing voltage drop
Also as the underside was only painted and not galvanised it rusted quite quickly in stone damage areas particularly if you took it on a beach.
Cheers

[dcale]

I have a 2005 model bought 2nd hand in 2007. I find it really easy for one person to setup and pack away. Only needs three external poles in most weather, I can do it in under 5min. Very quick and stacks of room. We did the gun barrel to Ayres rock setting up everynight for 3 weeks. It is basic and tough but that is what I like. For tough touring it has a small drawbar tracks well behind, and is all protected, not like most soft floors. I would definitely rate them!

[Datt]

Yep, I've got a late 90's SA built one. It doesn't have the suitcase top and sets up more like the conventional soft floor. Have only owned it for 12 months but happy so far. Want to do something with the kitchen caddy though to make it a bit easier ie drawers rather than tubs.

Matt.
79114

[rangietragic]

Don't know how old mine is,but looked at a 98 model and mine is older.Has been in some terrible weather and never leaked a drop.Ihave put extra windows over the bed like later ones.We use a big fold up camp kitchen inside.In the body there are drawers on the left,shallow one on top for cuttlery and small stuff,big one underneath for saucepans,food ect.Right side is open all the way through,for kitchen,lights,hot water unit ect.Front half is shelves for tarps,shower,shadecloth floor ect.It has a custom made shower enclosure that hangs off drivers side front.Previous owner set it up really well,have changed it very little.Have had it for about 8 years,love it .Have only seen about 3 or 4 others in the time we've had it.No plans to get rid of it anytime soon.Next time i have it out will take some pics.

[AnD3rew]

I have one which is about 18 months old, overall very happy with it there is no better layout for a family to be comfortable with plenty of room and easy and fast to set up and put away.

Downsides are that it is a very heavy unit and very hard to maneuver disconnected unless the ground is dead flat. I can set it up and put it away myself, but it is quite heavy to push the fold out section back over.

I have the solar array and boat loader which can also be a bit of a handful to get in place and locked specially if there is no boat on.

I also had some serious problems with the electrics on mine which fried themselves and had to be replaced.

[Wildcard8]

Yep, I've got a late 90's SA built one. It doesn't have the suitcase top and sets up more like the conventional soft floor. Have only owned it for 12 months but happy so far. Want to do something with the kitchen caddy though to make it a bit easier ie drawers rather than tubs.

Matt.
79114

Matt,

Im looking to purchase my first Trak Shak, but i did see one for sale with a kincrome tool box inside the kitchen arrangement. Looked great.

[Sitec]

Hi all. I have a mate who looked for an older Trak Shak as he'd owned one years ago. He found a 15 yr old one over in NSW, so drove over to get it. I've seen and helped set it up. Yeah, it's heavy, but well built. The canvas is all original and is of great quality. If there's any specific questions, I can ring/txt him and ask him.... :)

[Wildcard8]

Hi all. I have a mate who looked for an older Trak Shak as he'd owned one years ago. He found a 15 yr old one over in NSW, so drove over to get it. I've seen and helped set it up. Yeah, it's heavy, but well built. The canvas is all original and is of great quality. If there's any specific questions, I can ring/txt him and ask him.... :)

Sitec, thanks for your offer to help out. Researching for about 3 days straight and they seem a great camper for families and the larger the family the better. Some quote 5 min set up, others 15min. When camping or cruising, whats 10min i say.

My only concern with the two options i have at the moment are:
- a 2001 with independent suspension, the other a '98 with live axle
- the older camper has flyscreens for the annex walls, not sure it its a deal breaker or not.

Both campers are well loved, well used and will be missed according to current owners.

Trak Shaks take up a fair foot print, some say excessively, others say no more than a c'van and annex. Im sure the latter remark is more accurate and for a family application, space is gold.

They are heavyish (1.2mT) but a towball weight of around 110kg i believe. Seems quite reasonable.

Ideal base camp set-up. Can modify/customise with racks and holders. Overnighting is a little less convenient than a back flip but i cant see my family fitting 'happily' into a quick erect back flip.

Please let us know your thoughts and recommendations on these campers. May help me decide between two im looking at tomorrow.

Cheers. J

PS, happy to start up the discussion on live v independent axles again if it will answer questions on issues to be aware of, life span or technical issues i need to watch out for.

[Wildcard8]

Yep, I've got a late 90's SA built one. It doesn't have the suitcase top and sets up more like the conventional soft floor. Have only owned it for 12 months but happy so far. Want to do something with the kitchen caddy though to make it a bit easier ie drawers rather than tubs.

Matt.
79114

Datt, should have posted this earlier. Saw this as a nice looking kitchen addition.

[cewilson]

IMHO the last of the Australian built ones are definitely the best out there. I wouldn't buy one new, but that's because I personally can't justify that cost.

Independent suspension models are better than leaf. They are built tough - we've dragged ours all over the country and certainly a fair majority of off-road tracks that most people wouldn't consider.

Aim at 1.5 ton loaded with a 150kg ball weight - it's very easy to hit that mark with full fuel and full water, plus some extras like food, generator, portable toilet etc. Still tows on and off-road easily enough with my 200tdi Defender.

Set-up and pack-down times tend to be exaggerated IMHO - we personally do 1/2 hour set-ups with 4 kids and 2 hour pack-ups (from wake up to leaving).

It does take up a fair whack of room, but they are designed for families - in particular those with 3-4 kids or more. Plenty of room for the swags as the kids get older, and great for wet weather.

In short - basic but bulletproof off-road.



Cheers
Chris

[TerryO]

I agree with Chris about set up times.

I'm yet to see any camper set up properly in 5 minutes despite hearing lots of story's that it can be done, 20 minutes is usually even a stretch to get it half done properly. Packing up usually takes double the time it takes to set up.

I found it so painful and annoying to do I sold mine and brought a 18' pop top off road caravan that can go most places off road that a decent sized hard floor camper can. Still takes a easy 15 minutes to set up properly if your staying more than a day and want to set up chairs and tables outside.

[Wildcard8]

We are now NEW OWNERS of a 2001 Trak Shak. I think exactly the same rig as Chris'. Thanks a lot for your advise Chris.

We pick up our new Deefer, next day on the spirit of tassie, drive to Port Macquarie, pick it up and start 8 weeks of camping holiday. Get after it !!!!!

Very excited, look out camping stores, here i come!

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