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Frequently Asked Questions |  |
What is the load capacity?
What size is the bed?
Does it have provison to carry a second fridge?
How long is it inside?
What's the ventilation like?
Is it practical to access internal load for roadside stops?
Why twin shock absorbers on the Topaz?
Is Topaz approved for entry into the Bungle Bungles?
How much larger is Topaz over Tvan, Landcruiser or Patrol?
What is the hot water service?
Does Topaz have an inside shower or toilet?
What is the fridge capacity?
What is the battery capacity?
Is an air conditioner available?
Can we have disc brakes on my Topaz?
Can we have LED lighting on a Topaz?
What are the cooking arrangements in the Topaz?
What is Topaz constructed from?
Should I be concerned about quality and security of drinking water?
What is additional water and fuel carrying capacity?
What is LPG carrying capacity?
Can I match tyres?
What is the wheel track?
What if I breakdown?
Can I trade in my caravan
What is the Warranty?
Where can I buy it?
What is the tare mass?
1530kgs
What is the load capacity?
460kgs
What size is the bed?
The standard mattress is Queen width by double length, 5’0” x 6'2" (1880mm x 1530mm). The table can be dropped down between the seats and an infill extension fitted to provide a larger than King size bed. The main bed area can be left made up permanently with the extension only requiring the sheet to be pulled over it to be set up at night. The mattress is 6" (150mm) thick high-density foam. Also available are the options of inner spring, pillow top or latex mattresses and under mattress liner (to allow the mattress to breath better) to allow you to tailor the bed to your own individual sleeping requirements.
Does it have provison to carry a second fridge?
Located in the box on the front is a fridge slide which can hold a Waeco Fridge from its smallest size up to 60ltr
How long is it inside?
The living space of the Topaz is 3990mm measured at bed height.
What's the ventilation like?
The Topaz door contains a full length fly screen and security mesh incorporating two fixed vents in the top and bottom of the door. In addition to this there are two externally opening vents which open up at bed height on opposite sides of the van. There are four full windows in the pop-top which can be opened as desired. The fixed range hood also vents outside the van.
Our testing has shown that in 45 degree ambient temperatures with the Topaz sitting in the midday sun, it is not hotter inside that out, with all the vents open and the standard block out blinds rolled down over the tinted windows. This is due to the flow through ventilation system (cooler air comes in the bed side vents and the door and hot air exits through the pop top vents) and the insulation properties of our sandwich panel wall system. The inside comfort level can be further enhanced by the use of the optional air conditioner unit.
Many other caravans get hotter than the outside temperature in this type of situation or are unable to have the windows open for ventilation and the blinds drawn (some don’t come with curtains or blinds) at the same time.
Is it practical to access internal load for roadside stops?
Yes. With large external locker spaces and the front boot you're able to easily gain access to all your gear on the side of the road. It's also surprisingly easy to move around inside the van without lifting the roof. This enables you to access the fridge or prepare a road side snack out of the wind/rain/sun without having to set up the whole van. The roll out awning can be used without setting up the van. Topaz is also available with an optional roll out external kitchen with a two burner stove, grill plate, pantry and sink for added convenience.
Why twin shock absorbers on Topaz?
The advantages of twin (per wheel) Koni shock absorbers as fitted to Topaz are better cooling on corrugated roads (twice the oil volume and surface area) which gives better, longer damping control, longer shock absorber life and the retention of the long travel of the MC2 suspension when compared to a single, large bore, short travel shock absorber.
We conducted extensive testing of the Topaz on and off the road with data logging instrumentation, measuring everything from suspension travel and rate of travel to shock absorber temperature. This enabled our engineers to objectively assess different spring and shock absorber combinations, and the effects each had on handling and suspension movement, back in the office by overlaying the graphs of the collected data. This scientific approach to suspension tuning allowed us to come up with the best combination of spring rate and twin shock absorber (valved to suit our requirements) to suit the size and mass of the Topaz.
Track Trailer uses twin tube shock absorbers on all our products as they are better suited to off road conditions than single tube shock absorbers because they contain a greater volume of oil (better heat resistance) and any slight dents incurred by bouncing stones do not impact the area where the piston runs (this can lead to shock absorber piston seizure in single tube units).
Is Topaz approved for entry into the Bungle Bungles?
Yes. Due to Topaz’s configuration and axle layout, it is able to be taken into the Bungle Bungles National Park as well as anywhere else your car is capable of towing.
How much larger is Topaz over Tvan, Landcruiser or Patrol?
At 1990mm wide, 5990mm long and 2400mm high:
Topaz is only 70mm wider (guard to guard) and 1.1m to 1.5m longer than a Tvan, depending on the Tvan drawbar length. This is shorter than some hard floor flip over camper trailers on the market. The towing height is only 350mm higher than a Tvan.
Topaz is only 20mm wider in the body, 40mm wider in track width and has the same departure angle as a standard 200 Series Landcruiser.
Topaz is only 50mm wider in the body, 55mm wider in track width and 6 degrees less departure angle than a standard GU Patrol.
These minor differences allow for excellent manoeuvrability in tight situations
What is the hot water service?
The hot water service is capable of being powered by either 240V or LPG with a 14 litre storage tank. This provides ample hot water for washing up or showering. The hot water service provides quick heat up. Turn it on when you get up and by the time the kettle is boiled for your morning cuppa the shower is ready to go. The hot water service provides near silent operation on LPG or 240V without the use of smelly diesel systems. The other benefit of LPG hot water is that the van uses only one source of fuel (LPG) for both inside and outside cooking and water heating, eliminating the need to have two different fuels on the van.
The hot water system is also fitted with a tempering valve to reduce the tap temperature to 50 degrees to help prevent hot water scalding. This is the maximum recommended temperature for both children and people with more delicate skin.
Does Topaz have an inside shower or toilet?
No. In a small off-road caravan, an internal shower/toilet takes up to ¼ of the available interior space. For an area that is only used for about 15 minutes a day, we believe this is a lot of wasted space which can be better utilised for every day living. Further, why would you want your toilet that close to your kitchen?
Topaz has the option of a large self supporting, exterior ensuite tent with a shower system. There is enough room for two to shower at the same time, thus saving water! A portable toilet has a dedicated storage position in the right hand rear exterior locker. The toilet can be brought inside and stored under the bed at night (if required) or used in the ensuite tent if preferred. Toilet treatments such as Bio-Magic are a safer alternative to older type formaldehyde base portable chemicals, giving an environmentally friendlier solution for disposal of toilet waste into septic systems and the like.
This shower and toilet system keeps all the steam, etc. outside and creates a more spacious living area inside.
What is the fridge capacity?
Topaz has an inbuilt 80 litre upright 12V/240V fridge. This is installed without the necessity of external venting (like that which is required for 3 way fridges), to minimise dust entry. A second 60 litre chest fridge can be carried in the drawbar storage box, which is ventilated and filtered. This gives the flexibility of more fridge storage when needed without having to power the extra space when not needed. Both fridges are easily accessed for road side stops, without having to crawl inside a collapsible roof type van, and the fridge box is very close to the barbeque – perfect for keeping and storing your freshly caught fish!
What is the battery capacity?
The standard Topaz battery is a 100 amp hour absorbed glass matt (AGM) battery stored under the robe inside the van, which has the benefit of quick recharge times and will run the lights and two fridges for at least two days without external inputs. This can be upgraded to twin 100 amp hour AGM batteries (also supplied with an upgraded 240V charger) to suit your own power requirements, however you need to consider if your vehicle’s charging capacity is up to the task of recharging these larger capacities. Some modern computer controlled vehicle charging systems are unable to satisfactorily recharge AGM batteries without the addition of more complicated circuits and this should be considered when fitting out the tow vehicle. Please contact your Auto Electrician for further information.
The standard charging circuit is via an Anderson plug from the tow vehicle and can be further supplemented by the optional portable solar panels, standard 240V 3 stage battery charger and/or a generator/fuel cell.
Is an air conditioner available?
Topaz is available with a reverse cycle air conditioner. The unit is fitted inside the lower right hand locker. This keeps it out of the dust by being locked inside whilst travelling and does not add to the overall height of the Topaz. By not being on the roof, it keeps the centre of gravity (C of G) of the Topaz down at a safer height as it is located below the unladen C of G. Therefore it does not adversely affect the handling of the trailer like roof mounted units.
As it is a true reverse cycle, meaning it is not fitted with a heating element like some units, it is also able to be used as a heater with lower power consumption. Our testing has shown, with an ambient temperature in the low teens, the unit can maintain an internal temperature of 28 degrees.
Can we have disc brakes on my Topaz?
No. We are able to make Topaz with hydraulic over ride disc brakes but in the opinion of our expert engineers and staff with extensive outback towing experience these “push” type brakes are not a satisfactory or safe solution as they do not have the driver’s seat control of modern pendulum type electric brakes. Discs and callipers are also more exposed than drums and prone to damage by rocks bouncing up from the road. New style, electric over hydraulic systems just add to the complexity of the braking system making them very difficult to repair in the Outback. Most of these systems also lack satisfactory handbrakes which allow the safe manoeuvring of your trailer around your home or camp.
Track Trailer assisted in the development of the “Off-road” brake magnets in the mid 90’s and have fitted these to over 1500 trailers. Al-Ko off-road drum brakes have proven to be very reliable, cost effective to maintain and have a good service life (averaging 30,000 to 40,000 km). Drum brakes are still in use on many popular new 4WD vehicles.
Can we have LED lighting on a Topaz?
Yes. Interior LED lights are available for Topaz which offer lower operating temperatures and much lower power consumption. This choice does need to be weighed up against the much lower light output and, in some people’s opinion, harsher light colour.
Topaz also comes standard with LED tail, brake and indicator lights. These are much brighter than standard globe lights and are a much safer alternative when travelling in very dusty conditions.
What are the cooking arrangements in the Topaz?
The Australian Swift stove fitted to the Topaz consists of four burners (one large 10MJ and three smaller 5 MJ) and a griller. This gives very flexible cooking with the ability to use large cookware, such as 30cm frying pans, wok or up to 4 smaller pots at the same time for more adventurous camping meals for the larger family. Cooking can be further enhanced by the use of the optional Australian Sovereign external hooded barbeque which is great for cooking meat (it does a great roast) outside, while doing the vegies inside to minimise the smells and heat in the living area.
The stove and BBQ are LPG powered which provides instant heat with greater control compared with diesel powered ceramic type stoves, eliminating the need to carry a second fuel source for the outside cooking.
The awning can be fitted with a wind break wall adjacent to the external barbeque for extra protection when cooking in extreme conditions.
An optional outside kitchen (the same kitchen as fitted to the Tvan) is available to replace the barbeque for travellers who prefer cooking outside most of the time. The inside kitchen is still fitted, meaning on days of extreme weather (wind, total fire ban, etc) or fly infestation you are still able to cook a meal.
What is Topaz constructed from?
Topaz is based around a hot dipped galvanised torque tube steel chassis, designed and manufactured in house at Track Trailer.
The walls and roof are constructed from a unique frameless vacuum bonded panel wall system, developed and manufactured by us in our Bayswater factory. This construction utilises double folded and riveted powder coated aluminium with a layer of high density closed cell foam bonded in between. This gives Topaz walls great strength, light weight and good insulation properties. It also removes the necessity for welded alloy frames that can work harden and crack over time. We do not use panel wall systems manufactured in Europe for European conditions.
Should I be concerned about quality and security of drinking water?
Two Australian manufactured 70-litre 'food grade' water tanks are standard and stone protected by steel enclosure. The water tanks are served by electric and hand pumps.
What is additional water and fuel carrying capacity?
Four jerry cans in total located on the front drawbar. Taking in account the water tanks and the hot water storage the wet load capacity is 234-litres.
What is LPG carrying capacity?
2 x 4.5kg cylinders
Can I match tyres?
Yes you can match rims and tyres to most popular tow vehicles (conditions apply). Please contact your Track Trailer Dealer for specific fitment details.
What is the wheel track?
Track is 1680mm but will vary nominally with various wheel / tyre specs.
What if I breakdown?
Track Trailer can be contacted on 1800 69 88 26 free of charge. We will then consult with you and local repairers to get you back on the road and enjoying your holiday as quickly as possible. We can also arrange freight for any parts that may be required to your next port of call.
Can I trade in my caravan
Many Track Trailer dealers are able to trade in your old caravan or camper.
What is the Warranty?
The Tvan/Topaz warranty covers private buyers against manufacturing faults and defects of the build of the body for a period of three years. The MC2 Suspension and chassis are covered by a five year warranty. Please contact Track Trailer for a detailed copy of our warranty statement if required.
Where can I buy it?
Track Trailer has dealers near most major state capital cities in Australia and in New Zealand. Please see the "Contact Us"page for more information.
