Trakka Campers.

[Craigs902]

Just would like to know if anyone on here owns one and if so what should i look out for when buying a 2nd hand one.

I did pull over a guy today to have a chat about his 2008 trakka 4 motion and he said great car to drive BUT !!! then went on about all the trouble he has had with the van.

I know that some manufacturers can produce some lemons (Landrover TD5 1st gen). I know that the vans are based on the transporter gear but this guy just went on and on about the electrics the particle filter and the cost of replacement every 100k @ $6500, how the wiring and computer setup is an all in one unit, as when a fault appears VW don't really know where it is and when it costs $1200 each time it's a bit over the top.

If he could sell it he could but it's cost him too much money for and he's only been offered $35000 from a dealer (no surprise there).

So in essence would you buy a transporter or a VW van again if you had the choice?

[Bryn23]

Sound like he's had quite a few issues, i think it just comes down to bad luck and getting a lemon.

All the big car manufacturers have quality control's in place... but sometimes, its just a case of the car turns into a lemon, and then if you have poor dealer experience trying to fit the issue, it doesn't make it better.

I looked at buying an older second hand transporter, but the issues out of warranty were a big concern.

those issues were.

*Clogged Particle filter for people that don't drive longer enough to burn off the particles.
*DSG transmissions in the T5, not being serviced or transmission filling no being done right.
*Fuse box not being labeled.
*High servicing costs

Im sure others will point out a few more, are u looking at a T5.1 or T5.2?

as that will help others to point out issue with both models

[Craigs902]

It says chassis build date 04/2011, 4 motion, DSG auto, 2.5lt 132kw 74000km. It comes with Bilstein raised suspension. I'm a bit worried about all the negative things about read about this type of van and turbos blowing, seals, water pumps failing and then leaking into the motor. The van is going to cost me $80000 so it's a big deal to me. I did have a TD5 and the cost of servicing that thing was horrendous.

[Sunny43.5]

Are you sure its a 2.5 I thought all the T5,s from 2010 were 2 litre as the 132 kw were the twin turbo engine . I agree servicing costs are areal turn off especially when you consider that even the most basic one is around the 35 k mark and its only a large empty box two seats engine and gearbox , when I see adds on TV for some 4wd suvs that are cheaper and have more stuff onboard and are cheaper to service ???

[neil]

Have you looked at other options , if you keep searching you can sometimes pickup a good deal on something that someone needs to sell quickly. 80 grand seems a lot for such a little thing , you can get a well used much larger Fiat ducato on a jayco or winnebago body or
which has full shower and toilet at that price. or even fiats own van fitted out by trekka, Avan or others.

[Craigs902]

We've looked around I can tell you and the VW camper with the 4 berth fits all our needs. It's just a shame now I'm getting into the horror stories of the turbo & engine problems in these cars. I know the bigger vans are cheaper but I would love a camper that is car/van size.


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[Bryn23]

We've looked around I can tell you and the VW camper with the 4 berth fits all our needs. It's just a shame now I'm getting into the horror stories of the turbo & engine problems in these cars. I know the bigger vans are cheaper but I would love a camper that is car/van size.


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At that price ($80k), i would be looking at a new T6 Frontline camper, or if you find a second hand 4 Motion, you can get the camper van conversion for $25k

I've had a look through them at the camping show and went and had another look at the Ballina dealer.

The Trakka is just way over priced

[Craigs902]

I agree they are a bit pricey, I've had s look src the front lines and the rear seat in those (imo) is a joke we have 2 kids and there is no way I'm putting my kids in s lap sash bet. Other builders have 2 normal rear seat belts but for some reason frontline have s seat that is in the dark ages when it comes to safety. I've had a look at all the other vans and when it comes to a comparison it still works out yo about $80000 van that I'm looking at new or 2nd hand.


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[Craigs902]

I know over the years of being on different vehicle forums you can get lemons in any car. What I'm trying to figure out is, is that lemon thing apply to the T5 transporter.

I know that the dealers are just a waste of time and you only go to them at the last resort. As with my experience with another European 4x4.


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[Bryn23]

I agree they are a bit pricey, I've had s look src the front lines and the rear seat in those (imo) is a joke we have 2 kids and there is no way I'm putting my kids in s lap sash bet. Other builders have 2 normal rear seat belts but for some reason frontline have s seat that is in the dark ages when it comes to safety. I've had a look at all the other vans and when it comes to a comparison it still works out yo about $80000 van that I'm looking at new or 2nd hand.


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The Trakkka's are good, and believe they are the best out there, i just i can't justify the cost over the other manufactures.

and when i looked at the frontline conversion i was impressed, i am a cabinetmaker and fit out was well made.

Never thought about the rear seat belts being a issue in the Frontline, as we don't have kids, so we never thought about the Lap Belt.

As for the Lemon, there are minimal changes for the T6 over the T5.2, so I'm hoping personally that they have been resolved, as i plan on doing a camper fit out eventually.

And there does seem to be less issues with the 5.2 over the 5.1. so the 5.2 model you are looking at should be more reliable.

Is it possible to get a drivetrain warranty insurance from the dealer you are buying it for...could be worth it if you are concerned, it might be worth looking into...

It is a lot of money for the vehicle, get as much knowledge as you can about the t5.2.. although it will be bias will bad thinks, as people don't post that they haven't had any issues.

Have you looked on T4 Forum in the UK, great forum with a lot of info

[docaussie]

I have a 2008 T5 4-motion with a Trakka conversion.
The van is THE BEST to drive. The Trakka conversion is THE BEST to use.
When I purchased, the van was 6 years old, had been covered by a 6 year extended warranty, and had done 180,000km. Quite a lot of work had been done under warranty (all the usual things)
In the end, I just decided to "bu@@er the expense and buy what I WANTED. My fingers are still crossed!!!

[Craigs902]

I have a 2008 T5 4-motion with a Trakka conversion.
The van is THE BEST to drive. The Trakka conversion is THE BEST to use.
When I purchased, the van was 6 years old, had been covered by a 6 year extended warranty, and had done 180,000km. Quite a lot of work had been done under warranty (all the usual things)
In the end, I just decided to "bu@@er the expense and buy what I WANTED. My fingers are still crossed!!!

How do you find the 4motion have you taken off road?


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[Craigs902]

The 4 motion is what really attacks me to the VW as I don't want to get a big 4x4 and a camper, I'd rather get something practical and compact like the VW. I almost bought a Delica but it was too small. I'm not going to take it rock crawling but would love to get to places where a normal car wouldn't.


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[4wheels]

I'm 9 years in on my 2007 Trakkadu 4Motion. Had a few relatively minor issues early on, fixed under warranty. It's the 5 cyl. 128Kw manual. Still goes like a train on the highway and has 140k on it now. I've driven a T5.1 occasionally as a loaner (correct terminology; T5 up to 2010, then T5.1 till the current T6). It pulled at least as well as my 2.5L, (although it was an empty van), and I liked the DSG. The high torque 7 speed DSG in the vans has not had many bad reviews on forums (compared to the early car transmissions), nor have I seen to many problems reported on the motors. Of course, anything, in any modern car, can be expensive to fix in these high tech days.

4Motion is magic. Make sure you have a rear diff lock (I think it's always included by Trakka, since I first put them onto it). Might need a little suspension lift if you're doing much off road, as ramp over angle is poor due to the LWB, but you'll never be short of traction. Mine's been to Cape Yorke, and did everything easily except the "Old Telegraph Track". It's also a big safety bonus on wet bitumen, and I reckon it helps keep tyre wear even.

$80k sounds a bit pricey, but some Trakkadu's originally retailed as high as the $130's if they were optioned up. See if you can check what the original price was. I researched a lot of different camper brands when I got mine, and though Trakka were the most expensive, I could see where the value was.

I'd happily have a new T6 Trakkadu, but the change-over price would be a bit scarey now.

Brian.

[Craigs902]

Yeah, it seems in my research that the 2.5lt motors twin turbo or not don't seem to have many problems. That rear seat in the trakkadu is a real winner for me, got storage and so on. Unfortunately that car sold just as I was calling up about it.


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