NEW trak shak opinions

[blakeyboy]

hi all been looking on here for a while  and am looking at updting my current camper,2011 GIC extreme off road, we have had fun with it and i think it was a good choice for the entry level, obviously their not a kimberley kamper but i think they are good for the price, anyways the reason i am writing is to see if anyone has bought a trak shak built after november 2012, i read that they had a complete overhaul just before then, i have read alot of threads with conflicting stories but i really like the layout of the TS as i have two kids and think it would be great for us, i also love that it has a boat rack and solar foldout rack, just wanted to get opinions and tips from people who have had experience with them, any help would be great cheers .

[markymark]

For a family with small kids they are great - you walk in one and go 'wow' at the space inside. Having 4 beds off the ground is a great thing, they carry heaps...plenty of great feedback on here if you search.

My only concern would be getting one from China. The initial ones weren't real good but I don't know about them now. The old Aussie built ones seem to be in demand because of this.

Perhaps owners of the newer ones can help you out with current quality.

Cheers,

Mark.

[Jason B]

In a word Don't!

The early ones were great, and up to about 2007/2008 they were pretty good even though they are made in china. I bought a brand new one in 2011 after months of delays, the quality of my unit was very very poor. So poor infact that eventually the company conceded and refunded my money.

The early Chinese ones (2005/2007) were assembled here in oz, the current ones arrive fully assembled from china with Chinese air in the tyres (and worst of all Chinese prepared and applied paint finishes) The tents are also made in china now, from WCT (Aussie) canvas though.

Look for a good second hand one and spend the savings on tidying it up a bit or other goodies. They are a great design for a large family. They are not as easy to use as some other campers, however they are unbeatable for space.

I have two kids and bought a second hand KK after the TS, this has plenty of room for our 2 kids down on the hard floor, but not a lot of spare space inside. The thing I found a bit of a drag with the TS also is the kitchen set up, as you have to bring water and gas to the kitchen when you want to use it as well as lift it off the tail gate. With the KK style kitchen every thing is set up ready to go, making road side stops or cook ups much quicker.

A mate I camp with a bit has a GIC and it has been a great camper. When its fully set up its like a city.

Good luck with you search and decision.


Jas

[DiverBob]

I'd been hanging my nose over a Trak Shak for years, and had rented the pseudo TS (Deluxe Camper) a few times.... My research has been comprehensive (because I'm as tight as a duck's arse) and I believe the best value for money is a TS built in the early 2000s, up to 2004. After that, forget it.

FTR, mine is an '04.

[Wallon]

Hi There,
I bought a TS and took delivery 08/2011, I love the unit great for camping with kids and will go where ever the car will.
But if I had my chance again I would safe some more $$$$ and get a camprite. The quality of the camper is very poor and the service from Sydney event worse.
I'm about to repaint mine and bring it back to a great finish with a few more mods (Dual Battery, kitchen set up etc...)
I would be very careful and after a conversation with someone who bought a new one, there is still a fair few issues, paint is still one of them.
Cheers,
Thierry

[Sir Kev + Darkie]

I dunno about the older versions being "in demand"

Having had mine on the market for quite a few months now and reasonably priced when comparing prices of other TS available. I have only had 2 enquiries and they never bother replying to my replies 

So it is now being repacked to take away this weekend for Easter, if someone wants it they will have to wait now 

[evolution]

Personally i would by an older one, they are built like a beick #$%&house.
The money saved over a brand new one i would then strip the older one and repaint, new mattresses, new wiring, new kitchen, new electrics and what ever else needed doing.
I think at the end of it I would have
A) a much better built camper
B) a much better accesorised camper
C) a camper that will last forever
D) for all intensive purposes a "new" camper
E) thousands of $$$$ left over.

Just my two cents

Cheers
Evo

[blakeyboy]

cheers for the replies everyone, got an email back today about from Trak Shak, feel free to have a read, thanx once again

[blakeyboy]

sorry for the multiple replies but couldn't attach all at once

[markymark]

I dunno about the older versions being "in demand"

A mate I work with is hounding me to sell mine to him because he can't find any down here!

[markymark]

sorry for the multiple replies but couldn't attach all at once

Wouldn't mind seeing their 'Solar reflective tropical roof'. I just use a big tarp and it's amazing the difference it makes.

[Sir Kev + Darkie]

Tell him I can deliver mine, gives me an excuse for a road trip and time off work LOL

[Jason B]

cheers for the replies everyone, got an email back today about from Trak Shak, feel free to have a read, thanx once again

LOL, some of the specs have been reduced, like the weight for the boat rack is down to 60kg, they now say a 10 padlock set with keys (mine was 10 padlocks with 10 different keys - not keyed alike- website stated keyed alike). Now a poly block hitch (the word trigg was used previously - mine was supplied with one of the cheep Chinese ones - same as the one that failed on Jeepers)

The blurb at the bottom is new the one about product development and changes without notice they tried this with me but failed. Both the loan unit I had, their show unit and their web site had stainless steel scissor hinges and stainless fittings, mine came with mild Steel hinges and fittings painted with silver paint - not even gal.....lol. When I challenged this I was given that line. When I produced screen shots off their web site and photos I had taken of their show/loan unit it was game over. I indicated that I wanted what I had paid for and was happy to wait for one with all of the correct details and specs as displayed on their show unit and web site - they couldnt supply one of those ?? Oh I said but that's what you sold me for $26k? We will give your Money back and you can go away! Oh I see I wasn't supposed to notice the details in the 20 minutes you gave me the sales pitch at the Sydney super show. I should have just handed over my money and been happy with paying for things that were substituted with inferior items without notice and been happy................,NOT.

When I get a chance I will post up some pics of mine, bearing in mind I waited 9 months for it and had used there show unit for a family holiday that was booked because they couldnt supply (which was good of them in fairness). Their was always a delay in getting some part to complete my camper. the truth i believe was they keep working the shows and taking deposits until they have enough to put in an order to China of 10 or 20 units (whatever is viable) So if you are early in the order cycle you are just stalled. it was all obvious after visiting the "factory" which is just a garage, nothing was being built there lol.

Jas