Instructions for Trackabout CT??

[stta]

Hi,
We bought a Trackabout Deluxe Tourer at the end of last year, and we're very happy with it. The only thing is, it arrived without instructions (we think they got lost in shipping from QLD to NSW), and with the issues being experienced by Trackabout we can't call them.
Whilst we managed to put up the tent etc without the instructions, we think we might be able to do this better with more information. Does anyone have a copy of the instructions? We're happy to pay for photocopying and postage. Please send me a personal message if you can help and I'll provide address. Many thanks

[pommiedic]

I do not believe said instructions exist. Never received any with our Trackabout. All trial and error, plus practice.  Even then, it doesn't always look as good as it could.

dic

[davo69 and the Nurse]

I made an Instruction manual for my WA Trackabout dealership, because like yourselves find themselves in the same boat. Send me a PM and I'll see what I can do.

the Nurse

[Cam and Deb]

The instruction book I got was on 2 legs and took 2 hours to get through the instructions was JT himself even though he made us put a demo ct up and down twice the first time we did own trackie I think we got it wrong but just stopped and rembered what JT showed us all good now just trial and error, It's a trackie ya can't break it.


 


Deb

[rodsswag]

The instruction book I got was on 2 legs and took 2 hours to get through the instructions was JT himself even though he made us put a demo ct up and down twice the first time we did own trackie I think we got it wrong but just stopped and rembered what JT showed us all good now just trial and error, It's a trackie ya can't break it.


 


Deb

You know it!!!!!!!!!!
 

Rod....

[meimarocu]

Lol.... 1 tip....leave windows open a wee bit.
It opens and closes much smoother.

Cheers Ian.

[Matto]

Hi Stta,

As the others have said, I don't think you'll find a proper Manual to go with your camper! Have you got any particular questions about setting it up?

As Ian has said, leave some windows/doors open so the air can get in/out of the tent easily. We usually zip all the windows up, but not closed across the top, if that makes sense. Plus I generally leave the bed window open, with the external storm flap closed (to protect the flyscreen a bit).

When setting up, use a broom to help you flick the tent bows over. The way everyone thinks to do it is to stand one person on each end of the trailer near the bow hinges, and push that way - nothing could be more difficult! With two people, have one person pull the canvas off the trailer while the other person stands on the other side and pushes the bows in turn with the broom. If only one person, use the broom to lift the centre bow and then wedge it on the trailer so you can walk around and pull the canvas off yourself. It makes the job so stupidly easy you'll kick yourself.

Make sure the tent is nice and square off the trailer before starting to extend the bows inside, it's much easier to get it right at this stage.

When tensioning the poles inside the tent, start with the bow over the bed, and then work your way out (IE, bed bow tight, then top bow, then tent bow, then freestanding bow). For the free-standing bow at the end of the tent, put the horizontal roof support bars on first and push them tight, before you extend out the legs - makes the roof keep the right shape which assists with water run-off.

Other than that, it's just practice and fiddling with your process. Really, the instruction manual should simply say :
1) set up camper
2) Sit back and enjoy the serenity!

Enjoy your Limited Edition Deluxe Tourer!
Matto

[LJs GU]

When setting up, use a broom to help you flick the tent bows over. The way everyone thinks to do it is to stand one person on each end of the trailer near the bow hinges, and push that way - nothing could be more difficult! With two people, have one person pull the canvas off the trailer while the other person stands on the other side and pushes the bows in turn with the broom. If only one person, use the broom to lift the centre bow and then wedge it on the trailer so you can walk around and pull the canvas off yourself. It makes the job so stupidly easy you'll kick yourself.

We've found, regardless of whether you're pushing bows by hand or by broom, the biggest difference you can make is to have one person hold the door opening wide open, as this allows for a lot more air to get in. 

My method of single person erection (*insert joke/pun here*) is:
Standing at the tailgate end, use both hands to push the first two bows up slightly (one bow works, but two is better... but heavier).
Hold the bow(s) with right hand and use your left hand to push the door open as much as possible.
Wait a second or two for air to rush in before pulling the rest of the tent over.

It sounds obvious and it may seem like I'm telling those that know how to 'suck eggs' but it really was a 'eureka' moment for me after a few frustrating attempts of doing it by myself (*insert joke/pun #2 here*).

LJ 

[Trackaprado]

Rather than pushing the tent bows over with a broom on set up its much easier just to open the whole bed base up so its on an angle and then just pull the canvas off, then just close the bed base

[Matto]

Rather than pushing the tent bows over with a broom on set up its much easier just to open the whole bed base up so its on an angle and then just pull the canvas off, then just close the bed base

Not always, I'm afraid.

If you have strong struts on your bed base (like we do), this will mean needing someone to climb inside up onto the bed (which is tilted up on an angle and slippery) so that you can close the bed base back down. Also anything packed on the bed will end up on the ground - bonus points if it was expensive. Ask me how I know  . Not ideal if it's raining at the time either, and you have stuff inside the trailer that you don't want to get wet.  :'(

I'm sure it works well for some people, but unfortunately for us those three reasons put us back with the broom.

Any more hints and tips? Most of this is applicable to any CT, so it will be good to find out what little tricks people are using.

Thanks!
Matto

[luxabout]

My tip would be to peg the bottom eyelets beside the trailer into the ground first, then flip the tent over. Again it sounds logical, but it really keeps everything straight when you pull the floor out. I didn't do it the first few times and it's much easier now.

Another tip is when you've put the extending poles in the end of the tent, make sure you lift the pole and extend... don't lift the topbar in the canvas as the poles fall out! Got a good hit in the nose from a falling pole once

Also have the flyscreen zipped down on the doors when pulling out the floor to be tight as you can stretch the door width too wide and you will put pressure on the zips.

When we travel for a week or two, we leave the annex roof zipped on... put two extended poles into the eyelets on each side and you can lift it right over the tent. We take if off at the end of the trip though, and zip it on for weekend trips.

Enjoy your Limited Edition Deluxe Tourer!

I like that! I might make up a sticker!

[LJs GU]

Not always, I'm afraid.

If you have strong struts on your bed base (like we do), this will mean needing someone to climb inside up onto the bed (which is tilted up on an angle and slippery) so that you can close the bed base back down. Also anything packed on the bed will end up on the ground - bonus points if it was expensive. Ask me how I know  . Not ideal if it's raining at the time either, and you have stuff inside the trailer that you don't want to get wet.  :'(

I'm sure it works well for some people, but unfortunately for us those three reasons put us back with the broom.

Any more hints and tips? Most of this is applicable to any CT, so it will be good to find out what little tricks people are using.

Thanks!
Matto

Same here...

Came home once to discover the bed base catches hadn't been done up on the CT (was up at the time) in the back yard and the strong winds had managed to pull the base up.  With the strong struts and the weight of the canvas, we couldn't even budge the damn thing back down.  Tried pulling, pushing, a lot of cussing, but in the end had to put the tent down to close the base. 

You only make that mistake once, and it's now part of the routine to make sure they're done up before putting the tent up.

LJ

[stta]

Hi stta here. I'm the one who asked this question originally. I'd like to thank you all for some really great tips. You've made our camping trips easier and certainly saved a couple of heated marital debates. Thank you.

[adrianv]

Hi stta thanks for bringing this subject up. I brought a Safari extender in October last year and got it freighted down to Melbourne and missed out on the run through from JT. Just been using trial and error, until last trip opened up tent and found bowkit broken of plastic hinge. Should the last bowkit be left extended or should it be undone?
Thanks in advance :cheers[img]

[Matto]

Should the last bowkit be left extended or should it be undone?

Hi Adrianv,

I'm assuming you're referring to the bed-side bow? If you're talking about the tent-side, then I'd LOVE to see you fold it back over without dropping it!!! 

To answer the question, yes, we always drop the bed-side bow as well. We don't adjust the centre bow (the vertical one), but bring in both the other ones.

As for the plastic lug, I believe these are a pretty standard item, so you should be able to source a replacement.

Cheers!
Matto

[Alesco]

"Heated Marital Debates" are OK as long as it finishes with the "Two Person Erection" method.

Matto perhaps all the hint and tips for Trackabout erection and destruction could but made into a Sticky.
Not sure where it would be placed though.

If adding a tip then a few piccies for iillistration may be of assistance to the newer owners.

Might be a good post for all of the Different Camper Trailer styles.

Steve.

[Robertsons]

When you fold it up make sure you push the front and back walls  in as the bars go over. Keep it nicely folded as you go so the cover fits bit like hospital corners. We always put a ground tarp down no matter if its an overnighter or couple weeks we have two old towels handy for wiping the floor  off. We bought spreader bars for the annex to keep it nice and square.

[adrianv]

Thanks for the replies, we are going away for Easter, so will try these tips then.