Track Tvan Buyers Guide
So, you’ve been researching the market for months, maybe even years and you always seem to find yourself coming back to the TRACK Tvan. There’s good reason for that. The multi-award winning Tvan has satisfied the test of time and is widely respected as the ultimate off road camper. Look around next time you go touring – they are everywhere, and arguably the most popular premium Australian-made off road camper on the road today.
Why Tvan?
On face value, the Tvan is hard to ignore. It’s unique in appearance; it looks great; it’s versatile in use; comfortable; and light but strong; with one of the most tested suspensions in its class, if not the world. And if its good enough for military applications, it’s good enough for you.
Which model?
Tvan Tanami from $69,583 Driveaway*
There’s also a good model spread, each targeting a specific buyer, with prices ranging from $69,583 to $103,395 driveaway in South Australia. The new revised range for the MY23 model year include the Tanami, Inspire, Zenith, Murranji, and range topping Lightning.
The Tvan Options brochure provides a detailed listing of the standard specification for each model. Ask your local dealer for a copy.
The entry level Tvan is geared towards the adventure buyer with a limited budget.
It scores the classic Tvan DNA, but with a basic extras package. There’s no fridge box, fancy awning or premium kitchen, and suffices with the standard Classic kitchen.
However, it does score a premium Lithium package with most of the electronic spoils of the higher models. This includes a 125Ah Lithium battery, 25 Amp Lithium specific 240V charger, 40 Amp Redarc DC DC charger/MPPT solar controller, and a Victron Battery Management System. There is also a 120 Watt roof mounted solar panel and a regulated input socket for portable panels.
It assumes you’ll use a fridge in your vehicle negating the need for the fridge box.
Recommended options: Bluetooth Victron Management upgrade for Smartphone monitoring and the fabric lined bed head to reduce condensation and make it a more cosy interior are a good start. Without the extra storage of the front box, Bed Tie Down rails make sense to secure suitable internal items to the bed and make use of the available space.
We also like the LHS Lockable Side Pannier Door near the kitchen for rubbish storage – keeps foraging wildlife at bay. Underbody protection mudflaps protect the shock absorber tubes from rebounding stones.
If you plan on using a portable hot water system like a Joolca, the Water system outlet for pressurised water provides a quick connect to onboard water via the water pump. The External Water Source allows you to draw clean water from a bucket obtained from a nearby river. Note, this doesn’t fill the tanks, it is just for use there and then if you want a decent shower, saving your onboard water for drinking.
If budget allows, Custom suspension to match the tow vehicle offset is useful for remote wanderings, allowing you to use the camper spare wheel on the car. There’s also the option of custom wheels & tyres if you want to run a specific wheel and tyre combo like the vehicle.
The Ark750 jockey wheel works well for lifted vehicles and the Stone Stomper protects your investment in your tow vehicle and camper from rebounding stones.
Ultimately you may be limited by budget, but we find these relatively low cost additional items add value far beyond their dollar cost.
Optional fridge box and Quick Cover awning shown
Tvan Inspire from $78,293 Driveaway*
The Inspire has cemented itself as a new model in the range (replacing the Canning), following its introduction as a limited edition 20th Anniversary Model back in 2020.
Key upgrades over the Tanami include the Fridge box, Quick Cover awning, and Premium Kitchen.
A Bluetooth battery management display helps manage 12 volt vitals on a Smartphone App.
Recommended Options: Fabric lined bed head to reduce condensation and make it a more cosy interior. Bed Tie Down rails make sense to secure suitable internal items to the bed and make use of the available space.
We also like the LHS Lockable Side Pannier Door near the kitchen for rubbish storage – keeps foraging wildlife at bay. Underbody protection mudflaps protect the shock absorber tubes from rebounding stones.
If you plan on using a portable hot water system like a Smarttek, the Water system outlet for pressurised water provides a quick connect to use onboard water via the water pump and the External Water Source allows you to draw clean water from a bucket obtained from a nearby river. Note, this doesn’t fill the tanks, it is just for use there and then, saving your onboard water for drinking.
With the addition of the fridge box, an Anderson plug fridge socket adds security for your power supply over rough ground and on the Driver’s side, the slide-out tray with tie down points improves access and security for your gear.
If you intend to run a fridge in the camper, travel in warmer climates, camp in the shade, and stay in the one spot for more than a few days, it is worthwhile considering a 2nd battery to provide greater power reserves.
If budget allows, Custom suspension to match the tow vehicle offset is useful for remote wanderings, allowing you to use the camper spare wheel on the car. There’s also the option of custom wheels & tyres if you want to run a specific wheel and tyre combo like the vehicle.
The Ark750 jockey wheel works well for lifted vehicles and the Stone Stomper protects your investment in your tow vehicle and camper from rebounding stones.
Ultimately you may be limited by budget, but we find these relatively low cost additional items add value far beyond their dollar cost.
Tvan Zenith from $91,735 Driveaway*
Key upgrades include the 1.8 tonne suspension offering increased payload and safety from 12-ich electric drum brakes. Other additions include 17-inch alloy wheels, bump stops to suit 33” wheels, and underbody protection mud flaps.
Standard electrical upgrades are limited to a 300W pure sine wave inverter.
In the kitchen, you’ll find a large slide out pantry with dividers above the fridge and a longer fridge cavity. A RHS slide out tray with tie down points is standard and completes the storage improvements.
An integrated diesel hot water and heater adds a new level of comfort and an easy zip on ensuite allows you to shower in private.
Additional tent windows provide some extra ventilation options.
Recommended Options: Like the other models, Bed Tie Down rails make sense to secure suitable internal items to the bed and make use of the available space.
We also like the LHS Lockable Side Pannier Door near the kitchen for rubbish storage – keeps foraging wildlife at bay.
The Under Kitchen Light is a good proximity light when away from the camper and it draws less power than the awning lights. Being under the kitchen, any bugs drawn to the light can fade out and fall directly to the ground. Saves wiping them off the kitchen bench if using the awning light. And it also illuminates the underside of the camper.
The Pocket Spring mattress adds more back support and the Underbed Drawers provides additional storage utility and completes the internal appearance to a tee.
The Skyward Rear Lift up Deck provides quick access to the camper without dropping the floor and lifting the hatch. And because it lifts both the hatch and the floor upward at the same time, it improves access from the rear. For lunch stops, it can provide a shady place to prop. Simply sit on the back of the camper protected from the sun and enjoy your lunch.
Another item worth considering is the Side Opening Windows. These are much larger than the standard Perspex windows and bring more natural light inside. Sliding windows provide improved ventilation and mesh can be specified as fly or midge screening. Better still, windows provide easy access to pass through the morning coffee!
An Anderson plug fridge socket adds security to your power supply over rough ground.
If you intend to run a fridge in the camper, travel in warmer climates, camp in the shade, and stay in the one spot for more than a few days at a time, it is worthwhile considering a 2nd battery to provide greater power reserves.
RedVision adds remote switching of lights, heater and some appliances from your Smartphone. Imagine turning on the diesel heater from the campfire. You can also monitor power usage, solar gain and water supply.
If you are less of a technophobe and are happy to manually switch your appliances, stick with the standard Victron Battery Management and upgrade the Redarc DC DC charger to 50 amps (this option isn’t available with RedVision). This will recharge your Lithium battery bank on the move in record time.
For storage of fuel for extended remote trips, add the RHS venting and power. This allows up to four fuel jerry cans to breathe through two filtered vents. The tie downs in the slide-out tray can secure the fuel. This option insulates the box which reduces condensation. Or you can run a 2nd fridge or freezer here.
Custom suspension to match the tow vehicle offset is useful for remote wanderings, allowing you to use the camper spare wheel on the car. There’s also the option of custom wheels & tyres if you want to run a specific wheel and tyre combo like the vehicle.
The Ark750 jockey wheel works well for lifted vehicles and the Stone Stomper protects your investment in your tow vehicle and camper from rebounding stones.
While the standard highlight colour is Black, you can choose from 9 other highlight colours. The Intensity Flame Red highlights like the photo at the top of this guide looks great!
Tvan Murranji from $101,055 Driveaway*
The Murranji is the burger with the lot, or almost. It scores all of the standard fruit from the Zenith, plus the Skyward Rear Lift Up Deck providing quick access to the camper internals. Other additions include the opening Sliding Glass Windows, Ultimate Pocket Spring Mattress upgrade, Under Bed Drawers, Rear Insect Screen upgrade to Full Canvas, 2 x 240V sockets in the kitchen (caravan park/generator use only), and venting in the RHS of the Fridge Box (suitable for running a 2nd fridge or carrying fuel).
Recommended Options: Like the other models, Bed Tie Down rails make sense to secure suitable internal items to the bed and make use of the available space.
We also like the Lockable Side Pannier Door near the kitchen for lockable rubbish storage – keeps foraging wildlife at bay.
The Under Kitchen Light is a good proximity light when you are away from the camper and it draws less power than the awning lights. Being under the kitchen, any bugs drawn to the light can fade out and fall directly to the ground. Saves wiping them off the kitchen bench if using the awning light for the same purpose. And it also illuminates the underside of the camper.
An Anderson plug fridge socket adds security to your power supply over rough ground.
If you intend to run a fridge in the camper, travel in warmer climates, camp in the shade, and stay in the one spot for more than a few days at a time, it is worthwhile considering a 2nd battery to provide greater power reserves.
RedVision adds remote switching of lights, heater and some appliances from your Smartphone. Imagine turning on the diesel heater from the campfire. You can also monitor power usage, solar gain and water supply.
If you are less of a technophobe and are happy to manually switch your lights and heater, stick with the standard Victron Battery Management and upgrade the Redarc DC DC charger to 50 amps (this option isn’t available with RedVision). This will recharge your Lithium battery bank on the move in record time.
Custom suspension to match the tow vehicle offset is useful for remote wanderings, allowing you to use the camper spare wheel on the car. There’s also the option of custom wheels & tyres if you want to run a specific wheel and tyre combo like the vehicle.
The Ark750 jockey wheel works well for lifted vehicles and the Stone Stomper protects your investment in your tow vehicle and camper from rebounding stones.
Tvan Lightning from $103,395 Driveaway.
The new Tvan Lightning has a feature set not seen on a Tvan before such as the Safiery dual hob induction cooker in the kitchen. The camper is powered by a huge 500Ah Lithium battery, a 2000W inverter, 360W of solar and an impressive Redarc charging system that can pump up to 80 amps per hour inward using the DC DC charger.
All the amps are managed by the RedVision console which can also be controlled using a Smartphone app. This includes remote switching of lighting, heating, and all while monitoring the vitals.
Otherwise the Lightning has a similar spec to the Zenith with the 1.8 tonne chassis, diesel heater/hot water and the usual premium spec.
Recommended Options: Fabric Lined Bedhead, Underbody Protection Mudflaps, and Anderson plug in fridge box. Other items worth considering are noted in the Author’s Pick below.
Author’s Pick
We have owned four Tvans over the last 17 years; a Canning, a Murranji, a Zenith, and more recently the new Tvan Lightning. In our line of business, we change campers regularly, but we always come back to the Tvan for remote, desert adventures where size, weight, and comfort are key drivers.
With our Tvan Lightning we selected the options that add the most value. They included:
- Fabric lined bed head to minimise condensation.
- Skyward rear lift up deck for quick access to the camper or for quick shade at lunch stops.
- Bed Tie down rails to secure bulky items suitable for internal storage to the bed.
- Pocket spring mattress upgrade for improved back support.
- 2nd water tank for increased range.
- Custom suspension to match the tow vehicle offset (extra spare tyre), custom wheels & tyres.
- Lockable Side Pannier Door near kitchen (lockable rubbish storage).
- Maxtrax Mounting Pins – leaves dirt to fall on the ground after use, rather than on the vehicle.
- Underbody protection mudflaps to protect the shocker tubes from rebounding stones.
- ARK 750 jockey wheel – better for high clearance tow vehicles.
- Front boot shelf 510mm above the short slide in the RHS fridge box (provides clearance for jerry cans).
- RHS venting and insulation to run a 2nd fridge or carry 4 x jerry fuel cans.
- Anderson plug for fridge sockets.
- Custom Evakool 60L dual zone fridge freezer – the biggest fridge available for the fridge box with the pantry fitted (without modification).
- Stone Stomper Stone Guard to reduce road rash on camper and vehicle from rebounding stones.
You can read all about our epic Tvan Lightning adventure along the Anne Beadell Highway and beyond from May 2023 HERE.
