Track Trailer Forum

Harry I feel your frustration
I agree the hot water is a simple tank and cold in low and hot out the top
The pressure relief valve is to ensure the tank cannot exceed the design water feed pressure
This is easy to access like you say

If the hot water system is seeing air then this should release when you open the hot water tap
You should see water and air release and is the bleeding of the system
Once the air is released this should not happen again unless the suction side is able to add air
I don't know if the hot water tank has pressure relief you would hope so
The technical diagram for the hot water should confirm that

Your say both hot an cold pumps have the problem
Both have there own water tanks
I was talking about the water tanks under the body having vents
Are the vents on the tanks working?
Increased pressure on the water storage tanks will affect the pumps

If you have checked for air water leaks on the suction and delivery side then its looking like a pump problem
Might be worth talking to Track and see if they have seen the problem

Cheers Ken

Harry just thinking about what you said regarding the air pressure in the tank
May be the problem is the tank builds pressure as it can not vent
There is a vent line than needs to be free to allow air in and out to equalise pressure
If this is blocked the pump will be fighting the pressure or vacuum in the tank
Just for curiosuty go and release the tank cap and listen for air releasing
Then re run the pump to see if it solves the problem


If the tank has no pressure equalisation this can happen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz95_VvTxZM

Cheers Aus

Well done harry leaks in the water circuit can be tricky to find
The leaking filter seals is a tricky issue and difficult to spot
The grease makes scense to help lubricate the seal and keep to supple

If you still have a air or water leak then the pump will blip or turn on and off after a period of time
This will be a pressure drop in the system
Might also be worth checking you have the lock clip installed on all your plumbing
The fittings have a lock clip that should be fitted to stop the release of the quick couple piping used in the Topaz

Collet Clip
https://camec.com/plumbing-gas/plumbing-fittings/collet-clip-12mm-red-watermarked.html

The unit comes with a wiring diagram and redarc has info on the website.
I would talk it through with an auto electrician first.
I save money by talking to my electrician and discussing the install
Mount the unit in the agreed location and run all the wires as required.
Then take the vehicle to them for final wiring.

This gets the BCDC unit in you preferred location and mounting brackets and wiring in place which takes time and the biggest expense.
Then the Auto electrician just has to terminate the wires and check all is working.
Warranty is covered as you have a professional install.

Cheers Aus

Mark
Diesel is way more fuel efficient once you start using the heater and heats the water as well in the same unit. Most people run diesel as their vehicle uses the same fuel not having to take a large quantities of gas is an advantage for extended cold weather trips.
The time to start is an issue if your not prepared to turn on the switch as soon as you arrive to preheat the unit.
Note water also takes time to heat up but you don't have an instant hotplate which is inside the van.
I don't use the inside stove as it stinks the van out when cooking, so only use it for an extra stove for a roast, boiling water or cooking veggies.
Note if you use the Stove BBQ Oven out side the van that you still have and instant heat source so not much of an issue
The van does not have the door vents so less dust ingress.

Lots to like about the diesel option

The disadvantage is it need clean fuel and be run on a regular basis
The tank needs a drain to allow the fuel to be emptied and fresh fuel added
You need to run the unit on a regular basis to ensure it is working effieciently
Way more complex and harder to repair while out and about
The 12 volt min voltage is the same for both diesel and gas.

The choice comes down how you intend to use the van.
Are you prepared to wait a bit for the interior stove to heat up
Do you intend to use the interior stove on a regular basis.
Gas is easy to use and proven reliability but still can go wrong
How much cold weather camping do you intend to do to gain the real benefit from the diesel space heater.

Another way to approach this problem is with a stone guard
The new Track Topaz Scout has a stone guard which is great news


This is my effort
All fitted with nutserts so no welding to chassis

I would suggest you take your lightly loaded Topaz with everything you would want for a trip and have it weighed. Your looking for Total Weight & Axle Weight you can calculate tow ball weight. Post up your numbers

Good to see we have got to the bottom of this one.
Having extra axle capacity is not silly on a off-road van just to eliminate the bending issues.
Off road van see a lot more dynamic load than an on-road van.
The extra capacity is not to increase the axle load but purely for strength.
The down side is more weight to carry around.

Harry
The sail tracks are sealed with Sikaflex Pro Multipurpose Sealant and 4mm or 5mm stainless rivets
The Aluminium Pop top can be fastened to as the factory annex has a sail track at the same height
The clean up can be done with kitchen cleaner and paper towel
Seal and rivet then clean up excess selant

I have sail track on all 4 sides of the roof
The intent is to make a shade cloth screen to cover the van and reduce the heat inside
The front one will be long enough to cover the nose storage area
This will help the fridge and bed area reduce the internal temperature
I want to mount solar panels on the roof with a tropical roof mounted to the aluminium frame
The solar will be the light weight flexi panels with an inverter charge system from Victron
This will give power available to run devices as well as charge the batteries

Nomadic
Not sure but not seen any rust stains so far
The later models have the deflector shortened to allow water past
Even later they are slotted to allow water through
Noted some leaves had built up so had to clean them out

Harry,
I should re phrase that, when I was looking to purchase the saleman stated 700kg load
When you read the specs depending on the options install this is around 500 kg
Once you take the water gas and extras out not much left
900 to 1000 kg would be a better number then we could be sure the van would not be over loaded.

This is the current spec sheet weight section

Shaker
The suspension section
Both version 4 & 5 are the same for the suspension section
The 120% is under the heading group of axles and relates to non load sharing suspension setups
This document is ambiguous but note the comment more info is available for load sharing

I rang and spoke to the engineer at Track Trailer regarding this topic as I wanted to have the axle upgraded to 2400 kg
He explained the regs and I came to the same conclusion the the topaz comply's and is able to be licensed in every state of Australia with the current arrangement

The biggest issue you will find no matter which brand you chose is load caring capacity
The topaz claims 700 kg load capacity but once you take out water, gas and any other accessorise you fit from a bare van your lucky to have enough capacity
This is where you need to do some serious research and discuss with the suppliers the issue
The only way this will change is if we have this discussion with people who design the vans

Shaker
The 120% relates to dual axle and load sharing not a single axle configuration.

The Topaz complys with VSB1 and treads a fine line between having to fit brakes to all wheels and break away brakes
As soon as you change the axle load you will have to comply with all the extra requirement and add weight
There is no easy way to upgrade the axle rating
The better approach would be to reduce the body weight for more capacity.
Lets hope the mark 3 version achieves this

Topaz Paint Colours

I checked the colours of my MK 111 Canning.

Dark Gray - Interpon Sable Bass Matt ( Code GA297A)
White sides etc  - Interpon Surf Mist Matt  ( Code GA236A) Previously known as Vivica Surf Mist Matt.
Red Stripe Dulux Plain Red ( this is what Track trailer told me, previously Craig said Flame Red, but neither are on Dulux's web site)
I believe the orange is
Dulux Orange X15

The website for colour information for Interpon is http://www.specifyinterpon.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Industrial_colourcard.pdf

Topaz colours are the same as MkIII Tvan.

Correct on the colours, the Red on the old Tvans was call flame red (but could now be Signal Red). The Dark grey used to be called Vivica Bass. The orange is indeed X15.

These colours came from a Tvan thread on this site so I created a copy of the info for my reference
Cheers Ausc