Over three days and two nights, we put the Jawa Trax 10 Series II Hybrid Camper Trailer through its paces at Queensland‘s beautiful Sunshine Coast Hinterland. From the mud and ruts of the Glasshouse Mountains to the rolling hills behind Cooroy, we used the Jawa Trax 10 Offroad Hybrid Camper Trailer like it was our own.
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FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE JAWA TRAX 10 HYBRID CAMPER TRAILER
Before even hitching it up behind our Patrol, this hybrid looks made for the rough stuff. Whether it be a quick weekend escape or longer treks across the country.
It has a raised stance and plenty of ground clearance, fully independent suspension and knobby mud-terrain tyres. This is one hybrid that was born with dirt running through its veins.
It was time to hitch it up and head for the dirt.
OFF-ROAD EXPECTATIONS OF THE JAWA TRAX 10 HYBRID CAMPER TRAILER
With the look of an offroad hybrid camper trailer, we had high expectations for the Trax 10 when it came time to leave the bitumen behind us.
Our chosen test location was the forestry tracks around the Glasshouse Mountains. Now, these tracks can vary from the benign to the ridiculous. We weren’t after the ridiculous, but we definitely needed something more than benign to put this little hybrid offroad camper to the test.
After starting out on the easier tracks, we found ourselves along one of the powerline tracks. Now, these tracks have a bit of everything; from ruts and rocks, to mud and some damn big puddles. Just what we were looking for, and hopefully enough to test the limits of the Trax 10.
Well, we can happily report back that we did manage to find those limits.
And that’s not such a bad thing.
The McHitch off-road coupling does exactly what it is meant to do when articulating through the ruts and wombat holes. The checker plate around the lower sections and the truncated rear corners of the camper does an excellent job in preventing and minimising body damage. The aluminium checker plate shrouds do a great job of protecting the stainless steel water tanks.
The suspension also does exactly as expected and seems to be setup well to handle the weight of the Trax 10.
Also playing its part off-road is the relatively compact size of the hybrid. At only 5.2m long and the main box only 1.95m wide, it followed dutifully behind the Patrol.
SETTING UP THE JAWA TRAX 10 HYBRID CAMPER TRAILER
When it comes to camp setups, we are pretty simple people. We have spent many years abiding by the “K.I.S.S Principle.” Our setups usually are nothing more than rolling out the swag and cooking up dinner on the open fire or a simple butane cooker.
So, when it comes to getting away in a something a little more fancy, that same K.I.S.S. Principle must still apply.
Hybrid campers, and definitely the Trax 10 has got you covered. There’s no wrestling with canvas, poles and guy ropes here.
While I wish I had started my stopwatch, I can say with hand on heart that the Trax 10 was set up in minutes. And that was even with disconnecting it from the ute and levelling with the wind-down stabiliser legs.
If you’re only staying for a quick overnighter, there would be no need to disconnect it from the tow vehicle.
Now it’s all very easy.
- Unclip the four over-centre latches on each corner
- Lower the entry steps
- Step up inside through the security door
- Grab the two handles on the ceiling
- Push up
The one-piece fibreglass roof provides excellent insulation, while the vinyl skirt allows for maximum ventilation thanks to four large windows. The windows let a heap of natural light in, but keep the mozzies out thanks to a fine mesh screen.
Back on the outside, the rear pod emerges after a few pushes and pulls of the rear panels to ‘grow’ the camper by three feet.
INSIDE THE JAWA TRAX 10 HYBRID CAMPER TRAILER
With the rear pod locked into place, the overall dimensions of the Trax 10 interior is revealed.
A two-piece innerspring mattress unfolds to create a surprisingly comfortable queen-sized bed that occupies the rear pod section. Our test camper was supplied with a bamboo mattress topper for ultimate sleeping comfort.
Touch-style LED lights are located at the head of the bed as well as on the ceiling. For those that don’t mind flicking through a book, LED reading lights are also provided.
Our camper was equipped with a 22″ TV that mounts to a storage cupboard at the foot of the bed, but we preferred to watch the bush tele instead. This storage cupboard also has a couple of large drawers and would be ideal for all your clothes.
Running across the front of the Trax 10 is more storage for pantry items, as well as a plumbed basin with hot and cold water. Better use of the space above the basin could be made with the addition of a small shaving cabinet.
Considering most of our bathing is done out of a 10L bucket when we go bush, the presence of an internal ensuite was a serious luxury. Being able to have a hot shower at the end of the day seemed like something out of a movie.
The Trax 10 sports an ensuite with a Thetford cassette toilet and shower fed by a Truma hot water system. One thing we loved about the shower was the innocuous-looking six-inch-long stainless post suspended from the ceiling. This little addition allowed for the shower rose to be suspended from the post, allowing you to wet the top of your head and shower just like you were at home.
OUTSIDE THE JAWA TRAX 10 HYBRID CAMPER TRAILER
Let’s face it. When we’re out in the bush, we want to spend as much time outside no matter how luxurious inside may be.
The Trax 10 has got you covered here too. Literally.
There’s a big 3m long awning that covers the pretty much all of the near side of the camper, providing protection from the elements. Bonus points for it extending over the kitchen area as well.
Now, about that kitchen. It’s a ripper. A full stainless steel slide-out kitchen incorporating a four burner gas cooktop with over-sized windshields will please even the fussiest of cooks.
Cutlery and utensils are stored in large drawers underneath, and an extendable bench creates an ideal serving space. The stainless steel sink has plumbed hot and cold water, as well as a drying rack above. Twin gas fittings at the rear of the camper allow for both the cooktop and a portable BBQ to be connected at the same time.
Missing from the kitchen area is external pantry storage, but apparently, this could change in the near future. Keep your fingers crossed for that one.
While there may not be any external pantry storage, up the front there is a massive fridge slide. Our test camper was fitted with the 80L EvaKool fridge/freezer, however, the 95L model does fit. Just!
On the off side of the camper, there’s a hatch at the front for longer items as well as access to the toilet cassette. Down the back, there’s the water fillers and an external hot and cold shower. Just perfect for a quick rinse.
UNDERNEATH THE JAWA TRAX 10 HYBRID CAMPER TRAILER
Underneath the Jawa Trax 10 is a pretty standard arrangement for the majority of imported hybrid camper trailers. That is coil-sprung, independent trailing arm suspension with twin shocks. However, the team from Jawa have gone a step further by replacing the shocks with upgraded Drivetech Enduro units.
The two stainless steel fresh water tanks are protected by aluminium checker-plate shrouds. Likewise, the poly grey water tank.
Generally speaking, the wiring was of a good standard, well protected and run nice and high. Unfortunately, there were a couple of areas where this was not the case.
True to its off-road DNA, the TRAX 10 sports a couple of heavy-duty rear recovery points if forward momentum is no longer possible. Sixteen inch black steel rims shod with 265/75R16 mud-terrain tyres complete the package.
OFF-GRID CAPABILITIES OF THE JAWA TRAX 10 HYBRID CAMPER TRAILER
As far as we are concerned, there would be no use having an awesome off-road hybrid camper if you couldn’t spend a considerable amount of time away from civilisation.
Well, it’s good to know that the Jawa Trax 10 Hybrid has all the right attributes for long-distance, remote travel.
There’s 180L of freshwater spread over two tanks (1 x 100L and 1 x 80L) which, even with the on-board shower will last for several days. The Trax 10 also has a 60L grey water tank, meaning that stays in National Parks and sensitive environments are doable.
As for keeping all of your electrical devices charged or running, the Trax 10 doesn’t disappoint. Hiding under the bed there’s 300Ah of battery power, matched to a 40A Enerdrive DC/DC Charger.
When at camp, 300 watts of roof-mounted solar panels will provide enough juice to top the batteries up. If you need 240V power, the Trax 10 comes equipped with a 1000W inverter.
Running out of gas will never be a problem for the Trax 10. Hidden behind a protective shroud on the A-frame is a 9kg bottle. Also up front is a 20L jerry can holder and a massive tool box that’s big enough to house a generator.
FINAL IMPRESSIONS OF THE JAWA TRAX 10 HYBRID CAMPER TRAILER
The Jawa Trax 10 Series II Hybrid Camper Trailer is a fantastic micro pop-top that is going to suit the adventurous couple or solo traveller.
Quick and easy to set up, great off-road ability, a queen-sized bed and internal ensuite will have the Trax 10 on a lot of shopping lists.
With prices starting from $36 800, you get a lot of camper in a tiny package.
MDLB RATING
The Jawa Trax 10 Series II Hybrid Camper Trailer gets performed strongly in all aspects of this review and gets 4.5 out of 5 Battered Akubras!
THE HITS
THE MISSES
SPECIFICATIONS
STANDARD FEATURES
OPTIONAL UPGRADES FITTED
PRICE AS TESTED
RESOURCES
We used the Hema Maps – South East Queensland map and the HX-1 Navigator GPS unit when planning this trip.
CHECKOUT OUR WALKTHROUGH OF THE JAWA TRAX 10 HYBRID CAMPER TRAILER
About the Author:
Hi, I’m Matt. I camp, four-wheel drive, explore the outdoors and get paid to take photos.
I’m happiest when I’m doing all four at once.
Occasionally, I’ll even tap out a couple of words on my keyboard.
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