Tvan Canning camper 2021 review

If you’re in a real hurry, got to camp late, or just feeling lazy and need a kip, setting up the Tvan is as simple as lowering the rear platform, lifting the back door, climbing inside, shutting yourself in and laying your head on a pillow. It’s very ‘tear-drop’ in that regard. If you want it a bit more open, there’s a canvas hatch cover which fits into place for a ‘30-second’ set-up.

But even the more complete set-up is simple. It had been 10 years since I last set up a Tvan, but I still got it done in 10 minutes and noticed some brilliant improvements to the process. 

Track has added magnetic location to all of the clips and fasteners the tent uses as it attaches around the floor frame. It meant that once I’d pushed the tent out into its approximate position, most of the straps find their way into place and all I needed to do was tension them. The floor’s legs are also cleverly integrated into the assembly and are much simpler to adjust than they’ve been in the past.

Packing up (the real test of a camper, in my opinion) was straightforward, although I did have to dislocate some magnetic straps twice after they found their way back into place. 

The floors legs are easy to adjust, and the black clips are magnetically assisted.

As I was working overhead to fit the tent back into its hammock in the door-hatch, I wished there was a strap to hold the door lower. But, then I found it, already there and with the Track brand on it, as soon as I’d finished. They’ve thought of everything, it seems. 

The Tvan’s bed runs north-south through the camper, so both occupants can climb in easily without having to climb over the other. In the top three models, Track fabric-lines the bedhead, although considering headroom down that end it limited, most people won’t be able to sit up and read there. The mattress is a comfortable, high-density foam, although an innerspring upgrade is available. For those who can’t live without technology close by, there are 12V and USB outlets spread throughout the cabin. 

There are two kitchens available for the Tvan, and both are great. In the lower-spec models, that standard kitchen is a telescopic slide-out with a two-burner gas stove, stainless steel sink and a decent amount of bench space. It has a simple wind-guard, basic storage options and running, cold water. 

The premium kitchen, as pictured, is much bigger, and therefore has heaps better storage options within it, and a better layout. The wind-guard is also better integrated and easier to use.  

Four of the six models come standard with a drawbar mounted box that features a fridge slide capable of holding a 65-litre fridge. The space can also be optioned with a pantry slide, although I’d love to see that made standard, as there are not many more convenient places to store bulk food around the kitchen. 

That all sits under Tvan’s 180-degree quick awning, which is best described as half-an-umbrella stuck to the side of the camper. It fans out nice and quickly, although there’s an order to the canvas folding to get it packed up neatly afterwards. 

If you can say anything about Track, it’s that the company knows how to add fries with that. There are almost more options for the Tvan than there are standard features, even if you buy a top-spec Muranji. 

Need Maxtrax mounted on the back? Easy. Bike holders over the drawbar? Of course. Lithium batteries and upgraded battery management? Why not. You’d like extra canvas for extended stays, a kids’ room or more shelter. It’s all available.