T-Van in financial trouble.

Interesting article Jim. We also think that a lot of RV travellers are moving towards Hybrid type vans. We have just sold our Kimberley Kamper Trailer and had to reduce price significantly to clear it before our new AOR Matrix arrives. It just seems folks don't want camper trailers anymore.

Absolutely David and Michelle…we were “kicked” out of a shire 48 hour site because of the inability to collect grey water from our kitchen on our Kimberley Kamper..even though we had a massive bucket to collect waste water.

These are limited where they can be used by current rules applied in some places.
Although I purchased a Tvan in 2005, used until 2016, there were some shortcomings. They are expensive for what they are. A good unit overall. Build quality? Won't buy again!
A few built in faults from factory.
Because the steel inner panels are pre coated colourbond material, the manufacturer DID NOT remove the oily film on it's surfaces, but simply added Silicon sealer between floor and panel, ie, no sealing achieved. It let copious amounts of dust inside. The road could be seen between the gaps, both sides, which was concealed with floor carpet. I did seal them properly!
Many large Philips head screws on the rear hatch had their crosses obliterated by the fitter of those parts with a impact gun driver. Difficult to replace.
The inner wheel bearing cones, both sides, DID NOT match the radius of the axle fillet and so the bearing inner face radius simply wore away the axle radius to become closer and closer to the step face, requiring frequent adjustment of bearings. Never seen that fault before, if properly engineered/machined or even checked before assembly, it would not be like that.
The RH suspension spring dropped around 19/20mm, requiring a ring packer at the top mount.
Although seemingly plated against rust the fold out floor springs rusted badly.
After 42 days travelling during it's last trip, the zips for the canvas became a pain in the fingers to operate each day.
Yes, a toilet and shower + grey water holding seems to dictate sales now.
Everything has it's day!

Personally I think Track's current circumstances probably have far more to do with the current market & their corporate structure, than it has to do with their product. Tvan's may not be perfect, but there is no such thing as the perfect RV. As off road camper trailers go I reckon the Tvan basic design is at the top of the heap. Note I said 'basic design'. I am less certain about more recent 'full bells & whistles' models pandering to a market of often inexperienced travellers who think they know what what they want, but end up finding they have bought complexity they don't understand & perhaps come to realise that simplicity is better for remote travel.

Track, during the 'Covid boom' have also expanded, incorporating other brands & entering the USA market. Perhaps a case of over-reaching in a market situation which held a lot of promise but was always going to end?

Currently the RV market across the board is struggling I think.

I don't buy the lack of self containment as being a primary reason for their troubles. Tvans are at the pinnacle of a niche market, comprising a core of folk who want to get well off the beaten track (where self containment requirements are a non issue) with minimal weight & maximum comfort & the knowledge that their rig will hold up, & keep holding up for a long time with only basic maintenance required.

That during the 'covid boom' many have been sold to folk who liked the idea of what a Tvan is, but who rarely stayed outside of caravan parks or easily accessed free camps , & perhaps came to realise that for their style of travel they could have had more comfort & convenience for the same amount of money, albeit without the capability of the Tvan, is , I'm guessing, a marketing strategy which has shot itself in the foot. Promoting & selling a niche product to a wider market.

My guess is that the restructuring of Track Trailer will see them 'cut their losses' & offload the weight that Outback HQ & all it's accoutrements probably represents on their corporate shoulders, & return to the comfort of being a smaller scale manufacturer, with a very saleable product & an enviable & respected reputation for the sort of after sales backup & support that remote tourers appreciate .