Conclusion

Monday, 15 November 2021 4:42 am

It was no holiday, more of an endurance trial.

2 days of pushing 800-900kms/day at 90/100KPH, then 1 day corrugated and stony bush track, 4 days remote & rough sand dune driving averaging 150kms/day then a 2 days quick run back to Brisbane another 1650Kms. In total 3,930kms.

Did the Gaz TrackMaster survive this endurance test ?...... An outstanding YES!

The facts:

Built by one of Russia’s largest carmakers - GAZ or Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.

Gaz have been building cars and trucks since January 1932.

This is the first Gaz 4x4 truck, the GAZ-MM with production from 1938-1950, so there is quite some history behind the company and the vehicle.

In early 2021 Gaz appointed Bolton Holdings Pty Ltd trading as Australian Adventure Vehicles as the Australian agent.

Australian Adventure Vehicles ( AAV4x4) have renamed the Gaz Sadko as Gaz Trackmaster and now import the 2 versions the Single Cab and the Crew cab, with other vehicles to follow.

This is the very first civilian RHD version produced for the western markets and AAV are extremely proud to have this association.

Both versions are being built in line with AAV’s specific requirements.

• 12V electrical System
• Twin air cooling radiator fans
• Twin suspension seats in the crew cab
• Drivers suspension seat for the single cab + Lounge like bench seat.
• Snorkel
• 2 arm rests on suspension seats
• Windscreen sun visor
• Twin 90Lt fuel Tanks

Price:

Single Cab

A$89,500

incl GST

+ on roads

Warranty

3 years/100,000Kms

Price includes introductory offer of a steel tray

Crew Cab

A$97,500

Incl GST

+ on roads

Warranty

3 years/100,000Kms

Price includes introductory offer of a steel tray

What’s included:

• Central Tyre Inflation
• Self Locking Differentials - Front and Rear
• ABS + Air Brakes and trailer connections
• 42” Mud Tyres
• Dual range Transfer case
• 3 Point access - 3 handles + 3 steps
• 60% Approach angle
• 315mm Ground Clearance
• 1.2M Fording Depth ( refer vehicle manual)
• 2 x 90Lt fuel Tanks
• Twin Suspension Seats in Crew Cab
• Drivers Suspension seat + Lounge like Passenger bench seat
• Optional Colours No extra - White, Metallic Silver, Titan Grey, Chilli Red, Beige.
• Introductory offer is a free steel tray L 3,565 x W 2,335 with 3 drop down side boards.
• Fire Extinguisher, Jack, Wheel Brace etc

Engine:

The YMZ 534 diesel engine delivers a lot of torque even at very low speeds.

The output is 149HP and the torque is 490Nm available from 1200rpm.

Expected engine life : 700,000 Kms

Weight/Size Comparison Single Cabs:

Wheel Base Cab Chassis Weight GVM Load GCM

Gaz 3770 3300 Kg 7450 Kg 4,150 Kg 10,950 Kg

Fuso 3415 2560 Kg 6500 Kg 3,940 Kg 10,000 Kg

Isuzu 3395 2930 Kg 7500 Kg 4,570 Kg 11,000 Kg

Hino 3500 3160 Kg 7500 Kg 4,340 Kg 11,000 Kg

NOTE: the Cab chassis weights have been taken directly from the Fuso, Isuzu & Hino specifications includes oil and water, and 10Lt Fuel but do not include any tray, spare wheel, or tools. The Gaz is measured under the same parameters.

So how did it drive ?

On the Black Top the Gaz Trackmaster cruised all day at a comfortable 95 to 100Kph. Seating for both driver and passenger was GREAT ! The passenger bench is truly comfortable even after 8 hours in both rough and smooth conditions.

Like the Hino it is speed limited to 100Kph, the Hino to protect the drive train the Gaz because of the tyre speed rating.

Hitting the rough, both corrugations and ups and downs of a back country roads the steering was direct and responsive. We actually loved pushing the limits of the vehicle and felt like we were driving a rally truck.

We did do a couple of water splashes and one surprise was the spray did not blind the wind screen.

The big tyres, the Parabolic suspension, and the comfortable seats just soaked up the corrugations.

Unintentionally, I hit one deep washout far too hard and although it was a hard hit the vehicle suffered no damage, although I did get a verbal brushing from my lady.

Sand dune driving was great. Initally it took a little time getting the vehicle to respond ideally. The kick down worked most of the time but occasionally it would happen too late. Once this 'learning' process was completed by us and the auto box, we drove everything in auto high. The standard manual box would make this a different story and also easy.

Do keep in mind we have a curb weight of over 6 Tonne.

Fuel Consumption was 17.3Lts/100Kms Brisbane to Thargomindah. The hard dune crossings where we were pushing hard and trying the most difficult lines in testing was 29.5Lt/100Kms ( as a comparison the Canter 4x4 was 21.5Lt/100Kms). Birdsville to Brisbane averaged 18.4 Lt/100Kms on the return journey.

What broke ?

Not much really considering we pushed hard.

Both rear mud flaps developed a crack. One was there before we left and one we noticed at the end.

Not sure if the fibreglass cracked when we flexed the vehicle up testing and it hit something or the heavy additional AAV mud flaps caused it to crack because of vibrations.