Patriot X3 GEN2 reviewed at Camper Trailer of the Year 2024

KATH HEIMAN— Heiman Habitat

Patriot Campers enjoys a loyal client base of adventurous empty nesters and couples with older kids. These customers are looking for the freedom to roam wherever they like, supported by an Australian quality build with plenty of technology at their fingertips. They want a camper small enough to be tucked away in a suburban garage during the week, and able to be towed by a range of modest-sized 4WDs when they head away. So, we were interested to learn more about what’s new for Patriot’s eager following of outdoorsy people seeking to count themselves among a unique adventure camper culture. You see, while the X3 GEN2 looks a lot like its predecessor, when Jeb from Patriot began to list the number of changes made to create it, I felt like my brain was about to burst. It was simply impossible to keep track. Indeed, we were told that it would be easier to count how many things had remained the same, because that was only one item — the bed. The rest of the camper features either a different version of a pre-existing product or is a new design.

Innovation

With Patriot, innovation comes in constant evolution. While it has never been a company to sit on its laurels, in the last couple of years it has nevertheless introduced new ideas, methods and products to the X3 model at a rate faster than we’d expected. We were told that the catalyst for change was predominantly COVID-related challenges in sourcing overseas components. These challenges caused Patriot to pivot to minimise reliance on overseas suppliers and to further streamline its production processes. And the results are everywhere. For example, the Rigilite chassis and extended drawbar are now common across both X1 and X3 models — making the X3 GEN2 150mm (6in) shorter than before. Instead of fused steel and aluminium, the X3 GEN2’s body comprises panels of riveted marine-grade aluminium and composite. The tent is now Dynaproofed Australian-made canvas, deploys electronically and the poles have been moved from inside to outside the tent. 

Given that not all of the changes to the X3 GEN2 have been driven by identified deficiencies in previous designs or by customer demand, Patriot is making a leap of faith that its customers will think that the GEN2 is a fundamentally better product than its predecessor. For my part, I’m sorry to see the demise of Patriot’s patented Hexacore tent fabric. It was consistently pitched as being superior to canvas on account of its lower weight, improved breathability, mould resistance and strength. And the new Truma hot water system seen in this camper is bigger than the outgoing Webasto, reducing internal storage space. On the flip side, the kitchen redesign is a knockout, moving the tent poles to the outside makes them much easier to access during set up, and who doesn’t love an electronically activated roof?

Quality and build

A market leader in quality build and finish, Patriot Campers is an ISO 9001 certified factory, meaning that its quality management systems meet international accreditation standards. Having seen Patriot at several CTOTY events in the past, the company’s thirst for continual improvement is evidently driven by owner Justin Montesalvo’s zealous attention to detail. This means you can start anywhere on the X3 GEN2 and enjoy the production quality that’s synonymous with the brand. The Australian steel chassis and Cruisemaster X-Cruise suspension look bulletproof, the camper bristles with quality REDARC electronic componentry, the kitchen galley features an industrial-grade stainless-steel benchtop, and there are soft opening and closing doors with foam lining for improved strength. The list goes on. Indeed, there’s a level of scrutiny and attention to detail that you might expect to be lavished on a camper designed by a convention of NASA engineers. When humankind establishes its first colony on Mars, it would be no surprise to see a fleet of X3s dropped onto the planet’s surface to support them.

TIM VAN DUYL — Camper Australia Creative Director

Ease of use 

You might notice we towed the X3 GEN2 with a couple of different Jeeps (a Gladiator and Wrangler), we also towed it with an Isuzu D-MAX and the Tough Dog Ford Everest. Nothing broke — Jeb from Patriot simply had to leave us mid-trip which meant some towball juggling happened. I’m happy to report it was faultless behind all vehicles, even if the D-MAX’s standard drawbar height was way too low for the X3’s tall ride height.Setting up camp in a Patriot has always been fuss-free. From the gas strut assisted awning bracket which debuted way back on the X1 to the now electrically assisted tent set up on the X3 GEN2, Justin and the engineers at Patriot know how important it is to make life easy after a long day’s drive or a hard day’s ride.

The fridge is in the right place to access it day and night, even from the inside. The kitchen is laid out smartly and now some drawers feature gas struts to make them easier to open and close, even when loaded. Simple things like how each leg on the entry ladder for the tent is individually adjustable to give it better purchase to support the weight of the lid all make sense and demonstrate real consideration in the design. Like most great designs, the move to external spreader poles on the tent seems obvious after the fact. When placed internally, you would need to head inside to tension the tent mid set up — meaning on a wet day and in a hurry, you might walk mud inside. Now with them outside, there is less ground to cover and fewer concerns about working in the dark or with wet or dirty shoes.

Comfort 

Again, great design is obvious in the X3 GEN2 with the lid of the tent deep enough to allow for some bedding to be strapped to the decent mattress at all times. It’s quicker to set up and deals with some bulky storage. The mattress itself is good, pocket sprung and deep enough to feel like home. It is leagues above traditional rooftop tent mattresses. 

The awning offers a good amount of coverage over the kitchen area, and it features a rain rail to keep water from running down the tent and onto the bench area. 

Setting up camp is often slowed down by having to drop legs to level your camper, so it is here that the progressive-rate airbags fitted to the GEN X3 come into their own. Not only do they soften the ride and allow for you to counter the weight of a fully packed fridge, but when stopped they make levelling the camper front to rear and side to side as simple as a push of a button. Plus, it has a holding tank and air outlet to make reinflating tyres another simple job. Inside is a new slide-out table that replaces a fold-up version in the GEN1 and it’s a ripper. On roller slides, the table is sturdy and well-sized; it is perfect for a laptop or if you live in Tassie, a place to prep a meal with the heater on. On the heater, the team have moved to an optional Truma Combi D, a diesel-fed water and space heater that was made popular in caravans and is outstanding in terms of efficiency and speed if not a little bulky (it chews up a heap of space in the front locker).

Value for money 

When you boil it down, there is nothing like a Patriot. There are replicas but they never offer the same build quality or attention to detail you get with a Patriot. You pay for this, though, with the X3 GEN2 seen here over $100,000 (or $85,900 without the options fitted). Some will say that’s not justifiable but then there are plenty who do and I’m one of them. 

There have been steady price increases to the range and in the just-released GEN2, there was a big jump on the GEN1, around $10,000 all told, but with that comes the classy central locking, upgraded chassis and braking system (now with 12in electric drums) and more. You get what you pay for and with a Patriot, it is the original compact expedition trailer built without compromise.

Intended purpose

The X3 GEN2 suits an adventurous couple who wants more space inside. It’s for empty nesters and families where the kids swag it. It is a step up where it matters for a long stay or a long lap of the land, and it is the most comfortable Patriot in the range. 

The X3, like the X1, still has a single defining purpose — to be the best compact camper for touring tough tracks. Where the X3 differs from the X1 is with an added level of comfort with an internal lounge and bigger tent but it still has that single focus. The lounge has room for two and enough for one to throw their legs up to unwind and the bed is big enough for a couple to stretch out. 

The X3 GEN2 is compact. The narrow body (1.86m/6ft 1in) and low towed height (1.77m/5ft 8in) make it fuss-free on tight tracks while the relatively short drawbar sits high from the ground making tough climbs and steep drop-offs easy to navigate.

SCOTT HEIMAN — Heiman Habitat

Autobots — roll out! From a distance, the Patriot X3 GEN2 could appear like a box trailer with a sports decal pack and a roof top tent. However, at the push of a button (the RF electric automated set up and central locking features) the trailer transforms into a camper for smart-tech savvy empty nesters — much akin to Optimus Prime transforming from a red semi-trailer truck.

With an overall storage capacity of 1850L there are drawers, doors, hatches, lids and a nose cone that open to unveil a myriad of storage solutions, be that for your dry goods, muddy snatch strap, or any of the other goodies you like to take with you when you decide to get on the road, and stay offroad, doing what makes you feel happy.

With a tare of 1160kg and an ATM of 1600kg, the X3 GEN2 offers a whopping 440kg payload. Minus the 150L of water in the tank, and the 75L of food and beverages in the optional Dometic CFX fridge/freezer, that still leaves you with approximately 200kg to play with. And that’s a lot of food if you’re a gourmet traveller itching to use the X3 GEN2’s magnificently redesigned kitchen.

Self-Sufficiency

To keep you on the road for longer, there are two 150Ah AGM or Gel batteries (as standard), managed by a REDARC TVMS Rogue and RedVision system with an optional REDARC 120W portable solar panel to top everything back up. All this combined should keep a couple of campers going for three to four days if you’re heavy on the water, or longer if you’re not. Personally, I preferred the split water tanks of the GEN1 model because they provided redundancy in case there was a problem. While there are no brackets for a jerry can, you could address this issue by carrying spare water in the tow tug. I’d also opt for a larger solar panel, especially if you’re intent on making use of the underbody lighting and the numerous built-in internal and external lighting features and want to charge electronics using the USB ports when you’re enjoying a late-night soiree. The same applies if the weather is overcast or your campsite is in the shade.

Offroad and towing

I towed the X3 GEN2 over the Barraba Track in the Mount Kaputar National Park, NSW. It was a wet and dreary day, just perfect to see whether the camper pushed the tow vehicle unnecessarily from behind or slid off the track on some of the steep and slippery corners. However, with its 36-degree departure angle, Cruisemaster DO35 hitch, and X-Cruise suspension, this compact camper was in no risk of needing to rely on its two 800kg rated recovery points to see it through to our evening campsite. It simply clung like a barnacle to the muddy mountains. To be honest, the X3 GEN2 will easily go wherever your tow vehicle can. On the day, we towed it behind a Jeep Gladiator Rubicon ute and it towed so well I almost forgot I was towing anything at all.

More broadly, this is a compact camper so pairing it with any good quality short-wheel base 4x4 would allow you to make the most of the X3 GEN2’s capabilities. Alternatively, a compact SUV with a suitable towing capacity would do just fine, depending on the state of the byways and backroads between you and your destination. And when selecting your perfect car–camper combination, it’s worth noting that the X3 GEN2’s ball weight is approx. 179kg, which is a touch on the heavy side. Depending on your choice of tow tug, and how you load the camper, this weight could create instability on your vehicle’s front axle, especially if you place too much weight (cargo) forward of the camper’s axle. Having a full water tank and placing heavy items in the rear draw will help rectify this. A correctly loaded trailer should provide a load over the tow ball equivalent to around 10 per cent of the ATM.

X-Factor

When it comes to X-Factor, Patriot’s magic is exemplified by the X3 GEN2. It is clearly the result of Patriot’s constant attention to detail and commitment to evolutionary change.

As mentioned, every component bar one — the mattress — was updated from GEN1 to GEN2. Evidently, for Patriot the effects of COVID on its overseas supply chains was just the sort of catalyst for change that the company thrives on. When imported parts became unavailable or unreliable at best, Patriot had the solution: rely on more Australian-made componentry, and if that’s not available, make it in-house. Simple!The wrapA past winner, seven times, winning comes with the brand and its people. While the Patriot didn’t get the top spot this year, it came agonisingly close and is unquestionably an elite camper for buyers that want to be part of that winning mentality with a camper built without compromise.

The wrap

A past winner, seven times, winning comes with the brand and its people. While the Patriot didn’t get the top spot this year, it came agonisingly close and is unquestionably an elite camper for buyers that want to be part of that winning mentality with a camper built without compromise.

PATRIOT X3 GEN2 SPECS

Weights and dimensions

Construction

Power, water and cooking

Patriot X3 GEN2 price from $85,900 AUD*

Options fitted

• Truma diesel hot water and tent heater ($7500)
• REDARC RS3 1200W inverter ($2199)
• REDARC 120W solar panel ($1399)
• Barbecue swing away ($1599)
• Weber Baby Q ($539)
• Dometic CFX 75 fridge/freezer ($1990)

Patriot X3 GEN2 price as shown $101,126

More information

Patriot Campers

14 Reichert Drive

Molendinar Qld 4214

P: 07 5597 0638

E: sales@patriotcampers.com.au

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