Oz-first toy hauler camper

Toy hauler caravans are nothing new in the Australian RV market, but toy hauler camper trailers are (unless you count the odd American import).

But now there’s the Aussie designed, engineered and built Patriot TH560, described as “a camper trailer like no other in the Australian market” by its Brisbane-based manufacturer.

The toy 'brawler' utilizes the ‘base’ of the much smaller, tough-as-nails X1 bush camper that Patriot released in mid-2013 but with additional features including a rear deck section large enough to carry a full size side by side ATV, five dirt bikes, or two jet skis. Maximum payload is a suitably substantial 1300kg.

“Dubbed the TH560 (Toy Hauler 560), this trailer truly lives up to its name with all the features and living area of the smaller Patriot X1 up front, and a massive 1.7m wide x 3.0m long deck to accommodate all the toys anyone would want to take on their adventure,” Patriot claims on its website.

The deck comes standard with eight welded tie-down points but if a different configuration is required, Patriot says it will custom design clamps and tie down points to suit.

Like the compact X1 camper, the ‘base’ body incorporates numerous storage sections along with a stainless kitchen kitchen with sink, cutlery drawer, pantry, twin burner stove and bench space. A two-berth rooftop tent (three options are available) is designed fit on top.

Other standard features include a wrap-around awning,  120 litre water tank, 12V water pump, hot water shower, two 120Ah batteries controlled by a Redarc BMS, Fusion stereo with outdoor speakers, on board compressor with tyre inflator and LED lighting and carpet throughout.

The TH560 also has storage on the side of the camper for carrying bulky riding gear bags and boots, while the front gullwing box is big enough to hold jerry tanks, a generator and chainsaw.

Judging by its monocoque design aluminium body and laser-cut, hot-dipped galvanised chassis, it looks built to last. The underpinnings are also suitably sturdy with independent trailing arm, airbag suspension that allows auto or manual leveling on uneven ground.

The airbags also mean the the deck can be easily dropped to a lower height for ease of loading and unloading. The system also automatically adjusts ride height and airbag pressure to suit the weight it is carrying.

Patriot reckons the TH560 “has been built to handle any tough off-road situations you may come across”. However, being much longer and wider (5.6m x 2.4m) and heavier (1340kg Tare) than the X1, it’s unlikely to access as many goat tracks as its more nimble little brother (at least without scraping its bum, which Patriot says it's designed to do!)

It doesn’t come cheap either, with the price starting at $59,990, or about twice that of the X1. You’ll also have to fork out for desirable ‘extras’ like the aforementioned tent, 60 litre fridge, or a second canvas bedroom.