Patriot ST5 Supertourer 2026 Review

Patriot Campers has spent more than a decade building a reputation for tough, lightweight off-road camper trailers, and more recently the Gold Coast-based manufacturer has pushed deeper into the larger end of the market with its Supertourer range.

The entry-level ST5 presents a sweet spot in the Patriot Supertourer range, slotting in beneath the larger ST7 and bringing the brand's compact, go-anywhere camper trailer ethos to a more luxurious package. It's a 5.2-metre pop-top that Patriot insists is not a hybrid, or a caravan, instead calling it a Supertourer.

Built at Patriot's Molendinar factory, the ST5 carries a lot of DNA from the brand's involvement in off-road racing events like the Finke Desert Race. The Trinamic independent trailing arm suspension – designed in-house by Patriot – is a prime example, but the entire trailer is over engineered with hints of that racing pedigree throughout.

The team hooked us up with one of their demo ST5 units, finished in the Graphite colour  and with beefy 35-inch tyres, which looked tough on the showroom floor. The only catch? Bring it back clean.

To put the ST5 through its paces we hooked it up to the 2026 Ford F-150 and headed for Beaudesert, which offers everything from some highway running, to fairly average backroads out towards Darlington, where we parked up for the afternoon.

The Patriot ST5 starts at $168,900, which slots it neatly between the brand's smaller X-Range (from $43,900) camper trailers and the flagship ST7 (from $218,900).

It's a premium price tag, for sure, but for the money you get a properly engineered and tested, Australian-made package with serious off-road capability and creature comforts to match.

Patriot's new online configurator means you can spec your own ST5 down to wheel and tyre packages, awning configuration, kitchen options and interior trims, with live pricing as you go. It's a refreshing change from the usual 'price on application' approach you see across the segment, giving would-be buyers a clear upfront cost.

Beyond the standard ST5, there's also the limited Finke Edition, which adds Finke livery, Method 703 wheels, Fox shocks, Wilwood brakes and a carbon fibre and Alcantara interior. It's a $12,090 step up, but it's the closest thing to a desert race truck you can tow behind a ute, and it looks seriously tough.

The ST5 Supertourer is built around a hot-dip galvanised steel chassis, with the body itself a combination of aluminium and composite panels. It's the sort of construction we've come to expect from premium off-road touring units, prioritising weight saving and durability over cost.

Where the Patriot Campers units differ, though, is in the company’s unique Aerojoin method for body panels. Basically, it’s a weld-free method of fusing panels together, which means less weight and a body that won’t fatigue or crack over thousands of corrugated kilometres.

Despite its size, the ST5 has a dry tare weight of 1850kg, and an ATM of 2600kg giving you up to 750kg of payload to play with. That tare figure is genuinely impressive for a 5.2-metre unit with a full internal bathroom, massive outdoor kitchen and dual lithium battery setup.

Patriot's focus on weight is evident the moment you start poking around underneath. The chassis has been designed specifically to integrate with the Trinamic suspension system, rather than being a generic off-the-shelf platform with suspension bolted to it as an afterthought. It's a level of engineering integration that's rare in this segment, which somewhat justifies the high price tag.

The electric pop-top roof is what allows the ST5 to maintain its low aerodynamic profile when towing, while still offering generous headroom inside once you're set up at camp. It's not a new layout per se, but Patriot has taken the concept to a new level with the expedition-ready ST5.

The ST5 is packed with thoughtful features, starting with Patriot’s 'Man Cave' at the front, which is essentially a 350-litre storage locker that can be optioned with a swing-away mount and Weber Q1000N for campsite barbecue duties.

Total external storage sits at 1500 litres, including a massive 645-litre main storage locker that can be specified with a slide-out drawer for easier access. There are seven additional storage compartments scattered around the trailer, including dedicated wet boxes and storage pods.

The L-shaped outdoor kitchen is as big as you’ll need in a camper this size, and it’s packed with features. You get a 2300W Dometic induction cooktop as standard, with the choice of either a Dometic 95-litre or myCOOLMAN 85-litre dual-zone fridge.

There's also plenty of bench space and a dedicated pantry slide that runs parallel to the fridge, too.

Up top, an 800W solar array – made up of four 200W Redarc panels – is mounted to an Exorack rated to 150kg. There's another Exorack on the rear hatch, with mounting points for Maxtrax recovery boards, a wood rack, or even a Starlink Mini for those wanting to stay connected in the bush.

You can also climb up there to clean the panels, via a ladder at the front.

Awning options include a standard one-touch electric Fiamma F45S that extends 2.5 metres past the kitchen slide, or an optional 270-degree freestanding unit for full wraparound coverage. Both are quick to deploy, which matters when the weather turns nasty, or when arriving at camp after dark.

Water capacity totals 235 litres across two fresh tanks (150L and 40L) and a 45-litre grey water tank, which is more than enough for extended off-grid trips when paired with the ST5's substantial battery and solar setup.

If there's one feature that genuinely sets the ST5 apart from its competitors, it's the Service Locker. Behind a drop-down side door, every fuse, plumbing joint, and a full schematic of the trailer's systems are all in one place.

The schematics are permanently printed onto the inside of the locker door, which means anyone – not just a qualified technician – can diagnose and repair an issue out in the bush. Even torque settings for the suspension components are there. It's the kind of thoughtful touch that reminds you these guys actually use their own trailers in remote conditions.

In terms of the electronics, the ST5 scores an array of Redarc gear: a Redarc RS3 inverter, Redarc Manager Alpha 50 battery management, and the brand's TVMS (Total Vehicle Management System) that ties it all together. Two 230Ah lithium batteries come standard, with the option to add another one or two for a maximum 920Ah capacity.

Combined with the 800W of standard solar, the ST5 is comfortably set up for extended off-grid stays, even in less-than-ideal weather. For those wanting comms in remote country, an optional GME XRS Bluetooth UHF kit integrates with the Redarc TVMS too.

This is where the ST5 really earns its Supertourer name, because it's been designed to handle the harshest terrain this country has to offer. Its final round of torture testing was undertaken in Tasmania, where the Patriot team pushed every component to the absolute limit. Check out Patriot's Youtube channel for all the action!

The Trinamic independent trailing arm suspension is the star of the show, and it's exclusive to Patriot Campers. It's tuned for 33-inch or optional 35-inch off-road tyres, with monotube shocks and 285mm disc brakes for confident stopping power.

The trick system is also built around fully-sealed automotive bearings, which means servicing can be handled at any major auto parts retailer rather than relying on specialised caravan shops.

On some of the rougher roads we encountered, and then during some light off-road use, the Trinamic system genuinely impressed. It soaks up bumps and holes that we expected to feel through the lower back, and there’s no denying this trailer is among the most capable ever built, here in Australia or abroad. To be honest, you’d need to take this thing to the absolute ends of Australia to get close to finding its limit.

Behind the F-150 the ST5 was among the most pleasant off-road trailers we’ve towed too, even when we hit the rougher stuff. There's no swinging or swaying, no banging from inside, and the low centre of gravity means it stays planted through corners.

With its low 152kg drawbar weight, it's easy on the tow vehicle too. While we had it behind a 1500-class American ute, it would be just fine behind any dual-cab ute or the majority of 4x4 wagons too.

Really, the answer to how far the ST5 will go offroad is one no one's really established. Even the Patriot team couldn’t find the trailer’s limit in Tasmania, on some of the rowdiest tracks this country has to offer.

Climbing through the rear-entry hatch and into the ST5's compact interior had us raising our eyebrows. It’s pretty damn nice by hardcore trailer standards!

Patriot has gone for what it describes as a nautical influence, with plush materials, porthole windows, warm dimmable lighting, and surface finishes that wouldn't look out of place in a high-end boat.

The main bed is a 2030mm by 1520mm queen with a 100mm pocket-spring mattress, which is a step above the foam mattresses you'll find in many off-road competitor models.

There's also an optional fold-away kids bunk that mounts overhead and stows out of the way during the day, taking the ST5 from a strict two-bedder to a family setup if you've got a young child or two.

Our favourite interior feature is one that is so simple, it should be in every camper trailer. It’s Patriot’s patented double-floor bathroom.

Unlike many smaller hybrid ensuites where the toilet gets soaked every time you shower, the ST5 has a folding floor that lays over the composting toilet to create a watertight shower base. It’s smart, simple and works well.

A Truma Kombi D unit delivers diesel heating to the cabin, plumbed hot water to the sink and external shower, and even underbody heating for sub-zero conditions. An optional Truma Saphir air conditioner integrates into the same control panel.

Camping in the ST5 is a simple, low-fuss affair.

The electric pop-top means setup at camp is a matter of pushing a button to raise the roof, deploying the awning (also done with the press of a button on the review unit), and sliding out the kitchen. You can be settled in and cracking a can in a matter of minutes, and packdown is just as easy.

The interior layout makes the most of the 5.2-metre footprint, with that nautical-inspired cabin feeling more spacious than the dimensions suggest. The dimmable lighting creates an inviting space and the optional TV makes a strong case for those rainy afternoons or test match marathons – if you're out there over the Christmas period.

Outside, the L-shaped kitchen and awning create a generous undercover living area, which is where you’ll no doubt be spending most of your time. The optional 270-degree awning wraps around the front of the trailer too, but the standard unit on our tester provided plenty of coverage.

For couples or small families wanting to do extended off-grid trips, the ST5 has all the right ingredients. The 460Ah of standard battery capacity – upgradable to 920Ah – paired with 800W of solar means power simply isn't a concern.

Combined with 235 litres of water and a properly insulated cabin, you can easily stay out for a week or two without needing to come back to civilisation.

The only real concession is sleeping capacity. As a two-person (or three with the bunk) setup, the ST5 isn't going to be suitable for a family of five. This is ideal for a couple wanting to do some remote touring.

If you want a budget-friendly hybrid caravan, the ST5 probably won’t make your list of potential options. After all, Patriot doesn't even want you to call it a hybrid. This is something different, and the more time you spend with it, the more sense the Supertourer label makes.

It sits in a niche between traditional off-road camper trailers and full-size hybrid caravans, offering more capability and refinement than the former with better towability and off-road ability than the latter. For couples or small families who want to genuinely use their unit in seriously remote sections of the country, it's a compelling proposition.

The Trinamic suspension, the Service Locker, the patented double-floor bathroom and even the 1850kg tare weight are all things Patriot no doubt put a lot of effort into nailing. Nothing on this trailer feels like an afterthought, or a ‘she’ll be right’ addition. It’s seriously well thought out and very likely over-engineered.

Yes, it's expensive. At $168,900 RRP to start – and more once you've worked your way through the options list – the ST5 isn't a casual purchase. But if you're the kind of buyer who's been burned by cheaper trailers that couldn't handle harsh conditions, or you just want a trailer that’s never going to let you down, the ST5 makes a strong case for buying and crying once.

Hook one to a capable tow rig, point it at the horizon, and the ST5 will get you there in comfort and bring you home in one piece. We just wish we didn’t have to give this one back…

Price: From $168,900
Dimensions: 5.2m (L) x 2.1m (W) x 2.2m (H)
Tare Weight: From 1850kg
ATM/Payload: 2600kg / 750kg
Towball weight (Tare): 152kg
Water: 150L + 40L fresh, 45L grey
Battery: 2 × 230Ah lithium standard
Solar: 4 × 200W Redarc panels
Chassis: Hot-dip galvanised steel
Suspension: Trinamic independent trailing arm with monotube shocks
Wheels/tyres: 17×9 PCOR alloys with 285/70R17 (33in) all-terrains standard
Cooking: Dometic 2300W induction cooktop standard, optional 85L or 95L fridge
TV: 24in Smart optional
Heating: Truma Combi D
Air conditioner: Optional
Shower/toilet: Combo internal
Supplied by: Patriot Campers, Molendinar QLD