Patriot TH560

They say "Necessity is the mother of invention", and never is this more evident than in the innovative Australian camper trailer industry.

Talk to many homegrown camper manufacturers and you’ll discover the origins of their particular design came about for very personal reasons. A case of  "I couldn’t find exactly what I wanted so I built it myself".

Take Justin Montesalvo, boss of fledgling but fast growing Patriot Campers on the Gold Coast.  A keen camper, hunter, four-wheel driver and all-round outdoorsy type, Montesalvo originally came up with the idea for Patriot’s compact, go-anywhere X1 camper, after battling with a more conventional, hard floor tent trailer from a now rival Aussie manufacturer.

While fitted with everything bar the kitchen sink, he found it too heavy for the sand dunes and too long to set up for quick, overnight stops. 

As a result the lightweight, tough-as-nails X1 hit the market in mid-2013 and quickly garnered media and buyer acclaim, winning a Camper Trailer of the Year award and helping boost production at Patriot’s new factory to six units a month.

But Montesalvo also has a bunch of motorised toys he likes to play with on trips away, including dirt and quad bikes. Sure, he could take two cars: one towing an X1 and another a trailer with the toys.

But even better would be an all-in-one, self-contained off-road trailer, combining living quarters with a transport platform out back. While there are plenty of toy hauler caravans on the market, none are really suitable for the type of Cape York-style shenanigans Montesalvo and his mates like to get up to on days off.

So Patriot has

now introduced the TH560, possibly Australia’s first production toy hauler camper and a classic example of good ol' Aussie ingenuity.

Up front is a modified version of the X1’s camper ‘box’, sitting on an extended chassis that supports a rear deck big enough to carry up to five dirt bikes, two jet-skis, two quad bikes or, as seen on our review camper, a side-by-side ATV.

But while the boxy, khaki green front module of the Patriot TH560 (refers to Toy Hauler and 560cm travel length) is similar to the X1’s, the extra length and width, dual axles and bigger payload means it runs an even heavier duty set-up.

At the business end is a Hitchmaster D035 off-road hitch bolted to an extendable drawbar, to accomodate a range of tow vehicles.

Utilising 151 x 52mm RHS, the  laser cut, interlocked and hot-dipped galvanised chassis rides on Cruisemaster dual suspension with four trailing arms and two shocks per arm, while also standard are 12in electric brakes and 33in Federal tyres (not the chunky 35in BF Goodrich rubber on the review camper).

Helping keeping everything nice and level is an Airbag Man suspension system, which will automatically level the camper regardless of what’s being carried. At camp the twin airbags are manually adjustable to aid in set-up, with the switches and gauges handily located near the kitchen.

Get down on your hands and knees and you’ll see that, like the rest of this unique trailer, the rust-resistant underpinnings look built to last; including protection in all the right places for when the going gets really rough.

Most noticeable are the three ‘rock sliders’ designed to protect the rear underbody if contact is made with the ground, which is inevitable considering the substantial rear overhang. However, they do appear to do the job judging by only a few minor scratches on the sliders after a recent Cape York trip.

Heavy-duty side ‘bashers’ located where the tray extends out from the camper box, also help take the brunt of any vegetation encroaching on narrow tracks. Reassuringly, the underslung 120 litre water tank is also bash-plate protected as is the airbag compressor tucked up underneath.

Finished in sturdy checker plate, the 1.7m wide by 3.0m long rear deck is just big enough to roll on the race-ready Polaris RZR 1000 (that’s a $25,000 option!).

The deck comes standard with eight, welded tie-down points, and in this case front wheel holders for the the ATV, or Patriot will design clamps and tie-down points to suit your requirements.

And with a Tare of 1340kg and 1260kg payload, the options to what and how much you can carry are almost limitless. Patriot is currently working on a horse float version as well as a boat loader option. However, it’s worth noting in regards to eligible tow vehicles that the ball weight ranges from 295kg (with rear deck unloaded) to around 100-150kg (loaded).

The two-piece alloy ramps that slot on the back are also part of the package. But rather than store them in one of the bigger lockers in transit, ‘MKII’ versions currently in production will feature a dedicated storage ‘slot’ for the ramps.

As well as carrying big boys’ toys, the raised deck also doubles as a very handy living or sleeping area in camp, with space for a couple of swags for the mates or kids, or an al fresco set-up with deck chairs and a table. With outside speakers for the Fusion Bluetooth audio system, and external LED spot lights you’ll be telling tall tales well into the night...

To keep overall length to 5.6m, the front ‘box’ is 200mm shorter than the X1’s, which means the kitchen area misses out on an in-built cooktop. However, there’s plenty of room for a two-burner butane cooker or portable BBQ, along with space for a 3.7kg gas bottle or two (none are supplied as standard).

Body panels are 3.5mm powder-coated aluminium, with numerous cut-outs designed for aesthetic as much as weight saving. Montesalvo also runs a Brisbane-based laser cutting metals business, and access to the latest machinery is evident in the quality design and finish. 

Saving the vulnerable front sections from stone chips is black Rhino Lining protection.

All up, the TH560 manages to pack in a hefty 1770 litres of easily accessible storage space due to the fact that sleeping quarters are a double or king-sized roof-top tent bolted on top.  Our ‘test’ TH560 had an optional, super-slick but pricey James Baroud pop-top tent.

Another option would be to leave the tent at home, and fill the top ‘basket’ with swags and camping gear, or even mount a couple of bicycles, although there’s little in the way of dust or moisture protection up there.

The slide-out and fold-down kitchen is self-supporting and beautifully finished in Rimex textured stainless steel. There are cutlery and plate drawers, as well as two pantry drawers for food and miscellaneous items.

The sink runs water from the tank through a 12V pump, while piping hot water is delivered through a Country Comfort on-demand unit.

There’s also a slide-out for a 60 litre portable fridge, while the locker on the other side could fit another fridge or freezer, with power connecting through a slot in the panel that separates the two compartments.

On the kitchen side you’ll also find the 'power board' including a Redarc BMS, which manages two, Full River 120Ah batteries and optional solar panel, the Fusion stereo, water level guage, and various Narva switches.

The TH560 also comes with six 12V sockets to run the appliances, as well as an on-board air compressor and optional 120 litre on-board fuel tank, to keep all the tyres and engines rolling along.

Consistent with the user-friendly theme is a custom-built Supa-Peg awning that rolls out from the camper on the kitchen side, and has poles that don’t require guy ropes unless it’s really howling.

There are more storage options on the other side include another pull-out drawer, and large locker designed to hold all your dirt biking gear including helmets.

The top ‘basket’ area under the tent has two access doors on each side, although this will be changed to one larger door on ‘MK2’ versions to allow larger items like solar panels to fit.

Then there’s the X1-style front ‘tool’ box with strut-assisted, top-hinged door, that includes a chainsaw compartment, and room for a 2Kva generator and two 40 litre jerry cans. Alongside are two further jerry or gas bottle holders, while two Maxtrax and a hi-lift jack are also included.

But it’s the attention to details on this multi-purpose camper that leave a lasting impression. Things like high quality but practical finishes, sturdy runners and catches, and marine carpets and LED lights inside the drawers, are reassuring touches for those who demand the best.

WE LIKED:
>> unique, multi-purpose design
>> serious off-road ability
>> premium build quality and finish
>> quick set-up and excellent storage

NOT SO MUCH:
>> no ‘permanent’ cooktop
>> heavy ball weight 'unloaded'
>> lengthy rear overhang
>> family caravan pricing

VERDICT

Not everyone has a shed full of motorised toys that they like to take away camping. Nor does everyone like roughing it in the bush, albeit in a well set-up camper.

But if you do, the Patriot TH560 is a terrific option. Like the best Aussie campers, it’s built to last, with few compromises in regards to materials, construction, fittings and appliances.

Sure, it will drag its (protected) bum on goat tracks, and the ‘family caravan’ pricing will put off some, particularly when essential items like a basic cooker and fridge aren’t standard.

But as a clever solution to enjoying the great outdoors in all its petrol-powered glory, it should appeal to more than a few adventurous buyers.

PATRIOT CAMPERS TH560

Travel length: 5600mm
Travel width: 2400mm
Travel height: 1880mm (not including tent)
Tare: 1340kg
ATM: 2600kg
Ball weight: 295kg (with rear deck empty)
Coupling: Hitchmaster DO35
Camper box: 1700m x 2200mm, powder-coated 3.5mm aluminium
Drawbar/chassis: 151x51mm RHS, hot-dipped galvanised
Suspension: independent trailing arm, twin shocks, auto-levelling airbags
Brakes: 12in electric
Wheels/tyres: 16x8 steel /285/75 R16 MT
Kitchen: slide-out stainless steel
Cooker: optional
Fridge/freezer: 60 litre optional
Toilet: optional
Shower: external hose
Tent: double bed roof-top
Water: 120L
Hot water: Country Comfort instant LPG unit
Gas: optional
Lighting: 12V LED
Battery: 2 x 120Ah Full River
Fuel: 120L with pump (optional)
Priced from (RRP): $59,990
Supplied by: Patriot Campers, Molendinar, Queensland