Rick Huckstepp•18 Feb 2016

REVIEW

Patriot X1 Limited Edition

Gold Coast manufacturer's compact, go-anywhere camper is further improved for 2016

In three short years Patriot Campers has rolled out a handful of attention-grabbing models, from a trick LandCruiser ute to a toy hauler like no other.

But it’s the Gold Coast manufacturer’s original, boxy and extremely off-road capable X1 tent trailer that remains the volume seller and for 2016, thanks to numerous upgrades (watch the video below for a full rundown), it’s better than ever…

Looks are only skin deep but in the Patriot X1 that tough ruggedness on the exterior continues through the entire trailer build.

There probably hasn’t been a camper trailer manufacturer that has got so much out of metal and other materials with precise engineering, as seen with this rig.

LIGHTWEIGHT BRUISER

Inherent strength in a product doesn’t have to come with a weight penalty and so it is with the X1.

To begin with, the drawbar rails are fish-plated with brackets at the DO35 Hitchmaster and welded further back.

What’s more, suspension hangers aren’t just welded to the chassis rails; they’re profile cut into the rail then welded all round. It just doesn’t get any stronger than that!

Patriot calls the chassis system ‘Interlocked Galvanised’ and being built in-house and sent out for galvanising (the latter displaying an excellent finish) quality control is front and centre throughout the build.

The main draw bar is folded 5mm thick steel with the chassis under the monocoque aluminium body constructed from 100mm x 50mm RHS with 2mm thick walls.

Suspension is independent trailing arm type with coils as standard fit and optional airbags independently connected to a compressor.

Each arm is fitted with dual shock absorbers and the wheels are mounted on Dexter 10-inch electric drum braked hubs.

The suspension hangers are shielded by an angled aluminium bash plate which help lift the trailer over any obstacles likely to hang up on the suspension or chassis.

Then there’s impressive 550mm ground clearance which will keep the body above the highest obstacles when the going gets really tough.

The water supply on this white, optioned up ‘Limited Edition’ X1 is 70 litres with an upgrade available to 140 litres and the tanks sit high up, out of harm’s way between the swinging arms of the suspension.

WEAPONS GRADE

With the dust settled, the spare wheel swinging-arm on the back opens to allow access to the rear door. This in turn opens downwards to make a work bench suspended on steel cables.

A heavy-duty double compartment drawer opens on custom slides that are extremely robust, and for good reason. These campers are finding their way into the hunting fraternity and the drawer system can be fitted out as a gun-safe compliant with most state laws (you’ll need to check your state’s). Hence the drawer is lockable.

There’s room to store canvas accessories above the drawer compartment and if you’re not into extra shelter, pegs and poles and a couple of big tubs for supplies would fit the bill here.

There’s also a mesh cage located in each rear bottom corner of the trailer body where soiled clothing like muddy boots and socks could be stashed to prevent messing up other parts of the camper.

On top is a Howling Moon roof tent, customised to suit the Patriot’s requirements. The quality, rip-stop canvas used jacks up the price but we doubt your typical Patriot buyer would want to cut corners on quality when it comes to shelter from the elements.

With the tent erected an optional second room can be attached for the kids, or even a couple who wants to get out of the elements and away from the bugs.

The ‘family’ tent folds up into a smallish bundle and stashes in the rear boot.

A Supa-Peg brand awning on gas-assisted rising struts shelters the kitchen and when not in use pulls down level with the tent top to stop it catching in overhanging foliage when bush bashing.

There’s also a velcro and lock pin canvas panel that screens the kitchen area off from the tent; this also helps stop cooking smells permeating the bedroom.

Another on the rear has a zip-down window to allow air flow across the bed and for ease of communication with the cook for those lucky enough to get breaky in bed.

KITCHEN BASICS

The kitchen access door is large and folds down on steel cables to reveal a nicely finished stainless steel bench top.

There are two fixed shelves set at different heights to cater for various condiments and a deep pull-out drawer/bin for other gear.

The gas cooker pulls out to provide access to the three burners and grill with a neat wind break clipped together to assist in the process.

A compartment to the left of the kitchen hides the electrical componentry including switch gear for the compressor that drives the optional suspension air bags independently. This comes complete with a pressure gauge so the trailer can be levelled either side of a sloping site.

A water gauge, Redarc battery manager, Fusion radio and typical switch gear fill the rest of the console.

There’s also a separate door in the front nearside corner of the body that hides a fridge slide big enough for an Evakool 60 litre fridge/freezer or similar.

However, the Evakool installed had a lid lifting to the right and we would have liked to have seen it positioned so the lid stayed open without the need to hold it with one hand while fossicking inside.

There’s also a drawer under the fridge mount that pulls out, enabling use of the plumbed kitchen sink and access to a compartment under the bench top lid designed to hold plates and pots. A drawer below that is for cutlery.

The kitchen is constructed from 304 grade stainless steel for easy cleaning.

Front side, a large boot opens to a compartment holding a swinging arm for a Weber Baby Q BBQ. There’s also a large shelf and a fire extinguisher mounted on the back wall.

Another offside door opens to a compartment for generator storage and, in this case a 350W inverter. There’s space for a Porta-Potti in another separate doored compartment with a pull out slide for easy removal.

VERDICT

With its good looking profile-cut body armour, there’s no doubt the Patriot X1 looks the part. But with 52 degrees departure angle and 550mm ground clearance, it’s also up to the job.

We certainly belted the Patriot around the bush for a bit and while the Toyota Hilux with its high-lift suspension got hung up in ruts and on top of lumps necessitating a few winch jobs, the trailer happily followed without a hiccup.

Some sort of open lid retention for the fitted fridge would be welcome but if we could over-mark for quality and looks, this trailer would get a 12 out of 10!

PATRIOT X1 LIMITED EDITION

Overall length: 3.2m

External body width: 1.85m

Travel height: 1.9m including tent

Tare: 850kg

ATM: 1200kg

Ball weight: 100kg

Body: Monocoque aluminium construction

Chassis: Interlocked galvanised steel, folded steel drawbar, 100 x 50mm RHS chassis
Suspension: Independent trailing arm coil suspension with twin shocks (and optional airbags)

Wheels/tyres: 285/74 R16 alloy, mud terrain

Brakes: Dexter 10-inch electric drums

Stability control: No

Cooking: Lido 3-burner with griller

Microwave: No

Fridge/freezer: Evakool 60 litre

Toilet: Porta-Potti portable

Shower: Gas hot water

Air-con: No

Central heating: No

Gas: 2 x 4.5kg

Lighting: LED

Batteries: 1 x 120Ah

Solar: No

Price: From $34,990 (as tested $42,889)

Options fitted: Airbags, fridge, stereo, BBQ swing arm, patio, inverter, paint option, second gas bottle, kids’ tent extension, second battery, shelf in front boot

Supplied by: Patriot Campers, Molendinar, Queensland

Patriot X1 Limited Edition

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