Patriot X2 Tourer 2024 Review

Queensland's Patriot Campers has barely stood still since introducing its first compact hardcore off-road model around 10 years ago.

Among all its attention-grabbing overseas forays and adrenalin-charged off-road adventures, the now highly-regarded Gold Coast manufacturer has found time to roll out countless updates, innovations and spin-off variants from its original X1 go-anywhere camper.

The most recent of these is the lower-priced X2 Tourer that joins the cutting-edge GEN2 range launched earlier this year.

It's not the first time Patriot has used the X2 nameplate for an entry-level model, but the GEN2 X2 Tourer is a far cry from the original bare-bones concept; including many of the desirable features of pricier Patriot models but at a more affordable entry point.

Patriot is now taking orders for the 2024 X2 Tourer which kicks off at $48,900, or $6000 less than the previously cheapest GEN2 model, the X1-N 'base' trailer.

While the X2 Tourer misses out on some of the standard features of more expensive GEN2 X1 and X3 models, like alloy wheels, airbag suspension, a powered roof mechanism and central locking (although the first two are available as options), it does benefit from the same tough-as-nails construction including a hot-dipped galvanised steel Rigilite chassis with extended drawbar, and Patriot's world-first 'weld-free' body panel construction designed to deliver weight, flexibility and strength benefits.

The new CNC-cut aluminium design with concealed hinges also delivers a smoother finish, while the X2 Tourer also stands out with the new-look, composite front mould and steel rear bar, and a new Concrete Grey exterior colour with black UV-stable vinyl decals.

Arguably the X2 Tourer's biggest selling point is its new in-house-built, A-frame style, hard-shell roof top tent that's integrated into the body structure, and makes set-up and pack-up about as quick and easy as it gets for a manually-operated camper trailer.

At 3.7m long, 1.86m wide and 1.7m high, and with a Tare weight starting at just 850kg, a 140kg ball weight and an ATM of 1600kg, the X2 Tourer is also the lightest GEN2 camper yet, coming in 70kg lighter than the X1-N which doesn't include a standard tent.

Like other Patriot campers, the X2 Tourer is built for hard-core off-roading with its 36 degree departure angle, standard 17in steel wheels with 33in mud terrain tyres, X-Cruise off-road coil suspension, Cruisemaster DO-35 coupling, 12in electric brakes, twin 800kg-rated recovery points, flip-up jockey wheel and underbody-mounted space-saver spare tyre.

While the promise of stress-free, all-terrain towing and the more affordable price tag are enough reasons alone to buy an X2 Tourer, it's the one-person, potentially sub-five minute, full pack up and set up times, that should also excite potential buyers.

Helping make things even quicker is a new slim-line, flip-up jockey wheel that together with the rear tyres provides a sufficiently stable platform when unhitched so that drop-down stabilisers are not required.

Reaching the two latches to unclasp and open the strut-assisted roof tent lid is another simple one-person task, with a grippy drawbar treadplate to step up on, before climbing the three-step attached ladder through the main front entrance of the canvas-wall roof tent.

There are also four poles or overhead supports that slot in place to erect the attached tent awning that provides extra weather protection around the ladder entry.

Patriot also supplies a detachable portable ladder for an alternative entryway through the offside tent window; when the front boot lid is open and you're using the BBQ or shower, for example.

With the emphasis on keeping the weight down, the X2 Tourer comes standard with Patriot's lightest Batwing-style awning that uses the patented UPF 50+ rated Hexacore material, instead of the thicker, heavier Aussie-made canvas awning that's fitted to Patriot's $75,900 GEN2 X1 and $84,900 GEN2 X3 campers.

However, the X2's lightweight awning uses the same sturdy awning mounting bar system, which rises to its deployment height on twin telescopic struts, and with its integrated poles and guy ropes spreads out to offer excellent coverage of outside living areas, including the food prep and cooking areas and the rear loading area.

As well as the three large zippable windows/doors, overhead and dimmable LED lighting, twin USB sockets and some storage pockets, the review camper's 'bedroom' also promised cosy quarters on chilly Outback nights with two vents for the optional Truma diesel water and space heater fitted.

Patriot also says the insulated hard lid has been designed to 'breath' like a tropical roof on a more traditional tent trailer, helping to release hot air when its hot and sticky outside, while also reducing the chance of condensation forming when camping in colder conditions.

The biggest compromise of the compact, user-friendly roof-tent design is the 75mm thick x 1880mm long x 1310mm wide foam mattress. That's slightly smaller than a standard double bed mattress, and not as big as the bed fitted in the GEN2 X1 camper, so it may prove squeezy for a couple of larger adults. However, there's more than enough space under the lid when closed to leave all your bedding and pyjamas in place.

The GEN2 X2 Tourer's L-shaped kitchen is very similar to other Patriot campers', with a large stainless steel countertop that drops down to allow room for the twin burner gas cooktop and grill to slide out from its cradle and lock into place.

While nearby, a stainless steel sink with its swing-up mixer top and small prep area also glide out along with another slide for an optional 75 litre portable fridge, with a leg support slotting at the end to stop the combined unit from sagging.

You need to remove one or both of the 4.5kg gas bottles from their corner lockers to use them to run the Dometic stove or optional BBQ, with a handy hook near the stove to keep the gas bottle off the dirt.

Come night-time and the X2 Tourer is well serviced by bug-free LED lighting in and around the kitchen, awning, and storage compartments, some of which is dimmable, so there’s no stumbling around in the dark if you arrive late to camp or need an early breakfast before a dawn start.

Storage is limited around the kitchen area to a few smaller spots including cutlery and pantry drawers, but there's plenty of other options around the camper for storing all your food and cooking items, including a couple of decent-sized lockers along the offside wall.

All up, Patriot says there's 2050 litres of sealed storage to make the most of the 700kg-plus payload available, with various multi-purpose compartments located on all sides of the camper, including a couple of vented 'wet boxes' for storing wet or muddy gear.

The largest storage area is behind the drop-down tailgate which on the review camper was fitted with the optional $1399 drawer slide. It's worth paying extra for as it makes it much easier to both organise and access all the larger items that can fit back here, with the drop-down door restricting how far back you can reach. This area is also used to store the standard portable ladder and mount the optional 1200W inverter.

The front 'toolbox' has a handy shelf for storing hoses and electrical cords, but not much room otherwise if you decide to tick the option boxes for either the gas or diesel hot water service with its external hot/cold shower hose, and the optional Weber BBQ and swing-out arm which is stored here along with the diesel fuel container.

There are some tie-down points on the roof to strap down a swag or other softer items across the roof-mounted solar panels, or perhaps carry a bicycle or kayak with the right mounting kit.

You're unlikely to find an X2 Tourer in a caravan park, so owners will appreciate the standard inclusion of 150 litres' fresh water storage, pumped through an improved filler and breather system.

Also standard is a single 100Ah lithium battery with two 120W roof mounted solar panels and a Redarc Rogue electrical management system, with the control module located in the kitchen.

There's an Anderson plug to connect an additional portable solar panel, and the option of fitting a second 100Ah lithium battery plus a Redarc 1200W inverter to run some smaller 240V appliances like a laptop or coffee pod machine.

Then there are all the battle-tested off-road extras you expect to find on any Patriot camper, like the PCOR twin filtration system that helps keep dust out of internal cavities, and bullet-proof components and finishes to survive the harshest Australian conditions and roughest camping trips, like the 'impact resistant' front box and powdercoated aluminum kitchen with its scratch-resistant benchtop.

All's not perfect though, with our week-end trip away in one of the first production-built X2 Tourers revealing a couple of relatively minor and easily rectifiable flaws, including an annoying wind-related noise from the stowed jockey wheel that could clearly be heard from inside the tow vehicle.

We also found the industrial-strength stainless steel cables used to hold the locker doors open were a bit sharp in spots, when we happened to inadvertently rub up against one.

Many buyers will also end up paying a lot more than the sub-$50k advertised starting price, with our review camper with its optional BBQ swing-out, recovery planks, diesel hot water/space heater, 1200W inverter, rear storage slide and 75L fridge coming in at just over $65,000.

Other extra-cost options and accessories that could also bump the price up include airbag suspension ($1599), a gas hot water system ($949) and a canvas multi-room ($3990) option that's like a family tent that attaches to the side of the camper to create a covered dining area or a sleeping space for the kids.

As with all locally-built Patriot campers, there's a lot to admire and desire with the new X2 Tourer. While it misses out on a few off-road goodies to keep the starting price down, and the bed is on the narrow side for two adults, it manages to excel in the important areas like lightweight all-terrain towing and super-quick set-up.

If you're after a premium Aussie-built camper that will follow your 4WD tow vehicle just about anywhere and deliver fuss-free minimalist off-grid camping amenities when travelling through rough, remote regions, it should make for a solid investment.

How much does the Patriot X2 Tourer camper trailer cost?

Price: From $48,990 RRP
Options fitted to review model: Truma diesel hot water/space heater with external shower ($7500); BBQ swing away ($1599) for Weber Baby Q ($539); 75L Dometic CFX3 fridge ($1990); Redarc 1200W RS3 inverter ($2199); Maxtrax x 2 ($749); Rear drawer slide ($1399), Internal carpet ($599)
Travel length: 3700mm
External body width: 1860mm
Travel height: 1700mm
Tare weight: 850kg
ATM: 1600kg
Ball weight: 140kg
Body: Aluminium/canvas
Chassis: Hot dipped galvanised Rigilite steel
Coupling: Cruisemaster DO-35
Suspension: Cruisemaster X-Cruise coil independent
Brakes: 12-inch electric
Wheels: 17in steel with 33-inch mud terrain tyres
Fresh water: 1 x 150L
Battery: 1 x 100Ah lithium with Redarc Rogue TVMS
Solar: 2 x 120W roof-mounted panels
Gas: 2 x 4.5kg
Hot water/air heater: Diesel or gas optional
Cooking: External gas stove and optional Weber BBQ with arm
Fridge: Optional 75 litre Dometic portable dual-zone compressor
Shower: Hot/cold shower optional
Lighting: LED throughout
Supplied by: Patriot Campers, Molendinar, Queensland