Patriot X3 2021 Review

There are some things that you want to own as much for their design engineering as for their function. iPhones, many top-end watches and in the RV world, Track Trailer’s still relevant, albeit 20 years-old, Tvan.

To this list add Patriot’s latest ‘live-in’ camper trailer, the X3, which at $69,990 plus options costs more than four times as much as some imported campers that on a spec sheet appear to deliver a similar under-canvas bush camping experience.

In reality, they don’t. They aren’t quality engineered and built like the X3; they don’t have the obsessive maximisation of internal and external space; aren’t always as light at just 1120kg; don’t have the same high level of electrical connectivity; aren’t as tough as nails to survive the harshest Australian conditions, and don’t inspire you to sit back with a cool drink in hand and admire their sheer functionality at the end of a hard travelling day, as you contemplate your next adventure...

X factor

The original Patriot X1 started life in 2013 as a sand sketch around a camp fire after a few beers on Stradbroke island with enthusiastic off-road traveller and Patriot founder Justin Montesalvo imagining his ideal camper trailer.

Many awards and several evolutions later, the X3 is Patriot’s first  ‘live-in’ camper trailer, which means that it combines the outdoor attributes of other X-range models, with an easy to set up, convenient indoor living area that incorporates a walk-in lounging/dining area and sleeping for up to four if the weather is lousy with separate side-by-side beds for couples and their kids.

Built on a similar hot dipped Rigilite galvanised chassis to the X1, with its marine grade aluminium lateral members, the X3 comes standard with Cruisemaster X-Cruise 1.6 tonne airbag suspension, which is a set-up exclusive to Patriot.

Even when fully loaded to its 1600kg ATM max, thanks to its compact aluminium bodywork, this suspension endows the X3 with an enviably smooth ride over any surface.

The drawbar, which can optionally be extended by 200mm, is fitted up-front with a DO35 coupling, while at the rear are two rated recovery points directly tied through to the hitch. Some 1783 aircraft grade rivets, each with a seven tonne shear force, combine with chemical bonding and high-quality welding to hold the X3 together.

Packed to the max

For such a compact camper, Patriot has squeezed a remarkable number of features into the X3 to support relatively off-grid ‘luxury’ status.

These include a single 4.5kg gas bottle (a second is optional), two 150Ah gel batteries, 130 litres of water capacity in two tanks and a remarkable 2000 litres of total storage.

A Redarc TVMS and a 1500W inverter provide enough power to run such decadent luxuries as a pod coffee machine, while two solar inputs allow you to connect to one or two optional solar panels, which can be removed from the camper’s new Exorack rooftop carrying system and positioned to catch the sun.

As the Exorack also interfaces with almost all known commercial racking systems, it allows you to carry all manner of other useful holiday things, likes bikes, kayaks, canoes, jerry cans and more.

Setting up

Setting up is certainly possible with one person, but quicker and easier with two.

First, unlatch the awning mounting bar, which rises to its deployment height on twin telescopic struts. Then unclip the two latches of the bed pod that houses the tent section and fold it out sideways.

Getting it to the fulcrum point takes a little effort for one person, but after that it sinks in a controlled fashion to its horizontal resting place via more telescopic struts.

You can unclip one end of the roof-mounted aluminium ladder mounted to the Exorack to help the process, but call me ‘new school’, so I’d like to have the electric fold out mechanism that’s available on other Patriot campers, but not yet for the X3.

Then it’s time to step inside, via the built-in, drop-down strut assisted staircase, release the over-centre plastic latches on the tubular roof struts, slide the struts upwards to tension the canvas and re-lock.

Then outside, you insert two spring steel rods into the bed’s window awning section, secure the tent section all round and you’re nearly set up.

Inside, the foam double mattress is zippered onto the bottom half of the tent lid, so your bed is ready to go once the top is popped. When detached, the rooftop mounted aluminium ladder allows separate access to the larger rear bed. So you can put the kids down and sneak in later without waking them.

Awning time

Back outside, unzip its protective vinyl bag and fan out the ‘Batwing’ style awning, which has its vertical supporting poles and ropes attached to its arms.

The awning is covered with Patriot’s patented lightweight Hexocore material that's claimed to be 20 per cent stronger than canvas and eight times more breathable as well as anti-fungal.

With its 270 degree spread, secured at one end by a pole and tensioned at the other by a cord to the Patriot’s jockey wheel, this awning supports the X3’s outdoor lifestyle, covering its food prep and cooking area.

Officially listed with a conservative UV rating of 50, its silver undercoating assists in reducing heat transmission and its weight of 180gsm is half that of other typical canvas.

Outside cooking

The Patriot X3 kitchen is excellent in both its lay-out and functionality, with the combined twin burner gas cooktop and grill able to be removed from its slide out cradle on the right and repositioned where convenient on the drop-down aluminium bench.

Meanwhile, the portable fridge comes out on its slide from the opposite side and can cleverly be accessed from inside the camper in case you’d like a cool drink with dinner.

A stainless steel sink with a swing-up mixer top and separate prep area glide out from under the fridge slide.

The external kitchen area also houses the camper’s Redarc electronic control centre, with gauges showing water and battery levels, along with twin power points and 12v outlets underneath. 

More luxuries

A nice touch on the review X3 was the optional GME CB radio that allowed a ‘come and get it’ instruction to be issued when the food was ready.

No space is wasted anywhere in the X3 and the kitchen-side flank of the camper even incorporates a separate, vented wet-locker.

Befitting its status as Patriot’s first ‘live-in’ camper, more of life’s little luxuries are incorporated in the X3. These include a pop-up power plug tower, a diesel heater for both hot water and to warm the tent’s interior in cool weather camping, and dimmable, four-zone remote-controlled lighting.

Go-anywhere camper

While this is all good, getting to that special camping spot is where the Patriot really excels and in most cases the tow car will be your limiting factor.

With its large departure angle and measuring just 3.75m from hitch to rear, the X3 will happily go where your 4x4 can.  A pair of PCOR 16inch alloy wheels and 33in mud terrain tyres are standard, ensuring you never run short of ground clearance, while following faithfully in the tow vehicle’s wheel tracks 

Our electric blue Jeep Gladiator was well up to the task though, limited only by the on-road tread of its highway 18in tyres and its relatively long wheelbase.

To minimise carrying extra weight, you can order your Patriot X3 with matching LandCruiser or Jeep hubs, so that the X3’s single under-chassis spare wheel is enough for any adventure.

Verdict

The Patriot X3 is the benchmark of ‘tough as nails’, but easy to use Australian camper trailers, combining classy outdoor living with unparalleled off-roadability and quality engineering, while capable of accommodating a small family or adventurous couple.

It’s a clear level above imported campers, but even at nearly $70,000 should not automatically be regarded as ‘expensive’. Patriot holds 21 registered patents, designs and trademarks and has a further 21 pending — some of which are utilised in the X3. You get what you pay for!

How much does the Patriot X3 camper trailer cost?

Price: From $69,990
Options on review model: BBQ swing away ($999); 75L Dometic dual zone fridge ($1999); Extended drawbar ($399); Utility slide ($429); Additional gas bottle holder ($289).
Travel length: 3750mm
External body width: 1850mm
Travel height: 1750mm
Interior height (roof raised): 2000mm at peak
Tare weight: 1120kg
ATM: 1600kg
Ball weight: 120kg
Body: Aluminium/side-fold canvas
Awning size: 12.6 sq. m.
Chassis: 100mm x 50mm x 3mm hot dipped galvanised Rigilite steel
Coupling: Cruisemaster D0-35
Suspension: Cruisemaster X-Cruise airbag
Brakes: 10-inch electric
Wheels: PCOR 16in with 33-inch diameter mud terrain tyres
Fresh water: 1 x 130L
Battery: 2 x 150Ah gel batteries with Redarc RedVision TVMS and 1500W inverter
Solar: Anderson plug supplied for optional portable panels
Gas: 2 x 4.5kg
Hot water/air heater: Webasto diesel
Cooking: External gas stove and Weber BBQ kitchen slide-out
Fridge: Optional 75 litre Dometic portable dual-zone compressor
Shower: Webasto hot/cold shower
Lighting: LED throughout
Supplied by: Patriot Campers, 1 Activity Crescent, Molendinar, Queensland