Troy hauler for Patriot?

Horse owners and commercial operators running teams in remote, rugged locations, could be the next targets for Patriot Campers’ versatile new toy hauler camper.

Patriot’s managing director, Justin Montesalvo, said the huge payload and size of the TH560 Toy Hauler’s rear deck is just as suitable for carrying horses as recreational toys such as dirt bikes and ATVs.

“We could easily turn it into a horse float, put a couple of horses on the back, (the sizing is) spot on,” Montesalvo said. “A tandem horse float deck is 3.1m x 1.7m wide, and (the TH560’s) is 3.05m, so it’s only 50mm shorter.

“We would just have to move the axles back and replace the existing independent (dual shock airbag suspension) with a solid (axle), leaf spring type set-up, to take a bit more weight.”

Currently, the tandem axle, 5.6m long TH560 camper offers a payload of up to 1300kg; enough to carry a 700kg side-by-side ATV, two jet skis or five dirt bikes, while allowing for up to 600kg of other gear.
?
Montesalvo sees another potential market in commercial operators, such as telecommunication companies installing or servicing infrastructure in remote regions.

“There’s all these other uses for it as well… like Telstra linesman. The guys that are running up power lines, outdoors in remote areas, use side by sides and quads to access those areas, so there’s that whole market there,” he said.

To further boost its appeal to outdoor enthusiasts, Patriot will shortly introduce a boat loader option for the TH560. However, the tinnie will only fit on top of the trailer with smaller ‘toys’ like dirt bikes and quads, not a taller, side-by-side ATV.

Launching in mid-2013 with the compact X1 off-road camper, on which the TH560 is based, Patriot has experienced rapid success in a short time, including winning a 2013 Camper Trailer of the Year award and generating 55,000 ‘likes’ on its Facebook page.

Strong demand for the X1 has seen production recently move from Montesalvo’s Express Metal Products business in Brisbane to a dedicated production facility in Molendinar on the Gold Coast, which churns out six campers a month.

However, Montesalvo admits Patriot has already "outgrown" the new factory, as a third, ‘game changing’ off-road camper model is due to be completed in time for the Victorian Caravan & Camping Supershow in early-February. Also in the pipeline are slide-on and hard-top models.

“Patriot one day will get into the caravan market. There are no two ways about it, but at this point in time we just want to concentrate on what we’re doing,” he said.

Also coming is a range of branded camping accessories. Patriot is teaming up with local brands including Evakool and OzTent, to offer items such as chairs and portable fridges in Patriot’s ‘camo’ green signature look.

As well as offering the latest computer designed, cutting edge products, Patriot is also leading the pack as one of a small but growing group of camper trailer builders that have signed up to the Caravan Industry Association of Australia's RVMAP compliance program.