We started looking for the best camper trailer that would get us as far as possible off the beaten path. We are backpackers first, but as we get older, we still want to be able to get out there. After comparing many trailers, we decided to go with Patriot. But we wanted something BIG and comfortable. So what’s the biggest Patriot Camper?
The Patriot Campers X3 is the largest Patriot available in the US. It’s also the most comfortable camper. With the X3, you don’t climb in, you walk in the camper. But this camper is still as nimble and capable as all the other Patriot Campers.
In this article, we’ll discuss why the Patriot X3 is the biggest and baddest of the Patriot Camper line.
Patriot Campers – Who Are They?
If you’re going to spend this much money on a camper, you probably want to know a little bit about the manufacturer.
Patriot Campers is an Australian, family-owned manufacturer of camper trailers, or as we call them in the US, overland vehicles. Patriot Campers was founded by Justin and Sarah Montesalvo of Queensland, Australia.
In Australia, where rough and tumble campers are the norm, Patriot Campers has won the Camper-Trailer of the Year award seven times!
In the US, Patriot Campers won the Overland Journal USA’s Camper Trailer of the Year award.
The company is known for its engineering ingenuity and quality craftsmanship. Patriot Campers stands behind their trailer. Just this year, they opened a brand new facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, so they could service the campers that are sold in the US. That’s their commitment to quality.
Patriot Campers X3 – The Largest in the Patriot Lineup
Not only is the X3 the largest US camper that Patriot Campers makes, it the best, in my opinion. You see, this is the one that we bought. After looking at many campers, we decided on the Patriot X3. But why?
Patriot X3 Off-Road Capabilities
One of the things that makes the Patriot Campers the most off-road capable of almost all of the trailers out there is their size. While the X3 is the largest of the Patriot Campers, it’s still super nimble. And being nimble will get you out of a jam fast.
Patriot X3 Coupler (Hitch)
Recently, we went on a trip with our Friends Grant and Alicia from Six Overland. They have a Patriot Campers X1-H. On that trip, we were shocked when we went up a steep embankment, and the X3 just followed along – no effort at all.
The CruiseMaster D035 coupler (like a hitch) tilted like a pretzel. It has a 360-degree turning radius. This is an articulating hitch that moves up and down and left to right.
Patriot X3 Suspension
The other thing that floored me on this trip was the smooth ride of the X3. The X3 has a trailing arm suspension with coil springs and shock absorbers. This is an axleless suspension, so there’s no chance of an axle catching on rocks or debris under the trailer.
Plus, the X-Cruise™ 1.60T Dual Shock Airbag Suspension is standard on the X3. This is a game-changer when trying to level your trailer. It also gives you the ability to adjust the ride height. That way, if you’re carrying extra weight, it doesn’t negatively affect the trailer.
Patriot X3 Drawbar (Tongue)
The tongue of the trailer, or drawbar as they call it in Australia, is hot-dip galvanized, just like the frame. The drawbar comes with a removable jockey wheel and a hand brake.
Both the jockey wheel and hand brake are useful when you need to hitch the trailer. Between the two, you have the flexibility of movement without the trailer running off on you.
Plus, if you need to move the trailer in your driveway or garage, it’s light enough to move on the jockey wheel on a flat surface.
Patriot X3 Length
Size is important. In this case, the short size (less than 13 feet) Patriot X3 makes it super nimble. This was a selling factor for my husband. I really liked the Kimberly Kamper, but the thing is so long that there is a limit to the places where you can take it.
Just think, if you get to the end of a road and there is a fallen tree, what do you do? If you don’t have the equipment or time to remove the tree, you have to turn your trailer around. This is where the X3 shines. It’s easy to maneuver the trailer because it’s so short.
And because it’s so short, it has a smaller breakover angle than a longer trailer like the Kimberly Kamper. So when we were traveling up that steep hill with Grant and Alicia, the tongue of the trailer didn’t get caught on the road.
Plus, the X3 has a short departure angle because of the triangular shape in the rear of the trailer.
Patriot X3 Power
The X3 is powered by an optional solar panel on the top of the trailer. The camper comes standard with two gel batteries. You have the option of buying lithium batteries, but we just bought our own.
Having the solar panel on the top makes the panel useless when the trailer is open, but you can disconnect it from the top and position it wherever you want.
The whole system is controlled by the Redarc Redvision system. Redarc is really popular in Australia but just started creating systems for the US market. Anyway, the Redvision manages everything on your X3, batteries, solar, and tank levels.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Dry Weight | 2469 lbs |
| Fresh Capacity | 34.34 Gal |
| GVWR | 3500 lbs |
| Length | 12.4 ft |
| Height | 6 ft |
| Width | 6 ft |
Patriot Campers PCOR Awning
The PCOR awning is made by a division of Patriot Campers. It’s a 270-degree, bat-wing awning that covers the kitchen and the entrance to the inside of the trailer.
We bought the walls. When they’re up, it makes a really cozy area inside. The four of us, Grant, Alicia, my husband, Doug, and I, sat inside next to the Ignik FireCan. It was a cold, windy night, but we were warm next to the fire.
Patriot X3 Kitchen
The X3 kitchen is like a food service area. You have a counter that folds down. Once you open that, there is storage for all your pots and pans. The refrigerator and sink pull out of the trailer to create an L-shaped kitchen that is unique to the Patriot brand.
Under the sink, you’ll find a drawer where you can store your plates and utensils.
Close the refrigerator and sink, and you have quick access to an optional swing-out for a Webber barbeque.
Patriot X3 Comfort
Comfort – This is where the Patriot X3 shines. On the back of the trailer, there is a set of flip-out steps. They look a little like an airstair on an airplane, just shorter. I love that I’m stepping into the trailer and not climbing into it.
If you want your wife to go overlanding with you, this is a big selling point. Getting up in the middle of the night and climbing down a ladder is not my bag.
Patriot X3 Interior
Let me just explain the interior layout to you. You walk up the airplane steps and open the canvas door. As you step inside, there is a small area of flooring.
In front of you, and to your right, is a small bench seating area. Attached to the bench on the right is a flip-out bench that is padded. If you have small children, you can flip this up so your children can sleep there. We immediately took it out – we don’t have small children.
If you open the bench on your right side, you have access to storage that you can load from the outside. The front bench also flips up for additional storage.
We store toilet paper and stuff like that there. At night, we put a bucket on the floor so I don’t have to go outside at night to use the toilet. The floor is small, but it fits the bucket and our 60-pound German shepherd.
Anyway, you’re still standing on the floor, looking forward. Above the bench is the opening to the refrigerator. The refrigerator is a Dometic CFX75 duel zone, so you can have a freezer on one side and a refrigerator on the other side.
Initially, we thought that we would use the interior part as the refrigerator. That way, I could open it up in the morning and grab my creamer for my coffee.
But it turns out that is the smaller side of the CFX75. We wanted the larger side for the refrigerator and the smaller side for the freezer.
Next to the freezer is the pop-up coffee bar, and next to that is the power tower. That’s what I call it, anyway. The power tower pops up and has all kinds of outlets – 110 and USB outlets.
One of the things that bugs me is that you have to turn on the inverter to run the power tower. To turn on the inverter, you have to go outside to the Redarc Redvision system.
There are a couple of USB outlets that are just inside the door. They run directly off the battery. But those aren’t that convenient.
To your left, as you step in the trailer, is a table that folds up. We never eat there, but if the weather was bad, I could use it to write or edit videos. You could use it as a small dining table.
In one of the pictures that Patriot Campers posted of the table, there are some champagne glasses on it. At the time, I thought that was so romantic. Now that we have the trailer, it just looks hilarious to me.
The Patriot X3 has a regular mattress. Aussies call these “pocket sprung gel top mattresses.” I suppose that means they are innerspring mattresses with a gel top. That’s my American English translation, anyway.
The mattress is a little firm for me. We bought a 3″ gel foam topper, but then we couldn’t get the trailer closed. I like it better with the 3″ topper, but we got a 2″ topper so we could get the dang thing closed.
It’s challenging to close even without the topper. Unlike the X1-H, the X3 doesn’t have a power lift mechanism. Instead, it has a gas-assist strut. Because of this, it’s easier to open and close the X3 with two people.
And get this: It has a coffee bar inside. I’m not even kidding. I don’t have to even get out of the camper in the morning to get a cup of coffee!
Plus, if you want a cold one, just reach into the refrigerator from the comfort of your trailer. What other off-road trailer does that?
Where’s the Patriot X3 Bathroom?
Nope. The Patriot X3 doesn’t have a bathroom. Remember how you wanted to live your life off the beaten path? We came up with a couple of solutions.
If you’re interested in toilet solutions, check out the article that I wrote about camper van toilets. The same principles apply here.
There is a showerhead and attached hose in the “man cave” at the front of the trailer. You furnish the privacy tent.
Patriot X3 Water/Heat System
Both the heat and hot water are run by a diesel-powered Webasto system. I will say the water from the Webasto is piping hot. But the heat that it generates will only increase the inside temperature by about 10 degrees.
I’ve been to Australia in the winter, and it doesn’t get that cold. Justin and Sarah of Patriot Campers recently camped in the snow in the California mountains. They got a quick appreciation for how cold it is here in the US in the winter. Welcome to MY world!
I’m not sure if they will make any changes to the camper. If you buy one and you camp during the shoulder season or in winter, you’ll have to buy yourself a heater.
We already had a Mr. Heater. We did use it, and it heats the inside of the X3 like a charm. My husband thinks it’s too loud.
Recently, my husband bought a Planar diesel heater. He’ll be field-testing it this weekend.
Patriot X3 Cost
You’d better sit down. Starting at $57,790, the Patriot X3 is expensive. Every decent off-road trailer that I’ve looked at is expensive. However, it’s a significant investment in your wife’s happiness. Think of it that way. If you’re not married, or you’re a woman, it’s a significant investment in your own happiness.
Patriot X3 Warranty
Patriot Campers has a 5-year factory warranty on all of their campers, including the X3. It is a limited warranty that covers the chassis and structural components.
I know of two people who modified their trailers (not the X3). Both had their axles break, possibly due to the modifications. Patriot honored both warranties and replaced the broken axles.
And, as I mentioned, Patriot recently opened up a new center in Las Vegas to service all the campers here in the US. I’d say that they are committed to US customers.
Patriot X3 vs X1
If you’re trying to choose between the Patriot X1 and X3, realize that, with the X1, you’re basically getting a trailer with a rooftop tent. The X3 is a real trailer – a walk-inside trailer.
As I mentioned, you walk into the Patriot X3 and get in bed. You can also read, drink your coffee from the coffee bar, watch TV (on your tablet), or get a cold one out of the refrigerator.
Conclusion
I hope that exploring the biggest Patriot Camper with me has provided a fascinating glimpse into the world of this off-road adventure vehicle. With its impressive features, such as a spacious interior, rugged build quality, and off-grid capabilities, the Patriot Camper offers a unique and exciting way to explore the great outdoors. From its advanced technology and high-quality materials to its versatile layout and impressive storage capacity, this camper has clearly been designed with the needs of serious adventurers in mind.