Patriot Campers Gen3 X1 revealed: From $57,900

Patriot Campers reckons its new Gen3 is “how the X1 always should have been”. That’s a big call, but with a new chassis, redesigned suspension and an electric hardlid, there’s more going on here than fresh colours and a new set of badges.

The Australian-made Gen3 X1 keeps the familiar squared-off shape, but Patriot says it’s been re-engineered from the ground up. There’s a structural aluminium body, a new version of its Rigilite chassis and an all-new Trinamic Core suspension system underneath.

It also comes in at a claimed 895kg base tare, with an ATM of 1,495kg. For anyone keen to tow a compact camper into the bush without dragging a small apartment behind them, that’s a decent starting point.

Under 900kg, until you start adding gear

The difference between those two weight figures gives the base Gen3 X1 a 600kg payload. That’s your allowance for options, water, gas and all the gear you’re convinced you’ll need for a weekend away.

Fill the 100L water tank and you’ve used roughly 100kg of that allowance before packing a camp chair. Add a fridge, second battery and extra rooms, and the remaining capacity starts shrinking. Helpfully, Patriot’s online configurator estimates the weight of your selected options and how much payload you’ve got left. It’s worth watching that figure as closely as the running price.

Size-wise, the X1 measures 3.7m long, 1.95m wide and 1.9m high in travel mode, with a quoted 36-degree departure angle.

New suspension beneath the familiar shape

The big change underneath is Patriot’s Trinamic Core suspension. It uses a triangulated radius-arm layout with standard coilover shocks and a claimed 200mm of travel. Patriot says the design reduces unsprung weight – the mass the suspension has to control as the wheels bounce over rough ground – with radius rods controlling toe and camber.

If sustained corrugations feature heavily in your travel plans, optional Formula F4R remote-reservoir shocks bring adjustable damping. These were developed through Patriot’s partnership with Fulcrum and Formula. Braking comes from 285mm discs with electric-over-hydraulic operation. Standard wheels are 17 x 9-inch alloys wearing 285/70R17 mud-terrain tyres, although Patriot says the body will accommodate compatible aftermarket 35s.

There’s a Cruisemaster DO35 coupling up front, bash guards underneath and a steel scrub bar at the rear. The spare wheel sits higher beneath the body to improve clearance, while twin rear recovery points and a separate receiver for compatible bike racks or accessory carriers are also standard.

Push a switch, lift the lid

Nobody arrives at camp hoping for a longer setup. Patriot’s answer is an electrically operated aluminium hardlid, controlled by a switch on the driver’s side. The lid opens without manual lifting and closes over the integrated tent, mattress and bedding when it’s time to leave.

Upstairs, you get a queen-size foam mattress measuring 2030 x 1520mm, an anti-condensation mat, lighting, storage pockets and accessory ports. An integrated staircase and handrail get you into bed. For families or anyone chasing more room, the tent system can expand with an optional Change Room and Multi-room. The latter adds sleeping space, but you’ll need the Change Room fitted first.

A 270-degree freestanding awning is standard, complete with lighting, fold-down support poles and guy ropes for securing it. A diesel air heater is on the options list if your idea of a good camping trip includes waking up somewhere properly cold.

Gen3 X1 with change room fitted © Patriot Campers

A proper kitchen, with hot water included

The L-shaped kitchen puts the gas cooker, sink, pantry and preparation space within easy reach. Stainless-steel benchtops and a cutting board that slides out beneath the fridge tray mean you’ve got somewhere to chop dinner without balancing everything on the fridge lid.

Speaking of fridges, the slide is standard, but the fridge is extra. You can also option a barbecue swing-away, with a Weber Q1000 available separately. The 100L water tank supplies pressurised water, and a 10L electric hot-water system and external shower come standard. The hot-water tank uses a 300W element and is insulated to help retain heat between uses.

There’s also a standard rear storage slide, separate boxes for wet or dirty gear and a front rack for firewood. Rear MOLLE panels give you somewhere to mount accessories, with side panels available at extra cost.

To help keep the dust outside, Patriot fits a system that uses a fan to draw filtered air into the compartments, creating positive pressure. How well it handles a long, dusty convoy run is something we’d be keen to see.

Actual switches, and a few choices to make

The Gen3 X1 uses physical rocker switches for everyday electrical functions, with the gauges, fuses and charger grouped together at the control panel. Standard kit includes a 100Ah lithium battery, IQ100 battery monitoring and a REDARC BCDC1240D for charging from the vehicle and solar. There’s an external solar connection, too, although you’ll need to supply or option a compatible panel or blanket.

Want more power? The options list includes another 100Ah battery, 400W of roof solar and a REDARC RS3 2000W inverter for Australian buyers. Just keep those distinctions in mind when checking out a fully loaded display camper. The 200Ah battery setup, roof solar and inverter all cost extra and add weight.

What’s the damage?

The Patriot Campers Gen3 X1 starts at an introductory $57,900 AUD. Patriot says that offer ends soon, but doesn’t give an end date on the product page. Volcano, Arctic, Desert and Wildfire colours are all included, so choosing the one that matches your tow rig won’t add to the bill.

There’s plenty here to get off-road tourers interested, particularly the compact footprint, claimed base weight and inclusion of hot water, a shower and the electric hardlid. The real questions are how it behaves behind the 4WD and how much effort is involved once you pull up at camp.

Is it the X1 it always should have been? Patriot certainly thinks so. We’ll need some time with one before joining that chorus. You can check out the specifications and build your own through the Patriot Campers Gen3 X1 configurator.