I hope you guys enjoyed this walk around. One correction, the Dry Trailer Weight is 2,557 lbs. Lots adventures to come with this trailer, but here is one in Death Valley with a trailer I'll never forget: ruclips.net/video/mizNrCby_p4/видео.html
Those campers are dope no doubt about it but i feel like for the average overlander/offroader like me on a normal budget that is just insane. Starting at 30k is insane.. the cost of a car, unless you're associated with the industry like you most people wont be able to afford that or just wont want to. I did a bed rack and tent for a fraction of the cost for arguably the same result. I feel like the industry has slowly been pulling away from the average person and gone for rich folks rather than us but hey. Good video regardless brad. big fan. Edit: STARTING at 30k is insane
Totally agree. But I bet this trailer is well north of 50. I’m into a Gladiator 75k and it’s just lifted on 37s with a nice rack and Alu-Cab tent. I’m guessing I’m 25k-35k away from these RUclips rigs. My son and I enjoy the heck out of it, but I bet a used Tacoma and a flip out tent would create the same memories.
You’re so right. That’s why I picked the trailer I did. It goes as deep off road as I need, barn doors means it doubles as gear hauler, and was about 12k when I got mine. A Patriot is still on my Lottery list, but it’s hard to justify a trailer that cost the same as the tow vehicle.
@@jobean5073 whatever you say parrot profile picture guy, how many of these do you have btw? I bet none 🤣 you can stop deep throwing them... they're not giving you one homie. Stay strong keyboard warrior 🫡
Great video and a cool trailer no doubt, but to answer your original question of “is it worth it?”, I’d have to say a resounding no. Only people buying these are people that don’t need to ask that question.
Are you saying you don't overland to the extend that much of the equipment required to do proper overlanding you don't carry? Admittedly one can purchase a second Jeep and split the necessary equipment to overland between them for the cost of this one trailer. But...is THAT worth it? Afterall, the trailer burns no fuel at the rate a second vehicle would.
@@HandyTot A lot of people wouldn't overland without certain comforts to suit their individual wants/needs. Grey Nomads choose Caravans to suit their lifestyle. Even bigger than these trailers.
First, thanks Brad for doing these videos. I thoroughly enjoy them! Now, for all the negative Nellie's out there, I agree, I'd probably never pay the money for something like this unless I was going to be doing A LOT OF CAMPING OFF THE GRID and was retired. So what's the solution? RENT ONE! There are plenty of places/individuals from which you can rent these, especially if you only get on a few trips a year. Give the guy a break and be thankful someone is willing to do an in depth review of these things so people know what they are paying for! 😊
Congratulations on your success and ability to enjoy the life you want. I think that's awesome! It's even better when you consider the fact that you served our Country. I volunteer helping our Veterans adjust to getting back to the life they left behind before serving through music therapy. It's not always easy for them. Seeing videos like yours gives me hope. Thank you.
So glad that you both are enjoying the new trailer. The folks at Patriot in Vegas are awesome guys and like to tease me about my Opus. A lot of folks just don't understand why to get an offroad trailer. For me, its being able to go further away from civilization for longer periods of time and not have to suffer. Being able to run a fridge all week long, wash dishes with hot water, take a shower, standing up while changing clothes, setting up a basecamp and explore without having to breakdown camp, invaluable! Have a great time out there
Love my Opus! It’s perfect for us setting up base camp and go explore. There are many owners that pull with Wranglers. I think the 24 Wranglers would be a better option due to the increase in towing capacity.
I have the OP2. We chose the OP2 because its just me and my wife and didn't need an extra bed. The OP2 gives you a shower enclosure and more pantry storage.@@Doodledogs
No doubt they are one of the best Camper trailers you can have. Unfortunately, here in Australia where they are built the average person can't afford the $87,000 that they cost. Love your videos, I've watched you and Patriot campers from the start. Keep up the great work.
That's funny, a few of your Aussie buddies keep telling folks, these trailers are the norm in your country... They are EVERYWHERE, apparently you all can afford them like buying a new pair of shoes. Clearly lies are being told, but it's good to see at least one Aussie being truthful, thanks!
@@BrooklynNY1979 camper trailers are very common, Patriots not as much due to the price. $87,000 is the starting price as well. They quickly go over $100k. Which puts them well into offered caravan territory.
Trailer is great overall. I would spec the trailer to use the same size tire as what ever you are running on your Jeep. Many of the Aussie trailers also carry the spares on the trailer.
We have 37's on our Jeep and you could not run that size on the trailer, they would rub in the wheel wells and not really necessary. We are taking ours on Hole in the Rock from Halls Crossing next month and pretty confident it will do just fine on the obstacles we have to go over on our way to Coil Camp.
Awesome trailer! Good walk through video. I was hesitant about offroading with a trailer too but since ive started doing it I realized i should have done it a long time ago! Great video!!!
I looked really hard at a variety of trailers, including the Patriot, for at least a year before I pulled the trigger on the Offgrid Trailers Expedition 2.0. The main reason came down to a comment someone made about trailers like the Patriot that I really couldn't defend: You're spending all that money to STILL sleep in a tent. As long as you're ok with that, these are a great option!
"Tent" Yes, but no. What you give up to sleep inside the trailer is just not worth it to some people, including me. I don't see what the problem is with the "tent" on the Patriots since it's not just a hack job tent tossed on top. It's well integrated and apparently now, effective heat in the cold weather. What more do you really benefit from sleeping inside a box? You lose out on storage (unless you're willing to put dirty gear on your bed), you lose out on having a stand up changing area, you lose out on a place to relax if the weather turns bad (unless you only want to lay/sit in your bed). They're not far off in price (excluding cheapo trailers) and for the slight premium of the Patriot, it seems it is much more thought out, well designed, and aesthetically pleasing than most any other trailer out there. Again though, it depends on the person and what you're willing to sacrifice and/or your needs and desires.
It is a lot more than a tent. Great kitchen, amazing fridge that kept everything super cold, heater works great, instant hot water at the sink, awning can withstand pretty high winds. Easy open and close, button up and head back onto the trail. Not for everyone but I was totally over setting up a tent each night and sweeping out dirt or sand and being cold. We are retired and have done a ton of wheeling on difficult trails leasing groups and now want to explore BDR trails in America and stop where we want and quickly set up camp and enjoy. It is top of the line in quality and cost but for us very much worth it for what we plan to do. We have seen other trailers when on the trail with other people and the Gen2 X3 beats the ones we have seen.
I admire the work that went into building this amazing trailer. The thought, engineering and workmanship just is off the charts. Definitely on my wishlist.
I think it’s fair to say that you’re an incredibly generous person who’s also very well informed about the world of overlanding. I've learned so much by watching your videos about the do and don’t of overlanding. Thanks for the always good vibes and shared coolness, it's very much appreciated.
From my past experience backpacking and camping, roughing it a little is part of the experience. I just bought a Gladiator and might get a bed tent or just sleep in a ground tent. No need to bring the kitchen sink unless you have $$$. Plus a trailer gets in the way off road IMO, but that's just me-keep it simple.
Nice trailer. However I think I'd like a complete reversed layout with the kitchen on the passenger side. A little adjustment in the CAD program and they could produce those easy enough. Here in the states, it would come in handy if you were to pull off to the side of the road for a quick lunch. That way you wouldn't be near traffic.
Love and want one just to add to our collection of camping options but in the end its a tent and we got away from roof top tents and tent trailers because of the annoying part of dealing with a tent in the rain and having to dry it out once you get home..
Brad, as always a very informative video! I really appreciate that you are upfront that this is a sponsored video. To the trailer itself: It looks extremely well built and outfitted, to a point where some features might be more than what many of us need. This is naturally reflected in the price, all those features cost money to produce. My point is here that you certainly do not need to spend big bucks to go off-road camping. Even a camping trailer can be as simple as a small teardrop trailer( home) built on an off the shelf 4x8 trailer frame. Just figure out what your real needs are, then add your desires. Overall, I feel that Patriot has thought of everything in this design. Just for example, the parking brake, solar panel input jack and a heating system. Nice!
Nice trailer,! Did you do anything to your Jeep to address the tongue weight? The trailer has 395 lbs tongue weight but the Jeep Wrangler is rated for a maximum of 350 lbs of tongue weight?
Nice trailer! I’m not a huge fan of RTT due to the climbs up and downs through the night for me and my wife and our dog, but this design is pretty darn cool. Also, being able to access some of the storage from inside and outside is ingenious. Thanks for the walk through.
I like these trailers but as others have mentioned, the price is too high for me. I've been thinking about getting a surplus military trailer (M1101/1102 or other) and setting it up for general utility use with add ons for overlanding. I know they are a bit large. There are some pretty impressive setups on RUclips and Pinterest. I've seen them go for $1500 - $2,000 on the GovPlanet auctions. That seems pretty good for a flexible base platform.
Don't waste your money on the military trailer. Build it from scratch. They are heavy and hard to maneuver down tight trails. Stay with something that is the same witdth of your tow vehicle.
Dream trailer for sure ! That being said like other comments The price makes it almost unattainable for most. It would be awesome if you tried out a more attainable trailer in a video .that being said good job as always enjoy watching all your videos.
That trailer looks and acts amazing! Everything is well designed and thoughtfully planned. I've been looking at class b vans but after seeing this video I will reconsider!
A lot of thought has gone into that design; very well integrated. Being able to access some of the same storage compartments from inside the tent is pretty cool.
I was unbelievably fortunate and found one of those weber grills at a local goodwill for 10 dollars in like new condition one of the best additions I've made to my camping setup
Oh man this is Amazing! Been following Patriot Campers for years and have a dream of owning one. We live in Salt Lake City, UT. Thanks for the video! Got me so stoked.
Off road trailers offer a nice solution to folks who like work explore from a base camp. They're easy to unhitch and allow the tow vehicle to get away and do some wheeling. But for those of us who enjoy four season camping and exploring in bear country, we must have a hard sided vehicle. Bottom line...whatever works best for you and fits in your budget!!
Haven't watched your videos for a while because, honestly, they're so good they distract the hell out of me! Good to see this review and great video sir. You have me thinking about adding a trailer to my silverado overland setup now! 🍻
Very nice. I wish this was in the budget for future adventures. I really like some of the kitchen features and that tent seems very spacious and easy to get into and out of compared to roof top tents.
Looks like a nice trailer. These seem like they would be nice if you want to separate your camping equipment from your overlander which for many people is their daily driver. I'd be tempted to roll my own though. Use a surplus Humvee trailer or Harbor Freight trailer as the base, build it out how I need, and put a rooftop tent on the top.
I smile a little bit when I see these trailers with CA Permanent Trailer plates. When I registered my UEV 440 I made sure to only show them the outside kitchen and emphasized its a base camp trailer so they didn't try and label it as a camper. $55 every 5 years vs $500 a year!
Love the kitchen MOLLE. My first thought was mag pouches would be a great way to store a bunch of spices and bottles maybe? Found the perfect way to put all of that old ACU MOLLE I got out with to use...
This has to be one of the most attractive and well-executed designs I've seen! Thanks for sharing. If I ever live out of my Jeep full time, this would certainly be the most comfortable way! 🤣🔥
My biggest question is how is towing down the highway with a Reg. 3.6 engine and what gear is the trans. in while at highway speeds? My little Overlanding trailer is light and my Jeep wrangler wants to run in 7th gear down the highway.
We have a 2018 JLU Rubicon we regeared to 4:88's and it runs down the highway in 8th gear. On long grades it will downshift typically to 5th or 6th and occasionally to 4th for a short distance.
Awesome video, Brad! It’s fun to watch how these trailers have evolved over the years! True they are expensive, but I’ve had some recent luck, looking at some of their used models. My next investment! Hope to see you on the trail sometime soon, buddy! Jim from Temecula.
I like some the features of over-landing trailers but no shower and a fixed toilet.especially on early spring and late fall camping it’s nice to have an indoor bathroom.
I love the new trailer but the biggest gripe is lack of wet bath or something like that inside. That was the main reason why i didn't go with "offroad" trailer but small teardrop. I'd love to see next gen with 'bathroom' space to avoid going outside during cold nights.
Although I’ve always loved Patriot trailers. After many years of watching videos, I realize I don’t wanna deal with the set-ups and breaking down. I’m not in the market for an off road trailer yet. Hopefully in 5yr, I will be and am more than willing to pull the trigger on one, even up to $100k. A lot of ppl don’t realize or see the level or work, craftsmanship and material that goes into one of these beauty/beast for the cost. Anyways, to each there own. Thank you for such a great review on this beauty!!!
I like your posts, but I have this feeling that you're only showing how expensive you can make overlanding ... For me, going in nature is all about simplicity and going back to basics. But hey, that's just my idea 😉
I really liked this one! One of the things I liked the most were the steps to enter/exit. I’ve been considering a RTT for my Gladiator but not too keen on the idea of climbing up and down a latter in the middle of the night when I need to pee. Thanks for another great video! My Gladiator is SLOWLY being built but I’m getting there. Hopefully see ya out in our beautiful backyard pretty soon now that it’s desert season 😎
Holy bat trailers! That is a serious overlanding devil dog. The one thing I would want for it, would be some sort of “key required to roll” mechanism so could base camp it to drive somewhere else’s for a day hike, or even a town run for supplies and a cold malt.
Unless they come out with a flying trailer, I don't think it could be more perfect! Can't believe how many things they've thought of. Forget a tiny-home, get a Patriot Trailer!
That's a really cool trailer, maybe one day I'll look at one. I found myself getting distracted by the mountains in the background. Forgot how much I missed spending time up there.
Heat is great to have to extend the season. My concern is staying cool enough. That looked kind of stuffy in there. Is there some kind of cooling system available? The other concern is having to pack up the tent wet, and potential mildew. Have you had problems with that?
I love that version better than the others. However, I will switch side the barbecue grill on the side of your garage or toolbox side for safety reasons against being so close with the propane. Wind directions can be a factor with live fire on the barbecue grill.
@@timbaker4423 very cool. I was a cabinet maker for several years and do a ton of maker stuff so I'm excited to get this project done. It's including a ton of skills that I've worked on for years. Excited to see it come together finally
Back in 2010 we were a Little Guy trailer dealer. They were priced from $6,000 to $12,000. They had a rugged version for off road but I don’t think anyone ever saw this market evolving into the overlanding space. The problem we had in selling them was no NADA price for a bank to offer financing. I would suppose that has been fixed by now with the cost going so high. Very nice rig. They really made it handy. 👍🏽
Nice review Brad. Now: if we held your feet to the fire and didn’t allow you to wiggle sideways with a response like, each has their pros and cons I would ask you this. If you could only have One Setup, which would you choose? Most of us have to make a choice. Most of us camp in all seasons with bugs and varmints that try to get in. Would you choose a vintage vehicle with tent, a fully outfitted van with all the off road mods you could add, a Jeep or SUV any model towing a trailer, a larger truck with camper or a larger Earth Roamer, Rossmonster or Unimog style adventure vehicle?
Do you air down your tires on the camper? If yes, to what psi? Do a demo of deploying the awning and then putting it away please. What temp did you find comfortable for the heater. 60 degrees F really heats up the inside and was a bit of a pain to have to go outside in the middle of the night to adjust the temp. Apparently Truma does not have the app to control it for the US market.
That is a wonderful-looking trailer. It has more tech than my car does. Lol. At some point I would love to get a trailer. I am not ready yet, but when I am, that is may be one to consider.
I want to do one that opens like that for a bike that just has a foam mattress maybe the size of a full. The wheels will support one end and a a pair on bars with supports will support the other. Those legs when folded would act like a luggage rack so you could put a cooler, a camping stove and a backpack of food and clothing on top and bungie it down. You just lift the end and crawl in an close it. You could have a few zippered windows if you want too. With it being aluminum and using bicycle wheels it should be pretty light. Then maybe you could have an E-Bike to help you pedaling and something like a Jackery 1000w solar charger and 200w of folding solar panels (about $1000). Most E-bikes (in the sub $1000 range) have a 40 mile range, but towing the trailer likely half that. It would take about 3 hours to charge off the solar panels so you could go maybe 40-60 miles or so a day.
I built a stand in 6 foot hight custom trailer. It has a Murphy bed, diesel heater, wood stove, shore power, tv, pc, PlayStation, kitchen bathroom and shower. It works best for me as it can be used for every situation I end up in. I designed it to go off-road, it’s got r20 insulation for winter, it’s white for staying cool in summer. It’s fully self sufficient on solar and wood. The best part was the price, because I built it myself it cost me less than 20k. I’m diesel swapping my hummer right now as the tow rig since I already have lots of work done on it for off and on road living. I’ll be 50k spent when I’m done but I will probably keep upgrading it.
Trailer overlanding is awesome. Very different animal than serious off-roading but perfect for the purpose. We have an Aussie MDC forward fold camper trailer and my wife LOVES it (I'm retired US Navy CPO in the UK married to my Leicester lass;-). We are taking our classic Defender 110 and trailer to southern Africa in 2025 (or so) to spend an entire year exploring South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Lesotho and then ship back to the UK. An overland trailer allows you the freedom to camp, then drop the trailer then go on game drives and explore without having to pack up every morning. And Herselfs favorite feature is the pull out fridge and kitchen. Her mantra is "No car boot sale (aka, garage sale) just to make a sandwich." She was tired of having to offload the whole back of the truck just for a meal and then have to load it all back up! Am I going to take it on the Rubicon? Absolutely not. That isn't the point of overlanding (IMHO!) as I would never seriously risk my home just for a the thrill of a rock challenge. I think most of us need that sticker on the dash that says "Remember, stupid, you have to drive this home!" Cheers from over here ;-)
Wow. This is an amazing trailer. I do have a few concerns. With all the electronics and the lack of charging of the solar panel, only 120watts, the trailer depend heavily on the vehicle charging system to keep your trailer charge. Can you operate all the features with minimal battery levels? Say less than 100 ah? Can you open the tent section without the actuator / Power? My wife and I also have a adventure trailer. We learned early that a trailer is a great option for base style adventures but not to depend on technologies. From what I see, this is weekend trailer and not something that you would use for a two week trip. I will say that 40 gal of water is enough, but only three gal of diesel? While the heater does sip fuel, but with using both for water heating and cabin heating at night, 5 gals would be a better size for week length trip. Love your content and I have been following your channel from the beginning. For those who ask is it worth $$$ it. I say build your own and you will quickly see how much all those things add up. We build ours and I will say that we have 8500 in it and that's just the things we put in it and not the time. I can see with all the creature comforts and features why they are not cheap. All the best!
We used ours for a 5 day trip and got back Sunday. It was cold at night and heater lasted close to 4 days. We bought a small 3 gallon diesel plastic can and filled it. I think the water container is 36 gallons and the diesel heater is 3 gallons of diesel. We set up the solar on the first day and found that it added 15%-20% of a charge to the battery while we were out wheeling and driving home the Anderson plug fully charged the battery on our 4 hour drive home. We could easily stay out over a week and only need to probably fill the water tank and add a bit of diesel if we were using the heater. The water heater does not use much diesel and when you get up in the morning the water is already heated when you turn off the tent heater.
If the battery dies you just plug in the Anderson plug on the trailer to your vehicle and let it idle and it will charge the battery up. You don't need the remote to open the tent or the different compartments. We don't use the remote except to lock the camper when we leave it to go wheeling for the day.
Looking into the idea of one of these trailers. I want to travel and explore. But my question is, how do they handle on a USA highway at 75-85mph speeds being pulled. Thx
$60K starting for these Gen 2 Patriots is definitely jarring. But, they seem to be doing very, very well. There are a lot more rich people out there than most imagine.
That thing is really nice. Thank you for inviting us in. For all those worried about the price, there will always be high-end things. That's probably a $130k jeep it's hooked to (might be a low guess). If you overland as much as Brad and Regena, that's not that bad. They've already made a hundred videos of "ground tent life" and all the stages in between. Want to talk about things the average person can't afford......they live in California. :)
This is a great walk around and preview; love all the features and the look. Is it worth the money? Yes! And, just like diamonds, there is a second question, is it affordable?
I lived out of my Patriot X3 first gen from June to mid September in 2023. I took two warm showers during this time period because the Webesco heater would not stay on longer than a minute or so. I believe it is an altitude problem as it works fine at lower elevations. The Webesco heater is inadequate during early Spring camping and late fall season use and will not keep the interior warm on a cold night. There is nobody near me to service the Webesco. When I talked to Patriot in Las Vegas I got the impression that they do not service it either. The RedArc isn't usable while the 7 pin connecter is plugged into to my Ram truck. It has to be unplugged for the RedArc to work. The menu on the RedArc is kludgy. Fore example, to fill up a my dogs bowl requires me to disconnect the 7-pin cable, open the side door on the X3 and Navigate to the second screen on the RedArc and pressurize the water tank. I would much have preferred a simple on/off switch. The Dometic refrigerator and freezer keep food about 10 degrees above the FDA recommendation. When charged to 100% at 6PM The Gel batters that are included with the X3 are right at the 50 percent threshold by 6AM and the Redarc is posting a warning to connect to power. My set of batteries lasted 18 months before they needed to be replaced. If you don't keep the X3 on shore power over winter the batteries are severely damaged or ruined. If you are like me and keep your trailer in commercial storage you know they don't provide power. If you buy a large quantity of meat the freezer won't quickly freeze the food until past the time that I think it could have gone bad. I found myself buying a block of dry ice and putting it in a Styrofoam cooler to quick freeze the meat first. There are other quirks about these campers that you don't notice in the showroom. One - The latches are cheep looking and sharp. The locking/unlocking lever on these latches works with ease on some of my latches but not all of them. My wife won't use them for fear of being cut. The lights in the tent only work via a remote control. There is no switch at the entrance of the tent. If the remote control is misplaced you will be using a flashlight. I totally underestimated how much time it would take me to setup and break camp everyday. Advertising says expect to spend 15 minutes to set up and 15 minutes to break camp. My experience from the time I entered the camper to make the bed until we were driving away was more on the order of 30 minutes. The same was true for setup. The clam shaped design of the X3 in my opinion is less than ideal. The mattress sits in a tub basin and if you leave when there is a chance of high wind and rain it can fill up with water leaving the mattress a soggy sponge. I learned this from experience. The tub that the mattress sets in also does not lock when open and while you are sleeping it moves when someone gets in or out. The clam shell arrangement also has a hump between the camper and bed that is really difficult and uncomfortable to climb over. I noticed many times that American campsites in state and national parks are small and won't always accommodate the width of a fully deployed X3. The PCOR awning unfolds and folds back in a specific way that is not at all intuitive. If you don't fold it back in the proper manner it won't fit back in the bag. These are a lot of negatives, but the X3 chassis is extremely well made and navigated over dirt, rock, mud, hills without a complaint.
One thing about the trailers that i dont think is thought about if when you change vehicles like you do you dont have to spend all the money outfitting the new vehicle. I know people talk about the sticker shock but its money you can use no matter what you drive.
have always thoroughly enjoyed your very informative vids. great information and great videography. BUT I have a question on this one that I thought you would address but didn't. My bad. Here's the question: for extended overland travels do you prefer pulling a trailer like the one here with the tent OR a pop up truck camper like you've had in the past? I'm wondering if you find it less burdensome with the pop up truck camper (all on the same chasis) vs draggin a trailer?
Empty it weighs 2557lbs we went for 5 days and filled water tank. Guessing we were at 3,000 lbs. We are going to take it to weigh station before we go out next time to get an accurate number. We have the Redarc Pro braking system installed which works fantastic. There is an auto setting on it that will apply the correct amount of brake pressure based on how much pressure you put on the vehicle brake. You can also set it manually from 1-8 I think, but the auto choice seemed to make more sense to use that.
Is there no concern of someone stealing the trailer from base camp? Seems like it would be very easy to so. Super cool stuff but something that concerns me quite alot
I hope you guys enjoyed this walk around. One correction, the Dry Trailer Weight is 2,557 lbs. Lots adventures to come with this trailer, but here is one in Death Valley with a trailer I'll never forget: ruclips.net/video/mizNrCby_p4/видео.html
Yes this trailer is nice one note you keep saying down below. Is down or below?
To bad. Slightly over weight for a 2 door.
With all your gear about 800 more lbs?
Master Chief I was about to correct you. We have more attention to detail than that in the Mess.
@TrailRecon
Thanks for the weight correction. Great looking trailer.
Those campers are dope no doubt about it but i feel like for the average overlander/offroader like me on a normal budget that is just insane. Starting at 30k is insane.. the cost of a car, unless you're associated with the industry like you most people wont be able to afford that or just wont want to. I did a bed rack and tent for a fraction of the cost for arguably the same result. I feel like the industry has slowly been pulling away from the average person and gone for rich folks rather than us but hey. Good video regardless brad. big fan.
Edit: STARTING at 30k is insane
Totally agree. But I bet this trailer is well north of 50. I’m into a Gladiator 75k and it’s just lifted on 37s with a nice rack and Alu-Cab tent. I’m guessing I’m 25k-35k away from these RUclips rigs. My son and I enjoy the heck out of it, but I bet a used Tacoma and a flip out tent would create the same memories.
This one is $66,000.
@@jobean5073 least profitable? You mean 98% of the market? Lmao have YOU ever ran a business 🤣
You’re so right. That’s why I picked the trailer I did. It goes as deep off road as I need, barn doors means it doubles as gear hauler, and was about 12k when I got mine. A Patriot is still on my Lottery list, but it’s hard to justify a trailer that cost the same as the tow vehicle.
@@jobean5073 whatever you say parrot profile picture guy, how many of these do you have btw? I bet none 🤣 you can stop deep throwing them... they're not giving you one homie. Stay strong keyboard warrior 🫡
Great video and a cool trailer no doubt, but to answer your original question of “is it worth it?”, I’d have to say a resounding no. Only people buying these are people that don’t need to ask that question.
So you are saying these trailers are like Rolls-Royces. If you have to enquire about the price ... you are saying that you can't afford it.
Even the very wealthy can be stingy
Are you saying you don't overland to the extend that much of the equipment required to do proper overlanding you don't carry?
Admittedly one can purchase a second Jeep and split the necessary equipment to overland between them for the cost of this one trailer.
But...is THAT worth it? Afterall, the trailer burns no fuel at the rate a second vehicle would.
@@samjohnson9894 People cross the world on two wheels....You dont need a trailer to overland.
@@HandyTot A lot of people wouldn't overland without certain comforts to suit their individual wants/needs. Grey Nomads choose Caravans to suit their lifestyle. Even bigger than these trailers.
First, thanks Brad for doing these videos. I thoroughly enjoy them! Now, for all the negative Nellie's out there, I agree, I'd probably never pay the money for something like this unless I was going to be doing A LOT OF CAMPING OFF THE GRID and was retired. So what's the solution? RENT ONE! There are plenty of places/individuals from which you can rent these, especially if you only get on a few trips a year. Give the guy a break and be thankful someone is willing to do an in depth review of these things so people know what they are paying for! 😊
Congratulations on your success and ability to enjoy the life you want. I think that's awesome! It's even better when you consider the fact that you served our Country. I volunteer helping our Veterans adjust to getting back to the life they left behind before serving through music therapy. It's not always easy for them. Seeing videos like yours gives me hope. Thank you.
So glad that you both are enjoying the new trailer. The folks at Patriot in Vegas are awesome guys and like to tease me about my Opus. A lot of folks just don't understand why to get an offroad trailer. For me, its being able to go further away from civilization for longer periods of time and not have to suffer. Being able to run a fridge all week long, wash dishes with hot water, take a shower, standing up while changing clothes, setting up a basecamp and explore without having to breakdown camp, invaluable! Have a great time out there
How do you like the Opus? I have seen them and seem very nice but a bit heavy to tow with a Wrangler UL. What has been your experience with it?
Love my Opus! It’s perfect for us setting up base camp and go explore. There are many owners that pull with Wranglers. I think the 24 Wranglers would be a better option due to the increase in towing capacity.
@@stephenwhelan901 thanks. Which Opus do you have? I borrowed an Opus 4 and it was a nice setup.
I have the OP2. We chose the OP2 because its just me and my wife and didn't need an extra bed. The OP2 gives you a shower enclosure and more pantry storage.@@Doodledogs
@@stephenwhelan901 thanks!
No doubt they are one of the best Camper trailers you can have. Unfortunately, here in Australia where they are built the average person can't afford the $87,000 that they cost.
Love your videos, I've watched you and Patriot campers from the start. Keep up the great work.
That's funny, a few of your Aussie buddies keep telling folks, these trailers are the norm in your country... They are EVERYWHERE, apparently you all can afford them like buying a new pair of shoes. Clearly lies are being told, but it's good to see at least one Aussie being truthful, thanks!
@@BrooklynNY1979 camper trailers are very common, Patriots not as much due to the price. $87,000 is the starting price as well. They quickly go over $100k. Which puts them well into offered caravan territory.
Trailer is great overall. I would spec the trailer to use the same size tire as what ever you are running on your Jeep. Many of the Aussie trailers also carry the spares on the trailer.
great idea
I think the spare on the X3 is under the trailer. Brad didn't mention it but I'm fairly certain it was called out on one of the Patriot videos.
@@russwhitney3459 my son said he saw one under the trailer. It still would be great to have them all the same size.
We have 37's on our Jeep and you could not run that size on the trailer, they would rub in the wheel wells and not really necessary. We are taking ours on Hole in the Rock from Halls Crossing next month and pretty confident it will do just fine on the obstacles we have to go over on our way to Coil Camp.
Not only the tyre size, but also the wheel PCD. Ideally you want all 5 wheels on the towing vehicle to be identical to all 3 wheels on the trailer.
Awesome trailer! Good walk through video. I was hesitant about offroading with a trailer too but since ive started doing it I realized i should have done it a long time ago! Great video!!!
I looked really hard at a variety of trailers, including the Patriot, for at least a year before I pulled the trigger on the Offgrid Trailers Expedition 2.0. The main reason came down to a comment someone made about trailers like the Patriot that I really couldn't defend: You're spending all that money to STILL sleep in a tent. As long as you're ok with that, these are a great option!
"Tent" Yes, but no. What you give up to sleep inside the trailer is just not worth it to some people, including me. I don't see what the problem is with the "tent" on the Patriots since it's not just a hack job tent tossed on top. It's well integrated and apparently now, effective heat in the cold weather. What more do you really benefit from sleeping inside a box? You lose out on storage (unless you're willing to put dirty gear on your bed), you lose out on having a stand up changing area, you lose out on a place to relax if the weather turns bad (unless you only want to lay/sit in your bed). They're not far off in price (excluding cheapo trailers) and for the slight premium of the Patriot, it seems it is much more thought out, well designed, and aesthetically pleasing than most any other trailer out there. Again though, it depends on the person and what you're willing to sacrifice and/or your needs and desires.
@@Mr-Bogs wheres the head?
@@bryanpinto4051 All around you
It is a lot more than a tent. Great kitchen, amazing fridge that kept everything super cold, heater works great, instant hot water at the sink, awning can withstand pretty high winds. Easy open and close, button up and head back onto the trail. Not for everyone but I was totally over setting up a tent each night and sweeping out dirt or sand and being cold. We are retired and have done a ton of wheeling on difficult trails leasing groups and now want to explore BDR trails in America and stop where we want and quickly set up camp and enjoy. It is top of the line in quality and cost but for us very much worth it for what we plan to do. We have seen other trailers when on the trail with other people and the Gen2 X3 beats the ones we have seen.
I admire the work that went into building this amazing trailer. The thought, engineering and workmanship just is off the charts. Definitely on my wishlist.
I think it’s fair to say that you’re an incredibly generous person who’s also very well informed about the world of overlanding. I've learned so much by watching your videos about the do and don’t of overlanding. Thanks for the always good vibes and shared coolness, it's very much appreciated.
From my past experience backpacking and camping, roughing it a little is part of the experience. I just bought a Gladiator and might get a bed tent or just sleep in a ground tent. No need to bring the kitchen sink unless you have $$$. Plus a trailer gets in the way off road IMO, but that's just me-keep it simple.
Congratulations super sweet those upgrades are going to make setting camp up lil easier 👍 as always be safe ❤
60k dollar trailer hitched to your 90k dollar Jeep. Really pulling off the "everyman" vibe really well 😂
Just dont be poor?
As a Gen 1 X3 owner, it is the tent poles on the outside of the tent that I like. 👍
Crazy these trailers are as much as a vehicle.
Happy for Brad and Regina that RUclips and TrailRecon is doing well enough to afford a $66,000
@@ej9147 He probably put the trailer as tax write-off since it is for his "business"
And cost as much. But it looks nice
@@Baebon6259 certainly is and should be.
$89k fully loaded as this one is. $66k is a bare-bones trailer.
Nice trailer.
However I think I'd like a complete reversed layout with the kitchen on the passenger side.
A little adjustment in the CAD program and they could produce those easy enough.
Here in the states, it would come in handy if you were to pull off to the side of the road for a quick lunch.
That way you wouldn't be near traffic.
That's a great point! I guess they're designed for Australia for that reason alone but you're right, they could have a left hand drive version.
is so good to see you so happy about it...
right now I am working to understand how 4x4 works and learning the basics
is so cool
Love and want one just to add to our collection of camping options but in the end its a tent and we got away from roof top tents and tent trailers because of the annoying part of dealing with a tent in the rain and having to dry it out once you get home..
With the heater it should be easier to dry out.
Brad, as always a very informative video! I really appreciate that you are upfront that this is a sponsored video.
To the trailer itself: It looks extremely well built and outfitted, to a point where some features might be more than what many of us need. This is naturally reflected in the price, all those features cost money to produce. My point is here that you certainly do not need to spend big bucks to go off-road camping. Even a camping trailer can be as simple as a small teardrop trailer( home) built on an off the shelf 4x8 trailer frame. Just figure out what your real needs are, then add your desires.
Overall, I feel that Patriot has thought of everything in this design. Just for example, the parking brake, solar panel input jack and a heating system. Nice!
Nice trailer,! Did you do anything to your Jeep to address the tongue weight? The trailer has 395 lbs tongue weight but the Jeep Wrangler is rated for a maximum of 350 lbs of tongue weight?
Nice trailer! I’m not a huge fan of RTT due to the climbs up and downs through the night for me and my wife and our dog, but this design is pretty darn cool. Also, being able to access some of the storage from inside and outside is ingenious. Thanks for the walk through.
Look at the Imagine Trailvans. Much more affordable and it has an easy entry for us older adventures.
Pretty slick unit, but I prefer camping to be camping and just pack the basics. Thanks for sharing.
Great video, we love watching your content in our office! Thank you for bringing more attention to the overland camper community! ❤
I like these trailers but as others have mentioned, the price is too high for me. I've been thinking about getting a surplus military trailer (M1101/1102 or other) and setting it up for general utility use with add ons for overlanding. I know they are a bit large. There are some pretty impressive setups on RUclips and Pinterest. I've seen them go for $1500 - $2,000 on the GovPlanet auctions. That seems pretty good for a flexible base platform.
Don't waste your money on the military trailer. Build it from scratch. They are heavy and hard to maneuver down tight trails. Stay with something that is the same witdth of your tow vehicle.
@@shawnthomas6460we've got an M416 as a base that was less headache than building from the ground up. It's maneuverable and modular.
You should also look at the M416 trailer. A bit smaller, but there's some pretty cool builds out there.
Dream trailer for sure ! That being said like other comments The price makes it almost unattainable for most. It would be awesome if you tried out a more attainable trailer in a video .that being said good job as always enjoy watching all your videos.
That trailer looks and acts amazing! Everything is well designed and thoughtfully planned. I've been looking at class b vans but after seeing this video I will reconsider!
A lot of thought has gone into that design; very well integrated. Being able to access some of the same storage compartments from inside the tent is pretty cool.
I was unbelievably fortunate and found one of those weber grills at a local goodwill for 10 dollars in like new condition one of the best additions I've made to my camping setup
Thanks!
Thank you!
Brad, Congratulations on the new trailer!! Trailer looks amazing. Can't wait to see all the new content and adventures to come. Great video.
Oh man this is Amazing! Been following Patriot Campers for years and have a dream of owning one. We live in Salt Lake City, UT. Thanks for the video! Got me so stoked.
Off road trailers offer a nice solution to folks who like work explore from a base camp. They're easy to unhitch and allow the tow vehicle to get away and do some wheeling. But for those of us who enjoy four season camping and exploring in bear country, we must have a hard sided vehicle. Bottom line...whatever works best for you and fits in your budget!!
67k is a little rich for my blood. It’s a tent on wheels.
Haven't watched your videos for a while because, honestly, they're so good they distract the hell out of me!
Good to see this review and great video sir. You have me thinking about adding a trailer to my silverado overland setup now! 🍻
Very nice. I wish this was in the budget for future adventures. I really like some of the kitchen features and that tent seems very spacious and easy to get into and out of compared to roof top tents.
Looks like a nice trailer. These seem like they would be nice if you want to separate your camping equipment from your overlander which for many people is their daily driver.
I'd be tempted to roll my own though. Use a surplus Humvee trailer or Harbor Freight trailer as the base, build it out how I need, and put a rooftop tent on the top.
Congrats on the new trailer Brad! It looks awesome and I’m sure it works perfectly as a base camp setup offgrid. Safe travels! -Ryan from Houston, TX
I smile a little bit when I see these trailers with CA Permanent Trailer plates.
When I registered my UEV 440 I made sure to only show them the outside kitchen and emphasized its a base camp trailer so they didn't try and label it as a camper.
$55 every 5 years vs $500 a year!
Nice for those heavy in overlanding with deep pockets, Not for me but great set up for those that can.
Love the kitchen MOLLE. My first thought was mag pouches would be a great way to store a bunch of spices and bottles maybe? Found the perfect way to put all of that old ACU MOLLE I got out with to use...
This has to be one of the most attractive and well-executed designs I've seen! Thanks for sharing. If I ever live out of my Jeep full time, this would certainly be the most comfortable way! 🤣🔥
It would be nice for a special edition " TrailRecon " with your specifics 👌🏻
🎉 best trailer, after the X1 Gen2 for me. Incredible machine. Love your vídeos
My biggest question is how is towing down the highway with a Reg. 3.6 engine and what gear is the trans. in while at highway speeds? My little Overlanding trailer is light and my Jeep wrangler wants to run in 7th gear down the highway.
Have you thought about regearing? I know when I was towing with the Gladiator 3.6, once I regeared it make a big difference.
I had this question too but which gear ratio for towing on 37's?? 5.13 or 4.88??
On a JL or JT with the 8 speed transmission 4.88's is good for 37's, but if your towing I would go 5:13's... just try two cents.
We have a 2018 JLU Rubicon we regeared to 4:88's and it runs down the highway in 8th gear. On long grades it will downshift typically to 5th or 6th and occasionally to 4th for a short distance.
Awesome video, Brad! It’s fun to watch how these trailers have evolved over the years! True they are expensive, but I’ve had some recent luck, looking at some of their used models. My next investment! Hope to see you on the trail sometime soon, buddy! Jim from Temecula.
Thanks Jim, hope to see you out there!
Hope you have many great adventures with your new trailer
I still can’t get myself to be a trailer guy…but every time I use one, I get a little closer. This new one looks great, enjoy!
I like some the features of over-landing trailers but no shower and a fixed toilet.especially on early spring and late fall camping it’s nice to have an indoor bathroom.
The Patriot camper line is as great as Justin’s personality. Loved the Australian trip .
I love the new trailer but the biggest gripe is lack of wet bath or something like that inside.
That was the main reason why i didn't go with "offroad" trailer but small teardrop.
I'd love to see next gen with 'bathroom' space to avoid going outside during cold nights.
Congrats on the new trailer!
Although I’ve always loved Patriot trailers. After many years of watching videos, I realize I don’t wanna deal with the set-ups and breaking down.
I’m not in the market for an off road trailer yet. Hopefully in 5yr, I will be and am more than willing to pull the trigger on one, even up to $100k.
A lot of ppl don’t realize or see the level or work, craftsmanship and material that goes into one of these beauty/beast for the cost. Anyways, to each there own.
Thank you for such a great review on this beauty!!!
why not just buy a 40' and have a big helicoper to set in place.
@@395joe8 🤣 BRS Pursuit! 😁
I like your posts, but I have this feeling that you're only showing how expensive you can make overlanding ...
For me, going in nature is all about simplicity and going back to basics. But hey, that's just my idea 😉
I really liked this one! One of the things I liked the most were the steps to enter/exit. I’ve been considering a RTT for my Gladiator but not too keen on the idea of climbing up and down a latter in the middle of the night when I need to pee.
Thanks for another great video! My Gladiator is SLOWLY being built but I’m getting there. Hopefully see ya out in our beautiful backyard pretty soon now that it’s desert season 😎
Just get a 3 inch mattress and pee in bed. You can dry it outside when you get home.
@@robertyoung8289 GREAT IDEA!!! 🤣
Holy bat trailers! That is a serious overlanding devil dog. The one thing I would want for it, would be some sort of “key required to roll” mechanism so could base camp it to drive somewhere else’s for a day hike, or even a town run for supplies and a cold malt.
Unless they come out with a flying trailer, I don't think it could be more perfect! Can't believe how many things they've thought of. Forget a tiny-home, get a Patriot Trailer!
Awesome review Brad. Happy Trails P.S. I wonder if the X3 Gen 2 camper could be bolted to a truck frame(no trailer)❔
That's a really cool trailer, maybe one day I'll look at one. I found myself getting distracted by the mountains in the background. Forgot how much I missed spending time up there.
Another great video. We love your content! If the battery dies, will you be able to manually open push-button doors or actuate tent?
Cool thanks very useful used of space suit my camping trip cheers for the reviews
Heat is great to have to extend the season. My concern is staying cool enough. That looked kind of stuffy in there. Is there some kind of cooling system available? The other concern is having to pack up the tent wet, and potential mildew. Have you had problems with that?
I love that version better than the others. However, I will switch side the barbecue grill on the side of your garage or toolbox side for safety reasons against being so close with the propane. Wind directions can be a factor with live fire on the barbecue grill.
Looks like a stellar setup for your adventures. Look forward to seeing it some scenic locations. 🍁🤙
I'm building my own! Super excited!!
I'm going to start one this spring.
@@timbaker4423 very cool. I was a cabinet maker for several years and do a ton of maker stuff so I'm excited to get this project done. It's including a ton of skills that I've worked on for years. Excited to see it come together finally
Back in 2010 we were a Little Guy trailer dealer. They were priced from $6,000 to $12,000. They had a rugged version for off road but I don’t think anyone ever saw this market evolving into the overlanding space. The problem we had in selling them was no NADA price for a bank to offer financing. I would suppose that has been fixed by now with the cost going so high. Very nice rig. They really made it handy. 👍🏽
Nice review Brad.
Now: if we held your feet to the fire and didn’t allow you to wiggle sideways with a response like, each has their pros and cons I would ask you this.
If you could only have One Setup, which would you choose?
Most of us have to make a choice. Most of us camp in all seasons with bugs and varmints that try to get in.
Would you choose a vintage vehicle with tent, a fully outfitted van with all the off road mods you could add, a Jeep or SUV any model towing a trailer, a larger truck with camper or a larger Earth Roamer, Rossmonster or Unimog style adventure vehicle?
They are an ultra cool camper trailer. The X3 in particular. Yes they are expensive but that's because they are of the highest quality.
Every video about the Patriot Campers tout the heater, but are there any options for cooling?
I like the new tech on this trailer. You wouldn't happen to be showing off your rig and trailer at Rigs and Brew coming up this Sunday?
I'm assuming the awning goes up higher somehow?
Can't wait to see it in action.
The latches are nifty, do they have some sort of override in the case of power loss. How would you get a door open if one failed?
How exciting ! What a rig man!
Can't wait to get out on the trails with it!
Do you air down your tires on the camper? If yes, to what psi? Do a demo of deploying the awning and then putting it away please. What temp did you find comfortable for the heater. 60 degrees F really heats up the inside and was a bit of a pain to have to go outside in the middle of the night to adjust the temp. Apparently Truma does not have the app to control it for the US market.
so what changed you mind? The fact it was free?
That is a wonderful-looking trailer. It has more tech than my car does. Lol.
At some point I would love to get a trailer. I am not ready yet, but when I am, that is may be one to consider.
I want to do one that opens like that for a bike that just has a foam mattress maybe the size of a full. The wheels will support one end and a a pair on bars with supports will support the other. Those legs when folded would act like a luggage rack so you could put a cooler, a camping stove and a backpack of food and clothing on top and bungie it down. You just lift the end and crawl in an close it. You could have a few zippered windows if you want too. With it being aluminum and using bicycle wheels it should be pretty light. Then maybe you could have an E-Bike to help you pedaling and something like a Jackery 1000w solar charger and 200w of folding solar panels (about $1000). Most E-bikes (in the sub $1000 range) have a 40 mile range, but towing the trailer likely half that. It would take about 3 hours to charge off the solar panels so you could go maybe 40-60 miles or so a day.
I built a stand in 6 foot hight custom trailer. It has a Murphy bed, diesel heater, wood stove, shore power, tv, pc, PlayStation, kitchen bathroom and shower. It works best for me as it can be used for every situation I end up in. I designed it to go off-road, it’s got r20 insulation for winter, it’s white for staying cool in summer. It’s fully self sufficient on solar and wood. The best part was the price, because I built it myself it cost me less than 20k. I’m diesel swapping my hummer right now as the tow rig since I already have lots of work done on it for off and on road living. I’ll be 50k spent when I’m done but I will probably keep upgrading it.
Trailer overlanding is awesome. Very different animal than serious off-roading but perfect for the purpose. We have an Aussie MDC forward fold camper trailer and my wife LOVES it (I'm retired US Navy CPO in the UK married to my Leicester lass;-). We are taking our classic Defender 110 and trailer to southern Africa in 2025 (or so) to spend an entire year exploring South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Lesotho and then ship back to the UK. An overland trailer allows you the freedom to camp, then drop the trailer then go on game drives and explore without having to pack up every morning. And Herselfs favorite feature is the pull out fridge and kitchen. Her mantra is "No car boot sale (aka, garage sale) just to make a sandwich." She was tired of having to offload the whole back of the truck just for a meal and then have to load it all back up! Am I going to take it on the Rubicon? Absolutely not. That isn't the point of overlanding (IMHO!) as I would never seriously risk my home just for a the thrill of a rock challenge. I think most of us need that sticker on the dash that says "Remember, stupid, you have to drive this home!" Cheers from over here ;-)
Quality and design are amazing
Wow. This is an amazing trailer. I do have a few concerns. With all the electronics and the lack of charging of the solar panel, only 120watts, the trailer depend heavily on the vehicle charging system to keep your trailer charge. Can you operate all the features with minimal battery levels? Say less than 100 ah? Can you open the tent section without the actuator / Power? My wife and I also have a adventure trailer. We learned early that a trailer is a great option for base style adventures but not to depend on technologies. From what I see, this is weekend trailer and not something that you would use for a two week trip. I will say that 40 gal of water is enough, but only three gal of diesel? While the heater does sip fuel, but with using both for water heating and cabin heating at night, 5 gals would be a better size for week length trip. Love your content and I have been following your channel from the beginning. For those who ask is it worth $$$ it. I say build your own and you will quickly see how much all those things add up. We build ours and I will say that we have 8500 in it and that's just the things we put in it and not the time. I can see with all the creature comforts and features why they are not cheap. All the best!
We used ours for a 5 day trip and got back Sunday. It was cold at night and heater lasted close to 4 days. We bought a small 3 gallon diesel plastic can and filled it. I think the water container is 36 gallons and the diesel heater is 3 gallons of diesel. We set up the solar on the first day and found that it added 15%-20% of a charge to the battery while we were out wheeling and driving home the Anderson plug fully charged the battery on our 4 hour drive home. We could easily stay out over a week and only need to probably fill the water tank and add a bit of diesel if we were using the heater. The water heater does not use much diesel and when you get up in the morning the water is already heated when you turn off the tent heater.
What happens if you lose the remote? Or the battery dies? Is there a way to get in if that happens?
If the battery dies you just plug in the Anderson plug on the trailer to your vehicle and let it idle and it will charge the battery up. You don't need the remote to open the tent or the different compartments. We don't use the remote except to lock the camper when we leave it to go wheeling for the day.
Looking into the idea of one of these trailers. I want to travel and explore. But my question is, how do they handle on a USA highway at 75-85mph speeds being pulled. Thx
$60K starting for these Gen 2 Patriots is definitely jarring. But, they seem to be doing very, very well. There are a lot more rich people out there than most imagine.
I see Patriot are launching the X5 this week. Have you tried it out yet?
That thing is really nice. Thank you for inviting us in.
For all those worried about the price, there will always be high-end things. That's probably a $130k jeep it's hooked to (might be a low guess). If you overland as much as Brad and Regena, that's not that bad. They've already made a hundred videos of "ground tent life" and all the stages in between. Want to talk about things the average person can't afford......they live in California. :)
257lbs!?!?!?! Sweet whats it made of helium and Haileys Comet dust? Nice video!
What a well thought out trailer.
This is a great walk around and preview; love all the features and the look. Is it worth the money? Yes! And, just like diamonds, there is a second question, is it affordable?
Congrats Brad, that's awesome !!
Awesome video Brad! 😀
Thank you!
I lived out of my Patriot X3 first gen from June to mid September in 2023. I took two warm showers during this time period because the Webesco heater would not stay on longer than a minute or so. I believe it is an altitude problem as it works fine at lower elevations. The Webesco heater is inadequate during early Spring camping and late fall season use and will not keep the interior warm on a cold night. There is nobody near me to service the Webesco. When I talked to Patriot in Las Vegas I got the impression that they do not service it either.
The RedArc isn't usable while the 7 pin connecter is plugged into to my Ram truck. It has to be unplugged for the RedArc to work. The menu on the RedArc is kludgy. Fore example, to fill up a my dogs bowl requires me to disconnect the 7-pin cable, open the side door on the X3 and Navigate to the second screen on the RedArc and pressurize the water tank. I would much have preferred a simple on/off switch.
The Dometic refrigerator and freezer keep food about 10 degrees above the FDA recommendation. When charged to 100% at 6PM The Gel batters that are included with the X3 are right at the 50 percent threshold by 6AM and the Redarc is posting a warning to connect to power. My set of batteries lasted 18 months before they needed to be replaced. If you don't keep the X3 on shore power over winter the batteries are severely damaged or ruined. If you are like me and keep your trailer in commercial storage you know they don't provide power. If you buy a large quantity of meat the freezer won't quickly freeze the food until past the time that I think it could have gone bad. I found myself buying a block of dry ice and putting it in a Styrofoam cooler to quick freeze the meat first.
There are other quirks about these campers that you don't notice in the showroom. One - The latches are cheep looking and sharp. The locking/unlocking lever on these latches works with ease on some of my latches but not all of them. My wife won't use them for fear of being cut.
The lights in the tent only work via a remote control. There is no switch at the entrance of the tent. If the remote control is misplaced you will be using a flashlight.
I totally underestimated how much time it would take me to setup and break camp everyday. Advertising says expect to spend 15 minutes to set up and 15 minutes to break camp. My experience from the time I entered the camper to make the bed until we were driving away was more on the order of 30 minutes. The same was true for setup.
The clam shaped design of the X3 in my opinion is less than ideal. The mattress sits in a tub basin and if you leave when there is a chance of high wind and rain it can fill up with water leaving the mattress a soggy sponge. I learned this from experience. The tub that the mattress sets in also does not lock when open and while you are sleeping it moves when someone gets in or out. The clam shell arrangement also has a hump between the camper and bed that is really difficult and uncomfortable to climb over.
I noticed many times that American campsites in state and national parks are small and won't always accommodate the width of a fully deployed X3.
The PCOR awning unfolds and folds back in a specific way that is not at all intuitive. If you don't fold it back in the proper manner it won't fit back in the bag.
These are a lot of negatives, but the X3 chassis is extremely well made and navigated over dirt, rock, mud, hills without a complaint.
One thing about the trailers that i dont think is thought about if when you change vehicles like you do you dont have to spend all the money outfitting the new vehicle. I know people talk about the sticker shock but its money you can use no matter what you drive.
Can you put a hitch mounted bike rack on the trailer?
have always thoroughly enjoyed your very informative vids. great information and great videography. BUT I have a question on this one that I thought you would address but didn't. My bad. Here's the question: for extended overland travels do you prefer pulling a trailer like the one here with the tent OR a pop up truck camper like you've had in the past? I'm wondering if you find it less burdensome with the pop up truck camper (all on the same chasis) vs draggin a trailer?
So do you air down the trailer tires?? i mean it could make it bounce less wouldn't it?
What is your combined weight when loaded up for a couple day trip? and have you experienced any braking issues?
Empty it weighs 2557lbs we went for 5 days and filled water tank. Guessing we were at 3,000 lbs. We are going to take it to weigh station before we go out next time to get an accurate number. We have the Redarc Pro braking system installed which works fantastic. There is an auto setting on it that will apply the correct amount of brake pressure based on how much pressure you put on the vehicle brake. You can also set it manually from 1-8 I think, but the auto choice seemed to make more sense to use that.
Brad, I caught the 257 lbs dry, and thought you misspoke. Nice rig.
Is there no concern of someone stealing the trailer from base camp? Seems like it would be very easy to so. Super cool stuff but something that concerns me quite alot