Patriot Campers X3 First Impressions

[@chrisgrover507]

You have my dream setup the 4xe and patriot x3

[@pastthepavement]

The new v2 X3 is mighty tempting! If we were to redo I think the TVAN and new ARB Earth Camper would be worth a look as well.

[@bmerky]

Love this video! Can't wait for a full review from you guys! I am surprised to see how much storage there really is in there, that makes me feel excited about it.

[@pastthepavement]

Thanks! Making content is a lot harder than we expected, especially being introverted, but I really appreciate the motivation. Our full review is in progress and should be released by the end of the month. Hope you find it helpful!

[@toddhall3720]

Good Intel, thank you!

[@menglandau]

You won’t regret putting the Weber in. In fact you will use it more than the little gas burner. I’d be wary of the 12v oven. It’s good if you are traveling and have power running to it, but they are pretty slow to get things cooking. We just upgraded from a 2018 X1 to a 2022 X3.

[@pastthepavement]

The Weber is on the way and really excited to get it ready for our next trip in a few weeks. Good call on the 12v oven. We don't have high expectations for it, but hope it can serve a useful purpose. Jealous of your '22 X3! Ours was originally going to be a '22 but we wouldn't have received it until next month at the earliest and didn't want to wait another season to really use it a lot. The biggest thing for us are those awning support brackets and we're hoping to get those retrofitted in the next month or two ("on the boat" hah). Thanks for the feedback and advice!

[@billwaterhouse5894]

Curious when you ordered your 22 x3?

[@menglandau]

@@billwaterhouse5894 I’m in Australia. The one we purchased was on the floor at the dealership so we had it in less than a week. But we got lucky. It’s about a 12 month wait here as well normally

[@Colonel1Bravo]

@@menglandau so out of all of the models, I assume you like the x3 the most. Can you tell me anymore about why you refer one model or the other? Thanks

[@menglandau]

@@Colonel1Bravo I think the main reason we prefer the X3 is because it doesn’t have canvas touching the ground. We also have a small inside area if we choose to sit in there. Definitely the diesel hot water unit is also a game changer. Having hot water plumbed in means less setup. The X3 is a next level up from the others. Quicker setup and pack up too.

[@ttoverland2267]

Looking forward to getting our X3. We ordered May 2021 and have not received it yet. We did purchase a Cook Partner stove and griddle to install once we have the trailer in hand. Also bought the Patriot sand mats last year since I did not know how long the wait was going to be for those!

[@pastthepavement]

Nice! We lucked out. A few weeks after ordering a '22 in Feb '22 we had the opportunity to go with a '21 in white that had just been put on the boat and picked it up in May. I think the Cook Partner stove is a good choice. We love the genesis but will have to see how it and the oven work out long term. Excited to see what you think of the X3 and the adventures you take!

[@ttoverland2267]

@@pastthepavement Did you pick up your trailer in Oklahoma?

[@pastthepavement]

We found out RVs of America here in Utah had just become an official dealer and went through them. Super convenient being just a half hour away hah. www.rvsofamerica.com/

[@pastthepavement]

I just realized I said we ordered in Feb '21 but meant '22. Sorry for any confusion.

[@alinutah5541]

Did you get the patriot from RV of America? I bought a 2018 X-1 in March from them. I had the same problems with the stove that can with the trailer.

[@pastthepavement]

Yup! I had high hopes the Eureka would work well since it's the sister company of Jetboil and I love my Jetboil gear. Sorry to hear your experience is similar.

[@Casanovafff]

Thankyou for your honest review

[@pastthepavement]

Appreciate the words. We are working on a comprehensive review in a few weeks. Hope you find it helpful too.

[@markstambaugh3273]

I got my Patriot X3 late last fall just before the cold snap that hit the midwest. I have only used it one time. I am thinking about getting a RedArc solar blanket Do you have any experience with them?

[@pastthepavement]

Hey Mark, apologies for not replying sooner, life has been intense this past year. We do have limited experience with them. We have the 112W amorphous blanket (the red one) and it works really well in my opinion. Granted we have nearly zero experience with solar in general but what I can say is that the construction is solid. It's hard to assess energy output since I really just throw it out and haven't tried to maximize efficiency by angling directly perpendicular to the sun, etc... but the Manager 30 handles it seamlessly, and it will easily output about double what our Dometic fridge uses during the day. I'm sure this reply is a day late and dollar short, but hope it helps and is great to hear from another X3 owner :-) Take care.

[@robertrichardson9794]

In researching the X3 I was glad to see on the Patriot walk around video they were spec-ing a 20,000 btu stove. Then I see this video where they're spec-ing with a super budget $100 Eureka with only 10,000 btu. That is so annoying when researching all these very expensive campers. You watch the official video with all these great components and then you find once imported to the USA, they cheapen spec. Supply chain issues or margin increasing opportunity?

[@pastthepavement]

There are definitely some differences when it gets exported unfortunately. For the stove, what I understand is Patriot basically leaves it up to the US dealer to decide what to put in it. I can't say for sure of course, but I'd lean heavily towards increasing margin for the US dealer side.

[@louislynge]

The issue with your cook top may very well be as you mentioned (that it is due to altitude), as in Australia we really don't have anywhere that is "at altitude".

[@pastthepavement]

Yeah, unfortunately we also don't get the same stove in the U.S. as what's included in Australia. The Webasto heater is another component that certainly wasn't selected for high altitude and frigid temperatures, but we're managing!

[@asherdog9248]

This is the best X3 review on KZbin. Too bad to hear about the heater and stove issues 😕

[@pastthepavement]

Wow, thank you! We have taken more trips and are preparing a fully comprehensive review soon in case it's of interest. Stay tuned!

[@ttoverland2267]

The issue with the stoves is that the good ones used in Australia are not approved for the states so they just put one in when it gets here that is US approved and fits.

[@dougbarnard7655]

You need to re-gas your man cave shocks or get new ones with a higher rating. I had the same issue when I put the Matrax on. Doug

[@pastthepavement]

For sure. They held the original 2 very well but adding another 2 has overburdened it a bit. Hasn't been an issue so far, but with installing the Weber, it will be. Do you have any recommendations for stronger ones?

[@dougbarnard7655]

@@pastthepavement they re-gassed the ones I had. I don't remember how much pressure they put in it but I would ask your dealer to check with Patriot

[@pastthepavement]

Thanks for the tip. We have service in a few weeks and will ask.

[@billwaterhouse5894]

Gas shock issues? If the case, disappointing since it's designed that way...in a very expensive trailer

[@asherdog9248]

That is bad news about the Webasco heater. What is Exploration outfitters telling you?

[@pastthepavement]

The heater was totally our mistake and not knowing there's a fan switch on the inside behind the 'power tower' as I call it. It has a low and high toggle and we'll include some temperature differentials in our full review. Also, RVs of America is now a Patriot dealer, and only 30 min away from us in Utah which alleviated some of our hesitation about having to go so far for support/maintenance. www.rvsofamerica.com/

[@jxsanc1238]

Did the camper cost more than the vehicle

[@pastthepavement]

It was pretty close 😳 The trailer does edge out the 4xe depending on the deal you get, but that will change next week when we pick up our new Jeep.

[@chrisgrover507]

@@pastthepavementwhy did you switch jeeps? I am considering a rubicon 4xe.

[@pastthepavement]

@@chrisgrover507 Hey Chris! I'll preface this by saying this is solely my opinion and my personal experience with my 2021 4xe Rubicon (maybe it's better with newer models?) but I believe they are borderline unsafe vehicles. Power delivery and braking was inconsistent. I created a script going into depth but have avoided making a video since we're really small and a bit cautious of drawing drama. Before you purchase, I would definitely see if you can either rent/borrow one and see what you think first. For a pure grocery getter, it might be ok, and rolling nearly silent down forest roads is really something else, but if you're someone who likes to do anything really off-road/crawling, I think any engine option is a better buy. The thing that really killed me besides drivability is MPG when towing on the highway. After the battery depletes you're dragging all that extra weight the rest of the trip. Like I said, it's all opinion, but the new pure ICE Wrangler is so smooth. Throttle response, braking, everything is so much better.

[@billwaterhouse5894]

Thank you so much for sharing. There has been very little on the X3 here in the US so far. I very much value all the information that you can share with the small community here in the US. We are very excited and should be picking up our X3 early next month (September), after waiting since May of 21'. We are trying to learn as much as possible as we are embarking on a 6-week trip right out of the gate. PS kinda funny, my wife ordered a 2022 4xe Rubicon last October...delivered in January. How does your Jeep tow the X3?

[@pastthepavement]

That's hilarious! Mine is a '21 4xe. I'd say It tows it well. We have a video coming soon that shows it in electric only and then e-save. I was impressed how well it did with just the electric at a slow crawl although it drains fast. Appreciate the feedback. We are also releasing a comprehensive video about the X3 in a few weeks. Hope you find it helpful for your massive trip, we're jealous, but hoping to do a similar trip next year.

[@pastthepavement]

While off road, I've learned the best experience with the 4xe is to use e-save going up and then electric only going down (or flat). I especially use e-save or manual in very slow rocky sections. It's not a huge deal but I've found it offers better throttle control and consistency. Another thing is that I've noticed even in e-save, towing the X3 on the highway going up a steep grade, it will consume battery, which was surprising.

[@billwaterhouse5894]

@@pastthepavement We will be towing with the 4xe for sure, likely shorter trips. Thanks for all the great feedback. This trip we'll take our 21 power wagon. Can't wait to have her on top of Immogene Pass 😁. We will be all over Utah as well (speak of jealous...what a beautiful state y'all live in).

[@Corey-pd3mi]

Looked like the front door wouldn’t stay open with the weight of the Maxtrax on there, as designed, needs heavier struts. Disappointing the problems you pointed out on such an expensive camper

[@pastthepavement]

Yeah, what's funny is it's slightly better or worse depending on climate conditions (my ignorant guess). Altitude, temp.. But I do plan to upgrade the struts over the winter so it's consistent. I'd highly highly recommend keeping an eye out for our full review that'll come out soon. A few of the issues were operator error, but we've continued to learn other things too 😅

[@JohnSmith-bq7gz]

How about buying something made in the US?

[@pastthepavement]

Thanks for the comment. Do you have any suggestions? We evaluated every major trailer manufacturer we could identify for about 18 months before buying, and would have preferred to find something made in the U.S. smilar to the X3 in design, capabilities, and suitability for our life, and nothing fit the bill.

[@Defyfate11]

Any regrets going with the x3 over an X1H?

[@pastthepavement]

No, primarily due to our use cases and what we thought would work best for us. We bring one of our two large dogs with us (70 and 85 pounds respectively) and the X3 gives us an easy way to get them in and out. They normally don't sleep with us but we've found they settle much better when we're camping if they're kinda close. The X1H may have had them too far below us and caused issues. The other factors were the indoor seating area which we love, and watching some of the X1H videos and thinking the auto door may be finicky sometimes. After setting the X3 up a few times it becomes very quick and not bad at all, which was a relief. Don't think you can go wrong either, just whatever fits your life best.

[@ChuckFranco]

How is no one questioning the $57k price tag on these?! I’m confused as to why it’s so expensive

[@pastthepavement]

Thanks for the comment! We questioned it for about 18 months before buying, and in no way think the price of off-road trailers are anywhere near justified. I'm not nearly skilled enough to "roll my own" and it boiled down to the price differential between something like the X3 and some of the lessor expensive (but still pretty freaking expensive) options out there. Besides the general price gouging across the board with these kinds of trailers, the X3 specially does have very high end equipment. The Redarc and Webasto components alone are probably over $5k, possibly more for ancillary components. The engineering and build quality is very high as well, galvanized frame, air/timbren suspension, which are all high costs as well. Won't argue off-road trailers are overpriced, but I don't see the X3 as being especially overpriced for what you get relative to others.

[@joseantoniofernandez1492]

It’s beautifully engineered, designed/built to last, airbag shocks, easy to level, red arc vision, webasto water heater, domestic 72 L refridge, 270 degree awning, anti-condensation mattress, on and on. Where my truck goes it follows almost un-noticeably, thanks to the 360 degree hitch, on and on. I agree, it’s not cheap. Picked mine up in Oklahoma, Oct 2021. Love it!

[@dieseljeep05]

Too much weight, Australia is not cold, not suitable for cold environments.

[@pastthepavement]

That, and we didn't actually know how to turn the blower fan on 😅

[@Corey-pd3mi]

Depends where you go in Australia and when, sure we don’t have white winters but it does get freezing in the outback overnight, as in below 0degC. Then the high country is even colder

[@william6815]

Australia can get cold as in winter around the Victoria high country blue mountains and Tasmania snow everywhere for 5 plus months but yes we probably don’t get it as bad as you guys in America