Your cart (0)
Your cart is empty
Tax included and shipping calculated at checkout
Black Series vs Patriot Campers: Which Off-Road Trailer Should You Buy?
When buyers search "Black Series vs Patriot Campers," they're often surprised to learn these two brands don't compete in the same category. Black Series builds hard-wall, full-interior travel trailers — a kitchen, bathroom, and full living space enclosed inside solid walls. Patriot Campers builds fold-out tent campers — the body stays compact on the road, and the living space deploys from a tent and fold-out sections when you arrive at camp.
Both are Australian-engineered, both are purpose-built for off-road use, and both command premium prices. But they serve fundamentally different buyers.
What You're Actually Comparing
The flagship Patriot Campers model available in the US is the X1 Gen2 ($73,000 USD, includes tariff and shipping ex-Las Vegas). The equivalent Black Series family model is the HQ19 ($59,899, factory-direct). Here's how they stack up.
| Black Series HQ19 | Patriot Campers X1 Gen2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Hard-wall travel trailer | Fold-out tent camper |
| US Price | $59,899 (factory-direct) | $73,000 (incl. tariff + shipping) |
| Exterior length | 25 ft | 12.1 ft (folded) |
| Dry weight | 6,525 lbs | 2,492 lbs |
| GVWR | 7,600 lbs | 3,527 lbs |
| Sleeps | 3 (queen bed) | 2 adults + optional kids room |
| Fresh water | 64 gal + 15.85 gal filtered | 39 gal (150L) |
| Battery | 400Ah lithium | 300Ah AGM (2×150Ah) |
| Solar | 600W roof panels | 200W fixed |
| Inverter | 2,000W pure sine wave | Not standard |
| Suspension | Independent dual shocks + coil springs | Airbag (X-Cruise™) |
| Interior | Full hard-wall: kitchen, wet bath, queen bed, dinette | Fold-out tent: queen mattress, optional kids bunk |
| Setup time | Drive up and walk in | 15–30 min to deploy tent |
| Service | US factory team, Upland CA | US distributor network |
Specs: Black Series verified from blackseries.net; Patriot Campers X1 Gen2 verified from patriotcampers.com.au, June 2026.
The Core Trade-Off: Living vs. Trailing
Patriot X1 Gen2 wins on tow weight. At 3,527 lbs GVWR, a well-equipped half-ton truck can tow it. The compact folded profile (12.1 ft) makes it maneuverable on tight trails. Patriot's engineering reputation is strong in the Australian 4WD community, and the airbag X-Cruise suspension is a genuine differentiator. If your priority is going deep on technical terrain with a capable but lightweight rig — and you don't mind setting up a tent when you arrive — Patriot deserves serious consideration.
Black Series HQ19 wins on living. Hard walls mean you arrive and walk inside immediately — no tent to deploy in rain, wind, or cold. The 64-gallon fresh water tank is nearly double the Patriot's 39 gallons, which matters on multi-week off-grid trips. The 400Ah lithium bank with 600W solar and a 2,000W pure sine inverter will run your air conditioning, charge laptops, and power appliances through cloudy days. The full wet bath (shower + toilet) inside solid walls is not the same experience as a tent-based setup. And at $59,899 factory-direct, it is $13,000 less than the X1 Gen2 landed in the US.
The HQ19 does require a heavier tow vehicle (7,600 lb GVWR; a half-ton diesel or 3/4-ton is ideal). That's the real cost of hard-wall living.
Who Should Buy Each
Buy the Patriot Campers X1 Gen2 if:
- You tow with a standard half-ton and can't or won't upgrade
- You prioritize technical trail access over interior comfort
- You camp primarily in mild climates where a high-quality tent is fine
- You want Australian expedition-grade engineering at a compact footprint
- Trail agility and setup simplicity matter more than immediate walk-in access
Buy the Black Series HQ19 if:
- You want to arrive at camp and walk straight inside with no setup
- You camp with family or for extended periods off-grid
- Water capacity, solar power, and a full bathroom are non-negotiable
- You want factory-direct pricing with a US-based service team in Upland, CA
- Your tow vehicle can handle 7,600 lbs GVWR
On Price
The X1 Gen2 at $73,000 USD lands 22% more expensive than the HQ19 at $59,899 — and that's before options. The landed cost includes tariff and shipping to Las Vegas; delivery to your door is additional. Black Series sells factory-direct from Upland, California, with no dealer markup and no import tariff to pass on. For buyers expecting Australian engineering to carry a premium, the price direction here is counterintuitive: Black Series is the less expensive option.
The Bottom Line
If you want a capable, lightweight Australian-built tent camper for serious off-road use with a light tow vehicle, the Patriot Campers X1 Gen2 is well-regarded and purpose-built for that mission. If you want hard-wall living, nearly double the water, triple the solar power, and a full interior bathroom — and $13,000 more in your pocket — Black Series HQ19 delivers it at $59,899 from a US factory service team.
See the full Black Series 2026 lineup and pricing →
Competitor specifications sourced from official manufacturer websites (patriotcampers.com.au), June 2026. Prices are current MSRP and subject to change. Contact manufacturers directly for the most current pricing.