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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: PWE on January 20, 2019, 08:00:24 AM

Title: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: PWE on January 20, 2019, 08:00:24 AM
Many must have done this comparison, so what are you pros and cons of each
Drifta I am looking at is not that top heavy walk up version, but the old Hannibal Tent on an independent equip vs a the base Patriot with the Hardshelf tent
Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: PWE on February 16, 2019, 07:36:02 PM
Saw the latest Drifta YouTube clip, Luke is gunning the Patriot.
They say in politics, best way to find that Labour’s policies are, just go to a Coalition conference.
Same for business, Luke pointed out excellent point, but tone it down mate.
Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: tryagain on February 18, 2019, 11:10:42 AM
First of all, Kudos to Luke for building a successful Aussie Camper manufacturing business when plenty of others are falling over, having said that, I remember videos of his paying out on things he now incorporates like independent suspension. I find it that a lot of his comparisons only factor the things that suit his point of view and are therefore pretty one-sided and inaccurate and don't get me started on it taking 30mins to say what could be said in 5.   
Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: PWE on February 19, 2019, 04:06:16 PM
Correct, Luke built an amazing business and his trailers are better than any other box trailers.

But tone it down Luke - I remember the clip about how independent suspension are an over kill.
Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: JusyApples on February 19, 2019, 06:12:46 PM
I can’t believe the prices of these things, for basically a box trailer and tent. Ouch


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Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: weeds on February 20, 2019, 05:06:12 AM
I can’t believe the prices of these things, for basically a box trailer and tent. Ouch


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Agree but generally a home built version doesn’t look a cool as what these guys are punching out.

Good thing I don’t need to look cool so I built my own for around $6k....using a dual cab tub, very functional and suited us to a T bit of parked next to a high end unit they look like chalk and cheese 


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Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: Bird on February 20, 2019, 07:54:31 AM
Quote from: weeds
Good thing I don’t need to look cool so I built my own for around $6k....using a dual cab tub, very functional and suited us to a T
thats really all that matters aint it ???
Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: Bigfish on February 22, 2019, 07:26:45 PM
thats really all that matters aint it ???

To most people..yes.   To many though, being able to keep up with the Jonse,s and trying to impress with the money spent on bullShit rigs is also very important!!!!!
Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: PWE on February 22, 2019, 10:15:07 PM
The best place to see the ‘keeping up with the Jones’ will be at the Brisbane 4wd show.
There will be at least 3 to 4 of those show pony 6x6 Landcruiser 79 with portal and coils.
You can buy and deck out an ex-army unimog that can go anywhere.
Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: Rumpig on February 23, 2019, 08:16:49 AM
I never understand why some people care what others spend thier money on, and why they feel the need to bag them for doing so. ???
Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: weeds on February 23, 2019, 10:24:02 AM
I never understand why some people care what others spend thier money on, and why they feel the need to bag them for doing so. ???

Totally agree......keeping up with the Jones’s....actually it’s more like jealously


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Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: Pottsy on February 23, 2019, 11:39:45 AM
I never understand why some people care what others spend thier money on, and why they feel the need to bag them for doing so. ???
Totally agree.
The only person or persons in the equation are you and you loved ones, if you are happy with your lot who cares what others think. We retired early due to the wife's illness, people used to say to me " you must be rich" and my answer would be, "nope we are not, but we will get by with what we have got and enjoy ourselves doing it"
Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: PWE on February 23, 2019, 12:14:14 PM
Interesting point you make about jealousy being behind ones critical comments about someone else.
That explain to me why the political parties always ‘bag’ the other parties policies.😊

But noted, I’ll tone down
Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: Bird on February 23, 2019, 12:29:01 PM
Quote from: PWE
But noted, I’ll tone down

why, its your thread, your allowed an opinion, even if it is right :)
Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: Paddler Ed on February 23, 2019, 01:03:08 PM
We retired early due to the wife's illness, people used to say to me " you must be rich" and my answer would be, "nope we are not, but we will get by with what we have got and enjoy ourselves doing it"

We often surprise people with what we are able to do on the income (and time) we have; we're luck as we have managed to set things up so that whilst initial costs can be high, things do tend to be cheaper afterwards. An example of this was changing the fridge/freezer - I reckon it saved us 10% on our electricity bill, so it'll pay itself back quite quickly. Most of our vehicles are old enough they're close to the bottom of their depreciation curve and we do nearly all our own work on them which keeps costs down.
Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: Pottsy on February 23, 2019, 01:29:29 PM
We often surprise people with what we are able to do on the income (and time) we have; we're luck as we have managed to set things up so that whilst initial costs can be high, things do tend to be cheaper afterwards. An example of this was changing the fridge/freezer - I reckon it saved us 10% on our electricity bill, so it'll pay itself back quite quickly. Most of our vehicles are old enough they're close to the bottom of their depreciation curve and we do nearly all our own work on them which keeps costs down.
Yep, I reckon when you are working you sometimes don't give the consideration to purchases that you do when retired. We have, and are continuing to clear out the accumulated bits and pieces of 38 years of marriage and having a family. Sometimes less is more.
Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: Bill on February 23, 2019, 02:28:06 PM
We have already bought most of the more expensive stuff we want for our retirement so we won’t need to when we are both retired.
For example our MDC XT12 and my Pajero should be the last camper and 4by we should need.
By the time I retire I should have both of them set up perfectly.
Bill
Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: PWE on February 23, 2019, 08:36:49 PM
Bill

They are in a similar price range as the two campers (Fridta and Patriot) and are a real off-road caravan.
How do you find the MDC XT12?
Especially towing (dirt road towing?)
There are a lot of treads about what people think of the Brand, I am more after owners view of the practical layout, towing and strenght.
Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: PWE on February 23, 2019, 08:38:41 PM
Totally agree......keeping up with the Jones’s....actually it’s more like jealously


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I will not mention the 6 wheelers again because I definitely do not want one.
Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: tryagain on February 25, 2019, 02:01:25 PM
Saw the latest Drifta YouTube clip, Luke is gunning the Patriot.
They say in politics, best way to find that Labour’s policies are, just go to a Coalition conference.
Same for business, Luke pointed out excellent point, but tone it down mate.

Just saw patriots newest model and from my perspective, it seems years ahead of what Drifta is offering. For example, the way of accessing the tent with Patriot https://youtu.be/LlJHCvrudho?t=472 and Drifta's way https://youtu.be/-CMDXs2rgkc?t=1059 Not having a go at people who like/buy Drifta as I am sure there are some who it will suit best, but just comparing the design differences.

In comparison, Luke spent a considerable amount of time bagging out on the placement of the batteries as they are hard to get too. But when you consider why they have put them there  (https://youtu.be/LlJHCvrudho?t=180) and factor in that they should only need to be accessed every few years it kind of puts it into perspective. Edit for this bit Justin goes into this in far more detail in the video I posted below.
Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: tryagain on February 25, 2019, 03:04:03 PM
And just saw the Patriot walk around where they seem to address all of the "issues" that Luke raised, makes them look a bit like a storm in a teacup. https://youtu.be/TL9sxEflAQE
Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: Bird on February 25, 2019, 03:19:30 PM
I've always thought it bad form to bag out a competitors products to try and make a sale - 4wd shows are famous for this.
Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: Pottsy on February 25, 2019, 03:38:21 PM
I've always thought it bad form to bag out a competitors products to try and make a sale - 4wd shows are famous for this.

It is the weakest form of salesmanship.
Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: lukeycat on February 25, 2019, 06:16:59 PM
It is the weakest form of salesmanship.

Too true and why bother when you can let the punters bag your competitors out on forums like this one ;). I think the patriot campers look shmick but wouldn't suit our family situation the way our kk does.


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Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: tryagain on February 25, 2019, 10:54:18 PM
Too true and why bother when you can let the punters bag your competitors out on forums like this one ;). I think the patriot campers look shmick but wouldn't suit our family situation the way our kk does.

A Patriot camper isn't going to suit my fam of 6 or my budget anytime in the near future, but I still admire the design that has gone into them. I don't think it was wise for Luke to pay out on the Patriot camper though on a number of levels.
Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: PWE on February 26, 2019, 07:41:44 AM
The patriot is an excellent camper and yes they explain all the ‘issues’ Luke identified
I will still take a Drifta as a very capable off-road box trailer
Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: tryagain on February 26, 2019, 08:28:48 AM
The patriot is an excellent camper and yes they explain all the ‘issues’ Luke identified
I will still take a Drifta as a very capable off-road box trailer

Yeah, I think your comment about Drifta producing the best box trailer is a good one, I think Patriot has evolved the the point to where the two are actually quite different now, Drifta utilise the KISS principal and do that well. Patriot have gone down the features and innovation route and they are doing that well too. This has resulted in greater amount of differentiation in their product offerings now.
Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: SnakeDoctor on March 03, 2019, 07:53:21 PM
In my mind they are different models for different folks.

Justin said a few things in my mind which would prevent me from buying a Patriot Camper for a while at least:

* Patriot are constantly making changes and improvements yet absolutely refuse to incorporate these changes into your existing trailer, regardless of offering $$$ to do so, the example in the video was that Toyota won't make your 100 series look like a 200 series. It's not a valid comparison because one is a mass produced product which if you compare to the engineering and development required, is VERY good value compared to _any_ camper trailer. Patriot are selling a lifestyle and if you want the new thing you have to buy it.

* The opposite is true for Drifta, they will work and customise just about anything you can ask for, want an original trailer upgraded to the latest specifications or even just a sub-set of these? No problem - pay the money and they will do it. If you want a change done to a new order they will do it no worries. I had the length of my new camper kitchen changed because I wanted a fridge and to keep it under my awning for example. They often include changes for minimal/no extra cost when you are ordering and the customer service is great. Have a problem with a kitchen after 6 years? They will just fix it up. It's great when you have something that works for your family or just needs a minor mod they will look after you, it's more like a camping partnership and I can (now) genuinely see why their fans are so vocal.

Marketing wise? Patriot kill it hands down and are absolute industry leaders, don't think too many people would argue against that.





Title: Re: Patriot vs Drifta campers
Post by: PWE on April 21, 2019, 07:26:52 AM
I agree Patriot is the best.
They are similar to Kimberley Karavans, the original model. Pity they went under.
Also Rony Dahl went with Patriot over Drifta as his base camp trailer.