Patriot Campers releases their PCOR Tray and Canopy Systems for two new models

We were excited to hear the announcement from our friends at Patriot Campers that their PCOR Tray Bed and Canopy Systems would now be available for the new Jeep Gladiator and Ford Ranger. Designed down under, the PCOR Tray and Canopy options add a huge dose of ozzy flavor to more American trucks!

Patriot Campers are known for their outback tough camping trailers, and are world renowned as the pinnacle of quality and durability. Using their design and fabrication skills, Patriot Campers engineered their PCOR tray and canopy products to the same high standards. Many of us warm blooded gear heads are familiar with and have lusted over their most famous truck, the Toyota LC79 prosaically named “The Black Truck.” From The Black Truck, the company designed a number of non-US spec Super Tourer vehicles using the Tray and Canopy including the Ram 2500 and It wasn’t until 2018 that the first PCOR systems were imported to the US for the Ram platform.

Last year I had the opportunity to join Justin Montesalvo, owner of Patriot Campers, in Colorado to test and abuse the PCOR systems on the LC79 and Ram 2500. “Mrs. Parker,” as we so affectionately call the Ram 2500 owned by Exploration Outfitters (sole importer and North American distributor for Patriot Campers), has impressed us from day one. Especially that one time at 12,000 ft during a mid-May snow storm, the outfitted PCOR Canopy had all of our lunch necessities at our very cold fingertips.

How does one build the perfect PCOR Overlanding system? You start with the base tray. Constructed of lightweight, yet rugged, powder-coated black aluminium (the ozzies add a second i) with its drop down sides, and lockable tool boxes. The tray is often just a fraction of the weight of the vehicle’s stock steel beds, thus affording an increase in payload capacity. The trays are also equipped with an 18 gallon water tank plumbed to a water pump and spigot as well as an 18 gallon auxiliary fuel tank increasing the time between potty breaks. A host of other features come standard, but one of my favorites are the electronic locks in the storage compartment doors tied to the vehicle’s central locking circuit… because thieves suck.

The canopies are offered in several customizable options including the ½ canopy, vented ½ canopy, and ¾ canopy. Mrs. Parker is equipped with one of the most ideal configurations, the ¾ canopy. Stretching from the tray’s integrated headboard behind the cab to just passed the rear wheels. Coincidentally, the vehicle’s departure angle improves significantly. Inside the canopy is where all the customization fun happens. Again, a long list of options are available, but our favorites are the slide out kitchen galley with fridge and sink included as well as the central electrical system powering all of the accessories… and recharging my innumerable camera batteries. Atop the canopy can be mounted your choice in roof top tent or additional gear. The back of the canopy can be equipped with optional spare tire holders. The options are plenty and you can create your own recipe for adventure.

Now the same outback tough PCOR Tray and Canopy systems are available in the US for the Toyota Tundra, Ram 1500, Ram 2500, and most recently the Ford Ranger and Jeep Gladiator*.

An overview of the PCOR Ford Ranger

Just last month Exploration Outfitters threw us the keys to the first PCOR outfitted Ford Ranger in North America. After an 8 year hiatus, the Ranger platform was re-introduced to the US for the 2019 model year. It never lapsed in the international markets, and is a top seller in Australia and other markets due to its affordable entry price. Comparable Toyotas show approximately ~$8000 price tag difference for bare bones Hilux models in Australia.

The truck is most closely priced to the tried and true, albeit quite dated, Nissan Frontier (and Navara). Speaking of dated, the Ranger isn’t necessarily a beaming light of innovation or design, but it does offer some interesting advances over the Nissan and Toyota offerings– primarily under the hood.

The Ranger, as offered in the US, comes with a peppy 4-cylinder 2.3L Ecoboost engine which produces 270hp and 310ft lbs of torque. More power than Toyota or Nissan and not nearly as thirsty. Even outfitted with the PCOR tray, 33” tires, roof rack, and 4 humans, we averaged 17mpg on our weekend cruising across the Texas Hill Country. My 2017 Tacoma with similar overlanding treatment (save the PCOR system) struggled to achieve 12mpg or overdrive.

Even as a lifelong owner of Toyota products, the Tacoma was my least favorite and shortest owned vehicle ever. The Ranger, however, never felt like a burden to drive and should be given serious consideration if shopping for a midsized truck.

*SIDE NOTE* I have not yet had the opportunity to field test and photograph the PCOR equipped Jeep Gladiator. See more info on Patriot Camper’s website by clicking HERE. 

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