Thoughts on a Kodiak trailer?

[Tiggrrr]

Ok, so we just bought our first trailer to get used to towing: a used '94 Wilderness 24'. We bought it from my inlaws that replaced it with a new 31' trailer (towing with a Chev 1500). They said the towing weight on this old one is around 7500 lbs, and that their new one tows easier.
Anyway, after we get our feet wet a bit with towing, we are looking to get something much newer. After a lot of searching, I really liked the Kargoroo trailers that you could put an ATV in the front of. Most toy haulers just are a little too 'utility' for my wife. She didn't like the Kargoroo, saying that they felt a bit more cramped than many of the others with slides.

Well, we found a new line out for '08 that has things we both like. It's the Kodiak (by Skamper) 27QSTH-SL:

kodiak-rv.com/scripts/images/18004.jpg

This tows @ 27', but has the queen size bed that slides out the back, making it the length of a 31' when parked. It also has the big dinette slide-out that my wife loves, and the ramp in the front with the fold up queen bed that I love.

These Kodiaks state they are engineered for the '1/2 ton' trucks, making them lighter weight. The specs on the kodiak as far as GVWR and tongue weight look better than the 28' Kargoroo. This trailer is made for hauling one bike or ATV in the front, and, after seeing it at the RV show, it looks like the extra weight in the back may help balance out some of the tongue weight.

Anyway, I wanted to get some opinions here. I would be hauling either an Arctic Cat 400 ATV (utility) or my Suzuki M109R motorbike at nearly 800 lbs. wet.

Here are their advertised specs on the trailer:

Dry hitch weight: 402
GVWR: 7500
Net cargo capacity: 2326
Exterior length (closed): 30' 1.5" (tongue to bumper)


I do have an Equal-i-zer hitch and the Prodigy controller, as well as Big Tow. I have an '06 Titan Crew Cab (wishing I had the new longer wheelbase).

Thoughts?

[loufish]

Thoughts?....

Nice trailer...You should be fine, I would try not to load it up to it's max weight though.
Remember that advertized weights are off by close to 500 lbs, so add about 200 lbs to the tongue alone.
Tow in 4th, not 5th.

[Tiggrrr]

Originally Posted by loufish

Thoughts?....

Nice trailer...You should be fine, I would try not to load it up to it's max weight though.
Remember that advertized weights are off by close to 500 lbs, so add about 200 lbs to the tongue alone.
Tow in 4th, not 5th.

Yeah, their website does state that the weights are without options, and options can increase the weight. The one thing I do appreciate about this manufacturer is that they actually weigh each individual trailer as it leaves the factory with the options added, and they post this weight on a sticker on the trailer, so you actually have the true unloaded weight of your specific trailer:

kodiak-rv.com/trailers.php?tab=photo&imgid=17552

I don't plan to load it down, but I do plan to load the ATV or Motorbike in there often. I would rather ride the bike to wherever I'm going, but that would leave my wife with the driving / towing, wrestling the kids, etc, etc. She's much better with the kids than I am, but I'm pretty sure she wouldn't be too happy with that, and not have adult company for the long drives.

[loufish]

I have only one bike to haul, so it's going in the bed. That's another reason for me a Travel Trailer would be nice. I still want a side slide to provide plenty of room with out feeling cramped.

[Tiggrrr]

Originally Posted by loufish

I have only one bike to haul, so it's going in the bed. That's another reason for me a Travel Trailer would be nice. I still want a side slide to provide plenty of room with out feeling cramped.

Yeah, the bed would work if this were a smaller bike. However, it's 96" long and weighs about 800 lbs. Something I don't really want to try to get into the bed of my truck, and it's too long, anyway. I MIGHT be able to arrange it with the LWB Titan, but not my '06 crew cab.

This trailer does have a slide side for the large dinette, which really does open it up quite a bit. I was really impressed with the overall room in this trailer for a 27' trailer. It has the slide queen in back and the separate bedroom with a queen in the front (where the bike or ATV would ride).

My other worry would be fumes or smell from the machine, but I was told by several people that it isn't a problem as long as you don't load the machine until you are ready to hit the road, and unload it immediately when you get to your destination. There is ventilation to help flow any fumes out while you are running down the road.

[loufish]

Yeah, the bed would work if this were a smaller bike. However, it's 96" long and weighs about 800 lbs. Something I don't really want to try to get into the bed of my truck, and it's too long, anyway. I MIGHT be able to arrange it with the LWB Titan, but not my '06 crew cab.

This trailer does have a slide side for the large dinette, which really does open it up quite a bit. I was really impressed with the overall room in this trailer for a 27' trailer. It has the slide queen in back and the separate bedroom with a queen in the front (where the bike or ATV would ride).

My other worry would be fumes or smell from the machine, but I was told by several people that it isn't a problem as long as you don't load the machine until you are ready to hit the road, and unload it immediately when you get to your destination. There is ventilation to help flow any fumes out while you are running down the road.

800 lbs is a LOT of bike...I'm hauling a 300 lb dirt bike, big difference!
I like the floorplan except for the "U" dinette, but that's just personal choice...
Most toy haulers don't have fume issues, it's more of a wifes-tail...

[Tiggrrr]

Originally Posted by loufish

800 lbs is a LOT of bike...I'm hauling a 300 lb dirt bike, big difference!
I like the floorplan except for the "U" dinette, but that's just personal choice...
Most toy haulers don't have fume issues, it's more of a wifes-tail...

The "U" dinette is actually one of the things we really like over it. Not only will it seat more at the table, it makes the bed long enough for an adult when made into a bed. One other thing we hope to do regularly is have my dad tow my boat to the lake (also with a Titan) and me tow the trailer. My parents can then sleep in the trailer with us, so the extra adult sleeping space will be really nice to have.

[Griffey]

tiggrrr

have u found any actual pictures of the inside and trailer? Or just the one and the floorplan pic?

[Tiggrrr]

Originally Posted by Griffey

tiggrrr

have u found any actual pictures of the inside and trailer? Or just the one and the floorplan pic?

No, all of the dealers online seem to only have stock photos from kodiak-rv.com. I'm wondering if it is such a new model that they haven't received them in stock yet. The 2008 brochures don't even include the specs (weight, etc) for this model. You have to open the brochure online to get this info.

There is also an Aerolite that appears to be the exact same thing with the exact same model number (27qsth-sl), but I can't find any actual interior photos that match the floorplan for this, either.

[Tiggrrr]

So someone with the manufacturer sent me photos of the inside of the trailer. Pretty much like the photos on their website. However, it looks like they changed the U dinette to a longer L shaped dinette with a standalone, moveable table. I still think I like the U dinette as it could seat more people around the table, but this will still provide a decent size bed.