16 ft. Kodiak Skamper Hybrid

[bubbajean]

bubbajean


bubbajean
Hello,

I posted on another thread but realize now that it more appropriately belongs over here.

My wife and I are close to buying a pristine 2006 Kodiak Skamper Hybrid, from the owner. It appears like new through out. We have rented different small campers including pop up and hardside. She and I do not like organized campgrounds...prefering to camp isolated on Bureau of Land Management property and in National Forest areas. Although we live in the midwest we do all of our camping and hiking in or west of the Rocky Mountians. We are not quite "Boondockers" but camp "off grid" always when possible.

We want small and light but something that will tolerate rough roads, dips and rocky surfaces. Ground clearance and sturdiness are important issues. The Kodiak we are looking at has around 8 inches of clearance below the black water drain. That has been a limiting clearance factor in units which we have rented before.

Do you folks think that this product will hold up under the conditions which we will submit it too? Is it possible to put larger wheels and tires on the unit to improve ground clearance? How about retrofitting some kind of lift kit?

My wife insists on a real shower and bathroom. Otherwise we would more likely be looking for an Aliner or Chalet type with better ground clearance.

I understand the Kodiak is an entry level camper. Anyone here have opinions on the model? Also....I cannot find used price quotes of the camper on NADA. I find Skamper through 1996. Skamper by Thor, but only for recent years. Kodiak leads me only to larger travel trailers. I see that Thor Dutchman makes a very similiar TT now....but are only listed for 2012.

By the way we have a new Grand Cherokee on order with the 5.7 Hemi, towing package etc. Our little Jeep Liberty really struggled with 3,000+ pound TTs in the Rockies and at high altitude countryside.

Thanks for any thoughts and help.

Bob

[Superslif]

I have seen new 16' Aerolite's (same as Kodak's) being listed online at dealers for $12,999. The new 12' Aerolite (25' with large slide) we bought was $15,499.