Community Forums

smhill74 · 10-10-2013, 12:10 PM

We are looking at a 2005 Kodiak Hybrid M235 later today. Any thoughts? Opinions? Experience? My husband wanted me to find reviews on that trailer and I can't find any on the web. Is there a particular website to look at reviews? Thanks!

Superslif · 10-10-2013, 02:47 PM

We had a 2005 Aerolite Cub which is the same trailer, built on the same production line. We had the 236 Cub which is about the same length with the small couch slide. We used ours over 7 seasons and about 380 nights. Over-all it was a great unit, that is why we bought a new Aerolite (2013) back in Feb 2012.

The positives about the 2005 are: Good layout in both the 235 and 236 floorplans, very large 46 gallon fresh water tank, small couch slide opens up the floor space, low over-all height only 9'4" with AC, light hitch weight (345 for the #235) good counter space, and a good deal of cabinet space.

Here are a few things to check out before you buy. these are issues that I have seen on Cub's and Kodak's

~ The steps are bolted threw the floor and tend to pull thru, meaning there should have been more support where the bolts go threw the floor. I had to make a bracket to transfer the step support to the frame of the trailer.

~ In the uppers corners of the canvas tent bed ends, over time the canvas shrinks somewhat causing the canvas to tare in the corners. I caught mine early on. The fix is to change the bunk support cable where it attaches to a 3 hole bracket inside the trailer to a higher hole. This will raise the bunk door about a inch and not make the canvas as tight. Here is a picture

~ If the caulk above the hinge for the bunk door fails, water will get in and rot the area around the hinges and cause "delam" of the fiberglass on the outer bunk door.

~ check for delam on all the areas of the exterior fiberglass.

~ check especially above the windows for calk that has failed and cause water to get into the walls.

~ check inside the front storage trunk for water damage, especially the floor.

~ The frame for the older Cub's and Kodiak's were what was called a euro style. It is a very light weight frame, but you will feel soft spots as you walk across the floor. My 2013 Aerolite has a regular "I" beam frame and feels much more solid. Check especially as you enter the doorway.

~ Check the roof vent covers, both of mine had to be replaced because the UV sun rays caused the plastic to crack to pieces.

Here is a link to the 2005 Kodiak brochure

bikendan · 10-11-2013, 09:55 AM

let's just say that the Kodiak/Cub hybrids don't have the best reputation, due to the manufacturer's lack of support and customer support dealing with warranty issues.

but there won't be any support on that old of a hybrid anyway. but i was always impressed with their floorplans and designs but whenever they seemed to have issues, owners seemed to get little to no help from the company.

if you want more info, go to websites that have much more activity about hybrids, than here.
Hybrid Explorer and RV.net's Hybrid Forum are the most active Hybrid forums and a simple search there, will bring up hundreds of posts about Cubs and Kodiaks.

Superslif · 10-11-2013, 08:56 PM

I know Dutchman / Aerolite and Kodiak went thru a re-structuring about 2 years ago. With our 05' Aerolite the warranty department was fine to work with. When we bought our new 2013 Aerolite in March of 2012 there were a few items like a leaking showerhead, 2 drawer slides I called on and they just sent them ( (mailed) to me directly. But shortly after that (Feb 2012) they informed me of a re-structuring that no longer would the warranty people be able to address issues between buyers. You can only deal with a dealer...even if was only for a missing screw, you had to go thru a dealer.

There was 3-4 RV trailers built on the same Dutchman production line (Aerolite, Kodiak, Coleman and at one time American Freedom)

In 2005 there were 10 Aerolite hybrid floorplans. The last 5 years there is lucky to be 3 floorplans....?

I'm still a fan of hybrid tt's...where can you get 2 queen beds, kitchen / couch slide in a 25' trailer. We do 95% of our camping at state or national parks. When you start getting into the 30'+ tt's you have to plan a little more at some state parks.