where are dutchmen travel trailers made

Dutchmen RVs: 9 Facts You Should Know (Explained)

If you’re considering a Dutchmen towable motorhome, it’s important to know as much as you can about the company and its RVs.

That’s why we summarized nine key facts we think you should know about Dutchmen before making a decision:

Here’s an Interesting Fact About Dutchman RVs:

According to the Dutchmen company website, only those motorhomes that come with a ladder leading up to the roof have walkable roofs.  They also say to note the weight restrictions for the walkable roof as too many people on it at once can cause structural damage as well as present a safety risk.

Table of Contents

1. Where Are Dutchmen RVs Made?

The Dutchmen RV company manufactures their range of towable motorhomes at their manufacturing plant in Goshen, Indiana, in America.

2. Who Owns the Dutchmen Company?

In 1988 the Dutchmen motorhome company was founded by Dave Hoefer, Larry Schrock, and Glen Sylvester.

The company began as an RV manufacturer specializing in entry-level towables that were competitively priced for the industry.

With the quality offered and the affordable price range, the company quickly attained a large retail market share. The company by 1990 became the second-largest manufacturer of fifth wheels and travel trailers in the whole of America.

In 1991 the Dutchmen motorhome manufacturer was purchased by Thor Industries.

The company has remained a subsidiary of Thor Industries ever since they acquired Dutchmen.

3. What Types and Sizes of RVs Do Dutchmen Produce?

The popular Dutchmen motorhome company produces fifth wheels, travel trailers, and toy haulers.

We will take a look at a few of the brands they offer in each category:

Toy Hauler: Coleman Lantern 242BH

Toy haulers are a great addition to those who like to take their outdoor equipment with them when they travel.

Over the years, Dutchmen has put a lot of thought into the various toy haulers they offer.

The Coleman Lantern 242BH is lightweight at under 6,000 pounds, and it can sleep between 4 and 6 people, which makes it ideal for large families and groups of friends.

With a length of 28 feet and 11 inches, this toy hauler has adequate garage space for all your outdoor activity items and a gorgeous indoor living area. The interior theme is done in shades of white, dark wood, and grey tone accents.

The kitchen has beautiful white countertops with a marble effect and a large sink for convenience. There are also modern appliances such as a fridge, stove, and microwave.

The master bedroom has a lovely large bedroom with a queen-sized bed and side tables, and overhead cabinetry. Additionally, the second bedroom comes with two bunk beds and is private with a lockable bedroom door.

The lounge is very spacious with a comfortable three-seater sofa couch and a u-shaped dinette with leather cushioned seating. Moreover, this toy hauler also has numerous compartment storage areas and a bathroom.

Travel Trailer: Kodiak Ultimate 2921FKDS

If you’re looking for a travel trailer that is spacious, elegant, and well thought out, then the Kodiak 2921FKDS camper trailer from Ultimate RVs might be the ideal choice for you.

This travel trailer is built to industry standards and comes in a length of 33 feet and 7 inches with a gross weight of 6,502 pounds.

Additionally, the Kodiak Ultimate can sleep 3 to 4 people.

This motorhome theme is shades of brown, white, and nude with an ambient cool tone feel; the travel trailer inspires peace and tranquility. Inside the living area, you will find that the lounge kitchen and dining room are all open plan, with each section fits seamlessly with the next.

The motorhome kitchen features a center island with sink and countertop space as there are more cupboards and countertop adjacent and across from the center island.

There is a fridge, microwave, and three-burner stove, as well as ample lighting. Across from the compact kitchen is a small dining room, and next to the kitchen is a comfortable living room with recliners, a television, and a fireplace.

The bedroom has a large bed for two and a shelf to store all your accessories and everyday items.

This unit also comes with a moderate-sized bathroom that houses a corner shower, toilet, and wash hand basin with a mirror.

Fifth Wheel: Voltage 3615

Fifth wheels are the best motorhome options for those looking for the RV experience while towing their motorhome and storing goods inside it.

The Voltage 3615 is a somewhat spacious floorplan measuring 38 feet and 11 inches, but it is heavier than some toy haulers and travel trailers with a gross weight of 14,092 pounds. However, the Voltage 3615 can sleep 5 to 7 people with space for outdoor equipment.

Inside the Voltage, the decor theme is rustic elegance with modern accents and appliances.

The living area is designed compactly, but there is more than enough walking room to easily and freely live amongst friends and family.  The kitchen has a residential-sized stainless steel fridge, a microwave, and a three burner gas stove.

Although not numerous, the countertops provide ample room to prepare meals, and there is also a center island with a sink and faucet. Throughout the entire kitchen is also plenty of cupboard space for all cutlery and crockery.

The bedroom offers a king-sized bed with wooden cabinetry surrounding it and a standalone wardrobe with side tables.

Additionally, this unit comes with a gorgeous cargo area that leads out onto an outside enclosed porch. The cargo area has plenty of seating, a table, and a television.

4. Does Dutchmen Make a Toy Hauler?

Yes, the Dutchmen motorhome company does indeed manufacture toy haulers.

They have a few specific brands that they produce:

5. What Are The Smallest RVs from Dutchmen?

As the company only produces tow-ables, there are several smaller RV types that they manufacture.

Smaller motorhomes are perfect for those solo travels or casual experiences.

They are also ideal for entering into the RV arena without having much experience concerning motorhomes and RV camping or living.

• Toy Hauler: Voltage 3615 –  One of the smallest luxury fifth wheel toy haulers by Dutchmen is the Voltage 3615, which has a length of 38 feet and 11 inches and a sleeping capacity of between 5 to 7 people.
• Travel Trailer: Aspen Trail 17BH – One of the smallest travel trailers by the brand Dutchmen is their Aspen Trail 17BH, which measures 21 feet and 5 inches with a sleeping capacity of 2 to 4 people.
• Fifth Wheel: Atlas 2502REF – A fairly small fifth wheel by the brand is the Atlas 2502REF, which measures 29 feet and 11 inches with a sleeping capacity of two people.

6. What Are the Biggest RVs from Dutchmen?

Despite only producing towable motorhomes, the Dutchmen RV company does manufacture a few larger models.

Larger models are convenient to have if you frequently travel or live with friends and family.

• Toy Hauler: Coleman Lantern 337BH – This toy hauler has a length of 37 feet and 11 inches and a sleeping accommodation capacity of up to 10 people.
• Travel Trailer: Kodiak Ultimate 3321BHSL – The longest travel trailer by Dutchmen with one of the highest sleeping capacity is the 3321BHSL model. With a length of 37 feet and 3 inches and a sleeping capacity of 10 people.
• Fifth Wheel: Yukon 421FL – The largest fifth wheel by the brand is their Yukon 421 FL, which has a length of 45 feet and 8 inches and can sleep up to 6 people.

7. How Are Dutchmen RVs Made?

Depending on the type of motorhome you purchase from Dutchmen, your motorhome will have a slightly different construction method.

Let’s look at the varying construction methods between a travel trailer and a fifth wheel made by Dutchmen:

Travel Trailer Construction:

• Roof Construction: Dutchmen make incredibly durable roof structures for their travel trailers. They utilize 3/8 inch decking, lauan interior paneling, and superior fiberglass insulation.
• Structural Insulation: The company uses metal for their exterior paneling on their travel trailers and lauan interior paneling for the inside of the walls. Additionally, they use wood framing that carries an R7 thermal rating for insulation.
• Cooling: Dutchmen make use of superior airconditioning cooling technology for their travel trailers.

Fifth Wheel Construction:

• Roof Construction: As with the travel trailer, the company uses lauan interior paneling, fiberglass insulation, and a 3/8 inch decking but where it differs is that the fifth wheels use a TPO roof.
• They have designed each slide out to have a seamless slideout roof construction and an aluminum header.
• Moreover, there are bulb seals, reinforced construction throughout, and rain channels.
• Front Caps: On each fifth wheel, the company has insulated and reinforced each front cap with a lauan interior panel, fiberglass material for the front cap, and an aluminum frame and fiberglass insulation within the design.
• The exterior panel has been made with fiberglass, with the backing done with lauan.
• Additionally, the walling has an aluminum frame with block foam insulation.
• The flooring is made up of linoleum, fiberglass reinforced polypropylene, a high-density foam core.
• The flooring also consists of a foil barrier, fully enclosed underbelly, fiberglass-reinforced thermoplastic, and a steel powder-coated mainframe.

8. What Are The Most Popular RVs by Dutchmen?

With the company operating for many years in the RV industry, they have a few popular models.

Below we have found three famed models that many people opt for:

• Travel Trailer: Endurance 3506
• Fifth Wheel: Astoria Platinum 3173RLP
• Toy Hauler: Aspen Trail 1900RB

9. Are Dutchmen RVs For All Four Seasons?

When deciding which four-season RV to purchase, it’s important first to decide your motorhome’s purpose.

You will need to examine why you want the RV and if you will be using it for casual trips, long stay vacations, or full-time RV living.

Quite a few Dutchmen RVs can be utilized during all four seasons for living or traveling.

One of the best four-season motorhomes you can purchase from Dutchmen is their Aspen Trail travel trailer models.

Aspen Trail 1600RB And 1700BH Travel Trailer Floorplans:

Those looking for a lightweight travel trailer under 6,000 pounds and easily towable should consider this four-season model.

The Aspen Trail models, particularly the 1600Rb and 1700BH floorplans, are specifically designed and manufactured to be utilized during all four seasons.

These models usually sleep between 3 to 10 people, and the 36 different floorplans come in a range of sizes from 21 feet to 39 feet, so there is bound to be a model to suit our budget and needs.

These models come with a heated underbelly, high output furnace, and plenty of windows. With the heating features, you’re sure to have a toasty indoor environment when out traveling in colder climates, and the many windows will allow cool breezes during summertime weather.

Additionally, these models have some incredible luxury features that attribute to their four-season credibility.

Inside each unit is an Aspen trail command center that is easy to interact with and operate.

Moreover, the units feature evergreen mattresses, skylights in the bathroom, and plenty of other add-on options to enhance your experience.

Top 5 Best 4 Seasons Travel Trailers Under 6,000 lbs GVWR

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Dutchmen RV Review: 4.0 Out Of 5.0 Stars

Dutchmen rv overview, dutchmen rv cost, dutchmen rv models, dutchmen rv build quality, dutchmen customer support, dutchmen rv warranty, dutchmen rv reviews and ratings, dutchmen rv review: is it a good rv brand, frequently asked questions, dutchmen rv review: is dutchmen a good rv brand.

As the recreational vehicle (RV) market grows increasingly crowded, there are still a few established names in the industry. One of those is Dutchmen–a manufacturer that has been a prominent name in the mid-range camper market for more than three decades.

In this Dutchmen RV review, we take an in-depth look at the company’s RV models, cost, build quality, and industry and customer ratings to see how the manufacturer stacks up to the best RV brands .

Buying an RV is a huge financial decision whether it’s for weekend camping or full-time RVing. Even if you’ve already settled on one of the company’s campers, this Dutchmen RV review can help you understand all there is to consider about the brand and its models.

Our Dutchmen RV review found the company has several strengths that make it a good RV brand. Dutchmen only makes towable campers and fifth-wheels, so if you’re looking for a motorhome like a Class A RV , Class B RV , or Class C RV ,  you’ll need to look elsewhere. This allows the company to focus exclusively on its travel trailers, fifth wheels, and toy haulers. Within those towing categories, Dutchmen offers models at every price point through its imprint brands.

While some questions about build quality exist, the brand’s popularity has given rise to active online forums and social media groups that offer advice, experience, and insight into all of the Dutchmen RV models. Considering all of this, our review team rated Dutchmen RVs 4.0 out of 5.0 stars overall.

Based in Goshen, Indiana, Dutchmen RV opened for business in 1988. By 1990, the company had already become the second-largest manufacturer of fifth wheel and travel trailers in the United States.

Today, Dutchmen–which is now owned by Keystone RV via Thor Industries–continues its focus on the larger towables category, adding only toy haulers to its portfolio. The company offers its campers across the price spectrum through its nine imprint brands, which include well-known names such as Coleman, Kodiak, and Yukon.

One of the most appealing aspects of the Dutchmen RV brand is its broad range of price points. The company offers trailers for just about any budget–ranging from the sub-$20,000 Coleman travel trailer to the six-figure Voltage luxury toy hauler. You can save money by buying a used RV , as well.

Dutchmen does not produce any RV models under its own brand. Instead, the company offers its towable RVs through nine imprint brands.

There is a lot of variation in price and amenities across Dutchmen’s various brands and models. As a result, the build quality tends to vary between those brands and models.

The company mentions a 253-point pre-delivery inspection as part of its process, but it does not mention whether this inspection is undertaken by a separate team or by the same assembly team. This is a critical distinction, as independent teams are typically seen as providing a more thorough inspection.

Dutchmen as a whole has a reputation for being a mid-level manufacturer. Build quality issues are a somewhat frequent complaint on customer review websites like RVInsider . A large portion of these complaints seem to center around smaller details, like caulking and hardware such as drawer slides.

Overall, it’s important to remember that many of these issues are simply RV issues and not specifically Dutchmen issues. Problems with mechanical awnings and slide-outs are especially common. Dutchmen may not have the same sterling reputation for quality that some other RV manufacturers do, but according to Dutchmen RV reviews, it doesn’t appear to be particularly bad in that arena either.

Similar to the company’s build quality, Dutchmen is about average when it comes to customer support. You can call the company’s customer service line during regular business hours (EST) or use a contact form on the company’s website to get help with your Dutchmen RV issues.

However, several comments in online forums suggest that it may be more effective to reach out to Dutchmen’s parent company Keystone directly for help with parts and other issues. If you find yourself having a difficult time getting what you need from your dealership or Dutchmen customer support, you may want to consider reaching out to Keystone.

Dutchmen Owners’ Forum

While it’s not a source of official company support, the popularity of Dutchmen RVs means that there is a large, active community of Dutchmen owners online. The RVLife-affiliated forum at Dutchmenowners.org gives owners of the campers an opportunity to ask questions about their RVs, source parts, get tips related to their trailers, and more. A Facebook group for Dutchmen owners is also a good source of information and support from other owners.

If you visit the Dutchmen website you’ll see the company’s three-year warranty featured prominently. Advertised as the “industry’s best warranty,” it certainly does surpass the one-year limited warranty offered by most manufacturers. But as with any warranty, the actual details of that warranty are a little more complicated.

Once you read the fine print of the warranty, you’ll see that it breaks down to two separate warranties. With every Dutchmen RV model, what you actually get is a one year bumper-to-bumper warranty and an additional two-year warranty on the structural components. That might differ a bit from what you’d expect when you see “three-year warranty,” but it’s still superior to what most RV manufacturers offer.

Overall, the Dutchmen brand has a 3.6 out of 5.0 rating on RVInsider . This is about average compared to the rest of the industry. While there is variation between the imprint brands and their models–which is to be expected–some consistencies do emerge in Dutchmen RV reviews, both in terms of things they like about their RVs and the things they don’t.

Positive Dutchmen RV Reviews

Owners who report being satisfied with their campers in their Dutchmen RV reviews tend to mention the layout and floor plans as major positives.

“Great indoor kitchen with enough counter space, spacious bathroom, and a very comfortable bed.” – Alberto, 2018 Dutchmen Kodiak Cub

“Lots of space, huge garage, and plenty of room to sleep eight-plus. If you want to live and travel on the nice side of life, this is the vehicle for you.” – Blake, 2019 Dutchmen Voltage 

Negative Dutchmen RV Reviews

Unfortunately there are also some strong consistencies among owners who aren’t as satisfied with their purchase. Build quality issues–a common complaint about many RV brands–is the most frequent reason for negative Dutchmen RV reviews.

“Our trailer has been in the shop more than it has been camped in. It has had several issues including the studs in the walls not being in the right place and the wall panels falling off.” – Chrystle, 2020 Dutchmen Aspen 

“We are now at another dealer trying to resolve…water leaks, covering up water damaged material with diamond plating, holes in mattresses from the factory, unfinished trim, cracked and split trim, drawers that don’t fit, thermostats that don’t work, etc.” – Mark, 2018 Dutchmen Kodiak

Our review team found that Dutchmen is overall a good RV brand, giving it 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. The company earns points for offering fifth wheels, travel trailers, and toy haulers at a wide range of price points, giving people from a wide range of financial situations access to RV life.

Dutchmen may not offer the most bulletproof, full-featured RVs on the market, but for RVers looking for a nice balance of size, amenities, and costs, it could be the perfect choice.

While Dutchmen RV reviews do frequently mention issues with build quality across most of the company’s brands and models, most of these issues are not abnormal for the RV industry. Dutchmen’s “three-year” warranty also provides some remedy for those concerns. Beyond that, it’s hard to find many other downsides to the brand.

Who owns Dutchmen RV?

Dutchmen RV is owned by Keystone, which is in turn owned by RV industry giant Thor Industries .

Where are Dutchmen RVs manufactured?

Dutchmen RVs are manufactured at the company’s plant in Goshen, Indiana.

Are Dutchmen and Coleman the same?

Once separate companies, Coleman is now owned by Dutchmen. Dutchmen, in turn, is owned by Keystone RV which is a subsidiary of Thor Industries .

How long has Coleman made campers?

The first Coleman camper was made in 1966. By 1979, the company’s travel trailers and pop-up campers were some of the top-selling RVs in the United States. Dutchmen RV bought the licensing rights to Coleman in 2010 and has owned and operated the brand since.

*Data accurate at time of publication.

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Travel Tips

Dutchmen kodiak cub in-depth review.

My girlfriend Mihaela of World Travel Bug and I recently purchased a new 2021 Dutchmen Kodiak Cub travel trailer. We know there are a lot of you out there considering buying a travel trailer, so we thought we’d share the ins-and-outs of ours, and, what went into the decision-making process in order to help you make a more informed decision.

We really wanted a travel trailer that had all the creature comforts of a micro home, but was also compact and lightweight at the same time. We’re towing our Kodiak Cub with an older half ton pickup, so we needed something we could easily tow. Our truck towing capabilities was a significant factor in our travel trailer purchasing decision.

BTW, we produced a video on why we purchased our Dutchmen Kodiak Cub, so if you prefer to watch that, just hit the play button below.

Initial Considerations

The Dutchmen Kodiak Cub (model 177RB) is made out of fiberglass versus aluminum, and there are a lot of benefits to that. It’s lighter weight, resists dings, provides better insulation, and in our case, our trailer has a better design profile and is a bit more aerodynamic.

The next thing we considered was the size and ride height. The Kodiak Cub 177rb is about 18′ inside and 21′ outside (from bumper to tongue).

One of the things we both really appreciate is the fact that this travel trailer has power stabilizing jacks. Now they’re not leveling jacks, which is completely different. These are stabilizing jacks, so that you can just make the whole unit more stable when you’re walking around inside. There is a button at the back of the trailer for the rear jacks and one inside the storage area for the front jacks.

You will see a lot of travel trailers that you have to take a hand crank to extend the jacks (a lot of people buy a drill to lower them). So much easier to have the power stabilizing jacks. There are a lot of features outside the unit, which is nice. For example, there is a TV bracket in case you want to put a television outside, you have power and cable outlets. There is also an external hookup for propane and a bracket where you can attach some cooking utensils, for example we have a griddle. This is perfect for those good weather days, and, when you don’t want to smell up the interior of the unit. There are also outdoor speakers if you care to listen to the radio while sitting outside.

Kodiak Cub Storage

One area the Kodiak Cub does not lack is storage. In front of the unit (which is beneath the bed) is a huge pass-through storage area. This area houses our solar hookup and inverter, but also has plenty of room to store our chairs, outdoor table, campground hookup items, drinking water, towing stuff, bins with extra food and clothes, etc. There are also lights inside so you can see what you need at night.

Inside the trailer there is storage under the bed, on the sides and above the bed, below the seats in the dinette area, above the dinette and in the kitchen area. Storage capacity is plentiful on the Dutchmen Kodiak Cub.

Power/Battery Storage

We bought our Kodiak Cub equipped with a solar panel on the roof. The unit also has a solar-ready plug near the front of the unit if you wish to add another solar panel while stationary. I was under the impression that the panel was 300 watts, but after checking one day while on top of the unit I discovered it was only 175 watt. That said, it seems to be enough for us to boondock for long periods. We did opt to buy a 2nd high capacity battery so we can take full advantage of the solar power.

By using the on-board inverter for the solar panel we can run all of our lights and several of the outlets inside to charge our computers, phones, camera batteries, etc. We however cannot operate the A/C, microwave or high watt appliances such as a hair dryer. For those items we need to be connected to shore power or use a portable generator.

For the refrigerator, hot water, stove and heat, we rely on our two 5 gallon propane tanks. Two tanks will easily last a month on the road. As long as you follow the weather and don’t need the A/C, you can operate for long periods of time off the grid.

When we do need the A/C, and to operate the hair dryer or other high draw appliances, we rely on our gas/propane dual generator, which is actually an inverter. Check out the video below for all the details.

Our specific model of Kodiak Cub (177 RB) has a little bit higher lift and all-terrain tires, which is great for more rugged areas of exploring/camping.

Kodiak Cub Capacities & Specs

One of the other things I really appreciate, and was a factor in considering this travel trailer, was the fluid storage capacities. Something I cannot figure out is why black tanks are often the same capacity size as the water, it makes no sense to me. This unit thankfully has a much smaller black tank than the fresh.

• Black Tank – 28 gallons
• Grey Tank – 39 gallons
• Fresh Water – 52 gallons
• Length – 21′ 5″ bumper to tongue
• Height (with A/C) 10′ 5″
• Dry weight 3600lbs
• Cargo capacity 1900lbs
• Single Axle
• Hitch weight 400lbs
• Refrigerator 7 cubic feet
• Queen (short) 60″ x 74″
• Air conditioning is 13,500 BTU

Lights on the Kodiak Cub

On the exterior of the trailer there are a number of lights that can be turned on independently.

• There are a set of lights to illuminate underneath the trailer.
• There is a blue light strip under the awning that really helps set the mood.
• The front of the trailer has some bright lights.

The interior of the Dutchmen Kodiak Cub has no shortage of lights, each can be turned on/off independently. Only complaint is that they are really bright, it would be nice if some could be dimmed. Additionally, it would be nice to have lights under the cabinets and under the bed. We purchased some pocket battery-powered lights for these areas, which has really helped.

Other Considerations

BED – One of the things that was a huge consideration was a queen size bed. And, the other thing that I really wanted was a layout that had the bed going length wise vs horizontal (or across the trailer) this way you don’t have to crawl over your partner. We can get out of bed whenever we want without much effort.

BATHROOM – So many travel trailers this size have a really small bathroom and vanity area, we are really pleased with the bathroom size, the shower is really decent size and the vanity area has plenty of space to place your cosmetics, etc. There is also a medicine cabinet to store even more, along with space under the sink. The bathroom lights also are equipped with motion sensors (if you want to use them) to turn on when you enter the bathroom. The bathroom size and configuration was also a huge factor in our decision to get the Kodiak Cub 177RB. The only disappointment is that the sink is not under mount and not stainless steel. The facet is/was also really cheap and not well positioned for its style, so we replaced it with a nice stainless steel one and it works much better. I think we paid about $40 for it, great buy!

COOKING – One area we sacrificed was the fact that the unit only comes with a microwave, not a convection oven. I really enjoy cooking and not being able to have that feature was tough, but you can’t have everything you want in a unit this size. We love the large under-mount kitchen sink, but wish it was stainless steel to match the facet.

Something else that really went into our decision to purchase this unit was the fridge and freezer. For a 21 foot trailer the 7 cubic foot fridge is a great size and large enough to take extended trips. The fridge and freezer work remarkably well, although we did discover that it works even better connected to shore power (electricity), and, you really need to make sure your unit is level for the fridge to work its best.

Here is a great video on how to properly store your food in an RV Refrigerator.

OUTLETS – There are also plenty of outlets in the unit, however I do with more came with USB capabilities. There are two on each side of the bed which is nice for charging your phone at night.

AIR CONDITIONING – The 13,500 BTW system is plenty large enough to cool the unit nicely. Unfortunately, it’s very loud. Strangely, you can hardly hear it outside, but inside it is almost deafening.

WINDOWS – In hindsight we did not give the windows enough consideration. If you want to be comfortable in your travel trailer, good ventilation is imperative. Unfortunately the Kodak Cub 177RB only has 3 windows and one of them does not open. I cannot for the life of me understand why the one over the kitchen does not open. There should also be a vent like there is in the bathroom to help create some cross ventilation. I wish there was a window at the front of the trailer, but it would be tough with the current mold shape/design.

DOOR – Door and screen work fine, I just wish there was a way to block out the light from the defused door window.

AWNING – The Awning is a must-have feature and so glad it comes with the Kodiak Cub. Ours works great and is able to angle to provide better shade when the sun is lower on the horizon. Be sure not to use the awing if the winds are high. We almost lost ours in the Florida Keys when a storm came up quickly.

Well that’s a look at our brand new 2021 Dutchman Kodiak Cub, model number 177RB, and why we purchased it. While there have been a few issues, overall we’re quite happy with our purchase. We hope you found this post and video helpful in your travel trailer research. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below and we’d be very happy to answer them. We are producing a series of videos about the many destinations we’ve visited while towing our travel trailer, so if you’d to see the the Kodiak Cub in action, click the following link: Road Trip Travel Videos .

*Full disclosure – we have not been paid by Dutchmen RV, but we did receive a small discount on the purchase of our Kodiak Cub as content creators.

Mike Shubic

Tags: Dutchmen Kodiak Cub , Dutchmen RV , Kodiak Cub , Kodiak Cub 177rb , Kodiak Cub reviews , Travel Trailer

I noticed your truck is about the same year as mine can you tell me engine size and rear end how it pulls etc.

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How the Coleman Lantern LT 17R Is Made

Travel Trailer Specs

• Length: 21’5”
• Height: 9’9”
• Dry Weight: 2,970 pounds
• Sleeping Capacity: Up to 3

The 17R boasts more floor space and 2-3 times more storage than the 17B. Coleman removed the bunks and replaced them with a more spacious bathroom that features a floor-to-ceiling wardrobe closet. 

Some of its best features include a full-size convertible dinette, powered exterior awning , electric fireplace, air conditioning, and a fully-equipped kitchen. It’s also prepped for solar panels and a backup camera .

Learn more about this Coleman trailer or check our nationwide inventory.

From frame to finish, here’s Coleman’s manufacturing process for this towable camper:

Quality Control

Quality is job one.

The entire Coleman Lantern LT 17R manufacturing process consists of six main stations. Throughout these stations, 5-6 quality control specialists are dedicated exclusively to ensuring every RV is built to RVIA specifications.  

At each station, a quality control hold – QC Hold – can be placed on any unit that doesn’t meet Coleman’s standards. Specific issues must be fixed before the unit can move to the next station. And we begin with the trailer frame, the foundation for the rest of the unit’s structure and features.

Trailer Frame

This Coleman travel trailer is built on a single-axle trailer frame with full-width outriggers that support the trailer’s body. 

When it enters the manufacturing facility, the frame is flipped to install the axle, tires, suspension, and manual stabilizing jacks . Wiring is also run for the trailer lights, and the propane lines are installed while the frame is inverted.

Holding Tanks, Electrical, Plumbing, Propane, and Ducting Systems

The frame is flipped back over before the gray and black water holding tanks are installed. All holding tanks are rotomolded in the 17R , and it boasts the following holding tank capacities: 

• Gray Water: 28 gallons
• Black Water: 28 gallons

Color-coded wiring is run for the holding tank sensors and other electrical components before the frame moves into the flooring station. Color-coded PEX piping is also run for the RV’s plumbing systems. 

At the next station, specialists install the Lantern’s no-seam flooring. It comprises ⅝” OSB topped with linoleum with a Darco underlay.

Darco is a woven material used as a moisture-resistant barrier.

The Darco underlay is the bottom-most material you see when climbing under this trailer. After the Darco is installed, 2”x2” framing is set in place and topped with a layer of ⅝” OSB decking, which is screwed into the cross members of the trailer frame. 

The floor is finished with linoleum, which is glued down and stapled around the edges, and at all points where base sets will be installed. The base sets eventually cover these staples so none are exposed when construction is complete. 

Once the floor is complete, the trailer’s 27-gallon fresh water holding tank is installed, and water lines are run at the next station.

With the floor in place, it’s time for the interior base sets to go into place. This includes the framing for the bathroom, kitchen, bed, dinette, and overhead cabinetry framing. Valances, interior lights , and interior vents are also installed. 

Setting the interior base also includes the installation of the water heater, shower basin and surround , plumbing vents, and toilet . With the initial base set in place, the front, rear, and side exterior walls are next in the manufacturing process.  

These walls are constructed from the main line using 2” x 2” framing and a sheet of paneling on the interior. They are then installed and screwed down to the floor and to each other for structural integrity.

Specialists then glue insulation between the vertical wall studs before the exterior is finished with 024 corrugated metal, providing excellent weather resistance and durability. When complete, the walls are installed on top of the floor and screwed into place. 

Then it’s time to install the Coleman trailer’s fully walkable TPO roof. The roof framing is built off the main line in sections using 2” x 2” framing and ⅜” OSB decking.

TPO stands for thermoplastic olefin, which is a single-ply, heat-resistant roofing membrane.

These roof sections are set on top of the exterior walls and nailed into place. Wiring is run for the roof vent fans , Winegard antenna, and other roof-mounted RV accessories, such as your air conditioning unit and the prep for a solar panel installation. 

Insulation is added between the horizontal framing studs before the ⅜” OSB decking sheets are laid on top of the framing and nailed down. Additional openings are cut for the roof vents, septic vents, and A/C unit before the edges are sanded, and the seams are taped.

Glue is spread on certain areas of the roof decking before the rubber membrane is stretched and pulled tight, allowing for proper expansion and contraction in certain climates. A squeegee helps to remove air bubbles and ensure complete adhesion. 

The seam rails are then nailed into place, and the roof-mounted accessories are installed. With all the rails and accessories in place, the final step for the roof set is the liberal application around all accessories and along each roof seam. 

Once complete, Coleman’s roof set boasts an 18-year warranty.

In the pre-final station, the trailer’s furniture and appliances are installed. All working appliances, such as the microwave, refrigerator, and air conditioner, are bar-coded for easier recall service and warranty replacement.

Finishing touches also occur on the interior cabinetry, and the doors, framed windows, and decals are installed. The bed , dinette table, and cushions are also installed in this station. 

This station is also where the control systems and safety equipment for the 17R are installed. That includes the fire extinguisher, fire alarm, carbon monoxide, and LP gas alarm . 

Outside, a lap sealant is applied along the wall seams and around all compartment and entry doors, windows, and appropriate appliance installations. The Lantern LT 17R ’s powered outside awning is installed at this station. 

The unit’s electrical systems are tested in the pre-final station to ensure all interior and exterior lights function properly. Other tests in this station include operating all working appliances and safety alarms. 

In the final station, the propane and plumbing systems are tested using the same tests that Camping World technicians conduct during a post-delivery inspection. This includes an LP leak-down test on the propane system and a leak test on the plumbing system. 

In addition to those tests, quality control specialists check all exterior seams, look for loose or missing screws, ensure the base set covers all flooring staples, and much more. They look over every inch of the trailer from top to bottom and address outstanding items before it leaves the production line. 

Now it’s time to make the Coleman Lantern LT 17R shine. The interior is washed from roof to frame, and the same is done inside. The shine bay preps each unit to ensure it arrives at the dealership tour-ready and in fine shape for its debut trip.  

Stress Testing

One unit per day goes into their rain bay, which sprays hundreds of gallons of water from different angles to stress-test all exterior seams and seals. This ensures each batch of 17R trailers that come off the line is ready for whatever nature throws at them. 

If leaks are found, the entire batch may be re-evaluated to ensure a production error wasn’t more widespread on that day. Additionally, every unit is backed by a three-year structural manufacturer warranty.

Interested in learning more about Coleman RVs? 

Check out our article on what real RV owners love about their Coleman RV.  

What else do you want to know about the Coleman manufacturing process? Share in the comments below.

• Comment (24)

What’s the interior height?

The interior height for the 17R and 17B is 75″.

Hope that helps!

Does the gas stove top have an exhaust fan?

I don’t believe so, but the window above the kitchen counter opens and there is a roof vent in the center of the floorplan for added ventilation.

Why on earth did yall put the main water line on the outside of the camper exposed to the weather!!!!??? Everything is frozen!!!!! I have to live in this thing!!!!

We’re sorry to hear about this. We recommend contacting the manufacturer directly with any constructive feedback you’d like to share. In our experience, these manufacturers make annual changes to their designs and floorplans, so your feedback could be vital to helping them improve next year’s model.

Does the 17R come with a RVIA sticker? We want to travel and I’m wondering about what the lowest cool temperature is for camping in this model.

Yes, the 17R is built to RVIA standards and slapped with that sticker.

Coleman hasn’t given this unit a particular rating. But it’s not intended for winter camping and you’ll certainly want to avoid temperatures at or below freezing if you intend to use the water. You’ll need to be plugged into a 30-amp AC power source to run the 5200-BTU electric fireplace. They do state that it’s thermostatically controlled for 42-99 degrees, if that helps!

how far apart are the framing studs ? i want to hang a small tv mount..

The 17R is built with a TV backer at the foot of the queen bed. You’ll see the power, cable, and antenna connections on that wall in this video by Chris, starting around the 2:30 mark: https://youtu.be/mNl52BWIA6c

That said, I reached out to the manufacturer and the studs are 16″ apart on this model. Hope that helps!

The units leak in heavy rain

mine did too until i re tightened the AC hold down bolts…now its good no more leaks

I’d highly recommend contacting the manufacturer if you’ve noticed leaks and your unit is still under warranty. Otherwise, you’ll likely need to find a service center that can complete a thorough roof inspection and seal any areas that are allowing water ingress. Sorry to hear you’ve had this experience!

Is the 2”X2” framing in the walls/roof wood or metal?

This would be wooden 2″x2″ framing in this model Alan.

Would to order a 17R w/o bed and dining area.

Hi Bradford,

I’d recommend contacting the manufacturer directly or speaking to one of our sales reps at your local Camping World. Here’s where you can find our location nearest you: https://rv.campingworld.com/locations

On a 2023 coleman lt 17b how many btus is the air conditioner..I live in a hot area and would like to be able to use it in the summer

The standard A/C unit in this model is 5,000 BTU.

Is it possible to order a stripped down version of the Lantern LT 178 so I don’t have to pay for items I will never use or will remove anyway?

Hi As an owner here’s my feedback. 1. The door warps with the sun and constantly gets stuck. 2. Flimsy cheap plastic holding the door gets broken after the first trip. 3. The solar panel prep is useless as it’s just basically a direct connection to the battery with no charge control or even specific details on what volt or amps is needed. 4. I wouldn’t mind paying for the scissor Jack’s that can stabilize the front. I have to buy them anyway as the only come in the rear.

Hope this helps.

This particular model is already one of the more base RVs in terms of appliances or extra amenities.

What would you get rid of from the standard floorplan? I can see if any other floorplans might be a better fit for you based on your reply.

You can also always contact the manufacturer (Dutchmen) directly to inquire about that kind of availability.

How thick are the walls

Coleman has used 2″x2″ framing for the exterior walls with a sheet of paneling on the interior and 024 corrugated metal on the exterior. Insulation is also glued between the interior paneling and exterior corrugated metal. Let me know if you have any other questions!

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