Who has a Clam X2?

[JSK76]

I have a chance to buy a used X2 and and would like to hear some input. It will be just me fishing out of it most the time so my concern is, it's just too heavy for one person to load into a full sized truck. Do any X2 owner wish they would have bought a lighter house? Anyone have any tricks for loading it, other then bringing a friend fishing?

[bak2MN]

I have one and fish by myself or young son 9 and I have truck that sits up higher than most but what I do is put the tpaered end in first then slide it right in its a little heavy but it keeps me in shape LOL. Other than that its the best house ive owned. You could use a board or ramp and pull it up on that as well.

[two cups]

I have had a x2 for two years now, they are heavy and hard to load in a pickup box by yourself. I am thinking of making some light wieght ramps and slide it up. Besides the wieght, they are a great house. The poles are heavy duty and with the plastic inserts you don't have to worry about guleing up the poles. The seat are very comfortable, I took one of mine out and made a table or bench there for my junk or the dogs bed if he comes along. If the price is right you won't be disappointed with it, but it is heavy. The yokon is lighter but not made as good IMO. Rick

[JSK76]

If the price is right you won't be disappointed with it, but it is heavy. The yokon is lighter but not made as good IMO. Rick

I can get it for $450.00 with a x2 cover, hitch and hyfax kit. The new Yukon is the other one I'm considering but I have a 6800 with the trap link and X2 has one also, so thats the main reason I want it.

[Dozer]

I bought one last winter when Gander was closing them out for $420. It is heavy but I can get it in the back of the truck. If you plan on pulling your house around behind an atv or sled stay away from the Yukon, the tub on those cant take it. I think the x2 is the nicest non-insulated house out there.

[The_King48]

Get it... I have a X2 for a year now..... It is heavy put its just like a auger in my opinion.. Heavy isn't bad alot of times it means its built better. If u can get it for the right price get it...

[Bigsmitty]

Ive had mine for a couple years. Great portable. I pull mine around with my wheeler. The Clam Hyfax runners didnt last so I just purchased some industrial type plastic runners and replaced.

Buy it, you will be glad you did.

[Neiko]

I got one and love it also. It kills me that Clam discontinued them. I think the main reason was the economy and they made cheaper tubs this year as well as poles. They can be heavy to load but I use my Atv ramps and can haul it up no problem. The only thing to watch out for is the side seam where the poles go up in the center. I had the first year X2 and the seam split and was a issue for them. I got a new replacement tent from CLam and couldn't be happier. The way you can tell if it is older or not is the very bottom had a since cord go all the way around the back of it I believe and also the newer one will have a reinforced area by the seam on the center sides. If it does not have that reinforced I would stay away from it.

[duckhuntr21]

I have an X2 too and love it. The only reason that it is heavy is because it isn't made half a$$ like their newer chinsier models and sure wouldn't be scared away from that. Like said above, if you load the tapered end first you can slide it in pretty easy with a little practice. If you have a set of atv ramps, that works pretty slick too. The only downside to the house IMO, is the white top which makes it hard to sight fish out of. The white top is a selling point if you aren't sight fishing and want to see what is going on and not having to turn the lights on 1/2 hour before dark to see.

[MuleShack]

I was just in Gander the other day and was looking at their shacks and couldn't believe the small tubs they are using now.

I have an X2 and love it when I use it. If you are going to do any pulling behind snowmobile or ATV this is the cats meow. They are sturdy and hold all your gear and will not tip over.

[DaSwede]

I have a Yukon and love that. Go to the store and sit in both and see what seems the best for your needs.

[JSK76]

When was the X2 first introduced? The house is my buddy's and the shelter license thats with his DNR # is from 06, also I bought my 6800 the same day with him, and 06 seems right. So if I have this right there should be a reinforced patch over the center seem that goes from the sled base to the peak of the house? And possibly a cord in the fabric top, that goes around the base of the sled?

[KC612]

Where did you buy the heavy duty runners? I was wanting to get the Clam ones, but if they can't take the abuse than I'd like to go a different route. I don't have a wheeler or snowmobile so I pull it by hand unless I can drive on the lake then I just take it off the trailer and set it up. I struggle a little when pulling it myself by hand and my legs definitely feel the burn when I get home. It keeps me in shape....kinda.

[KC612]

Oops...this was for Bigsmitty. I'm still learning how to work this thing.

[fishwater]

I've got an original year and mine has a reinforced patch on the sides? If I remember correctly, the X2 had problems AFTER they ran out of the inventory of polar tubs that they first used for these. I have a polar tub with my X2 and it ROCKS!

The most obvious difference in the newer X2 tubs is the hyfax on the non-polar tubs bend around the sled lip, the polar tubs have a recessed slot at the front that the hyfax screws flush into.

[MinnGuy]

I love my X2. Taking the seats out when you load it helps alot. The seats just snap in so it takes an extra minute or so. You can't find a better built house, and the new sleds can't compare. I fish solo most of the time and pull it by hand. It is heavy but well worth the effort.

[ozzie]

I love my X2 and as said it isn't too bad to load into a truck with the tapered endgoing in first then it is a little wiggling and it goes in like a charm!! I did have a problem with my first tent as the corners on the porch started to pull away and I got a new tent from Clam......not much different in the tent maybe a little extra stiching but it is hard to tell....All I recommend is when you are setting it up take it easy and make sure you are not over stretching one particular area.....if you are having a little resistance expanding the poles go to the next set and start expanding those and come back to the other set after. Then when you are putting it away just make sure you fold it down nice as everything should lay nice into the tub......Great portable!!!!

[Bigsmitty]

I found a guy on crag list. He is from rockford. He makes them out of the best stuff you can get. Cheaper then the clam brand too. Do a search there. If you dont find him then let me know i think i still have his email address.

[duckhuntr21]

If you don't have too much weight in them, they float right-side up.

[ozzie]

If you don't have too much weight in them, they float right-side up.

can I ask you how you know this??

[2hounds]

I had an X2 for a month. Too heavy for me to pull out when the ice wasnt driveable. I used a 2 X 12 about 4 feet long that I would use as a ramp to get it up and down from my Tahoe. I downgraded to a lighter shack but I really liked my X2 for the comfort factor and the room. If you do decide to go smaller and lighter remember to check to see if you have enough room for your gear in the sled if you do decide to pull it by hand out on the ice. Good luck with your decision.

[nemoski]

Love my X2, just wish someone had some pictures to post of their modifications! Yeah, they are heavy, but if you lift with your knees instead of your back it's not that bad.

Anybody have some mods that they would like to share?

[JSK76]

When I tried loading the one I'm looking to buy, I put it with the sloped end of the sled leaned up on the tailgate, and when I would lift the back the front would slide down to the lip on the sled. the weight of the sled I can handle, I just cant lift the front, back up, when I'm holding the back. Some one told me to try it the other direction.

[duckhuntr21]

Originally Posted By: duckhuntr21

If you don't have too much weight in them, they float right-side up.

can I ask you how you know this??

It was a late season fishing expedition that went kind of crappy. That was the only good surprise of that day.

[duckhuntr21]

When I tried loading the one I'm looking to buy, I put it with the sloped end of the sled leaned up on the tailgate, and when I would lift the back the front would slide down to the lip on the sled. the weight of the sled I can handle, I just cant lift the front, back up, when I'm holding the back. Some one told me to try it the other direction.

I load mine with the tapered end in first. Once you get the front of the sled on the tailgate, I just give it a few wiggles back and forth while I am lifting to keep the tapered end sliding in as I lift and push. Thats the part that takes practice. While I was learning, it probably gave the other people on the lake some cheap entertainment to watch. I usually don't try lifting it into the truck with much gear inisde and just throw it back in when it is loaded.

[ozzie]

when you get the lip of the tapered end onto the tailgate lift the back end and start to wiggle it into the bed of the truck.....they slide pretty slick......I get mine in by myself and alot of times I leave in gear (20lb propane tank, big buddy heater, seats, lantern and a back pack filled with tackle) and it still is pretty easy, I might need to grunt a little harder but still easy!!