Frabill Predator or Otter Lodge

[gonehunting]

Two years ago I purchased an otter lodge with the new blue canvas and square poles. It has been a great house. However as soon as the Frabill Predator came out I was immediately impressed. I see they have the Predator in the R2 Tec material now also. What's everyone's opinion on which one to buy or keep. Would it be worth selling the Otter Lodge and investing in a Frabill Predator R2Tec? My biggest concern is the quality of the sled. The otter is indestructible. However I like the pole design in the Frabill. Not sure what to do. Thanks for any input.

[Chad Peterson]

IMO I think that Frabill step up there quality, but if I had to purchase one it would be the Otter. I purchased a last year FishTrap X2 and it is a great house, but the shed is starting to show wear in two of the four four corners.Good luck!

Sniffer

[Brad B]

Two years ago I purchased an otter lodge with the new blue canvas and square poles. It has been a great house. However as soon as the Frabill Predator came out I was immediately impressed. I see they have the Predator in the R2 Tec material now also. What's everyone's opinion on which one to buy or keep. Would it be worth selling the Otter Lodge and investing in a Frabill Predator R2Tec? My biggest concern is the quality of the sled. The otter is indestructible. However I like the pole design in the Frabill. Not sure what to do. Thanks for any input.

Just order a norpac tent(r2 Tec is the frabill name for it) from canvas craft for your lodge. tell them you have the otter lodge and that you just need the tent and not the frame. they are the ones that make the tents for the frabill houses.

[JSK76]

I don't know about the Lodge, but a CC, Norpac tent for a med sled will not fit the Otter cabin poles. The poles when you buy the CC are much longer 74.5" tall compared to 65" with the Otter. The lodge is already taller so CC might have keep the hight the same, but it's something to check on.

[ivegottabite]

You won't be disappointed in the Predator, either the insulated or uninsulated. I will warn you though, once you use an insulated shack you won't want to use anything else.... Heat Retension, No Frost, No Dripping, and no flapping in the wind.

The sled on the Predator is the just as good as the Otter. They are much better built and durable than the sleds on the standard Frabill units.

I have used my Rtec on a trip in -20 to -25 temperatures, along with -40 plus windchills last year and glad I did. While others in the group had frost, etc we were comfortable in sweatshirts.

[gonehunting]

One last question. Do the canvas craft R2Tec skins come in different colors or are they all black on the exterior?

[fishersofmen]

I believe they are all black. I will be upgrading from my eskimo to the Frabill Predator next year. Looks like a very quality unit.

[palisade1kid]

For the money the Otter Lodge is what I want to work out of....

[Brad B]

One last question. Do the canvas craft R2Tec skins come in different colors or are they all black on the exterior?

they do have some blue colored material left but I don't know forsure how much so you would have to call them. I just bought a norpac northlander house kit from them in the blue color. it is the same blue color as clam uses. my guess is they had the blue because of doing prototypes for clam, that is what I am thinking after all they do the frabil R2Tec skins.

[aczr2k]

Anyone that says the uninsulated otter is a better house defintely has not fished out of R2tec predator.

[fishhawk09]

I'm in the same boat. I have been looking at the Otter and Frabill. Here is what I found for info on Frabill.

R2-TEC Thermal Shelters – NEW expanded line

Frabill is the leader in fully insulated shelters. The innovative R2-TEC material offers the most insulation on any portable shelter.

• The R2-TEC material features 120grams of insulation between an inner and outer shell giving it extreme insulation properties.

• Frabill thermal shelters are fully insulated. Some manufacturers use only partial insulation on parts of their shelters to cut costs, making them effectively un-insulated. Frabill thermal shelters feature the thickest, most uniform insulation throughout the entire shelter for unparalleled heat retention.

• Test results show dramatic differences between heating an ice shelter with R2-TEC insulation versus traditional canvas or singly-ply fabric ice shelters. In frigid conditions of -10°F with a -36°F wind chill, the Frabill R2-TEC Thermal Predator held an internal temperature of +65°F using only a one-burner heat source.

Features at a glance:

• Norpac R2™ Extreme Outdoor Fabric with Thinsulate™ FR Insulation by 3M

• Extreme heat retention—incomparably warm

• The only flame-retardant insulated shelter for added safety

• Eliminates condensation/frost build-up

• Quiet—no wind whipping

• 1.25” diameter aluminum poles

• Deluxe padded swivel boat seats

• Extra-tough roto-molded base

• Each shelter has all of the features of the un-insulated version with the addition of the R2 thermal insulation

• 4 model sizes to choose. For 2-3 anglers, choose from the: Predator (#7080) or Guardian (#7052) models. For 1 angler, choose from the Pro (#7057) or Commando (#7015) models.

Going to look at the otter site. next

[Chode2235]

Just order a norpac tent(r2 Tec is the frabill name for it) from canvas craft for your lodge. tell them you have the otter lodge and that you just need the tent and not the frame. they are the ones that make the tents for the frabill houses.

This is the path I would go down. Like you said, the otter sled is indestructible and the fish house is already paid for.

I would call up Canvas Craft and see how much it would cost to "upgrade" to an insulated canvas for your fish house. My guess it will be a lot cheaper than buying a new Frabill and then selling your lodge for a loss.

The insulated houses are really nice, but not so nice that I would be wanting to sell my almost new fish house to get into one.

[Ed Carlson]

Two years ago I purchased an otter lodge with the new blue canvas and square poles. It has been a great house. However as soon as the Frabill Predator came out I was immediately impressed. I see they have the Predator in the R2 Tec material now also. What's everyone's opinion on which one to buy or keep. Would it be worth selling the Otter Lodge and investing in a Frabill Predator R2Tec? My biggest concern is the quality of the sled. The otter is indestructible. However I like the pole design in the Frabill. Not sure what to do. Thanks for any input.

The Preditor R2 Tec would be top pick for me hands down. Pole support system, modular joints so they can not get twisted out of sqare, tough material, Norpac, all good.

As for the sled, the new Roto Molded tubs are XXX Heavy Duty rough critters. If you were to manage to bust one of them up...your going to bust up anything. I seen some crazy stuff they have been through and nada to show for it as far as damage, I'm impressed. Try to Google up any complaints on the Frabill Predator Roto Molded Tubs once, preaty hard to find after 3 years of very good sales on them.

The new Frabill Predator R2 Tec's sold out preaty fast last year, moving fast again this year. I wouldn't wait too long if your serious about one. There may be a few of the old Red/Black ones around, but go for the new model with all the latest upgrades.

[shnelson]

Go with the predator, you will not be disappointed. Though I don't have the insulated version, I'm very impressed with the quality and cold performance of the predator I picked up last year. I have been out in -20 degree conditions and was very comfortable inside the 900 denier canvas, could only imagine what it would be like inside the r2tec!

My only complaint is the weight, I pull by hand and I think I lost 20lbs doing it last year. Predator comes in just over 150lbs I believe, not sure where the otter ranks up with it but something to consider if you're not hooking it up to an atv or sled.

[pjhaef]

I have been running the predator the last two years and i cant complain about the durability of this unit. However with the durability comes the weight and it is heavy and a pain if I am out without the wheeler or sled. the tub is not a concern it has been banged around a lot over the last two seasons and no trouble to report with it.

[palisade1kid]

I believe the cost from canvas craft is about $250 for a liner...I'll be getting one for my lodge.

[Northlander]

It would also be the Otter Lodge for me as well. Best tub on the market and the 900 denier canvas is awesome at cutting wind and retaining heat. I have been running Otters for around 18 years and they all have treated me well. Oh 1 more thing is Otters customer service is in MN.

[fishhawk09]

Been looking at the same question. here is some stuff from frabill. anyone have the otter stuff?

R2-TEC Thermal Shelters – NEW expanded line

Frabill is the leader in fully insulated shelters. The innovative R2-TEC material offers the most insulation on any portable shelter.

• The R2-TEC material features 120grams of insulation between an inner and outer shell giving it extreme insulation properties.

• Frabill thermal shelters are fully insulated. Some manufacturers use only partial insulation on parts of their shelters to cut costs, making them effectively un-insulated. Frabill thermal shelters feature the thickest, most uniform insulation throughout the entire shelter for unparalleled heat retention.

• Test results show dramatic differences between heating an ice shelter with R2-TEC insulation versus traditional canvas or singly-ply fabric ice shelters. In frigid conditions of -10°F with a -36°F wind chill, the Frabill R2-TEC Thermal Predator held an internal temperature of +65°F using only a one-burner heat source.

Features at a glance:

• Norpac R2™ Extreme Outdoor Fabric with Thinsulate™ FR Insulation by 3M

• Extreme heat retention—incomparably warm

• The only flame-retardant insulated shelter for added safety

• Eliminates condensation/frost build-up

• Quiet—no wind whipping

• 1.25” diameter aluminum poles

• Deluxe padded swivel boat seats

• Extra-tough roto-molded base

• Each shelter has all of the features of the un-insulated version with the addition of the R2 thermal insulation

• 4 model sizes to choose. For 2-3 anglers, choose from the: Predator (#7080) or Guardian (#7052) models. For 1 angler, choose from the Pro (#7057) or Commando (#7015) models.

PRO (#6157) shelter – NEW

Co-developed with Frabill Pro-Staff, the PRO ice shelter lives up to its name and is easily the biggest and baddest one-person portable on the lake.

• Fishes 1 angler plus gear with 15sq.ft. of fishable area—more space than any other one- person shelter on the ice

• Center height of over 6’ when set up

• Exclusive 4-way sliding seat—effortlessly shift left and right, front to back, to get the perfect perspective of your ice holes

• 600 Denier tent

• Thicker walled thermo-formed base for extra toughness

• 3/4” heavy-duty aluminum frame

• Front door • 3 clear view, removable windows • MaxVent system adjusts for optimal venting

[shnelson]

PRO (#6157) shelter – NEW

Co-developed with Frabill Pro-Staff, the PRO ice shelter lives up to its name and is easily the biggest and baddest one-person portable on the lake.

• Fishes 1 angler plus gear with 15sq.ft. of fishable area—more space than any other one- person shelter on the ice

• Center height of over 6’ when set up

• Exclusive 4-way sliding seat—effortlessly shift left and right, front to back, to get the perfect perspective of your ice holes

• 600 Denier tent

• Thicker walled thermo-formed base for extra toughness

• 3/4” heavy-duty aluminum frame

• Front door • 3 clear view, removable windows • MaxVent system adjusts for optimal venting

This information is specific to the Pro and does not apply to the Predator. Threw me off when I read 600 denier tent .

[gonehunting]

Does the R2Tec material have a tendency to soak up water from the slush or water on the ice? How about condensation? I typically set my house up after use and run the heater to dry it out but just wondering if this material tends to get water logged. Thanks for all the replies.

[Ed Carlson]

No, not an issue..I have been running a Frabill R2 Commando for a couple seasons, in prototype testing of the unit and it now is in the line..never an issue with any water absorption, or frosting. Flame resistant too, not one scorch or burn despite my careless efforts to prove otherwise in the field...still good as new.

I have used it in -40 WC and it still didn't frost up on me, folded up better than my old heavy canvass model in fact.

The Frabill Max Vent System is also a key element in the overall condensation management system. This venting greatly lessened condensation worries.

[wishing for walleyes]

I have been using this frabil for a couple seasons and love it.r2tec is very warm and stays dry in all temps.

[palisade1kid]

When it gets below 10 I don't know many guys that will brave that cold...For me that extra weight is a back breaker when pulling.My Lodge heats just fine on a single burner....and yes I like that it's made here in Mn.

I've been in some pretty strong winds and it stays put....oh I can also get my Otter rod case,StrikeMaster Pro Lazer,a 20 lb tank /Mr.Heater,grill,2 Marcum LX3's and a 12 pack of pop in it under the top cover....I also fit my Caddy in it too.

There's nothing else I need...yes there's an ice scoop in there ....the tow bar is great for hauling it around on a sled or 4 wheeler too.

[harvey lee]

Yes, the otter portables are an awesome house.

[Ed Carlson]

I have been using this frabil for a couple seasons and love it.r2tec is very warm and stays dry in all temps.

"Big Red" is still work'n out for ya I see.

I liked the lighter colored 3-M Norpack R-2 used in that series, very bright inside. Yours looks so clean yet, that is the toughest part with the white.

Try a 20" Black Light UV Light Emitting Diode light bar in it too once. If your interested in finding one, PM me, I'll tell ya where to look.