way to make a top quality hub fish house- seam tear(3rd trip out)

[maddowg1192000]

Well I bought a new 6x12 thermal hub house and on the trip yesterday one of the seams tore out, then when taking it down the other side tore. For the price they sure seem like they are poorly made. Anyone else having problems with this companies product?

[MN BassFisher]

I was out volunteering at a Big Bro's Big Sisters ice fishing event today and we were setting up a brand new Command Post. On takedown one of the hubs completely shattered. I have an offbrand from a outdoors company based out of Grand Rapids and I've had no issues. I don't know what it is but I've heard so many complaints from people I know about their new clam shacks. It's weird, they make great stuff and I've heard their costumer service is good, but this year's batch of shacks from them seem to be experiencing a ton of problems in the field.

[mnhunter79]

I have the thermal X, 2 of the seams tore on this one too! Just recieved the new replacement fabric. ya, its great that they take care of their customers, but their products are going down hill! my replacement shelter is not as thick as the previous. and some other little things i really like on my old one but they changed to the new ones.

[jBohmer]

Do not quote me, but I here that Clam out-sources their stuff to China. May be good material but a little shotty workmanship. Noticed this on my FT and my fan/light combo. I love FT though, just wish a little more time and care went in to seams and and spot welding.

[pulsar_nx]

I busted a big C branded Clam hub house on the first trip. Busted the first hub like it was made of plastic. I was disappointed, usually cabelas doesn't put there name on junky stuff. There a nice design but I think that they are made too tightly. My eskimo replacement seems to pop up easier and the fabric looks a bit looser.

[Stringerless!]

Same thing here.Ripped fabric, broken pole. Shattered hub. Used 4 times.

[maddowg1192000]

did u return them or just have clam fix them?

[Stringerless!]

I am gonna return mine. Bought right after Christmas and have till end of January. Hope I do not have any trouble . Maybe I should print this page and bring it along to prove " manufacturers defect ".

[maddowg1192000]

I was thinking of trying to return mine also but a replacement wouldnt be in the thermal with no other company making thermals

[harvey lee]

This example is why I love my Otter houses. I never rip or tear anything and the portable is quality throughout.

I hope that you can get your issues resolved and warrantied.

[Big-Al]

+1 on the otter I bought my otter as a 3 year old about 10 years ago. I recently tore one of the velcro tabs for the poles in half. Other than that it is still near new condition. That is quality.

[bobbymalone]

Eskimo QF6 for me.

Broken two poles over the past 3 years but that's been my only problem.

i love that thing.

[Stringerless!]

I think I will try the Eskimo next. I have a fishtrap guide that I use for most trips but wanted something that would fit in any car. I haul the guide around in my van.Bought a small car for better mileage but miss the room.Certainly more room in the clam expadition than the fish trap. Gets kind of crowded in there with camera,vex,sunflower,minnow bucket.... A word of advise to anyone buying a sled -flipover stlye: Buy runners for the bottom!!!! I only pushed mine from the front of the garage to the back and in a few years it wore through.There are other options besides the name brand. Plexiglass. Plastic concrete forms etc...

[FMSmitty]

I have the thermal base camp and one of the roof poles splintered and broke on the first set-up. Emailed Clam a picture of the pole and had a new one in the mail 3 days later. No other issues but the zippers are awfully tight, I almost expect them to break. I lubed them good but still have mild concerns. Other than than, I feel the quality is excellent. I think care needs to be taken on set-up and tear down to make sure fabric and hubs are not stuck and binding.

[fire29]

I have buddys that ripped their clam or broke at the hub. I have the eskimo and love it

[mww24]

broke my roof hub on the fifth or so time i set up my base camp thermal. Luckily it was at my work when i was showing a guy the shack and not on the ice. Mine also has a lot of left over thread from stitching. like they didnt cut the excess off when they were done sewing. I only use it when my fiance comes fishing otherwise its my guide thats older and seems much better made.

[Stringerless!]

My 18 year old is on his way to return/exchange it now. None of the above damage happened while I used it. Hard for him to say the usual " Not me" when he was the only other to use it. I told them both since they were little " If I ever catch this phantom " Not me " he is gonna be in a world of hurt for all the stuff he has done around here !!!!

[Ed Carlson]

There are a few things one should be sure to do and not do with any hub shack, and knowing them may help others from having similar complications.

Read the set up instructions first: Know the proper order in to set the individual hub panels up. And/or go to the Clam web site and watch there Hub Shack Set Up Video if you still have questions or will find that easier.

First use and initial set-up: Be sure all the little Velcro straps that hold all the support poles are firmly secured around the poles. I noticed they are not on most Hub Shacks when you buy them. If the support poles are not secure, the poles will slide sideways and cause the poles to put uneven pressure on the hub housing. Resulting in hub damage or seam failure due to stress. Without the poles secure the pole may slide sideways and then buckle and snap under the stress put upon them in set up and tear down. So be sure to take the time to secure all the individual Velcro straps. This is a common thread of concern I have seen on all damaged hub shacks, the straps are not secured.

Zipper Maintenance: Lube all the zippers, including the one on the carrying case duffel bag. Zipper Lube or ChapStick will do it, reapply as often as needed. This will greatly lessen damage due to icing or frost.

Freezing Hub Shacks down: With all the slop and then the cold we see a lot of damage to the seams from freeze in. If there is a lot of wet ice I recommend you do not put the skirt flap on the outside of the shack, but put it on the inside. This greatly lessens the chances it will freeze in and the flap internally also offers a dry shelf around the perimeter to place Buddy Heaters and gear upon. Try it, is sounds odd and backwards...and it is backwards, but it is a handy way to solve a lot of issues common in a hub shack like freeze in.

I hope these observations and tips will help you out.

[Stringerless!]

Can't return . They don't deal with it. Gave him a phone # for clam. Wonder what would have happened if I bought the protection plan ?? Same thing ?

[harvey lee]

I think I will try the Eskimo next. I have a fishtrap guide that I use for most trips but wanted something that would fit in any car. I haul the guide around in my van.Bought a small car for better mileage but miss the room.Certainly more room in the clam expadition than the fish trap. Gets kind of crowded in there with camera,vex,sunflower,minnow bucket.... A word of advise to anyone buying a sled -flipover stlye: Buy runners for the bottom!!!! I only pushed mine from the front of the garage to the back and in a few years it wore through.There are other options besides the name brand. Plexiglass. Plastic concrete forms etc...

Otter has one of the finest tough sleds on the mareket today. I still use the hyfax as it will extend the life of the tub lomger than I will be around.

[Loon]

I bought one of these last year and really liked it for a 2-man shack, but I can't believe that the eye-bolts and hub hardware isn't stainless - they started rusting right away.

Once the fabric tore loose on one of the side hubs I called the manufacturer about a replacement and they said they'd "repair" it.

I figured I'd do a better job repairing it than the people who made it wrong in the first place so I went to the hardware store and replaced all of the hub hardware with stainless steel.

I placed larger fender washers on the outside of the hub to fix the torn hub and prevent any more from suffering the same fate.

Big pain and I see that they beefed up the fabric around the hub this year, but it obviously isn't helping because I'm assuming the original poster bought his this year.

My advice to any owner of this shack: replace the hardware immediately before your fabric tears around the hub.

If the manufacturer used the proper hardware and raised the price $10 they wouldn't hear a peep from the customers.

Shouldn't have to do any of this, but it's clear that they're more interested in moving units than building a quality product.

Still a nice shack, but you shouldn't have to handle it like fine China out on the ice.

[Stringerless!]

Thanks for the tip Loon !!

[harvey lee]

Sounds to me like they are selling a very poor made product.

Why even bother to purchase something you have to repair right out of the box?

[mww24]

i agree harvey. Being the owner of two clam fish houses, the hub Style i bought this year doesn't meet my expectations. My 3 year old guide is still like new except for one tear in the seat which is from my fat butt sitting on it when its froze. that stuff will happen. But poles snapping, canvas ripping, and hubs breaking in the first few trips is horrible. Next year I am going to be adding a small one man to my arsenal for early ice when the family is to chicken to go. It will definitlety not be a made by the big blue company.

[goldengopher01]

I have the Summit thermal, love it for being light and very portable. Now on my 3rd time using it the teeth of my zippers are sheering off. So I guess a call to HQ tomorrow is in order, or see if FF will return it.