Frabill vs Otter sleds

[Chode2235]

I have a smaller Otter Den, and have loved the shack. IMO, it is probably the best 1 man shack out there. I have pulled it a ton of miles behind my ATV and it has held up great.

I do want to get a bigger shack this year, and because I am doing more ATV ice fishing.

Looking at the insulated otter Lodge and the Frabill 7080. Overall the frabill seems to be a better thought out and built shack. Theyre the same size, but the Frabill has a much deeper sled, and the corners are molded with flat places to put stuff, the pole system is great, and it seems like the best shack for the money.

My only concern is the durability of the sled. It seems like it is bullet proof like my otter sled is. But I want to know from some people who have been running the new style of frabill sled for a few years how it is holding up.

As well as give the otter loyalists a chance to talk me into the lodge too. The main advantage with the lodge is that my towboar will work.

[Jim Almquist]

I have a Otter lodge and it has served me very well for the past 12 years. I have had to patch a few holes and replace the zipper but it was mostly abuse brought on by me. When it comes time to replace it, I know that it will be the insulated version and it will be another lodge.

[walleye44]

I have a smaller Otter Den, and have loved the shack. IMO, it is probably the best 1 man shack out there. I have pulled it a ton of miles behind my ATV and it has held up great.

I do want to get a bigger shack this year, and because I am doing more ATV ice fishing.

Looking at the insulated otter Lodge and the Frabill 7080. Overall the frabill seems to be a better thought out and built shack. Theyre the same size, but the Frabill has a much deeper sled, and the corners are molded with flat places to put stuff, the pole system is great, and it seems like the best shack for the money.

My only concern is the durability of the sled. It seems like it is bullet proof like my otter sled is. But I want to know from some people who have been running the new style of frabill sled for a few years how it is holding up.

As well as give the otter loyalists a chance to talk me into the lodge too. The main advantage with the lodge is that my towboar will work.

One company you should also look at is Canvas Craft. They use the Otter sled & have a better insulation. They use the 3m thinsulate/NorpacR2 material. You will be toasty warm when below zero! http://www.norpacr2.com/

[tweeder]

i have the frabill predator, think this is my 3rd year. I almost exclusively use it behind my snowmobile up at the cabin on leech. i have to go down a paved road for .25 mile maybe to get on/off the lake then ofcourse put on some decent milage on the lake since its so large. and it is fully loaded including the auger.

the sled has held up VERY well.

I went to put hyfax on it this year to preserve it and it has taken a beating but showed no signs of any failure.

I suspect with the hyfax now it will last me as long as I want it too.

If the sled on the one you are looking at is anything like the one on the predator, have no fear in purchasing it, its been a great house for me.

[Bob Horn]

The Frabill will be fine. If there are hyfax for them, put them on. I have used the Commando for 3 years now and no troubles. I know it's smaller than what your looking for but I want you to know the durability of the Frabill.

[fishersofmen]

Agree the sled on my Frabill Predator is a beast. I picked up a set of hyfax just to be safe. The thing is so big I stored my Eskimo Quick Flip 2 inside of it this summer.

[AndRo]

I have the 7080 and love it. I do have the hyfax on the sled and have had absolutely no problems with anything.

[Brad B]

I agree with walleye44. check out Canvas Crafts Norpac Houses. they're a little more pricey then the mass produced houses but they are worth the money. I don't have their sled type house but I do have their norpac suit case style house and love it. when I do upgrade my current otter house (Northern model/same as a Wild 3) I plan to go with a Canvas craft Double Lodge with the norpac.