Otter owners

[alumacraft3]

I have a question to all the otter owners out there. I just got done putting my new XT 900 thermal lodge together. I love the shack so far, it seems solid and doesnt have any cheap parts. My question is where the actual "tent" material meets the sled it has its own lip that connects it to the sled. It also comes with self tapping screws to secure it to the sled. The manual says add the screws if needed. Are the screws needed? It seems pretty tight but its just sitting in my living room and obviously havent had it out in 50 mph winds. I didnt explain it very well but anyone that has put an otter together that has the same system should know what im talking about.

[chad austin]

I've had my lodge for 3 years and haven't had to add anything. If the screws are needed it would be when your portable is folded up and traveling accross the lake.

[Werewolf]

Put some screws in it,, in the spots that are tight and along the back. But first set it up with all the poles , put the heater inside and let it streach out for a few hours , thinks will loosen up....

[Random guy]

I put the screws in the ends of the cleats and where the storm flap meets in the middle. I didnt really think they where needed but I had them so I used them.

[Chris Barlage]

I put the screws in mine. Although mine was a little snug when i fitted it and it never realy streached out that much. What will it hurt to just add them.

[alumacraft3]

The only reason I dont want to put the screws in if not necessary is because it will be easier to remove the tent come this spring when I put it away for storage. Its not a huge deal but I just wanted some other opinions.

[Steve Foss]

Use the screws. In extreme cold and wind, things don't work as well and you end up forcing this and that. Under those circumstances, the fabric can easily work loose. I speak from experience with both Otter and Clam products. Any time I put together a new flipover (or buy one used with no screws), the screws go in.

In that kind of cold, you don't want things coming apart.

I do recommend putting the whole thing together and setting it all the way up with the retaining stuff before adding the screws. Unless they've gotten better in the last two years, it seems none of the manufacturers are wild about using quite enough fabric, and it's not unusual for the front of a fully extended flipover to ride a few inches off the cement in your garage. No issue when there's a foot of snow on the ice, but when there's little/no snow, it's an issue.

Anyway, if the fabric seems just a little bit too small, you can adjust and leave less fabric in the back, but it's much better to wait with the screws until you've "dry-runned" it.