My life in a hub

[BassKnuckles]

So today I went out for the first time with the Clam Expedition.

I've had this set up and down many times in my house. A little trickybut I figured it out.

Today after a little scouting I decided to open it up and see how it is. Man what a mistake. First I broke one of the roof rods. It shattered and splintered. I was still able to get the house up. Then the wind came whipping along and kept blowing in one side of the house.

Is this because of the roof rod not being braced or does it happen on windy days?

I had the house braced down with stakes but I decided to stand outside and enjoy the weather. Well the wind blew my house over and started going across the lake. I'm running after it and kind of gently jump for it to stoP it. As gently as a 240 guy can be on 3-4 inches of ice. So I packed it all up and called it a day.

I'm going to look at a flip style house. I would like a 2 man but they seem like they would be really heavy to pull. I'm going to be doing it by foot since I don't have a ATV or Snowmobile.

Any thoughts?

It was a fun day though.

[Mike Stark]

2 man flip over shelters are going to be heavy and hard to pull in snow.

Did the ice screws come out of the ice? Did you have them screwed in all the way in? I have not heard the best things about Clam's ice screws.

If it is windy you almost always have to tie out the side that is facing the wind. But I do think that having a broken pole up top would make the sides pop in easier.

[bogwalker]

I have a 2-man Otter flip-over. It is kind of heavy but it is well built with quality materials. Very comfortable and stable. No complaints so far. Bought it last year.

[BassKnuckles]

I had it screwed all the way into the ice but I had it connected to these clip on deals on the inside. I thought that's what they were for. They just came disconnected. Are you supposed to brace them with a rope and connect them to the hub part that you use to open the sides? This cost me $50 on a-sales-site so Im not upset. The flip overs would seem super heavy to pull through the snow.

[otterman91105]

I have a ten year old otter and love it. Best ice house that i have ever owned.

[AstroRails]

I have the same house, and I asked the Clam people about this at the ice show. They said that you should use a couple of the ropes to tie the hubs on the windy side to the ice anchors. This will keep the house from flying, and the walls on the windy sides from blowing in.

[BassKnuckles]

Just a heads up. Its like a parachute. Lol.

[Hardyboy]

I had it screwed all the way into the ice but I had it connected to these clip on deals on the inside. I thought that's what they were for. They just came disconnected. Are you supposed to brace them with a rope and connect them to the hub part that you use to open the sides? This cost me $50 on a-sales-site so Im not upset. The flip overs would seem super heavy to pull through the snow.

There should be small flaps with grommets at the base on the corners on the outside that you screw your anchors thru.At least thats the way it works on my eskimo hub. you can use extra guidelines to attach to the pull points on the windward sides if its good and windy.

[mww24]

the same straps you use to pull the hubs out can be used to tie it off. use one of the anchors they gave you and the rope and tie the side the wind is blowing on. the roof not being real tight probably hurt. the straps on the inside work to. I would tie the windy side of the house on the outside using the anchor and rope. Then i would place the remaining 3 anchors on the inside spots down at the corners. also when you pull the sides you have to pull slow and gently. I figured that out the hard way to. After I quit pulling real hard and fast I haven't broken a thing. I wouldn't give up on it yet. Good luck

[jeep guy]

My eskimo QF3 did the same thing just have to make sure that you point a corner into the wind. I went through probably 4 or 5 poles in mine. I started carrying a peice of pvc (a little brigger "diamater" than the pole) to slide over the broken section and use some duct tape to hold it in place. That will atleast get you through the day so you can still use it. I switched to a flip over.

[BassKnuckles]

Which flip over did you get and how much does it weigh?

Most of the houses I look at don't have covers and they recommend some Hyfax runners? Wow for the price I'm paying for this house it should come with that. IMO.

[mww24]

Hey bassknuckles. The cover and hyfax are great. You did say you would be towing by hand and not ATV or snowmobile so they aren't super necessary. the Hi-fax are to help prevent wear on the bottom of the sled so you only have to replace a 50 set of runners instead of the whole sled. You won't really beat it up to bad pulling by hand as long as you don't drag it a ton on the pavement. Also the cover does a great job of keeping slush and snow out and your stuff in behind and ATV or snowmobile but if just pulling by hand a few bungee cords will keep everything secure and you probably wont be walking through massive snow drifts that would fill your sled up. They are nice add ons but not must haves in my opinion. You could pick that stuff up at a later date if you decide you need or want it. What kind of flipover are you looking at?

[BassKnuckles]

I like these so far but I would like to sit in them and see how they feel.

Frabill EXCURSION ICE SHELTER

FRABILL TREKKER DLX

CLAM Fish Trap Yukon TC

The they have cheaper versions of the

Frabill TREKKER FLIP-OVER

and

FRABILL ADVENTURER

[mww24]

ahh. I have no experience with any of those. I had a clam 2 man guide. it weighed 82 pounds. It was not fun to drag long distances by yourself when loaded with gear. If you do a ton of walking or never drive on the ice. Try and look for the lightest shelter that fits your needs.

[BassKnuckles]

I will drive on the ice later in the year more than likely.

I think I might go with FRABILL TREKKER DLX. It should be interesting when its matched up with my Jiffy auger at 38 lbs.

[Mike Stark]

I will drive on the ice later in the year more than likely.

I think I might go with FRABILL TREKKER DLX. It should be interesting when its matched up with my Jiffy auger at 38 lbs.

That house weights 85lbs. Add a 38lb auger. That is going to be a heavy rig to pull by hand.

[KG243]

I have the trekker dlx and the same auger, it is not that bad of a pull. Its no worse then dragging a dear out. Just dont walk through two feet of snow for a long distance! If the snow is that deep go on groomed trails. Also I use one of the deer dragging harnesses to help distibute the wieght. I think clam makes one that is a little better quality. You will be in better shape for pulling it! Have fun.

[BassKnuckles]

Thanks for the info KG.

I hope Gander has one setup in Maple Grove tomorrow so I can check it out.

I'm still waiting for someone on here to say they saw me chasing my house. Hahaha. When I got it finally I gave a thumbs up in case some was watching.

[Vitreus]

Got the yukon TC last year. A great house and solid quality. Holds heat well. My only regret is that I didn't go with something bigger.

[MJBaldwin]

I would say buy a flip over well worth the money I bought an Eskimo quick flip 2 last year for 230 best money I have ever spent!!! Those pop ups just don work in th wind but seems more popular now a days for the price they are

[BassKnuckles]

I would like to get a 3 man so my buddy and I have some nice room but I think I will stick with a 2 man.

[Lindy Lee]

I had the Otter 2 man cabin that I pulled by hand until I bought my ATV, I pulled really easy through the snow. I thought I would upgrade to the Clam Yukon. House is alright but it does not go through the snow as well as my Otter did. It bunches up the snow in front of it and becomes a snow plow. This is for sure the last Clam shelter that I will buy.

I would recommend the slides for the bottom if you are going to drag the sled across any pavement. As for the cover, it is nice if you ever have to trailer your house, or if you are going to walk out if it is snowing.

[mnguy152]

I got a clam the old style and works great for me. I just pull it out during the early ice by hand until you can drive out. Just got to be picky which lakes or spot you go do it is not a long pull.

[BassKnuckles]

I didn't want to hear that Lindy Lee. I just left Gander to look at the Frabil and ended up looking at the new Yukon. That was so nice, tons of room also. The Frabil seemed cheap and the Clam seemed well built.

What about adding some skis on the bottom of these flip overs? Any ever try that and it actually worked well?

[DaSwede]

I didn't want to hear that Lindy Lee. I just left Gander to look at the Frabil and ended up looking at the new Yukon. That was so nice, tons of room also. The Frabil seemed cheap and the Clam seemed well built.

What about adding some skis on the bottom of these flip overs? Any ever try that and it actually worked well?

I have a Yukon and Jiffy as well. I pull by hand most of the time. It can be heavy at times, but it's very doable.