Frabill Guadian flip over

[danlatt1]

I'm looking at buying a Frabill this year, but everyone talks about Clam or Otter.

Any comments on this house I don't hear much about it, and FF still has there hunting stuff up. So I do have a couple of weeks before I have to decide.

[MNCPRGUY]

I looked at the two man Frabill flip last year and really liked it. It was definately solid but the trade-off was weight. Lifting it in and out of a truck bed full of gear might be a challenge as would be pulling it by hand. I opted for the Jason Mitchell Thermal X and am happy with it after the production issues were resolved. However, it is still heavy enough with mods and gear that I don't enjoy pulling it by hand for any distance or up hills. I will be using an ATV with it exclusively this year and fishing from a hub shelter when I need to go with a lighter approach.

[muc33]

I'm looking at buying a Frabill this year, but everyone talks about Clam or Otter.

Any comments on this house I don't hear much about it, and FF still has there hunting stuff up. So I do have a couple of weeks before I have to decide.

I fish with the other two simply because of experience. Have things improved since I last fished out of a Frabill shack? I don't know, but I sure hope so. I had not very good experiences with them. Poor sled quality and I ended up not being a fan of their material either. I have found, at least in my experience that Otter and Clam make a better product to MY liking. That is why I use them. Frabill had the chance to keep me, but quality wasn't up to snuff. That is why I fish with the others. Not much more I can tell you but that.

[bassNspear]

i fish with clam. best product and top notch customer service. They will take care of you regardless of the situation!

[fisherman-andy]

Can we stop with the leg hugging for just a moment? Although Clam has some great new products and upgrades and im all for that they arent without woes over the past years. I will give an unbias review cause I love competition diversity. The Frabil hubs and flip overs are well made, price is generally higher too but that is expected if better build. Their R2-tec flip overs are awesome. I had fished out of one and a buddy i know has one and its been solid for use. Plus I haven't seem much complaints in their product dept over the years. I suggest making a round of looking at all available options and other brands comparisons before you buy. Both Clam and Eskimo have new flip overs. And if budget isn't an issue don't forget Otter. Checkem all out.

[Summett]

I have a Frabil R2-tec, really like it. I don't have a lot of experience to compare to others, but it is very well built. Poles are large diameter & slide easily. It's thermal capability is great. No condensation, and i usually have to turn the Big Buddy off periodically because it just gets too warm in there.

Tub is thick and very sturdy w/ lots of room. Seats are comfy too. Only change that i would have had different is the slope of the front of the tub. could have had another seat there, but that slope doesn't allow it. But, nothing a 5 gal bucket can't solve.

It is a heavy unit over all, so keep that in mind if you are planning on pulling it, or loading/unloading from a truck bed.

Overall a great flip over for me and the kids.

[Mike Stark]

I have a Frabill Commando non-insulated. It's a great solo flip over shelter.

[danlatt1]

Thanks for the replies from the users of Frabill. I'm really not sold on the Clam flip overs and never hear anything from Frabill owner's. If anyone else has personal experience with the newer models its greatly appreciated.

So far no bad reviews from the couple I read. Thanks again.

[Warner's Point]

I have had a Frabill Guardian for a couple of years now and am very impressed with it. It is heavy so don't plan on pulling it to far in deep snow. Customer service was great when I called for a couple of parts that were not included. Next day delivery. One improvement I made was adding a layer of Refletix insulation to the ceiling. What a difference it made in holding in the heat. Way cheaper than upgrading to the insulated shell. Over all it is very well built and is worth the money. My only complaint is that I don't get to use it enough.

[PerchJerker]

Right now I own two houses, one is an Otter Lodge (big heavy house that I pull with my ATV, or use when I drive my truck on the ice) and the other is a Frabill Trekker (a light weight 2-man flip-over that I use when I walk out on the ice or when I go solo).

Previously I've owned some Clam houses, 3 of them if I remember right, as well as some other houses too. I got the Frabill to replace a Clam Fish Trap Pro when my kid started going with me.

The Frabill is great, I've used it for a couple of seasons and the only things going on with it are normal scuffs and scratches from being used. The sled and the material and the poles have held up really well. I am liking the Frabill more and more all the time because it's a great combination of lightweight but roomy. The only complaint I have about the house is the design of the back support pole, it's too short and the wind can blow it out of place. I keep meaning to modify it but haven't got around to it yet. Other than that it's been a great house thus far.

[coffee]

I bought the Frabil Guardian last year - mid-season. Absolutely love it. I own a Fish-Trap Pro (one-man) also. My son-in-law was experiencing troubles dealing with Clam on getting the correct replacement canvas for his 3-man Voyager. That prompted me to do some shopping - I am impressed with the quality of the Guardian.

[dairyman]

I had clam houses in the past and just got sick and tired of trying to collapse the poles when I was ready to leave the lake. I bought a Frabill

"Commando",just flip it over and your ready to go. That and the fact I'm not catching my feet every time I had to duck down to exit the clams

[DTro]

Not sure why Clam was even brought up?

I've fished out of a Frabill house a few times and liked them. Can't comment directly on the Guardian though.

[AndRo]

I will second that it is heavy. I have the Frabill 7080 R2Tec Thermal, purchased for 999. It currently has a season and a half on it. This house is built to last, excellent quality! I actually have mine up for sale right now as I am looking to downsize to a one man thermal. Possibly Frabill's one man thermal. PM me if interested.

[Fred_Ralph]

The reason we all know Clam has great customer service is that we are all calling them all the time! Let me guess, they "have fixed last year's issues." Same line every year.

I have no affiliation with any products.

[JbuZZo]

I own a Trekker 2, have had it for about 3 years. Love it.

[fishersofmen]

Frabill may have been behind in the game years back but that is no longer the case. I have had my Predator for a couple years and it is built well. You can see the quality in the newer Frabill models just by looking at them. Is it heavy, yea but if you want a more heavy duty canvas and sled its obviously going weigh more. I wanted mine to be even heavier so I added 50 pounds of mods to it as well.

My Eskimo was alot cheaper and is alot lighter but it is junk in comparison.

[dan z]

Had a XL ranger for a few years, was a great first house. It was heavy and I also thought the tube was to shallow. Now I fish in a otter cabin, all I can say is I fished 10 fold the time I spent in the ranger and I've only had it a year....