Transporting otter xt650 lodge. Need ideas.

[lispeej]

How do you guys transport your otter xt650 lodge with your SUV?

[Jim Almquist]

Sherpa you might want to watch Menards. They had a all aluminum for $50.00 last year right after I bought this one.

The width is less then 7' but the angle of the camera sort of distorts the view. It is just a little wider than the 4Runner.

[leech~~]

Before you buy an Aluminum one I would look at the weight rating as most Alm, ones have a lot lower weight rating then steel. My buddy found this out one time when he found his load draging down the freeway!

Also if you carry your house like this, make sure that you have a cover as it is going to get a lot of road salt on it.

Nice setup Jim.

[Sherpa]

Thanks I will definitely check menards. I'm always there anyways. And I will make sure to check the load rating too. I was thinking about just wrapping a tarp around it or making a cover out of one. I usually wrap it with a tarp when it's on the trailer even though I have a cover.

[lispeej]

This morning I went to pickup my brand new xt650 otter lodge. Paid $569 + tax. The box barely fit in my SUV. This thing is a beast! I'm going to assemble it in my living room. I hope it is easier to carry it out as it was really tough bringing it inside. I might consider transporting it with my trailer now. It's heavy!

[Jim Almquist]

When I picked mine up in 1999 at Thorne Brothers I took it out of the box and had it strapped in the trunk of my Toyota Solara. I took it from there store in Blaine to Grand Rapids. I also set it up in the living room where it was nice and warm. Much better way to set it up and get everything right the first time.

Enjoy

@ Leech and Sherpa: The one they had at Menards was a 500 pound load capacity. I like the idea of no rust vs knowing mine will start rusting soon with all the road salt.

[hamms-scooter]

I have been thinking of switching to this kind of setup also. I have a X2 and use a Saturn Vue awd. I don't care for the trailer on the lake because the Vue is not like a pickup. You cant really go off road to much so when I can the trailer is a drag. Thanks for the pics and heads up on the sales... Enjoy that lodge!!!! I see one in my future

[amateurfishing]

I too have a utility trailer for my modded 2 man fish trap but its just too much of a pain to get at in the garage when surrounded by grill, garbage cans, snow blower, etc. plus if attempting to drive on lake right now its extra baggage pull in this snow.....so I too went to menards and got the one on sale today, I think a very good deal since most start $20 more for same capacity, already have it set up 7 ready to roll this weekend if time permits, should be much easier to load than trying to push into back of explorer, and I know i'll get moneys worth out of it with long weekends and camping trips, even have an extra set of lights laying around that I may mod and put on like pics above.

[Slab_Supper]

Carry it on your back or hire the neighbor kid to tow it.

[Sherpa]

That's a pretty good deal lispeej. I just picked up last years model at the duluth ice show for about a hundred less than that, but I would pay that difference in a second for it to be full thermal. I built mine inside and it was not too fun getting it out the door. I managed to barely squeeze it out without having to take off the door closer.

[Jim Almquist]

I managed to barely squeeze it out without having to take off the door closer.

Funny you brought that up. I brought mine in one door and had to use a different one cause it would not fit when it was time to take it out

[wanderlust]

4th gen was available 2003-09

[fsnrod]

Does otter make a bigger one then that it doesn't look like theres much room in the lodge?

[Northlander]

The lodge has a ton of room for 2 people. If you need more than that you can buy the Resort wich is a monster. Check them out at www.otter.com.

[Powerstroke]

The Lodge is the large 2-person sled. The Cabin is also a 2-person shack but its smaller. I have the Cabin and it does work for 2 people, but you are pretty much side by side.

The cabin is a great compromise between space and portability. I can load the cabin in the back of a Nissan Xterra with the seats down. Not to mention, I can load it by myself. It easily goes in a pickup and can sit underneith a tonneau cover.

In a Lodge you have plenty of arm and elbow room for 2 people. With a bigger sled and a bigger shack you get the need for different storage solutions. Jim has a great solution, but beaware you do need the taillights on the rack or you will likely get pulled over. Not to mention, if you get rear-ended and your vehicle isn't legal with taillights and reflectors, your insurance may not cover the loss of your HSOList.

[amateurfishing]

Just got the lights hooked up & working today (it has been too cold to work with nimble trailer wire)

also using left over foam pipe insulation (that I modded on my ice auger handles) for wire protection from elements and soften the rubbing every time my shin may bump it.

Thx for the ideas all. the only mod I now have left is cutting up the 5 feet of 4 inch pvc I bought and gonna use it for 1# propane holders in sled (so they don't bang around)

[Jim Almquist]

I like the idea of protecting the wires. I know when it gets warmer out I would like to do something with mine. Salt has a nasty way of getting into everything.