Frabill side door shack vs regular flipover.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Frabill flip over shacks with the side doors. Are they a pain to set up/take down vs a normal flip Over?Any info on them would be nice.My buddy is torn between an Otter/ jason mitchell flipover or a Frabill side door?

What I want to learn specifically is how's the mobility? Do you flip it and drag it to a new spot like a flipover, or do you need to break it down? On my shack (clam voyager)I can just flip it back and drag to a new spot. My concern with the frabill side dorr is having to break it down every time you would wanna move. 

[brian6715]

I was down at Cabela's last night and spent some time looking at the new Frabill. I can't say anything about how it goes up and down, but holy wow is that thing awesome. There is a ton of room in the front for your heater and whatever else you need, and you don't have to trip over it upon exit/entering or struggle keeping the door from blowing into it like you would if you had the clam/otter. I have a 2 man otter and I would LOVE to upgrade to the new Frabill, but just don't have the $$ to do so now. 

[HardwaterHero]

I am a proud owner of one of these. I have used Otters and own a Clam and Eskimo, and will never go back after using the side entry concept. It makes entry and exiting so much easier as you dont have to jump over poles, and shuffle around the heater. I've brought my family members along and they are all very impressed with the design. Set up is very easy once you get the hang of it. One piece of advice is to install the poles with the clips on tops of the other poles. On windy days they can shuffle around and if they pop off they will be headed for the dreaded ice hole. I'd also recommend using LED strips for lighting. I have 2 lanterns but after going LED, I'd never go back!

[nofishfisherman]

That must be a hell of a shack.  Looks like you're having some sort of religious experience in that first picture.

[fshhntfootball]

A couple weeks ago I purchased the Frabill Citadel 3255 (thermal with side doors) and am very impressed with it.  I wouldn't say the set up/take down is any more difficult than a conventional flip over, but it IS different, and with some practice it will be just as fast.  The side doors are awesome, and I think will greatly outweigh the few times it will take to perfect the set up/take down process.  

[HardwaterHero]

That must be a hell of a shack.  Looks like you're having some sort of religious experience in that first picture.

I saw the Light..... and it was LED based!

[Rikkus_WI]

I bought the Frabill Thermo Ambush DLX for the last season; and absolutely love it!

The Set up has that extra bar that flips out.  So, the Clam Jason Mitchell will set up slightly faster.  I was ready to pop for that version, until I saw the Frabill Slide Door.  The side door thing is so much more significant.  If you had folks trip over the gear with the front door versions, you'll know what I mean.

The area + head room + the heavy guage sled and all factors not to overlook.  The thing that was a negative to me about the Clam Thermo-Canvas was seeing daylight through the Stitching.  With the Frabill Thermo Canvas; it holds the heat in without a doubt.

I own two other Clam Portables.  Never thought I would be trying other product.  I love this Frabill Thermo Ambush,...

[kerryd15]

I bought the ambush the first year out, had a voyager before that. They have upgraded the poles and other things in the house since then. The cons are that it's taller and catches the wind, also a pro for taller people. The sides are more verticle so it catches the wind. I found I need to anchor this house more than the voyager, which makes sense since its taller with square sides. I like to put the back straight to the wind. Then I can use both doors. I also used to carry a 20# lp tank which I don't anymore. The big buddy is generally on low now. When I set up with wind to the back, I use angel anchor with ropes going to both ends of the house.

[Rikkus_WI]

Good Point Kerry,...

I started out fishing on a beautiful, by myself.  And the weather turned nasty with 30 mph winds.  I went for a 6' ride with no snow on the ice.  I was scared to get up to tear down.

She is a Sail that's for sure.  I anchor by using the auger in a hole outside.

 

[lungdeflator]

I bought an insulated guardian last year.  It is very nice.  The vertical front wall allows for use with a longer rod.  Insulated is definately the way to go.  It will honestly take an extra 60 seconds vs any other flip over.  Just pull the support poles out when your ready to go and thats it.  

[nxtgeneration]

I was pretty set on getting a voyager or the jason mitchell thermal x but now i'm taking a hard look at the frabil predator 4255.  I have a smaller clam that i use when i'm alone and when its not to cold but im looking to get something larger and insulated for when my wife is with and its colder out.  i was pretty set on clam but the side door setup looks very tempting.

[RiverChuckNorris]

I love my Predator.  It's 3 years old, insulated and has the front door.  

Now that they have roto-molded sleds and the side door, the other vendors are showing up with knives to a gun fight!