Broken hub rod on xl4000T

[Smeds]

1st use, popped out the roof, then going around popping out the sides one side sounded weird as it popped out. Get inside and see one of the rods broke it's ball end fitting that goes inside the hub. Luckily, the place I bought it happened to have a spare ball end. Sounds easy, glue it on ... disassemble the hub, take out the broken ball and install the new rod/ball end. Just wondering if this is a common occurrence? Took the wife with today, bought this hub so we could fish together (4 shacks now)! Needless to say, 7 degrees and one side caving in was not impressive to her. No big deal, tied that side off to the wheeler and good to go. Is there some way to improve the hub design itself? A little concerned with how flimsy these plastic ball ends appear. I plan on contacting Clam, thought I would gather a little insight here first ... Thanks!

[JohnMickish]

Contact Clam, they will be intrested in what broke so they can make sure that dosen't happen again. Clam is very concerned about it's customers and works very hard to make sure the customer stays happy with the best equipment on the market.

On a side note, you are supposed to tie off the two walls that are catching wind to ensure that the sides don't pop in.

[mrklean]

happened to me with my tamarack clam helped me out they were very good with the whole process email them and they will let you know what you need to do

[mrklean]

Forgot to add they gave me a new house they have great customer service

[Matt Johnson]

Is the shelter you purchased a new model or carry-over from last year? Some retail locations will carry-over product depending on what they had left. The reason I ask is that this is literally the first issue I've heard of a broken hub this year (for new models). The hub systems we've switched to at Clam have been virtually indestructible and out of thousands sold this year this is the first issue that I'm aware of.

Yes, please contact Clam's customer service (if you haven't already fixed the problem and are happy with it) and we will get you taken care of immediately... 763-231-4120 or [email protected]

Thanks.

[Smeds]

Thanks for all of the replies, I've sent an email off to Clam. Matt, based on everything I've read about the XL4000T, I believe it is the most current model. The older models didn't have the roof mesh hammocks, correct? Also, i purchased it through L&M Fleet Supply, and they didn't open in Hayward until mid-February 2012. i don't remember them selling a lot of shelters until this year, but I suppose HQ could've stocked them with older product? I've looked on Clam's HSOforum to check on parts, but the only hub assemblies (51" and 58") mention nothing about fitting the XL4000T. I've got it indoors drying out, and it appears the rod end that slips into the ball piece is fine, just the plastic ball piece shattered. The end looks like it had been glued inside the ball end (residual dried glue on there). Winds under 10mph, and upper single digit temps ... i didn't expect it either. I'll keep everyone posted, hopefully a good ending to the story!

[Smeds]

Mnfishingguy, the only reason a side was caving in was due to the broken rod, fairly low winds today ... definitely didn't need to tie it down on the windward side save that issue.

[Brad B]

maybe Matt can answer this. I thought the Bigfoot XL4000T was a brand new shelter this year. how would there be carry over it this is the case. did clam make this last season but never issued them to the retailers until this season.

[JohnMickish]

I didn't think about the broken hub being the cause of the side popping in. My bad. I own the same house and think it's the best portable fish house that I have owned for fishing with my wife. Lots of room and we really like it.

[Smeds]

Busy day at work, no time to call Clam (no reply to email yet). I was glad I found a Primos video on repairing a broken rod, as it helped immensely! Epoxied the new ball cap on the end of the rod, then took the hub assembly apart. You need to do that in order to get the ball end in there. Watch for the nut on the inside! Slide the new rod/ball in through the backside, then put the rod back in the corner pouch. Only way to do it is collapsed, you need a helper to hold up the roof! Once all four rods are back in (holding them in place with your palm), pop the side out again. Line up the grommet in the fabric with the eye bolt, and thread it back through the hub (the hub is threaded). Once seated, align the back plate correctly (you'll see it), and put the nut back on..DUN! Attach the wall Velcro to the repaired rod before collapsing.

I hope this is just a fluke, and I plan on discussing with Clam to ease my mind. A trip out of town with another break won't be much fun, at the minimum I plan on getting some more of those plastic ball ends just in case. Just a heads-up ... It may be useful to do a Clam YouTube video on this repair. Although the new hub rods have been lab tested against breaks, the older shacks seem to have some issues (based on Internet searches).

Anyway, thought I would update, and share the process! Be safe, have fun, catch lots!

[Matt Johnson]

maybe Matt can answer this. I thought the Bigfoot XL4000T was a brand new shelter this year. how would there be carry over it this is the case. did clam make this last season but never issued them to the retailers until this season.

\

My bad... for some reason I thought he said Base Camp. No, the XL4000T is a new shelter for this year, there should be no carry over at all. All XL4000T's in existence are this year's models.

Sorry for the confusion.

[Smeds]

Email from Sunday night still unanswered, phone call from 9:15 this AM (left message with Customer Service) unanswered as well ... great customer service starts with quick response time IMHO. Very polite and friendly on both forms of communication, may change that if requests to discuss continue to go unanswered. It's a common courtesy to reply ASAP if you have a customer service dept. I'll keep you posted, that's why we share info here (good and bad).

[govikes211]

Emailed them last Monday about a couple of my zippers breaking off and they didn't email me back until today. BTW they will be sending me 12 new ring style pulls. I was satisfied with that.

It must just take some time to process. I never tryed calling them but its too bad to hear about them not answering

[RiverFish]

Smeds,

Any resolution?

[Smeds]

Nothing. Figured I would try calling again Monday. I'm at work @ 7:00, and off at 4:30 if things go well. Called yesterday @4:50 (customer service hours say until 5:00), didn't even get the answering machine!

However, my repair is still holding. Fished today through the first part of the nastiness, no issues.

[Smeds]

Received a personalized phone call from Clam this AM. Very apologetic, and they are sending me an entire spare hub assembly free of charge. I mentioned that the HSOforum area under parts does not have a description on the hub assemblies referencing the Bigfoot, or I would have ordered it. She told me she was going to look into getting that description changed.

Gotta say that although the wait was longer than anticipated, Clam certainly addressed my concerns and took care of me. I was only looking for some replacement plastic ball end caps (gratis), and I was willing to pay for a spare hub ... they would have none of that due to the extended wait for a reply, and comped everything. Thanks Clam, and everyone else within (and not within) this thread who offered support!!!

[govikes211]

Glad to hear they took care of you!

[JohnMickish]

That is what Clam is known for. Parts break, that is unavoidable. The phone call was a nice touch.