Zippers on portables...Mine Froze

[ScottND]

I just bought a new Clam Voyager and the zippers froze solid! That was in a snowstorm. Brought in in, warmed it, dried it, used camp dry on them. Next day, no snowstorm, same thing...can't get in or out through the doors!

Anyone else?

How about Otter?

[Duffer]

i have a yukon and have had the same problem the zipper frezzes up on me and i cant get out.

[Ed Carlson]

I have used Chapstick to lube up the zippers before and it helped.

[delmuts]

i used to rub the zippers with candle wax after they were dried. it helped some.

[jlm]

Yes sir, candle wax might do the trick. I learned that one from grandma! Anyone every try RainX on thier zippers and auger, I have been told that works as well but have never tried it!

[mtreno]

wd-40 or vegtable oil -

[HAWKICE70]

Since you have a new tent,I would contact clamcorp.They will probly replace it for you.

[fishing 101]

Mine freezes up also. Just bought it and took it out twice - froze both times. I e-mailed clam tonight. I'll let you know if I hear back.

[anyfishwilldo]

Ive got the same problem with my Yukon also. Ill be very interested in what you all find out.

[ScottND]

I contacted Clam and they would have sent out a new canvas for it but I didn't want to go through the same thing again. Same zippers. They did however give me a lecture on Physics explaining moisture condensation and when I tried to get a word in they told me before I even said anything "I don't have time to listen to a long story" Well, Clam...story this! The good people at Gander Mountain in Fargo let me return it. I now own a Otter Resort!

[anyfishwilldo]

Im not willing to get an otter. Their seats really suck. I really love my Yukon, just not the zipper.

[Hookmaster]

I've had a mediuum Otter since 1995. The only time the zipper has frozen up is when slush from the holes have gotten on it. It has never frozen up due to condensation. I've even been in a couple of the freak winter rains and never dried it out and it didn't freeze up when it got cold again.

[fishing 101]

The clam corp replied to my e-mail. They said I could try a silicone spray on it. So I guess I will be trying it over the weekend.

[anyfishwilldo]

Well, not only did my zipper freeze tonight, but now it is all messed up. It is a brand new Yukon so I think it should be covered under warranty. Please someone correct me if I am wrong.

[setterguy]

We had the same problems with our house right when we bought it (6 years ago). After fighting with it too many times, I brought it in to Canvas Craft and had them put a bigger/heavier duty zipper on it. I think it cost me about 40 bucks. It will freeze if we are in an ice storm like last Saturday, but its tough enough to take some good rips on it. That usually gets it unstuck..good luck. How about a spray bottle full of windshield washer fluid, would that be able to melt the ice in the zipper when you are out on the lake?

[anyfishwilldo]

That windshield wiper stuff sounds like a good idea. Ill have to try it after my zipper gets warrantied out.

[Dave]

anyfishwilldo,

NOW, how 'bout looking at those Otter houses? You can always build comfy seat for an Otter. Just ribbin' ya a little.

Ya think it's actually just frozen or did the zipper teeth get messed up?

[jlm]

They will all come to Otter in the end LOL! You don't HAVE to use the seats if you do not want to, you can use a folding chair or something else as well.

[IFallsRon]

Clean the zipper up if you've put any kind of oil-type spray on it by using an electronics spray cleaner. It evaporates right away. Then use a soft pencil, like a carpenter's pencil. Rub the lead on the zipper and work it in really good. The lead will lube the zipper and has no residue that will gum it up.

[Surface Tension]

Silicone spray, wax or graphite from a pencil all help but when your zipper gets a little sticky go easy on it. After all its a zipper and to expect it to work perfectly in a wet environment with sub zero weather is asking too much. Granted, putting a zipper on a portable with small teeth isn't the brightest idea either.

If you get frost or slush on your zipper direct a little heat on the area and have some patience.

[anyfishwilldo]

Well, I emailed Clam last night, and had a reply when I got up this morning saying give us your address, so we can send you out a new tent. I didnt feel like waiting for the thing in the mail, so I called them. The gal I talked to on the phone was very helpful, and she is going to personally deliver the tent to my house in St Cloud tonight. (she lives in Avon) Now that is cust service!!

[so haaad]

Did Clam tell you if this was just an issue with this year's models? My buddy has last year's Guide, but he bought it at the end of the year when it was aleady warming up outside.

[anyfishwilldo]

The folks at Clam never said if they have had a problem with the zipper in the past. Bonnie from Clam met me in St Cloud with a replacement tent, and a new link just like she said. I have never seen cust service like that from such a large company. They have got a cust for life now.

[Ed Carlson]

Frank I agree with your observation of the size of the teeth on the zippers. Larger teeth zippers like are on the Frabill shacks have not had this freeze up issue. Either because the zippers or canvas breaths better, or the size of the tooth chews up the ice when operating the zipper. Not sure about that, it may very well be a combination of both that helps resist this problem?

Non vented propane heating systems emit a lot of moisture and it has to go someplace. The smaller teeth on some zippers appear to collect this moisture and act like a sieve and frost up.