Frabill XLTwin

[Bob_D]

I just picked mine up. Any do's or don'ts with this unit? I've put them together before and set them up and put them down in the shop, but never used this unit on the ice.

Are there any thing I need to look out for? Problems in super cold weather? etc....

[Deitz Dittrich]

Nope.. I have one and love it.. only dont I can think of.. dont let your heater touch the walls.. it can melt...then again, I dont thinkyou would do that with any portable...

[waynorth]

A little WD-40 wiped on the sliding poles helps alot, also keeps any condensation rust from forming inside the poles.

[jerkin'm]

Make sure and tuck the fabric into the sled good so you don't drag it underneath. It is far from the "Armor" they claim it to be.

[augernaut]

get something to patch the windows - they WILL crack.

[Bob_D]

Thanks for the info guys. I hear you about the windows. When it's -20F they all will crack. I may have it modified to add zippers, so I can replace them easily. I have a Shappell 3000DX that the windows are distroyed in. The same thing happend.

Good info on the pipes too. I may run a patch down the base pipes to help that as well.

All good info...as usual.

[Ed Carlson]

My tips as a user of the Frabill shacks is skip the WD-40 and use a light coating of the Frabill Sub-Zero lube on the poles, and on the zippers.

A thin coat of Frabill Sub-Zero Lube on both will do the trick very well. They will not hang up or freeze up that way, and work as smooth as glass in all weather, cold, wet/warm whatever. The Sub-Zero lube is very handy stuff to have around in the winter and all year long really.

As for the windows, I have yet to bust one on any of the four Frabill units I have owned. You want to be sure to cover the windows in transit and be sure to tuck them in well between location, or while in transit. Use the budgie’s supplied to hold the sides in place to reduce bouncing when towed.

If the windows are not properly tucked in while in transit in deep cold it will add undue stress to the flexible windows and greatly reduce there life expectancy. Take the time to tuck them in and you should be OK even in -30 weather.

I hope this helps.

[Bob_D]

Thanks Ed. I'll look for some of that.

One more question. Does anybody have a pic of the friggin' bungie cords? I've tried a few different was, but things just don't seem quite right. There is not a picture in the manual, and I'm too stupid to understand the directions.

[Bob_D]

Anyone????? Help the slow boy out...would ya?

[mntraveler]

I got mine put in the other day but didn't really understand how they work either, unless the bungee needs to hook around the fabric/poles and onto the edge of the sled. If anyone else know please post.

[Ed Carlson]

Ya they lacked a good description on that in the set-up, so here I go, I will give it a shot.

On the back rear corners and just up a bit there are holes on both sides, one on each side just in front of the rear hole that the back of the tarp hooks to.

Now tie a knot on one end of the short budgie and poke it through the hole from the inside out to the bottom. Now take the extra Large S-Hook, clip it on the budgie, and squeeze the hook shut just enough so it will stay on the cord. Do the same on the other side.

How it works is when collapsed you wrap the cord around the tarp and poles and hook it inside the sled. This holds the sides down and keeps them from bouncing and/or popping open in the wind if you do not have a travel cover on. They are darn handy to help fold things down in the wind when your all by yourself Eh!

In short, they loop through the hole in the rear from the inside to the outside of the tub and then they hook to the extra Large S-hook on the open-end of the loop of the rope. They are built in tarp straps more or less that dangle from the side on both sides.

Ya the first one I set up I did not have a clue where the darn things went too...so I guessed..and I guessed wrong too. Then I will admit I seen a correctly installed set on a friends Tri-Plex and changed mine. Just one good picture in the instructions sure would of helped….. huh? I mentioned it to Frabill and it may be updated by next season.

I hope this helps guys.

[larryz]

I also have a XLTwin that I bought last year. I love it! They did not come with any bungee cords at that time. I do have a travel cover though. Are these bungee cords only needed when you don't have a travel cover? Thanks

[Bob_D]

Ok...I'm still not getting it....

One end of the bungie has a knot in it and it's on the inside of the sled?...the other end has the hook and it's on the outside of the sled? When you wrap the cord over the poles...where does the "S" hook clip to? The smae hole the bungie is in? Also, they say the bungie is used to hold the bottom 2 poles down when it's in the wind break position. It seems this could only work if the hooks are on the inside of the sled. What am I missing?

[booshy]

just picked up one last weekend at Cabelas going to use for

the first time Sat. morning. Great info on the bunges, I didn't have a clue where those were suppose to go, so thanks. Your discription really helped! Love the size of the unit and it makes by Fish Trap Guide look pretty small, hence I'm selling mine

[booshy]

I think it will hook in the back outside hole and then cross diagonally to the inside of the sled hooking the S hook toward the front. No clue how it would work in the wind break position

[booshy]

Any suggestions for the XL Ranger on windy days? I was out today for the first time in the new shack, but since the winds were picking up the tent sure did have a lot of give. I wouldn't think the tent should be very loose. I had the poles at full extention and the tent hooks in place. Ok, I only have the back two tent hook and the front most hook in the sled. I couldn't for the life of me get the back corner hooks to grab the side holes they are suppost to be in.

Well, since it was so warm I didn't have any snow to bank on the skirtsf but still the tent just seemed too loose.

Does anybody have a comment regarding this topic for this brand of portable. I never had this issue with my Trap Guide but that is also quite a bit smaller as well.

I'm wondering if I traded a larger fishing space for less stability that I enjoyed with my guide

[Danner223]

I picked up a XLTwin from Cabelas in the bargain cave a few years ago for $260 with tow small burn holes in it.

It's been used quite a bit and has hundreds of miles and hundreds of hours of use.

The thing I found that works the best for the removeable seat is to use quick release connectors instead of the bolt and wing nut system. I had to drill the holes out slightly to make it work. Also installed a universal tow bar from Cebales for $20 which I was able to use with the predrilled holes.

The one downside to the unit is that you have to put your feet on the ice when fishing. Two pieces of 2in pick insulation board works really well however.

[booshy]

I did just see on the Frabill site that they offer aluminum

bracing so you can put your seat on the back side of the sled. This will allow you to keep your feet on the floor or add one of their side tables. It looks pretty slick, so I might have to add to my XL Ranger next yr