Frabill Ice Cruiser 200

[Dano2]

Thinking of picking one up Monyona(remember that seinfeld)

Any inputs would be appreciated, someplace has a pretty good deal on them right now.

At this time, I am useing a Clam 5600 and its just not practicle for me moving around alot. I think the Frabill will suit my needs much better, and its actaully just as big(as far as the dimensions go) except its about a foot shorter in height.

Curious about Frabills new seating setup too, if anyone knows much about it, seems like it doesn't look all that sturdy. once in awhile but not often, I have a couple different friends that come with, one is 240+ and the other is a big 300+ pound southern boy that broke one of my fold outs last time we were out

[booshy]

I have the Frabill XL Ranger 2 man with the new seat set up and love it. The seats are very strudy and the legs that hold up the seat portion do not move once place in the grove at the bottom of the sled. Ya just have to make sure the legs have been properly seated into the top portion that rests on the legs (swivel seat)

Sturdy set up and fast break down

[mntraveler]

I found a good deal on my XLTwin which is why I bought it. Several other companies seemed to have superior products but the more I use the Frabill the more I like it. My biggest gripe is the loose fabric flapping in the wind. But, to get to your question about the seats, I'm about 250 and the new seats don't seem to have any issues on my shack.

[luckyc]

I too didn't like the flapping material, then I met someone on Little Lake that he had taken three lengths of 3/4 conduit, put rubber tips on them and filled with sand. It held tight to the ice, no problem with the wind or heat escaping. When he was ready to go he just pulled them out and put them in the bottom of his sled. You know I'm going to make a set for mine, easy and cheap

[Dano2]

Thanks.

I bought it, and it seems it will be alot faster setup and take down compared to my clam 5600, but it depends on how well the poles are going to slide and how easy the buttons will push in after being out in the cold. The biggest advantage, will be the mobility, and so far the only disadvantage is, I will have to drag it through my gate to the shed in my back yard, because my dogs cant be trusted. (they spend alot of time in the garage). But I also plan on getting a nice topper for my truck around hunting season, so when ice season comes I can just leave it in there most of the time.

I got a better look at the seat set up, and agree it looks alot sturdier than what I thought at first. I'll purchase that setup next year, Fleet was out of them.

thanks.

Oh, as far as the bottem front and the wind kicken the material around. Ed C (backwater eddie) had a good idea of taking chain, lay it around that bottem piece (on shack) and sew it on with some super line, just every so many incehs to hold it in place. Take a little more work, but then you'll be done with it. I may do this betwenn now and next season when I get bored with summer projects, HEH!, so basically probably not until next ice season has started

Not sure on the size chain though, maybe Ed will se this and lets us know.

[Northlander]

If your looking for something to hold down your flaps on your icehouses call or check out Jay Soderbloom and get some "SNAKORS". They are a dry sand filled canvas tube that does the same as those pvc tubes and are flexible even in the cold. Just dont have them in the back of your truck when ya go threw the car wash! You can get them empty or full when ya buy them. Also check out the FishBrights they work awesome too! www.soderbloom.com

[Dano2]

yep, them fishbrites do work well, too bad I'm going to go with a different lighting system, all the propane makes me ill no matter how well ventilated it is, plus I'll probably get back into the Big Buddy again next year as long as they fixed the problem. Anyone been useing a new one yet that has been fixed?

thanks

[Ed Carlson]

On many of the Frabill units, they have a channel in the flaps. With the channel, all you need to do is slip the chain in and tack it every couple of feet so the chain will not bunch up when folded. The process takes less then a half-hour to do.

A second option is to use those duck decoy lead flat anchor straps. Again place them in the channel of the flap and tack them in as needed. Same-same it will hold the flaps tightly to the ice without the need to bank it up.

I am encouraging Frabill to add this weight system on all flip shacks in the years to come. It could also may be offered as an add-on kit..we will wait and see I guess. It works very well and once you slip them in and secure them...Bada-Bing-Bada-Boom..done deal...one less ice hassle.

[mntraveler]

Acutally guys, does anyone have suggestions for the front "wall" of the shack? I'll pile slush or snow around the perimeter and not really have issues with the skirt, it's the walls that have caused me problems. Thanks.

[Dano2]

Only thing I can think of for that would be a couple support(spreader style) poles going from the bottem U frame pole to the first top one. I know you can get these from clam corp. not sure where else, but heck, frabill probably even sells them.

position them more towards the center of the wall so you dont have that loose fabric sagging or blowing in, although they will probably get in the way of the door.

Not sure how good it will work, I still have my clam 5600,therefore have a couple of these style poles, so I will give it a try myself when I go outtoday,, heck, not even sure if those poles will extend that far..

I'll let ya know later.

[booshy]

mntraveler,

I've had the same trouble with the XL Ranger on windy days I was out 3-11-05 for the first time on a windy really windy day 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.

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

[Ed Carlson]

I added the adjustable Frabill 3-pole kit to my Frabill Triplex and it solved the bulk of the slop problem.

The rear S-Hooks are a pain if you do not spread them a bit and get them in the rear corner holes before fully assembling the tarp, if you do it last it will be tough to get them in. To solve that spread them open a bit, hook it in the hole, and then bent them back securely so they stay in place.

The other option is to loop the budgie supplied to secure the sides through the hole, tie a loop, and knot in it. Then run it back up and over to the second hole just to the front and out again to the ground. Attach the second S-Hook for the side retainer, pull it up tight, and knot it at the tub. This results in some extra tension on the rear of the canvas for the back corners are tight and the back will stay firm.

Another tip that we found that helps is to add a long budgie from the front two corners all the way across the front of the tub and hook it to both sides. You can then adjust the added tension as needed to draw the bottom budgie up tight. This alone reduces a lot of the tarp slap in the wind.

I recommended to Frabill to add a full front budgie on the next run so you can easily adjust up the slack in the tarp from the front as you sit. A simple adjustment like is common on a coat that you squeeze and pull will do it. In the end that is how we did it on our 2-3 man shacks...works super.

The Frabill 3-pole kit ($29) still does come in handy to hang lighting and firm up the front on warm days when the tarp is more relaxed.

One or all of these tips should solve the slack problem. Our shacks stay tight and firm in the wind with no worries now.

[mntraveler]

Thanks Ed, I'll give those a shot.

[booshy]

Ed,

is there anything you don't know!

Great advise and I will be trying the budgie methond for sure. Thanks for the tips!

[Ed Carlson]

Ya..Eh..."It ain't easy being me".

LOL!

I hope it helps you out, thats the important deal.

[mjhowe]

A friend bought the cruiser this year, it does not have a seat at all, he just uses a nice fold up camp chair, arm rests, cup holders etc. makes the shelter REAL light..he also has a pole he puts in the notch in the center rear of the sled that connects to the rear cross brace, very sturdy and keeps it from blowing everyywhere. He is VERY VERY pleased with it.

[Dano2]

yep, thats the seat I'm useing right now as well, cupholder and all, heh.

Next season I will be getting the seating system though.

I was out last night and it sure was nice useing the frabill compared to my clam 5600, so much easier moving, and things dont fly around , like inside the clam, plus those wood hole covers make it abit tougher pulling compared to the sled on the Frabill. The only concern is with the height of the suflower heater, and wanting to keep it a decent distance from my face, I'm afraid it'll burn the fabric. But I'll be getting the big buddy again next season, so that should take care of that. No need to worry about a heater right now anyway. Didn't use it at all last night.

thanks