Dumb shelter questions from newcomer

[Flatsboy]

I fished Biscayne Bay and the Keys for 42 yrs then moved to MN a few years ago. My Snook, Tarpon and Permit sight fishing knowledge has been rendered fairly useless I fish Bass, Muskie and Crappie now but have yet to venture onto hard water. I have a 1/2 Ton, a 4WD ATV and a snowmobile plus a bad back. I'm looking for an opinion on an Otter Lodge. If I go out alone will it be too much to wrestle with getting it off and back in the truck? Also, what is better for towing it with around small to medium size lakes, the ATV or the sled? Responses from creaky spine users most welcome. Thanks in advance!

[mamohr686]

[Note from admin: Mark - you know better. Please read forum policy before posting again.]

[Flatsboy]

Thanks for the response Mark, I just emailed you.

[fisherman 66]

I have 5' flip type shelter and I built a ramp to slide it in and out. This way I leave my gear in it. The gear doulbes the weight but with the ramps it is not back breaking. The ramps are made of 1x3s take one lay it flat then take a second one and screw it to the first on its side to make a L shape. Make two of these then connect in the middle. Put a hinge on each ramp on the flat side. The other end of the hinge goes to a 1x3 the length of the tailgate. Then one the other way to hook between the tailgate and the truck.

[Flatsboy]

I assume you used several crossmembers and didn't make the ramp the width of the sled to save weight. If I did this I could also use my ATV winch through a pulley at the front of the pickup bed to haul it up. An Otter Lodge filled with gear would be a pain to hoist, but not with the winch. Thanks for the idea!

[mamohr686]

sorry for the plug, the paid add is under the ice fishing for sale forum.

[caseymcq]

I think Frabil has a portable that you can attatch to your reciever hitch and set up from there. That would eliminate loading and unloading from your truck.

[hanson]

Flatsboy-

I'm a relatively young and energenetic guy and I have a beast of a time getting my Lodge into the bed of my truck alone. It is usually loaded with a few pieces of gear as well as my Otter seats.

A ramp is a very good idea. Another thing I do when I have my snowmobile trailer with is get the shack on to the snowmobile trailer first, pull it to the front, and then jump the gap between the trailer and tailgate with the house. Works pretty slick and you aren't lifting the house vertically has much.

[Flatsboy]

Thanks everyone. I purchased the Polar 3 man that was advertised online (thanks Mark) and think I have the setup licked. I have a Floe sled trailer that I have track anchors on. I can park the ATV or sled on one side and hook the Polar sled trailer tounge up to the other. Easy on, easy off. If I do want to put it in the truck I'll use a ramp and use the ATV winch through a pulley to hoist it in. I appreciate the input, you guys got the wheels turning.