Great X-mas gift but I need some advice

[canoecountry]

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I was quite lucky and recieved a new Otter Lodge for X-mas. The problem is that it does not fit in the back of my truck with the tailgate closed. So I am debating on exchanging it for a Fish Trap Yukon whick I know will fit in the back of my Supercrew. I would exchange it for a Otter Cabin but that won't fit either.

So my question is...

the Yukon as good or even better than the lodge? Can anybody tell me the pro's and cons of each? It seems as though the otter has a better sled and frame but the Yukon might have better tent material. Any documentation of this?

The other option would be to just keep it and leave my tailgate down.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Canoecountry

[Rick]

I fit my otter lodge in my Ranger. Just had to lift the lip of the lodge up and close the tailgate then let the lip rest on the tailgate. It fit snug.

You must have one small bed.

[bobO]

you can get one of those bed extenders that they make for those supercrew beds. would allow you to leave your tail gate down, and you would not have to worry about things falling out of your truck.

[Bulldoggr]

Personally I think the otter is the best. I have a trap and a otter lodge. I use the lodge only. Tougher frabric. tough tub. Way more room. pulls by hand alot ezier. Way better frame. I would invest in the extender. or just get a couple of extra straps and strap it down real good.

[fivebucks]

I know what you mean. I have to lift mine up to close the tail gate but then the topper window will only close on one side. For as nice and thought out the Otters are you would have thought they would have made the tub 1-2" shorter to fit properly in a 6' truck bed. That's my only gripe with the Otter.

[black max]

I have a otter for my portable and wouldn't trade it for another brand. Like the preveious statement said the fabric is thicker and tougher, plus you get a ton of storage space in the lodge sled. I have had mine for 5yrs now and never had a problem with it at all.

[not_nuf_time]

I can't argue with the other guys cause I don't know about the otter lodge. I have a yukon and love it. can handle getting it in my truck all by myself, and it has plenty of store room, sets up in about 30 seconds. Seems to pull just as good loaded as an otter sled. I also have an old otter large sled from years past. Yukon has great seats, could sit all day. My son doesn't even complain about sitting a long time if the fish aren't biting.

[canoecountry]

Thanks for all the posts so far, I am still undecided on what to do.

It is a very short box, only 5'5". It is a Ford F-150 with the short short box I also have a lid on it so I can't just lift it up and let it rest on the tailgate. And I have thought about a bed extender but threw that idea out when I found out how much they get for one.

thanks,

Canoecountry

[humpback]

hey canoe, i agree with bobo. keep the otter and get a cargo gate, thats what i did for my 2002 f-150 super crew and it works great. i bought mine used for $150.

[fishfart]

Sound's like you have an excuse for a new truck.

[Bigbartguy]

I've got the Yukon and love it. That being said, I've never owned and Otter, but I've heard that they do have their advantages.

For me, being able to close the tailgate normally and lock the topper is a requirement, unless I want to constantly watch my truck at every restaurant, etc that I stop at.

[schweady]

Quote:

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For as nice and thought out the Otters are you would have thought they would have made the tub 1-2" shorter to fit properly in a 6' truck bed.

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Pack lengths:

Lodge - 74"

Cabin - 65"

Yukon - 63"

Sorry the Lodge doesn't fit. That's a really roomy 2-man.

As far as the others, the Otter Cabin does pack up 2" longer than the Yukon, but it also packs up 6" narrower. That was the best news and one of the deciding factors for me getting a Cabin -- it slides into the back of my Taurus wagon perfectly. You gotta get what works for you, but the Cabin and Yukon have nearly identical set-up sizes (the Cabin is 2" wider across the ice where it counts, 2" less deep but so what) and the quality of the sled and skin make Otter a winner every time.

Good fishin' in whichever house you decide on.

[Guest]

You cant beat Otter houses for durability. That house will provide many years of use if you can get it in your truck. There is no comparison to other manufacturers houses.. Otters are the best pull over house hands down.

Bed extenders are expensive I agree.. you should be able to get by with a net type tail gate for an economical choice. They are very strong and your lid will still shut.

I think Air Gates are about $20-$30, or a small price to pay to make use of a great house.

[Rywheat]

They do make the new 06 supercrew with a 6 ft bed

[Big Dave2]

Your going about this all wrong. Instead of trading the Otter for a trap, just trade your Ford for a real truck like a Dodge Ram quad cab with a hemi. Then you will have a truck with a real box.

Just kidding,

Dave

[ScottND]

My Otter Resort fit inside my old Suburban just great. But now I've got an '02 Ram 2500 ext. cab short box diesel. No go for the Resort. So now I got a cover for it, put it on my snowmobile trailer with my 4 wheeler. Works Great! If I get somewhere where I don't want to leave the trailer I just leave the resort on the trailer and pull the trailer with the 4 wheeler.

[Gus]

I would get the Yukon. I have never had a Clam corp product problem yet. Have a Pro and a Voyager. You will be happy. If you pull it with a wheeler or snowmobile get the runners for the bottm. I would resist getting the bed exteder because that leaves your cargo open to perhaps unhonest eyes. It will also let a lot of winter road grime get in the back of your truck and all over your stuff. I have no idea how it does but trust me stuff will get full of it. I'm sure you don't want to get a new truck just because you got a new ice house so I would definatley just take it back and get the yukon.

[nitroant]

I have the lodge and have had no problems. It fits in the back of my truck perfect. For me I love the security of having my tailgate up and locked. I have a flat cover over my truck bed as well so everything is out of sight. Someone could still get at it, but out of sight out of mind is pretty true. If your never going to have the house in the back of your truck except on the way to and from the lake, buy a good strap and the travel cover and you'll be fine. Otherwise, I suggest getting a house that fits in your bed, or a different truck. When I got my 2004 truck I was going to go with the 4 door but the box size put me in the same problem you have. I finally decided that my fish house rides with me more often that I would need the full four doors. Just my .02.