SUV and Fish shack question

[Big Roy]

I am buying a midsize 4 X 4 SUV soon and I am wondering how well your fish shack and gear fits inside of yours. I do not want to start a flame war on what brand is better. Right now I have a fish trap pro that is about 45" wide and next year I would like to get a fish trap guide. I would like to avoid using a trailer if possible.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I don't know about an SUV, but my fish trap guide fit in my little ford ranger without a problem. It even fit between the wheel wells.

[Jarrod32]

I used to drive an Explorer, and I have a Speed Shak Cub...I could fit that shack across the back of the Explorer sideways (48" shack), though it was about as tight as you would want to get. Then other gear (auger, etc) was stacked on top of it.

When I traded, I went with a quad-cab pickup, as it seems to work better for hauling stuff like ice fishing gear. It just seems better to have the auger in the bed of a truck than in the SUV, when that gas aroma can get a bit thick sometimes.

With a topper or even a soft tonneau cover, there isn't much that you can put in an SUV that you can't put in the back of a covered truck. Give that some serious consideration...

Otherwise, my only other advice would be to take your tape measure with you when you look at vehicles...

[Macgyver55]

How about a rack that slides into your receiver hitch that would hold it all?

[Tony Holland]

Toyota 4Runner fits a Fish Trap Yukon. Works great.

[Powerstroke]

I have an '04 Nissan Xterra and with the back seats folded down I can fit a Otter II SMALL sled in the cargo area. Actually it fits with only 1 of the rear seats down. I also have a Frabil suitcase style and it fits widthwise end to end or I lay it down first and put my otter sled on top of the fishouse.

Try to buy a vehicle that the rear seats fold down flat. Also a lot of the newer vehicles are placing cigarette lighter outlets in the rear cargo area. Very nice for running power to things or charging the vex battery.

[FRESHWATER PETIE]

That 45" fishhouse should fit in your SUV. I have a trailblazer and my width in the back is 4'. With the back seats folded down my fish house and all my gear fit perfectly. I do have the EXT. model , so I just fold down the 3rd row seats with plenty of room.

Good Luck getting your new truck!!

[DEADhead]

my yukon fits in my 03 expedition

[Big Roy]

Thanks for all of the replies, The one that I am looking at (without naming brands) does have fold down seats. I was more concerned about the width of the fish shack when loading it.

[tashit]

My Otter Cabin fits perfectly in the back of my 01 Grand Cherokee with the seats folded flat. I have probably a total of 18 inches of clearance on the sides when it's loaded.

[hovermn]

Quote:

---

How about a rack that slides into your receiver hitch that would hold it all?

---

A couple of years ago, I built an enclosed hitch rack like you're suggesting. Had lights and a lock on it. From my experience, I'd recommend not doing that. If you don't enclose it, the house will get completely slushed over with road grime. If you do enclose it, it's going to be so big that getting it in and out of the receiver will be a HUGE pain in the arse!

As far as I can tell, most fish houses will fit in most SUV's. I have an Isuzu Amigo and the otter cottage is the largest that will fit in there at 54". The chevy blazer, ford escape or isuzu rodeo will hold the clam guide or pretty much anything except maybe a 3 man.

Hope this helps!

[riverrat56]

Would a Frabill XLT fit in the back of a Jeep Cherokee? I know it does in an Explorer but not sure with the jeep.

[hovermn]

The XLT is what I had in the hitch rack. I know it fits in a blazer, but aren't Jeeps a bit on the narrow side? If you have a Jeep, measure the back and compare it to the specs of the Frabil + 1-2" You know, the box for the XLT fit just fine in the back of my Parents Ford Escape. I would imagine that it would fit just fine in the Cherokee. However, I bet that you'd have to move the spare tire out...

[Big Roy]

Thanks for the replies everyone, my wife was the one who asked the question before I did. And she doesn't even ice fish! I won't be trading her in.

[tashit]

Are you talking regular Cherokee or Grand Cherokee? The opening for my Grand Cherokee measures 45-1/2". The XLT says it's 45" wide when packed up so that would be a very tight squeeze. Length should not be an issue since it's 2" shorter than my Otter.