Best ice house to haul in my car

[nate larson]

Okay...so here's the deal. I drive a 1997 Honda Accord, I need to get a truck but it wont be for a few years I am sure. Basically, I am wondering what would be the best ice house for me? I would like to do a fair amount of ice fishing this winter. I want the option of being able to fish two people out of the ice house. I was looking at a Clam 2000 or maybe something by Frabil. My back seats fold flat so I could load something through the trunk and have slid it all the way up to the front seats. I also have a Yakima rack for the car if I had to use that. But I would prefer not having to haul on the roof. Does anyone have any thoughts?

[mnfishman]

I would take a look at the new one by Eskimo that is a hub style portable. It doesn't have a floor in it but it would work perfect for someone with a car. Otherwise get yourself a hitch and a small utility trailer then you can haul any sled type portable around.

[nofishfisherman]

I would think the clam 2000 and frabill outback shoudl fit in the back seat or trunk of a car. Take a look at the manufactuers websites they should list the folded size, then measure your tunk to see what will fit. I have a 2006 mazda 3 and I am looking at the clam and frabill models i mentioned and I think both will go into my car easily enough.

[insurance guy]

I have a Taurus Wagon and could easily haul my Shappel 3000 in there or my Fishtrap Pro just to give you an idea. Worst case just strap the sucker to the roof like a mattress

[nate larson]

I don't want to look too much like the beverly hillbillys driving down the road. Do you guys think that a Clam 5600 would fit in my car? I can't believe it costs almost twice as much as the 2000.

[Bob Horn]

I had an 89 accord and would put down the rear seat and shove my small cottage into the trunk. Yes it stuck out the back but I didn't care I'm going fishing. You could install a hitch and buy a small trailer.

[insurance guy]

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I don't want to look too much like the beverly hillbillys driving down the road. Do you guys think that a Clam 5600 would fit in my car? I can believe it costs almost twice as much as the 2000.

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I think the 5600 would be a "little" too agressive for your Honda. I'd stick with the 2000, those big shelters are monsters even when they're folded down and they're hard to handle by yourself. There would be no way you'd get that thing "in" your car, "on" maybe, but not "in". I didn't have a lot of wiggle room in my wagon with the 3000 Shapell but it fits in there nicely even with a jet sled on top.

[smg04]

clam 2000, thats what i have for that excact same reason, i drive a merc. sable and it fits into my trunk just fine

[fisherjmb]

I have a Frabill Speed Shak Cub that I can fit in my 04 Grand Prix with the seats folded down. I don't think Frabill makes it anymore though. Maybe you could find a used one somewhere. I love the speed shak though, very easy to set up.

[Wookiee]

I would go with the Eskimo Quickfish III, the clam 2000 or Frabill they should all work. I own a 2001 Grand Am and I have the quickfish III, an otter mini sled(could have gotten away with a small sled) and the works with seats folded down. The clam 2000 was just on sale at scheels for 99.99 for last years model. There are a couple more sales I know of if you want any help look at my profile and email me.

Good luck,

TMF?

[Blainebob]

Eskimo quickflip sport-mine fits in my chevy malibu

[nate larson]

Smg04...have you been happy with your Clam 2000? I think I am leaning towards that.

Toomuchfun...do you happen to know what the difference is between last years model and this years model???

[Pary]

toomuchfun - i also need help looking for some sales on a clam or 2 man portable. can u email me please. Thanks.

[nate larson]

toomuchfun....I couldn't find your email in your profile. Can you email me at [email protected].

Thanks!

Nate

[smg04]

nate, ive been very happy with the 2000, are u planing on attending any of the uplr events around roch? if so i'll be at all of the thursday night events with it and would be more than happy to let u look it over and see how i got it set up to fit in my trunk with a little "hillbilly modifacation" i basicly took out the plastic molding in my trunk, anyways just give me a heads up or a bunch of us could get to gether and do a little iceing around roch sometime, i still gotta get my fishing gear outta storage aka my parents house for the winter so it prob wouldnt be for like a week or so but with the warm temps and forcast it might be that long b4 we can get out anyways

[smg04]

nate, also the differince between the two models is the domed roof, i bought mine in dec. of last year from gander mt. and i got the domed roof it just has 2 tent type poles that cross and go corner to corner, i've heard people say that there a pain to set up and such but i've never had a prob with mine and its never taken me longer than 2 or 3 min to set it up and be ready to fish

[Winona Ice]

I also have a 97 Honda Accord and ended up getting a Clam 2000 last spring. It fits in the back seat of my car but it's a tight fit. I don't think it would fit in the trunk. Its a good shack for one person and two people is okay if you leave some gear outside.

ICE

[schweady]

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I have a Taurus Wagon and could easily haul my Shappel 3000 in there or my Fishtrap Pro just to give you an idea. Worst case just strap the sucker to the roof like a mattress

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Awright, Taurus Wagon! Mine's a '95 and my Otter Cabin fits like it's made for it. Now I need a way to make the wagon last as long as the Cabin will.

Nate - Don't let anyone fool you into thinking you'll be wanting to hoist a fish house up on top of the car very often after a day out on the lake. My wagon's Yakima is great for bikes, skis, and canoes... not so much for my 120 lb. Cabin.

Do some measuring. All of the manufacturers have dimensions on their web sites.

[Buzzin']

Was in your situation two years ago. Drove a Chevy Cavalier and bought a Clam 2000. Fit nice with the back seat folded down and fairly light so it is easy to take in and out. The bigger Clams would be a good workout trying to get into and out of your trunk. I highly recommend the 2000.

[IndyEFI500]

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Do you guys think that a Clam 5600 would fit in my car? I can't believe it costs almost twice as much as the 2000.

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I used to have a Ford Escape for a company car. With the back seat folded down, my 5600 barely made it in. That and the fact that I have been very unhappy with it. For the money and ease, go the 2000 or a Frabill. I bought an older Frabill and am quite impressed with it. My 5600 probably won't be in my garage by the end of the season.

[nate larson]

Hey smg04...yes I am planning on attending some of the uplr events. I was hoping to have the ice house in time for the events. We should do some ice fishing in rocehster sometime. I think I am going to go ahead and get the Clam 2000, but I will take a look at the Frabill's too. Now the next thing I will need is a flasher. Boy it just never ends.

[alwaysfishin]

I have an Eskimo Traveler that i put in my trunk. It hangs out the back a bit so I just strap the trunk down. This offers much more room out in front for longer poles, flasher, heater, and cam than the clam. The thing I really liked about it is you can set your holes up however you wish compared with the 2000 which has molded holes in the floor. Not TOO hillbillyish either

[metrojoe]

They have one of those QickFish portables set up at Fleet Farm. I'm not in the market, but I couldn't resist checking it out. I think it was the QF 2. I was surprised how roomy it was. It looks like it would be perfect for someone in your situation. Setup size is 60"x60" and travel size is 45"x9"x9". I'd think that would fit in just about any trunk.

[Wookiee]

I have the QF III and it does. It's very roomy and not too bad for weight and they give you plenty of anchors and it's snap to set-up the only thing I don't like is the door location.

[nate larson]

Does anyone know what Eskimo's webiste is? I can't seem to find it when I do a search. Help! I can see the advanatage to QF ice houses...I definately would have more room to jig and have a second person. I want to check these out. I think it would work very well with a small otter sled. Plus it would be easy to fit in my car.