Re: Otter portables Question

[Bryman02]

I have had a Lodge for about 1 month. When putting it together a side window cracked so i had to take it all off and return it to Gander. The next one i put on, i didnt have a problem untill today. I put it up and realized my side window was totally busted out. I was carefull with it everytime. Im starting to regret spending the extra cash on an Otter. Has anyone else had this problem?

[Ryan Berger]

mine has been fine for 3 years

[Deitz Dittrich]

The window they use is the same they all use... Its been dang cold lately.. I am not saying that you misused yours.. I got a new one this year as well.. and have had no problems yet..

[Northlander]

3 years on mine and no problems with windows or anything else except a bent spreader pole. (May have been my fault in transit I dont know)

Im just guessing here but did you set it up indoors and then put it out in the cold? Im thinking maybe the warm flexible windows got folded up warm and then froze up quickly outside and when opened and stretched they cracked? I dont know for sure but its a thought I guess.

I would take the second one back and if you have another problem e-mail Otter. They are real good to deal with. I had my new pole in 2 days.

[harvey lee]

Mine was new this year and has seen some severe cold on Burntside and ML this past week. No problems to date. Very happy customer so far.

[Big-Al]

My Otter is on about it's 6th season and no cracks in the windows at all, but there are a few small wear holes, not even enough to give any ventilation.

[blue_healer_guy]

Very jealous I don't have one.

[fisherking01]

On third season with mine, no problems. On 10th season with trapII and no window problems. they seem to be the same material. I'd venture to guess it's a coincidence to have it happen twice. sometimes these things happen, you should be fine replacing it. good luck, Brent

[vitalshot5]

I had this same problem....I was storing it in my heated garage and the window would fold a little from the warmth.....when I got out on the below zero ice and would set it up that now frozen window that is bent goes to straighten out and shattered like glass.....had nothing to do with the window, just how i was storing it.....70 degrees to 20 below makes anything brittle

[FlyingV]

Is this a flexible plastic material? Sounds to me like they had some incoming quality issues on the material. Its an ice fishing shelter! It's supposed to be used in the cold! It should not have done that. Companies need to design their ice fishing products to handle any winter temperature.

Some plastics are known to harden and lose their flexibility quality's over time but come on! This is way too premature. Otter has produced quality products. I'd take it back again even though its a pain. If it was 5 or 10 years later, I'd cut them some slack but not this soon!

[LXHunter]

I own both the Magnum Lodge and Cottage ice shantys. I've never had a problem with the lodge. I think with it's large size the windows don't get creased when taking it down. On the other hand when taking down my Cottage after it's third time out, one of the side windows cracked. Repaired that window and the next time out the other window cracked during set up. I don't blame Otter for the cracked windows, I think that due to it's smaller size the side windows get folded and creased when I take it down especially when I'm rushing in subzero temperatures.

[redtrucks]

With the technology that is out there plastic windows should be able to withstand extreme below zero temps. The new Frabill I looked at has a good window design, velcroed in. When it breaks you can remove it and then replace it with a new window. I have a new Otter Large Resort. I think the biggest downfall of the Otter is the fabric. The sled, poles, and hitch are second to none.