loading portable by self

[Thumper]

Have not yet bought a portable for this year. Seems the more I look the more attractive the larger of the flip over types
is to me. A concern I have is loading it on the truck the days I fish alone. Sales rep at Gander Mt. Suggested I use a ramp, a couple of 2x6 planks; then put some short 2x4's in the front stake holes of the truck bed, lay anoether 2x6 across the top of the bed in front of the 2x4's, attach a winch to it and crank in the shelter loaded with auger, heater, ect. I am thinking a block and tackle might replace the winch.

[Captain B.R.K]

I like the planks bit! That would work. THose bigger traps, like the voyager or the cabin or lodge from otter isn't that heavy. Just start pulling it up on the planks/boards and then jump into your backend and grab the rope that is attached to the sled part of the house and pull it up. No need for a winch and etc. That might get expensive. Just use a little muscle.
If you are getting a bigger sled, most likely you will use it with someone else when you are on the ice....just put two guys or two people on each side of the house and lift it....nothing like a little team work.
Good Luck!

[Seabass77]

Last year I put my voyaguer on the roof rack of my 626 by myself. No really,ask the guys who fished the ice leaders touneys!! Although it looked comical I was able to get quite a bit of fishing done out of it.

I just placed an old blanket on top of my trunk, lifted one end of the voyaguer onto the trunk, and then slid the rest of the unit all the way up until it was centered on the rack. Not pretty but it worked.

Hope this helps.

Joe

[Guest]

I have fished solo out of my Otter Cabin and have no problems lifting it in. It only weighs 60 pounds. Don't try to lift a full one. The conmtents will move and it makes it hard to get a grip.

I also will use an Otter Lodge alone. It only weighs 80. Just lift them from the middle and swing them onto the tailgate.

Two people can lift a full one no problem but it is still best to atleast take out the heavy stuff like the auger and seats before lifting.

If your problem is a bad back or something else and you fish alone, by all means get a smaller outfit. The Otter Small Den weighs only 40 pounds.

I have a bad back and I can handle a portable with a little common sense like emptying it out before lifting it.

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Kevin Neve's Devils Lake Guide Service
fishingminnesota.com/kevin-neve-guiding/
e-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 701-473-5411 or 701-351-4989
Minnewaukan ND

[Steve Foss]

I have a Trap II loaded with gear and a full-size 4X4 pickup. I bring the trap up so it rests on the ice with the front just behind the lowered tailgate. Standing by its side, I grab the lip of the front of the trap with both hands, and hoist it up and buck it forward in one motion so the trap's back is laying on the ice and the front leans on the tailgate (this works best when there's some snow, so the trap doesn't slide backwards on the ice. Then I walk around to the back of the trap, pick it up and just shove the whole works into the pickup.

I've got a buddy with an Otter, which is heavier and he REALLY fills with gear, who uses the planks.

Otherwise, if you're out alone but near other fishermen, likely someone will help you lift it up.

Good luck.

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Steve Foss
Superior, Wis.
[email protected]

[waterwolff]

Thumper I use planks to help me load my otter into the back of my pickup when fishing alone. I normally can leave it fully loaded. I have a set of aluminum plank brackets attached to the ends of a couple lam beams which keeps them from slipping around. I also use these planks to load the wheeler into the back of the truck if I'm pulling the permanent around

[Crappie Kid]

I have a frabill triplex(heavy son of a gun)and I use the same method as stcatfish. Even with it loaded with the auger and other stuff this seems to work ok for me. Gotta remember to bend those knees.

[Rick]

Get a Glacier and save your back or all the hassle of messing with planks, winches, block & tackle, etc.

The 3 person Glacier weighs 24 lbs and it's a tough durable shelter that's very easy to set-up. 24 seconds for me.

Click here to see it, get more info, and get yourself one.

[krop]

thumper ever here off a pelsue fishing
hut if you can afford it its the best way to go sets up in less then a min no rods to install has three windows comes in black
very light mine is a 8x8 heats up fast
when teatherd great in the wind

[Dave]

I have the Otter Lodge and load the same way as stfcatfish does. Hoist the front up onto the tailgate, walk to the back of the Otter, lift and slide 'er in. I unload the auger, cooler and Vex.

[Guest]

I use a Fish Trap II and you can load it alone, not too heavy. I haven't used the larger flip over models so I'm not sure about those.

Good Fishin, Matt.

[BLACKJACK]

I have the Fishtrap II, I just position it with the rope end facing away from the tailgate of the truck, unload most of the heavy stuff (auger, vex, poles, bait bucket, fish ), then holding the rope in my right hand so the trap doesn't slide on the slippery snow, I lift the back of the sled up onto the tailgate, then still holding the rope so it doesn't slide, I move around to where the rope attaches and toss the sled in. When I slide it all the way forward, I still have about two feet left to throw the rest of my gear in. The trap is light when its empty, no problem to lift it up.

[Guest]

I have the Frabil tri-plex and load and unload alone with no trouble.