Freezing Zipper on Fish Trap Voyager

[chisago_fishman]

Just wondering if anyone has any great ideas on how to prevent the zipper from freezing up on the Fish Trap Voyager...or other similar type houses with zippers. I am looking for any good ideas that people have used. It seems to get worse when the temperatures drop down to 15F or less. Thanks for any info or tips.

[metrojoe]

I sometimes carry a little bottle of lock deicer.

[CrappieNut]

it happens to me also

i always close the door when i pack up that way the next time i go out and i flip it open the door is closed, that way i can heat it up inside and thaw the zippers otherwise the door will be frozen open with no way to warm it up and you feel like you going to break the zipper just to get the door closed

Nick

[ice-man/vexilar-king]

Not the cleanest, but some Frabil Sub Zero lube for tip ups is what i suggest. Heard about it in an Ice Team forum. Works and a cheap fix. Good Luck

[mhjohns]

I spray my zipper down with Amsoil silicone spray. Don't get a low grade silicone or it will be really oily.

The silicone works really well dries and also makes a great lubricant for the zipper. It also helps waterproof things.

[harvey lee]

One thing one can pay attention to is, when you sluch your holes, make sure you do it before you lift the canvas over you. Many times with the house all set up, one can slush the holes and get water on the zipper even being very careful.

I have use a wax before and that seemed to help some. I dont have many frozen zipper issues as I started to slush the holes first and that seemed to really cure many of my ice problems.

[SM1]

I do the same as harvey lee as far as drilling the holes and cleaning them out before the tarp comes near to aviod any water/slush sticking on the zipper. I also thaw my voyager out in the garage between uses. Thats helps a lot too.

[looneyducer]

I always leave the zipper all the way up, as far away from the slush and ice as possible. I generally slush second when it's cold, and use the slush to bank in (banking on the inside is faster and easier, and you can get to fishing quicker) but then I pretty much just count on the bottom section of zipper not working and high-step my way in and out.

[MOBY RICHARD*]

Pour a little low temp windshield washer fluid, or in extreme cold, rubbing alcohol(same as expensive lock deicer)...

[Trytti]

My zipper on my Otter is completely shot. Has anyone ever tried to put snaps or velcro on their shack instead? I know snaps would be a mess if they filled up with snow/ice and not sure how tough it would be to sew some velcro strips on?

Just curious if either would work better then a zipper?

[clamtrap]

I just rub alittle bar soup on the zipper, cheap and easy fix