Frabil XLTwin owners. Great portable?

[Sheephead]

I have an older model Trap2, it's served me well, but looking to get something else this year. Mine doesn't have the zipper in front and when the wind is blowing, doing more to hold the top down than fishing. The new traps zippered doors seem real low to me, I'm 6'3" and stepped in a couple of em at Cabelas. I really liked the the looks of the Frabil, just wondering if the sled was high quality and how everything else in it holds up. pros and cons welcome, any hot deals out there for them anywhere? Cabelas was close to $400 for the XLTwin. Thanks.

[Poutmaster]

I upgraded from the Frabill Twin to a Trap Voyager last winter. The Voyager has much more room, yet weighs less. I was much more impressed with the Voyager.

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Love them 'Pout!

[protiller]

The sled is quite durable, Frabill even makes a tow bar which one can hook to the ATV or snowmobile. The door makes for easy entrance/exit. When it's windy out I pack snow around the edge to keep the wind from coming up underneath. The "Arctic Armor" shell keeps wind from coming through, is fire and tear resistant and doesn't allow ice to stick to it. Every place I've ever seen them is $400. For the money I'ld argue it's the best on the market.

My $.02 worth

[dfv87]

Love my frabill xltwin, mine is 3-4 years old and has the bench seats vs the new one with full swivel seats. Holds up real well and is easy to get around.

[willowcat]

How does the trap and frabile compair to the otter?

[iffwalleyes]

willowcat in my opinion otters are the best flip style house. But they also are probably the heaviest. There sleds are a thicker plastic than the others. I also think that they have heavier canvas. So if weight is a concern for you you might want one of the other brands but I think that otters are the most durable house out there.

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Grip it and Rip it

IFFWalleyes
I Fish For Walleyes
[email protected]

[protiller]

Personally I think Frabill is in a league of their own. Like I mentioned earlier, the Arctic Armor is the most durable shell on the market, yet it's probably one of the lightest. The Otter skin is very durable but it also much heavier and so is the sled. Plus it weighs more. I think the Traps made a name for themselves since their inception. The haven't made too many modification. I believe the only modification they made was to their seats. If I were to rank the three Frabill and Otter are the current leaders (Frabill wins because of price). Fish Trap comes in a distant third.

[Guest]

From my experience with the Frabill Trap style shacks they are very well built. The Arctic Armor shells do a better job then my past Fish Traps and are far more durable.

I do have a personal favorite in the Frabill line, it is the New Solo.

I think it is a great 1 man ice attack system, lots of functional working room. Very comfortable for me even on extended trips. For the 2 man trapper the XL-Twin is a winner, or if you just want that extra room for "Stuff".

The Ranger TriPlex 3-man I have not had an opportunity to fish with yet. I should soon so then I can comment more on that model. It's big, that I know.

Last year I decided to go for it and get the Frabill Speed Shak XL. That is a very sweet portable shack. No center hinge to constantly stumble over. That one feature alone sold me on it on the first trip out. It opens up the entire floor for anglers use.

Set it up and tear it down in less then a minute, even in sub zero weather. Nothing complicated to it so EH...I can even handle it.

The Arctic Armor keeps things tight and heats better then most canvas I have used. Overall a very nifty shack for up to 4 anglers. I really love all that head and leg room in the Speed Shak XL.

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BACKWATER GUIDING
701-281-2300
[email protected]
><,sUMo,>

[Sheephead]

Thanks guys, already laid the hints to the wife for combo B-Day and X-Mas present, and according to my 8 yr old who can't keep a secret, she's already been checking them out at Cabela's a couple of times! Oops, I'm probably not supposed to know that! He-He...

[Rick]

I would like to welcome Frabill on board. They are now helping make this forum possible for you as a FishingMN.com Sponsor.

You can see more about them and their awesome line-up at:
http://Frabill.com

Check them out, you will be very happy you did it.

Let's welcome them on board

[Guest]

Cool...That's great news Rick.

Frabill has a diverse line of products that serve anglers well all year long. You don't have to look too hard to find well used Frabill products in my boat or my fishing rig. Good stuff Eh!

A big Welcome aboard to the Frabill family!

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BACKWATER GUIDING
701-281-2300
[email protected]
><,sUMo,>

[Crappie Kid]

I have the Frabill Triplex with three swivel seats. The fabric this thing is made of is great. Ice wont stick on bottom and it is very tough. The triplex is heavier but still portable. Fishes three ok. two great. 2 years of hard icefishing and still like new.

[Guest]

I have the tri-plex and l ove it. I took the middle seat out (or never put it in) and have tons of room for two. The twin would be easier to keep warm but banked with snow the tri-plex will stay warm with the portable buddy heater unless realy cold or windy, then we go to the sunflower. Fished in my buddies twin before I got mine and it was nice but a little crowded for two big guys.

[Northlander]

I agree. Frabil, Otter, Clam. Otter are the best built but a lot of $. Just make sure if you get a Frabil check the tub. Dont buy the old style with squared ends! Get the newer style with 1 side rounded up. Much easier to pull. I love my Frabil Speedshack XL. Up in 30 seconds by myself and great in the wind. Plenty of windows. Its black so it obsorbs the suns heat.

[mjhowe]

WELCOME ABOARD Frabil!!

Smart business move as I feel the most addicted and serious ice anglers utilize this site more than any of the others, at least thats why I am here!

Cant wait to try out my XLTwin this year. After purchasing a Trap Scout and a Glacier 3 last year, I definately favor the flip over style house. I still LOVE my Glacier 3, but its gonna be relegated more to setting up and staying put days rather than the run and gun days.

I have a few other Frabil products in my "kit" and have never been disapointed in any of them.

Once again, thanks for supporting the best fishing site on the net!

ICEICEICE!!!

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Mike
Kalispell, MT
<<><<
"LOOK ALIVE, MAGGOT!"
(Not you Pal, I was talking to my bait)

[Guest]

Welcome aboard to the Frabill Team!
I am glad to see The Frabill join up.
I emailed them about some decals for the cruiser. Kellie and the crew were most generous and very friendly. I have the simple Frabill Venture but if I upgrade it will always be Frabill.

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I don't drive fast, I fly low.

[Ed Carlson]

I would encourage new shack hunters to check out Frabill new shacks for 2004-05.

Two new and Kewl models to chose from with handy features built in thanks to suggestions from anglers in the field.

More to come on that and well worth a look guys.

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Backwater Guiding
"ED on the RED"
701-893-9107

[email protected]

[ivegottabite]

i bought a xltwin last year and love it. they seem a bit heavier and pull a bit harder but the quality is by far the best. i got mine on hsolist last year along with a jiffy auger for $200!!! i couldn't go wrong and the wife had no reason to argue there. make sure you check hsolist, if someone in your area has one it may save you big, like it did for me.

[Chris-Neises]

I would recommend the Frabill. I bought the older model last year. I wanted the bench seat instead of the chairs. I got a good deal on it and there might still be some new "old" models out there in shops.

[gvg_uwec]

i bought the new style last year and i love it! holds all the gear you would ever need, the seats can be place anywhere across the front to your personal style of fishing. the removeable seat is also nice that if you are aone you dont need to carry the extra weight and you gain space. the only modifications i have needed to do to it was to put a chain around the bottom of the fabric(which i heard somewhere that they may be comming as a standard feature this year, not sure if its true though) and i glued on some old downhill skis to the sled to reduce wear and possibly pull easier. the black ice armour is also nice on sunny days not only to stay warmer and the ice doesnt stick, but it also blacks out unwanted sun which makes the ice brighten up and I can sight fish much easier in the shallows for panfish. all in all i would highly recomend the xlt twin