Frabil Fortress Portable

[givetoget]

Looking for some info on a fortress shack. Are they any good. Does anyone use this kind/model. Do you like it.Is it to big,to heavy, etc.

Thinking of buying one but dont know much about them. It would be for me my wife and son.

Any info would helpfull

[Tullibee]

I don't own one of these shacks but I have used one before. They are nice. I am a fan of the glide trax sleds that they are on. They pull much easier than my Otter.

[gatorhunter]

I've got one and it is awesome. Lots of room, very comfortable seats. Do it!

[lookingforluck]

I also own this house and while I have only used it a few times it seems like the seats are to straight up and down for me. I wish they had a little more tilt as I feel like the chair is trying to push off of it while I fish. thinking about making a mod to make the chairs have some tilt. other than that it pulls awsome behind the wheeler and is very roomy and warm.

[wishing for walleyes]

They are a very nice house for sure.

[Ed Carlson]

Very nice, you will also wish the support pole kit and the Frabill Universal Tow bar kit.

Very roomy units, well designed.

[Ed Carlson]

I also own this house and while I have only used it a few times it seems like the seats are to straight up and down for me. I wish they had a little more tilt as I feel like the chair is trying to push off of it while I fish.

The fix for this "forward lean feel" on some early Frabill Fortress's is drill a second hole on the rear support leg to lower the rear support slightly, move the bolt down. Some of the rear supports were a bit taller then they should have been causing a "forward lean feel".

Or add a few flat washers to the bottom of the front seat swivel plate to kick the seat pitch back a bit, either works.

[wishing for walleyes]

I have the tow bar kit on mine.I also purchased a second set of inside poles for $55 for the very windy conditions.The seats do make you sit straight up.I think it was smart of them designing them that way.If you were leaning back on the back rest all the time sooner or later you will break the swivel bearings just like what happens to boat seats.I fish for 6-10 hours everytime i go out and it has not bothered me.If ever needed i would buy another house like this one again.Works great for me.

[Ed Carlson]

Adding the washers is the easy fix, I did it to a lot of Frabill Fortress GT's and Magnum GT's, for customers and friends. Simply add 1-3 washers beneath the swivel plate and the mount in the front of the base. Each washer will kick back the seat about 3 degrees +/-.

Two longer front bolts may be needed depending on how many washers you use. I always use flat washers on the bottom of swivel plates to keep the bolts from pulling through from stress, this can happen with just the nut to hold them in place on the slotted channel.

You will never bust them Frabill Tempress seats, they are too darn tough. It would be difficult to snap the center swivel rivet but if one tried hard enough one may. I've had some preaty big boyz lounging in my Frabill seats in the shacks and on the guide boat, none have ever failed me.

Try the washers, see if it makes the angle more comfortable for you.

[Neighbor_guy]

Ed,

You seem to be the man when it comes to the Frabil houses so here is my delema...

I have a GT Mag, or mag gt whatever it is, and am having a hard time finding a Hyfax kit. Can I get it direct from Frabil or do I have to find a dealer. It is getting a bit frustrating as no one seems to have the kit for the bigger GT tubs.

Any suggestions? Do you rig your sleds with them? And are they worth the effort?

Sorry to hijack the post . FWIW the seats in my GT had a bit of back pitch built in, so they are nice and comfortable.

[wishing for walleyes]

I have the model 300.I have a trailer i pull behind my jeep with the shelter and an otter sled.I put all my gear in the otter sled and a few things in the portable.I can load the portable by myself onto the trailer.The only thing that frosts up on this portable is the tub.

[Ed Carlson]

If you tow often... do it, install the kit.

I add tiny flat washers to both sides of the bolts to insure good support and eliminate worrys of a pull through or stress crack over time. Snug is good, do not over tighten or you will pucker in the tub..the added flats help hold better here too.

You can order the kit direct from Frabill on-line if you wish. The mag Hi-Fax kit is an easy one to do, no heat gun required as in the Fortress.

Get a buddy to help you, it is challenging to do by yourself once the shack is all assembled...long reach to hold both sides to tighten and keep them little bolts in place. It will take less them a half hour with a helper.