IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Ice Shack Tips => Topic started by: CaughtYa on Dec 03, 2004, 10:22 PM
-
HI All,
I've been looking at purchasing a two-man flip-over style ice shelter. I'm leaning toward the Frabill Ranger XLTwin. Just wondering if this is a quality product worth $400 of my hard earned money?
Any advise/comments would be greatly appreciated ;)
-
worth every penny IMO. especially with the "new" vents they have in 'em this year.....should cut down on the windows foggin /icin up.....
-
I have a ranger triplex. It seems to be pretty well built and durable. It can be totally blackened inside even in bright sunshine for sight fishing. I really like it for 2 people. 3 can get a little crowded, but it is doable. The seats aren't LAZeBoy style, but definitely better than a bucket. Its kind of heavy to pull fully loaded on snow, but on smooth ice its a breeze. Its also little noisy inside in the wind, but not unbearable. Speaking of breeze, don't forget the anchors. Opening the tent up in even a little wind will have you sliding across the ice like a sailboat. Great if you want to sail, bad if you want to icefish. I'm not sure which is worse, chasing the sled or being in it when it takes off. I usually set up with the wind to my back and drill a couple extra holes about 10 feet behind the sled and then I have ropes tied to each corner with 1/2" x 12" steel conduit attached to the rope. I put the conduit in the holes and pull the sled tight before opening the tent. When I''m ready to move the conduit slips right out of the hole.
-
I bought one last year and really like it. Anchors are definitely a must if it's windy. I really like the seats, and if you're going to be towing it behind a sled or four wheeler make sure to get a cover. The only problem I had with mine so far was from towing it for many miles behind my snowmachine the snow rubbed on the sides where the cover wraps around the sled and wore a hole and cut the elastic :'(. I'm working on making some "rub" rails out of pvc to protect it for this season. I'll post a pic of them when I finish.