BIG PORTABLE SHELTERS????

[bud]

looking for a great 4 man shelter with lots of room.  the 2 that i seem to like the most are the otter lodge and the polar double wide.  anyone have any experiances with either and what were the likes and dis-likes for them?
i am mainly concerned with space and ease of set-up!

[billditrite]

bud you need to check out the Eskimo Lodge at www.ardisam.com it is sweet i love mine actual setup time is about 30-45 seconds and very easy too at 8'x7' it is very roomy and weighs about 100 lbs.i cant think of anything  i dont like about it...really. hope this helps and good luck

[bud]

thanks.  is it as easy to take down?   i'm looking to get one soon.
only august but i got the itch already!
BTW where in maine are you located.......i'm in nh.

[billditrite]

yeah bud it goes down JUST as easy. it really is as easy as opening an umbrella !!it is a very well designed portable nice thick canvas too!i live in Saco ,about 20 miles south of portland!if you are close enough and want to see one first hand id be happy to let you check it out.guaranteed less than a minute up or down completely ,1 guy no hassles.if you would like to see it let me know ,i live 4 minutes from I-95  exit 36 SACO(formerly exit 5)they changed all the exit numbers to coincide with the nearest mile marker,its ridiculous but its what we have to deal with!

[bud]

place to put your gear?......lol i'm sorry but i gotta live with it for a while.  once the wife finds out i may have to live in it period!!!!

[billditrite]

you can store things like a campstove, folding chairs,things less than 7"
 tall but this will add to the weight.it tows very easy and lots can ride on top of it!i dont store anything im planning on bringing in my house in it.if you pm me your email i will send you some pics if youd like

[Bean]

Billditrite, Your Lodge is pretty long folded up, correct? What do you use to haul it? Or do you put it on the roof of a vehicle? The specs say it is 7' 8" long when it is folded up.

[billditrite]

yes it is almost 8' long most times i am bringing an atv or snowmobile so it fits in my trailer,and both vehicles are equipped with trailer hitches.i have tied it to the top of my friends van a couple yimes as it would not fit inside a passenger vehicle.i built a sort of ladder rack from steel tubing for my atv so i have the option of putting it up there when the ice gets slushy instead of trying to pull it through.they also make some smaller ones with the same setup i just wanted a BIG one!

[bud]

yep i have a snow machine too.  looks like, unless someone come through with something really good about the double wide, this will be my purchase.

[billditrite]

well bud i finally got around to snapping a few pics of the
eskimo lodge. first you see it closed

 step one open her up...

step two pop her straight up till it locks in...

step 3 pop sides out till they click and pull skirt down it will slip under lip around bottom.

it is quick effortless and 8x7x6 tall is a nice big portable.

[billditrite]

oops sorry for the big pics

[bud]

thanks scott.  looks like i may be headed that way

[bigfish57]

I like it scott! Is that an elastic that goes ared the base to keep windout?

[billditrite]

yes the whole bottom has an elastic band sewn into it so it just sucks right underneath you never have to disconnect or reconnect the cover.i am really happ with this portable and cant wait to get out fishing in it again