Disappointed with Frabill Ambush Outpost

[Clear_Ice]

Hey guys, I just bought a Frabill Ambush Outpost hub style house this month, and have used it 4 times so far this season. Unfortunately, I am not very happy with it, and this is stemming from one main thing: the poles fall out every single time that I set it up... I have followed the directions to a T every setup, and they still fall out. Usually it is the same two, and it is a pain to try and get them back in with only half of the shelter popped out.

I called Frabill's customer service and they want me to measure the poles and see if I have the wrong size for that model.. The lady said that she has never heard of this issue before... Have any of you?

Otherwise, I really like the dark interior, even though there are many pinholes of light that show through (I expected that). The windows are not the easiest to work with, but I expected this as well. Also, the insulated top is very nice, but I would go with a full thermal if I did this again.

Overall, I am very frustrated with the poles in this shelter, and I am hoping that some of you guys can shed some light on this topic for me. I appreciate all the help you guys give!

CI

[Fisherman 1]

Just gather all the light from the pinholes, that should shed some light on their product.  Had one once, complete garbage, will never buy another Fragile product again.

[Clear_Ice]

Just gather all the light from the pinholes, that should shed some light on their product.  Had one once, complete garbage, will never buy another Fragile product again.

I was really disappointed in the quality of the windows and the problem I have been having with the hubs. Also, yes the pinholes are rather irritating, but for a $200 dollar shelter, I kind of expected those..

The poles are the biggest thing that drive me nuts.. 

[Clear_Ice]

I am mainly just looking for some help as to why I am having my poles pop out of the shelter during setup/takedown..

Thanks Iceshanty!!

[fish-kabob]

i had one pole do this but it was cause the epoxy broke down after repeated use.  do you have to slip the end back in to the hub to use it? i will get a picture of mine in a little while the ear on the end of the pole broke and would not set up they gave me a brand new shelter free of charge cause of this cause the ears were cheap cast aluminum.  any ways now my poles don't stay glued together seem like the flex from the poles and the epoxy they used to glue the poles together came unglued from the shock of it opening lol's.. like impact shock.. kinda like super glue does not a good impact resistance glue ...could try five minute on the end and glue it back together. but you got to remove the center bolt on the hub  while it is all open then reassemble it all very easy to do so it should not be a problem  for you... see when you collapse it the poles loosen up and pop them self's out.. and they are a pain to get back in if you got no tools to open up the hub. i think it take a socket to open it up..       

[Clear_Ice]

i had one pole do this but it was cause the epoxy broke down after repeated use.  do you have to slip the end back in to the hub to use it? i will get a picture of mine in a little while the ear on the end of the pole broke and would not set up they gave me a brand new shelter free of charge cause of this cause the ears were cheap cast aluminum.  any ways now my poles don't stay glued together seem like the flex from the poles and the epoxy they used to glue the poles together came unglued from the shock of it opening lol's.. like impact shock.. kinda like super glue does not a good impact resistance glue ...could try five minute on the end and glue it back together. but you got to remove the center bolt on the hub  while it is all open then reassemble it all very easy to do so it should not be a problem  for you... see when you collapse it the poles loosen up and pop them self's out.. and they are a pain to get back in if you got no tools to open up the hub. i think it take a socket to open it up..     

Yes, the poles come out of the hub... I am not sure if these are glued in or not.. I have to insert the end of the pole into the hub, and then twist it so that a groove and a nub line up. Apparently, this is supposed to hold the pole in the hub, but doesnt work very well??

Thanks for you input.

CI

[fish-kabob]

while the shanty is up and ready to go i used a 10 mm ratchet to re move the nut on the end of the hub cap seen in this photo


this is the hub extend out or in the shanty up and out position lol's



to get the poles out of the hub they have to relax the pole by un-opening the shanty.that why i am in side and this wall is collapsed. you also see the ears in these photo's they have to be on the poles or the hub will not work if not call the company and tell them the pole is broke..

 




here is the hub back together and the epoxy point that is glued up on the hub ..

 

hope this all helps you out best of luck...