Side entry ice shelters, what do you think of them

[Laker 11]

I just got my new Frabill Ice Hunter 200 sidestep put together. So far in the garage I find it hard to fold up and take down. It just seems with the support poles over head, as soon as you remove them to lower the shack its kind of sagging down on you. And the weight of the insulated shack also plays into it too  I have been trying different ways but it just seems hard to me. I have had 2 Otter flip overs in the past and they were so easy. I'm not sure if the Otter x overs have the same problem or not. I see they have the same support poles like the Frabill  Lol my age isn't helping matters either.

[hardwater diehard]

I think Frabill and Otter are similar in set up/design ..but Eskimo may have a different design..they do have a learning curve ..although I dont have one(yet  ) I would lean toward the Eskimo as my preference . Do some dry runs on land set up and take down.

[icefever]

I can't speak for the Frabill shelter you have, but i have an Otter X-Over. The Otter is relatively easy to set up, but it does take a bit of practice as well. It seems for me if i do things in a consistent order it works best. If you extend the wrong pole before another things can get a bit frustrating. Once you learn the sequence it all goes better. Practice at home before you hit the ice. I will say a second person makes it much easier than by myself but it is something you can definitely do alone.

[Buckshots]

I have an Otter X over and it is awesome. I can’t speak of other brands as I don’t have any experience with the others except for Clam. Those Clam side doors, IMO, are a joke. Horrible design. You still have to step over everything, I just don’t get it. Does anyone here actually like the clam design?

[800stealth]

Love the side doors on my Otter lodge x over pro, it took a couple tries to learn the best sequence to extend all the bars. I find getting the front floor bar extended and locked is the best 1st step then get inside and extend the rest of the bars over head. Once all the bars are extended and locked flipping it open and closed is a 1 handed thing

[hardwater diehard]

Question for the side entry owners ..is there a wind break position/configuration and is it easy ...and how easy is it to move hole hopping wise ?

[Gunflint]

I have a Clam X300 with doors:

- on the front
- and each side.

In real life I ONLY use the side doors.

[Laker 11]

Thanks for the info guys, I'll have to keep practicing take down and setup.

[jethro]

I was never unhappy with my X200 last year with the one front door, but it's used as a solo sleeper shack most of the time.