Frabill Aegis?

  • Mitch Bradshaw
    Hugo, MN
    Posts: 297
    #1639656

    Who has used this line of Shacks before? I have a Frabill Trekker II that I’m looking to upgrade from. I’m eyeing up the 2110 Aegis as it’s the same dimensions as the old Trekker II but appears to be 2″ shallower in the sled. But it comes with upgraded seats, a Thermal top and is surprisingly 10lbs lighter. I want a small and lightweight 2 man as I tend to move often and the majority of the time I’m pulling this shack by hand (no ATV or sled). I can’t seem to find many reviews on these shacks so I was hoping to hear from a few of you!

    Fall is totally in the air this week in MN – can’t wait for ice!

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    404 ERROR
    MN
    Posts: 3918
    #1639706

    This is the shack that I have been debating on upgrading to also. I have a Trekker DLX that is beginning to age. Interested to see if anyone has one or has used one…

    mozy
    LQP
    Posts: 60
    #1639754

    I have the Trekker as well, and as you’ve probably experienced, the fabric starts to wear through after a few years. It would add some weight, but I’d recommend a full thermal as it seems the canvas last much longer.

    AaronMoore
    Posts: 229
    #1639755

    I looked at one of these models last year (can’t remember which one) but I did find them very tippy. When I sat in the hut it would tip forward very easy which I didn’t like at all. Never had that with any other hut.

    Mitch Bradshaw
    Hugo, MN
    Posts: 297
    #1639787

    The Trekker II I’ve had has been great. I love how lightweight it is as I pull my shack the majority of the time by hand. I would like to upgrade to a Thermal fabric or at least a Thermal cap – it adds weight but is worth it. The new Frabill models all have plastic bases for their seats which isn’t good IMO. Cold and plastic don’t go together well especially when there is 200lbs of weight on top of it. Maybe I should upgrade the shack and swap out the seats to the metal frames that my Trekker seats fit on. I wonder if they would work…

    Shawn Myers
    Posts: 2
    #1640418

    I had one that I used for only a couple times out last season.

    It’s a good shack. It’s large enough to spend a few hours in with a buddy or all day alone. The 2250 thermal is really nice and warm with quality fabric. You’ll get no condensation at all. The rods/frame are steel and much heavier than I would have liked, but really solid. The support bars have the plastic ends that have an opening that’s too small, when cold they were a bear to get on or off. The tub is shallow, but serves the purpose. The seats are heavy but easyou to keep a but in all day if that’s your gig. When I fished aline I just popped one out to save weight. The slippers and windows are high quality and had only one problem and that was getting a lot of water on the zipper and it froze up. The cover is really nice, Frabill has the best covers with the zipper.

    I sold it for a Otter XT Pro Cabin since I use the flip shack with the RZR and useven a hub most of the time.

    I’d recommend the Aegis 2250 for sure.

    Mitch Bradshaw
    Hugo, MN
    Posts: 297
    #1641017

    The 2250 thermal is really nice and warm with quality fabric. You’ll get no condensation at all. The rods/frame are steel and much heavier than I would have liked, but really solid. The support bars have the plastic ends that have an opening that’s too small, when cold they were a bear to get on or off. The tub is shallow, but serves the purpose. The seats are heavy but easy to keep a but in all day if that’s your gig. When I fished aline I just popped one out to save weight.

    Thanks a lot for the first hand review! I have never had a shack with Thermal fabric or a cap before which I think I’m going to like for condensation and heat purposes. I am rarely cold on the ice as I’m moving a lot and wear a Striker ice suit.

    I have heard/read that the new plastic ends on the Support bars can break at times but Frabill is quick to send you new ones.

    I noticed they shallowed up the tub by 2″ from my previous Frabill shack which concerned me but like you said I still think at 16″ it’s deep enough to serve it’s purpose.

    The seats were my last area of concern as I notice in the new line they went to what looks like a plastic frame where the older ones used to be metal. I’m concerned with the plastic holding up over years of use. I really like the fact that you can remove a seat and save weight as I do that often with my current shack.

    Shawn Myers
    Posts: 2
    #1641321

    The plastic on the poles I ground off a little to make them a lot easier to attach and remove without a lot of work. Worked great after that.

    As far as the seats, they’d Las a lifetime. They are solid with a nice pocket/pouch on the back for gloves and or a hat.

    You’ll love the fabric for sure. It’s layered and not painted like other covers

    Like I said, I only sold mine because I upgraded to an Otter XT Pro Cabin that will al.osteoporosis exclusively be pulled by a Polaris RZR.

    Levi Rosendahl
    Posts: 17
    #1645431

    I bought the Aegis 2250 last year at the St Paul Ice show. Best choice I have made for ice fishing. Very easy to put up and down and lots of room. I made a review last winter. Here is the link..

    It fits me and my fat friends easily. Hope this helps
    PS. Thermal is a very very good choice. U won’t regret

    Jeremy Goodman
    Madison, WI
    Posts: 30
    #1645505

    I picked up the base model cheap on Amazon for banging around this winter. Should be interesting to see how it holds up lol.

    Levi Rosendahl
    Posts: 17
    #1645549

    You will love it. Anyone install any LED light stips to a 12V batter? That’s my next step.

    Grant Sommerhauser
    Posts: 16
    #1647616

    Have you had a chance to check out the side step version of this shack. I have used the side steps for the past two years and I am super impressed with them.

    Mitch Bradshaw
    Hugo, MN
    Posts: 297
    #1648260

    Have you had a chance to check out the side step version of this shack. I have used the side steps for the past two years and I am super impressed with them.

    I have seen and fished out of the larger Frabill shacks which had the side step. I loved the doors on the side but those were too big/heavy for me for pulling around by hand. I saw they are introducing a side step Aegis this year and would like to see it in person.

    Spam Clam
    Posts: 4
    #1648627

    I’m in a similar spot – looking at the Frabill Aegis 2415 vs the Otter Cabin and trying to balance size with weight for hand pull-ability since those range from 90 to 105 lbs.
    I’m much less concerned with loading and unloading than I am with dragging them on and off the lake.

    The sled on the Frabill felt kinda flimsy and we could see/feel it flex when sat on, but the footprint and side doors were really nice.

    The otter on the other hand was a 1200 xt pro cabin and it felt rock solid, but its 100 lbs. I liked the seats but I would probably prefer a bench for use with a kid. Not sure though as there wasnt one set up to put my cheeks on.

    I’ve never owned a flip over… I just bundle up and ride a bucket, but my daughter wants to go out this year so I don’t want to sour her to it, and I wouldnt mind getting out of the wind myself. Kinda stumped on what to pick.

    Tyler Warner
    Posts: 83
    #1648961

    I have the 2110. I bought it this spring so I haven’t had it out on the ice yet. Seems like a great deal to me, especially since I got it for around half price. Seats are very comfortable and I love the pockets on the back rest. Will have to see how I feel about the hut after I’ve had it out a few times on the ice.. anxiously waiting

    Mitch Bradshaw
    Hugo, MN
    Posts: 297
    #1672690

    I think I have decided to sell my Frabill Trekker II and replace it with the Aegis 2250 for next season. Could anyone with that model please measure from the floor to the top of the metal bracket attached to the Sled (when flipped down)? I have purchased a hanging rack for my garage which will hang from the ceiling and fit above the garage door in my 3rd stall. I believe the maximum height I can have is 18″ my current Trekker II will fit just fine but I want to verify the Aegis 2250 will also fit. The picture below should highlight the area/measurement I’m looking for. Thanks!

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    mahtofire14
    Mahtomedi, MN
    Posts: 11036
    #1672842

    Mitch, I am also going to be buying one of these for next year as well. Was messing around in one at Fleet Farm the other day and really liked it. Have a Nanook which I love but the structure is pretty old. The Aegis is a bit bigger but still light enough to make pulling it pretty easy. Also I’ve seen some great deals on it the past month as well.

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