Ice Runner Explorer

Looking for input on KMDA Ice Runner Explorer, Any issues with sled moving when you walk in, I like the window size for looking out over tip ups, some concerns on walking in sled on just ice in early part of season . Looking to buy two man flip up, gut seats for weight, but at 6’tall most shanties or single flip ups require you to strain your neck just to look around. Used an eskimo wide one last year, but windows wrong height for me, plus would like more room when out by myself. Anyone out there with KMDA explorer’s please till me your experience Going to pull this by hand, looking for mobility, window viewpoint and quick set up, give me your thoughts.

I’ve owned an explorer for two years now and love it. Most of the hauling for me has been by ATV, but when I’ve had to drag it, it pulls better than any other I’ve owned. Of course the more you load on it, the harder to drag. In deep snow I set it on a smitty sled. I would recommend getting the Hyfax kit if you drag it a lot. The large windows are great and lots of room. The only problems I’ve had is the poles tend to bind a bit and mine had no assembly instructions. A little dry lube took care of that problem. Overall I’m very pleased and the Explorer is likely the last portable I’ll need to purchase.

Thanks for the reply, any issues with sled moving on you when walking in, I often fish with jawjackers or first strike flags, Windows in most flip ups are terribly located, a person shouldn’t have to strain their neck just to look around.

Not sure I understand the sled moving question. Flat terrain I had no problem. Slopes I’m sure there would be some drift or following narrow trails there might be some movement side to side, but no more than any other sled.
I’ve not run tip-ups with mine, but being long and narrow windows placement of the tip-up compared to the shack might have to be considered.

Only wondered if, when you walk in from the back how careful did you have to be getting in, did sled base move? sounds like a non issue, since you didn’t comment on it, wouldn’t want to fall walking in. we have mostly just ice in early season

Gotcha. I had no problems with the sled moving on entry. I put a runner in the bottom of the sled to prevent slipping when snow is pulled in on boots. It move around a bit when extending the poles until you learn how to best handle it.

Henpecked do you have any problems folding up the shack? mine is a big pita!!

Few problems folding up, but my main problem is setting up. It’s hard to get the duel sliders to set evenly. I’ve pulled them past the stops a few times and had to realign them. Also found I have to keep some weight on the sled since one time it knocked me flat on my face and broke my nose. Kinda unbalanced.

I have the same sled. There are some trade offs to being so light. Mine slides around a bit. It’s a bit of a pita in the wind. I’ll take that as a trade off as I walk to most of my spots.

I haven’t had major issues with the poles. If I setup and take down back to front that seems to work pretty well. A small squirt of wd40 helps, too.

Another Explorer owner checking in; I fish primarily on my own, and though it is marketed as a two-man, I think it is a pretty ideal one-man shelter. I also pull manually, and at under 50lbs (without seat and gear) I can manage this setup quite easily and it hauls chair, drill auger, buddy heater, rod case, sonar, floor mats, and more. Most of the others I looked at were 75 lbs plus baseline, and that extra 25 lbs makes a huge difference for an old dude like me.

In controlled conditions in my basement, I have timed myself doing a full setup in less than 2m 20s, and about the same for a complete take-down.

In the real-world, when it is -5 below and windy, it is a different story, and it can definitely be a PITA getting all of the poles collapsed after a long day, but I get better at it each time.

I have yet to be out in extremely heavy wind, and have not had to anchor, but have had some good 15MPH with stronger gusts that flipped the sled during initial setup and moved it about 10ft. That was easily solved by hanging my heavy backpack on the front support bar using a Frabill hook I added.

In regards to the sled “moving” when you first walk in, the only time I’ve noticed that is during initial setup, and only on glare ice. Once you get a chair or any weight in there, that problem goes away. I’ve also learned to keep one foot on the ice, and one foot in the sled to keep from falling during initial setup.

While it is not a true run-and-gun shelter, I’ve also perfected the art of dragging it 100 feet or more to change depths without taking anything out of the sled (barring the heater etc.)

Overall very satisfied; I’d gladly pay $100/200 more for premium poles/connectors that were a bit easier to collapse in real-world conditions, but that is my only complaint.

Pro tips:

* I bought two rubber bungees to strap it all down before loading in my gear; this helps gather up excess fabric and makes for a much more compact sled.

* Dick’s sells a small rocking chair/camping chair that fits PERFECTLY in the sled. I’m a big dude at 6’1″/230lbs but can sit comfortably reclining for hours on end. It’s a bit heavy but worth it — because it fits so perfectly, I can put my full weight on the arm rests and stand up with ease with no tipping or slipping.

* I bought 6 Frabill hooks and placed them in every conceivable spot so my backpack, coat, rod case, lunch box, etc are all hanging neatly within my reach with minimal clutter (most of it behind me or off to the side.)

* Not pictured, but Fleet Farm sells these cheap, blue rod holders that clamp onto any of the side poles so my rods are always safe even when cooking up ham sandwiches on the budddy heater.

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Henpecked, can you walk me threw your process step by step on how you break down?? please

Not sure I can easily explain, but here goes. I will number the poles for ease of understanding. After removing the wind braces. Number one being the front pole that sits on the ice and four being the doorway. I first collapse the number two pole, next the number three pole, next the doorway (Number four) and last the number one pole. You may have to revisit number two and three before collapsing number one to make sure they are fully retracted. Then I go to each side and lift the poles individually to tuck the canvas in and install the cover. Hope this helps.

thanks henpecked i wil try it that way but thats what i had trouble with is tucking the canvas in neatly being its very stiff. My retractable poles are stubborn also.

Can you walk me through the process Of breaking down The way you go about it Please? I can’t seem to master it and having problems. Thanks in advance

Here’s my method…I go from the door (back) to front.

Tuck the skirt in from the outside before you start breaking down. Once the poles are half way down, pull the door side material in the shack. Repeat on all poles. Then drop the other half of the poles, pulling in excess material from the sides and top of the shack. Repeat this all the way to the front.

If there is still some material out, I walk around and just tuck in. One thing I learned is have the windows shut. It’s not a perfect system but I can get the whole thing down and ready to go in a few minutes. The key is do the poles in order otherwise they bind.