Otter Lodge Thermal issue……….

Had my lodge for about 3 years and this year I put a new thermal cover on it. The issue I am having is the poles are very hard to get them to the “click” position. The two poles that fight me the most are the very back pole and the next pole forward. I usually have to put my elbow on my for a lever to get them to click on the first hole. There is no way I could get them to the second hole. The canvas get’s so tight, I am worried about it pulling the threads out. I called Otter last year about the problem and they told me to cut my poles shorter. Not sure I should do that. Anyone have this problem??

I would set it up in your garage and leave it setup for a week or two, let the fabric stretch out a bit…I would never cut the pipes…

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I would set it up in your garage and leave it setup for a week or two, let the fabric stretch out a bit…I would never cut the pipes…

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This is the way to go. The covers are always tight when you first use them and they relax over time. Set it up. Let it sit.

This is my first year with my Thermal Cottage.. I do not have a garage to set it up in .. but it is now a lot easier to get the poles to click in then it was when it was brand new…

I really do love the thermal otter !!

I will take some pics tonight. I am just worried about ripping the threads out. The poles were very tight on my non thermal cover as well.

I feel dumb asking this, but what is the sequence you guys use to set yours up? Do you start from the back poles and work you way toward the front?

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I will take some pics tonight. I am just worried about ripping the threads out. The poles were very tight on my non thermal cover as well.

I feel dumb asking this, but what is the sequence you guys use to set yours up? Do you start from the back poles and work you way toward the front?

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I start at the front and work back.

Those houses are great and my buddy has a newer cabin that is also pretty tight when poles are clicked in. Like said should loosen a bit.

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I feel dumb asking this, but what is the sequence you guys use to set yours up? Do you start from the back poles and work you way toward the front?

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I actually get inside and fold it over my head, while inside I simply stand up with the middle pole and snap it into place, I then work my way from the back to the front.

I have and older Otter cabin and they told me if I wanted to put a new tent on it, I would also need new poles. Not sure if that may be the issue. Fyi: mine was the old green material.

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I have and older Otter cabin and they told me if I wanted to put a new tent on it, I would also need new poles. Not sure if that may be the issue. Fyi: mine was the old green material.

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Very good point! I didn’t notice you had an older model house trying to fit a newer style cover on (Square support poles vs the rounded square support poles). Give Otter a call and ask them if a new pole setup is needed for proper fit.

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I have and older Otter cabin and they told me if I wanted to put a new tent on it, I would also need new poles. Not sure if that may be the issue. Fyi: mine was the old green material.

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Very good point! I didn’t notice you had an older model house trying to fit a newer style cover on (Square support poles vs the rounded square support poles). Give Otter a call and ask them if a new pole setup is needed for proper fit.

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Just an FYI but not all of the older green tents have round tubes. Mine is a green tent and has square tubing. However, it doesn’t have the molded plastic tube junction piece that seems to be on the current rigs.

I don’t have the old otter. Mine is only 3 years old. The non insulated cover I took off was the camo pattern. I also have the square tubes. Had to split wood last night so no pics. I will get pics tonight.