Otter Canvas Too Tight

On my second canvas for my new XT1200. First one tore a hole in it when extending the pole that goes straight up. That canvas was way too tight and now the new one is even worse. Doesn’t even come close to being able to have it attached to the sled all the way around and the poles extended. Have it set up for a day now and not really gaining any ground. Any tips to get it to fit? Have the Otter Resort and getting really frustrated. Don’t buy one of these expecting to fish out of it right away is all I can say.

Should say I’ve tripled checked that I have the poles in the correct position and everything. The canvas just seems way too small.

Have you called Otter?

Try calling Otter? Where did you get the new top from?

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Try calling Otter? Where did you get the new top from?

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Got the new canvas from Otter as I had the house for a week and hadn’t touched the ice. Was under their warranty.

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Try calling Otter? Where did you get the new top from?

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Got the new canvas from Otter as I had the house for a week and hadn’t touched the ice. Was under their warranty.

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I’ve had that problem for two years with my Thermal Otter Lodge. First they told me to set it up and it will stretch over time. Well that didn’t work. Then they told me to cut to poles shorter!
Needless to say I didn’t do that. I now can “barely” get the poles to extend to their first holes. I haven’t bothered calling Otter again because it’s probably out of any warranty.

Love Otter, but c’mon man!

I am sure someone told you this already but make sure the velcro black straps are not too tight, loosen them as far as you can, I thought the same and did this to my house and it was just fine. Make sure every single one is loose and not snug around the aluminum square pole. Sounds silly, but it makes a huge difference. Hopefully this works for you.

Good luck fishin,

Jake

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I am sure someone told you this already but make sure the velcro black straps are not too tight, loosen them as far as you can, I thought the same and did this to my house and it was just fine. Make sure every single one is loose and not snug around the aluminum square pole. Sounds silly, but it makes a huge difference. Hopefully this works for you.

Good luck fishin,

Jake

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It’s so tight right now I can’t even come close to strapping some of them. Going to crank the heat tonight in the garage and see if I can get it to stretch at all. Otherwise I’ll give Otter a call on Thursday.

Gotta love them saying to cut the poles shorter, can’t believe with the money these things cost they would even dare say that!

Call Otter and have them send another one. I went through 2 before I got a 3rd one that was finally ok. Although it is still a little snug in the back half. I did have other issues with the first 2. One the stitching was bad, the 2nd was missing some of the velcro straps to put around poles.

How common is this problem and is this specific to Otter or do the other companies have the same issue with their flip style portables?

I had decided that when I’m in ready for flip style shack it would be an Otter, but now I’m thinking I should get a good used one or make sure to buy a new one in the spring so I’ve plenty of time to make sure it’s right before ice up. Sounds like quite the hassle.

Same problem with my current Otter Cottage. Lady at customer service offered no assistance

Bad customer service can kill a business. I love my otter but don’t like the sound of this problem.

Sounds like someone outsourced to china

Well I got an update…..I finally called Otter last Friday morning after having the house set up for a week stretching. The front pole is still sitting up 6 inches off the ground with the poles installed correctly. The lady told me to email her picture of my house and how the canvas was fitting. Also with showing how it won’t go down because of it. Thought maybe they would do something. Still no response and I sent another message yesterday asking her to confirm she received my original message and also cc’d the customer service email address. Still nothing. Right now I’m extremely frustrated. Over 2 weeks I’ve had the house and still not usable. Hoping I get a response in the morning, otherwise I’ll have to be calling them again. After paying this much for the house, there is no way I’m just going to let this go, which I think is what they are hoping for.

BW
I hope to be able to replace my Clam Yukon with an Otter. I been following various posts regarding Otter. Your issue seems to be a re occurring issue. At this point it is time to give it back to the retailer you purchased it from and let them help you out. I think when I buy mine am going to ask the retailer up front what the return policy is before I commit my hard earned money. Sorry for your problem I hope it all works out for you.
Bob

The shell on my Cottage was VERY tight,and could not easily fully extend the supports at first.I had the XT 900,seems there is not much stretch in the material.Hard to say what would happen in below zero,I will let the next owner worry about it(sold it).

It surprises mr that you are having that much trouble with the Otter CS. When I had my problems they were very helpfull. They responded very quicky also. Had my new canvas at my door in 2 days both times they replaced them. They also were fast getting back to me on the phone with updates as to warranty claims.

I am on my third Otter canvas for my Wild t600 cottage due to interior flaking off. It seems every time I get a new one it is tighter than the previous one. That’s what you get when it reads “Made in China”

I just got the xt650 lodge mine has no problems at all with the canvas but i can say the poles are hard to get down and the way you attach the canvas with the plastic strips kind of a joke i added more screws to mine.

Other than that i like it hopfully the poles get better in time.

I was pretty sold on the Otter like I had mentioned in another post but I think I’m going to have to look around a bit. My other option was the Jason Mitchell flipover, anyone own one?