After having a similar issue w/my new XT1200 Cabin, the good ole internet took me to this site and I read all the comments/responses to. I’ve been a long-time Otter guy and have and have used most of not all of their ice fishing stuff at one time or another…

My issue was this: After assembly, my fabric was tight as a drum. I read on this forum that the fabric needs to stretch, which I figured. I set up the cabin in my basement with wind poles and even but a buddy heater inside. I did this for an hour each day and tried to gently hand-stretch the fabric.

A few days later, I noticed it was still tight as a drum and (like others have said) my bottom main frame bar was sitting off the ground about 3 inches… I’m thinking to myself that this is NOT acceptable! The seams at the corners at the back main frame bar were stretching out!

So…. Knowing that Otter does NOT make an inferior product (at least from what I can attest to), I figure it’s my fault. I went downstairs and sat in the Cabin and started looking. Where did I make the mistake? Why does the fabric seem to fit so tightly despite my efforts to stretch it out, etc??

Then I looked online at the directions (cause I bailed mine in the garbage) and it hit me! The back and front main frame bars are backward!!! In the online directions, they are p/n 11 (back and center) and p/n 10 (front). So, from back to front, the main frame bars go p/n 11, 11, 10 and then the obvious bottom frame bar that sits on the ice. **The front main frame bar is roughly 1.5″ longer, which created my whole issue!!

After switching the main frame poles, the fabric fits as it should and my bottom frame bar rests perfectly on the ice! Operator error on my part! I really hope this helps!!