Clam screen house. Ever see one?

[hilltool]

I've been thinking of getting a screen house this year and my buddy says these are the hot item on the CASITA forum. Anyway- I have become intrigued and may get one. Every winter, february-ish, I go through a dangerous period where I end up buying something in the hopes of hastening Spring. Thats how I got the Hi-Lo, got my upgraded truck last year, and there have been numerous boats over the years. This purchase seems like an inexpensive indulgence compared to my past flights of insanity. This thing packs at six feet long- but other than that I cant find anybody who dis-likes them.

Anyone run across one and can testify to their functionality??

 

[Fountain-FRF]

$300 is a lot of jing. Same thing at Target for $129.........

 

[hilltool]

Actually I can get one for 229.00. And, yes, I can get a similar device for around 100.00. But, it isn't the same thing. The simplicity of this and durability plus the novelty of it appeals t me. Plus, I've already gone through a couple of the others so I've already spent around 300.00 on ones that broke. At any rate, I was just wondering if others had run across them.

 

[Wrascal]

Hero of the campground?

 

[Fountain-FRF]

Hilltool, looking back at my post I seemed to be a little curt. Not intentionally, especially coming from a former Wisconsinite (Rice Lake) born and raised. We bought this from Target, but we only paid $119 on sale. It is VERY nice for the money. The Clam would also be a lot nicer for $229 than the $299 we saw it go for. Looking at them, they are very similar.
Coleman® 12 ft. x 10 ft. Instant Screened Canopy at Target

 

[Luckydog671]

But wait . . . aren't bugs and critters, wind, sun, and rain all part of the "camping experience" . . . ?

 

[hilltool]

Jim,

You might appreciate, being from RICE Lake that the CLAM is a well respected design for portable ice shelters. The uniqueness comes in the form of the instant set-up and sturdiness of fabric. Trade off is obviously price and pack --ability. There are plenty of screen shelters out there in this price range. There are plenty a lot cheaper, also. Sort of like generators. YOu can buy a Yamaha or Honda and be pretty certain of high end performance most of the time or buy a Knock-off for half the price and get "ok" performance ----but not the same quality or dependability. That said, this is sort of a silly thing to be arguing about -----but it certainly passes the time in January. . By the way- our local rv show is this weekend and I think the new trail manors will be there. I don't want one but curious to look at them.

 

[hilltool]

@ Greg

I gave up my affection for bugs and wind/rain and critters I didn't invite when I got the Hi-Lo. Actually, I still do at least one backpacking tent excursion yearly, just as a reminder.

 

[Luckydog671]

Jim,

You might appreciate, being from RICE Lake that the CLAM is a well respected design for portable ice shelters. The uniqueness comes in the form of the instant set-up and sturdiness of fabric. Trade off is obviously price and pack --ability. There are plenty of screen shelters out there in this price range. There are plenty a lot cheaper, also. Sort of like generators. YOu can buy a Yamaha or Honda and be pretty certain of high end performance most of the time or buy a Knock-off for half the price and get "ok" performance ----but not the same quality or dependability. That said, this is sort of a silly thing to be arguing about -----but it certainly passes the time in January. . By the way- our local rv show is this weekend and I think the new trail manors will be there. I don't want one but curious to look at them.

Looks like they are now manufacturing truck campers based on the "Rise" technology:

RISE Truck Campers | TrailManor Website

Once again, looks like a PhotoShop picture so let us know if you actually see one!

 

[hilltool]

Interesting. Given the weight etc it almost seems "gadgety" to have a power raising mechanism for something that has to travel so short a distance. I've had a "soft side" pop-up truck camper and always wanted an Alaskan camper with the hard side feature- but the crank methods were pretty simple for raising and lowering. The reported "new" mechanism for locking the camper in the bed I would be interested in seeing. TRAIL MANOR seems to be jumping on and re-working a lot of older designs, which is fine, its what technology and manufacturing does. Interestingly- "screen houses" have been around for awhile. My father and Uncle patented and manufactured a "portable", round screen house in the 50 s an 60s called the "Poranda". ( It was marketed as something you could put up and take down in an hour or so and transport on your car. It actually took most of an afternoon. ) Thus, I assume, my fascination with them.

Rick

 

[JackandJanet]

I agree with you Rick. Trailmanor is indeed jumping on the gadget bandwagon with a power lifting mechanism for that design. Looks to me like a good way to add weight, complexity and cost to an otherwise good idea.

- Jack

 

[Fountain-FRF]

I don't know if any of you have perused the "Alaskan Camper" website for their version of the Hi-Lo slide in camper for a pickup truck bed, but their 14 foot model could go for about $40k if you add a couple of nice things to it. Brenda and I looked at a three slide camper for a pickup at a show last year that broke 50K. I simply can't imagine.....