Do you have to collapse flip over to move/tow it?

Ive never owned or used a flip over shack. How far do you have to collapse it to tow it to a different spot?

Yes otherwise the frame and canvas material will drag and possibly catch on the ice and rip or damage. You shouldn't need to retract the poles, there is usually enough clearance-dependant upon snow depth

PK told me a story of a big wind gust that flipped his open, jerking it out of his hand. He was running as fast as he could chasing it. Just before it dissapeared from his sight in the snow squall, it crashed on it's side spilling his stuff, most of which he was able to retrieve.

Your vexilar holds it down. You must have a big vexilar or a small flip over.

No you don't have to collapse it but it will flip in the wind if there isn't weight in it. I put my vexilar in mine to keep it down.