Converting Camper Into Ice House

[Getanet]

My buddy and I plan to convert a 12-14 foot camper into an ice house this fall. I'm wondering if any of you guys that have done this in the past have any advice on what to do and what not to do?

I realize that is a broad question, but if you did something you wish you wouldn't have I would be interested in hearing about it.

[crappiebuster]

We fish a couple guys out of our 14footer. Used 5 gallon bucket cut out to get to the ice. Works well get the lightest color possible to let light in. One thing them older campers lacks is adequate insulation. We put an inch foam board in our new ceiling. The floor is getting 2 inch foam in the next couple weeks. Ours is called a shasta low-flite it sits about 7 inches off the ice so you dont lose to many fish. Ive seen some conversions sit a foot or more off the ice. I couldnt deal with it. Too many lost fish and ur not able to see your bobber to well. Installed compact fluroecents to drop our lighting wattage down from 180 watts to 60. Can run the small tv radio and lights all day/night off of a deep cycle and power inverter. Each year you add a little something to make it more fishable. All in all its a wonderful unit some people with ice castles and lodges are even amazed. Amazing what u can turn a 250 dollar camper into with a little time and 10 cases of beer.

[Big Buck Buster]

10 cases, that's it??

[clam up]

I'm in the same boat, er....camper. I've started converting a 1983 Play-Mor into a fishhouse. It's a little smaller (6'-6" x 12' inside dims), but once I got all the "dollhouse" furniture and other c r a p out of there, there's plenty of room for two to fish (4 holes). I did spring for the "Catch Covers" at Fleet Farm since they were on sale. I really lucked out with being able to cut that big of hole between the floor framing members (whew). The whole unit is pretty light, and I'm running a tight budget.....so I've decided to just attach 2 trailer screw jacks to the rear steel bumper for lowering. I'll remove the wheels, and lower via the "3 point" jack system down onto the blocking. Final clearance to the ice should be around 7" (I hope). The walls are dam thin (about 1"), so I'm expecting to have to beef up the insulation after the initial "test run".

[mnboy26]

I bought a 12 foot camper last year, the only thing I did to it was put plastic over the windows and cut 3 holes in the floor. Added catch covers and sleeves and I have a nice fish house and a bunk house to pull behind the motorhome when we take all the kids tailgating at Iowa state....I use a honda generator to power it so I use a ceramic heater to heat it and use the furnace to help out if it gets really cold. Although it stays plenty warm in there with just the electric heat. I can pull it out with a 4 wheeler as it is very light. the one thing I might change is the tire and wheel size, im a little far off the ice....