Help me turn my Full Size Van into an ice house

[REX1]

So I was thinking of giving this a shot. I would install probably 4 catch covers through the floor and drop some double walled insulated pipe down to the ice.

I know that I will be stuck using rattle reels 90% of the time as staring down a 12'' pipe 2' down would get old in a hurry.

How well do you guys think this would work?

My main concern is that my van weighs 5100 lbs empty. Get ready to go fishing and we are looking at 6000 lbs. I called and a ice castle 8x16 runs about 4300lbs (seems heavy to me but that what he said). My van measures about 7x19'.

So I was thinking that I should only run about four holes as cutting out all of the ice below you is a bad idea. I also thought I would go with 8'' holes.

I would think this rig would be safe on 12'' or greater of good clean ice. what do you think ?

Oh ya I am wanting to do this cause it sounds fun and Im poor.

Thanks In Advance

[thedeadsea]

In comparison, the average extended cab 4x4 1/2 ton truck is 5500 lbs and guys pull their wheel houses with a truck like that or larger so weight shouldnt be a problem if you are on 12" plus of ice.

Is your van 2wd? You will be limited by where you can go but otherwise sounds like a cool project. If you go forward, be sure to show pics.

[eyebjim]

My dad did this back in the seventies with a old VW van. Worked great. Had one of those old gasoline auxiliary heaters in the back so it heated without running the engine adn ran off gas from the gas tank. If you can find one of these heaters at a junk yard I would recommend getting it. I think he had 4 holes. I was just a few years old but would go fishing with him on Minnetonka.

I don't think the weight is a problem on 12 inches. Most 1/2 ton trucks are about 5500lbs and you see them on 10 - 12 inches all the time.

[REX1]

However these trucks dont have 4 holes below them.

I will probably buy a new Mr Heat buddy with low oxygen sensor to heat it .

[REX1]

Oh ya it is a 2 wheel drive.

i love the van it is a 90 3/4 ton. I use it for camping/pulling my boat in the summer.

My next van is 4x4 for sure those things are sweet

[REX1]

Anymore input/ideas?

Has anyone ever seen this?

[pulleye16]

I was going to do this back in high school...let me know how this turns out cause I think that'll be awesome!!! GOOD LUCK

[minnbowhunter]

many years ago a friend had an old beat up station wagon. We cut holes in the back seat floor boards and we fished out of it for a couple years. Poor boys fishhouse, had a ball.

[Mike89]

all i can say is, have fun!!!!

[JumpStart73]

"wad ya say scoobs" the "mystery machine" on the ice.

[broken_line]

set of tire chains, stick er to the floor! have fun. also.. i really see nothing wrong with 6 holes.. if they fit. lazy boy, tv, heater, fishing in your car.. what could be better!

[minnbowhunter]

So now I have a question, if you are fishing thru the floor of your van, do you need to have your DNR# on the van? Is it a shelter?

[pulleye16]

I love you thinking minnbow...I think now a days, if you lean on your four wheeler while ice fishing you have to have a shelter liscense, only after dark that is and you haven't leaned on it for two or more hours!!!!

[REX1]

It is my understanding that you only need a liscence ff the shelter is to be left over night unoccupied. Is this correct?

I know that even if your shelter does not require a liscense you still need to have your name address and phone # on it. I was thinking I would make a wood sign and wire it to the door handle when using it for ice fishing.

Is this all legal and correct?

[leech~~]

It is my understanding that you only need a liscence ff the shelter is to be left over night unoccupied. Is this correct?

I know that even if your shelter does not require a liscense you still need to have your name address and phone # on it. I was thinking I would make a wood sign and wire it to the door handle when using it for ice fishing.

Is this all legal and correct?

If you fish inside of anything on the ice you will need to have at least your DNR# on it. I have seen a few people do this with a van. It's almost like fishing in one of those Snowbears but not as nice for sure! I would go with the Ice house hole covers and drop down sleeves and maybe a 10inch hole. That will given you some room to work in. You will need to mark your holes from the inside then pull up drill them and then back over them. Remember to not remove all the snow from around your holes so when you drop the sleeves down they can seal the wind out around them. Get a longer handled scoop for one thing. Also, when fishing down those deep hole sleeves becareful not to keep your face right over them when you are pulling up a fish, if the hook comes out, you will be the only thing caught and maybe in the eye!! Also remember to check your rod length as you will not have a lot of room to pull up when setting the hook. And if you are going to fish at night or low light, try and hook up a extra battery to run things like lights, radios, etc, so you don't drain you starting battery and then are stuck! Get some good snow tires on the back or as someone said, find a set of chains you can put on and take off easy. I seen one guy that brought some plywood pieces and set them up around the out side and then banked them to block the wind which is more work if your not going to be in one spot to long. Don't forget to get under the van and look for the big areas you can put some holes before you start drilling and cutting! Sounds cool, have fun!

[CarpKing921]

The only down fall is no beer while fishing could be a dui or open container. Just a thought

[jcpmn82]

Might need to invest in the fish elevator, I saw it somewhere, google it......

[Big Dave2]

[DarthBaiter]

Nice!

Hey Rex, did you modify the van yet?

[REX1]

Been a long time since I have posted but this sudden cold snap got me thinking of ice fishing. Havent chopped up the van yet but think I will in the next couple weeks. Anymore pointers or ideas??

Thanks

Tony

[Boar]

Ten inch white PVC pipeing works great for this I use it in my camper house an a 8 inch hole with a ten inch sleeve works awsome, Im sure youll have to mark holes an drive off an the drill an drive back over them. You'l have to place the holes stratigicaly around the vans frame, but how are ya gona cut them, My idea would be plasma cutter at a welding shop, but gasoline an plasma cutting are bad, then I thought heavy jigs saw, but need to be careful there, so take caution, people trick out there derby cars so it can be done, I'm jelose I've been wanting to do that for years. You can can also ad piano hinges along the outside of the van so you can have flip down skirting. Put chains on an you'l go where most 4 wheel drives go. Good luck an post pics of your progress. Later boar

[Surface Tension]

An unvented propane heater is putting out a lot of moister, it will fog up the windows and then frost. Thats not the end of the world but come time to leave you'll be running your defroster and wiping off water before you can leave. I would guess that the accumulated moister inside the van will haunt you with fogged windows for some time as well.

I'd find an old propane camper furnace. Install that along the wall over and over an area that you can't open up the floor up like above a gas tank, leaf springs, axle, or frame. Make a cabinet for the furnace with a table top or even a cook top. Of coarse mount the propane tank outside on the rear of the van. Use small fans to move the air around.

A dedicated deep cycle battery to power all the accessories. You'll want lights above all the holes, better yet lights on the hole sleeves so when your looking down a hole your head isn't creating a shadow. Because your not going to be able to watch bobbers use rattle reels on your dead line and jig your primary line.

Seating, since you can't stand up, when moving around you'll be hunched over. Stick plywood on the floor and use an old office chair to scoot around in. Its got swivel and wheels.

Keep us updated and pictures too.

[REX1]

Well I cut in the first hole last night. Went good. Looks like I will be able to squeeze in 4 holes. Had to cut through carpet padding osb and the steel. Think will cut the last three in tommorrow.

Gonna be a little tricky to get the buckets to seal well to eachother and the holes when I slide them through....

Gettin cold!!!!

keep your stick on the ice

tony

[tsande00]

I can't wait to see pictures of this rig when you're finished. Good luck!

[JimBuck]

Nice! Keep us posted. I love hearing about projects like this. In regards to sealing well, maybe some weather seal/stripping around the hole might be an option. That way if the edge isn't completely flush, your sleeves will seal out the drafts much better? Just a thought. Unless your installing catch covers already.