Wheelhouse Folks.... what would you change???

[Coach1310]

Just wondering what you all have for wheelhouses and what you would change and why?

Starting to ponder buying/building and wondering what folks wish they had or didn't have.

[minnbowhunter]

Mine has the door in the rear, I would really like to move the door to the side, and put bunks or a dinette in the back of the house. It seems to be a better use of the limited space.

[ac777]

Mine has the door in the rear, I would really like to move the door to the side, and put bunks or a dinette in the back of the house. It seems to be a better use of the limited space.

Same here!

also I would put a v front on, and a wall mounted heater for more floor space. Plenty of bunks that fold up and eaasy acess storage. Also good size windows to let light in, it just makes it feel more homey inside.

[CalamityJohn]

When wiring my perm for 110v I neglected to run wires for ceiling fans. Big mistake. But, it'll be a good summer project to rip off some paneling and run new wires.

Other than that, you can never have enough storage space.

[minnbowhunter]

When wiring my perm for 110v I neglected to run wires for ceiling fans. Big mistake. But, it'll be a good summer project to rip off some paneling and run new wires.

John, If you don't want to remove any panels, check into surface wiring, I used to wire an old log cabin. It worked well for me.

[Glockwinger]

My wheelhouse has 6' bunks against the back wall. I would make them longer since I am 6'3" tall. I have a cabinet back there that is hard to get to behind the wheel well that I would eliminate by having longer bunks. I would also like a taller entry door on the side of the house. The door on mine is like 5'9", so I have to remember to duck or I crack my skull on the top of the door frame...it happens at least once per weekend.

[Boss Hogg]

I would move my door from the left side to the right side, and hinge it on the left side (left side is when you are outside, looking at the door)

The reason is most of the time you have a prevailing NW wind, and at times when you open the door it nearly rips it off.

This or course is if you are placing your house with the back end into the wind (which I always do)

Other things: Good size windows, Inside interior to be White or light color.

[Genofish]

I am in a similar position, Is a rubber roof the way to go or steel??

[sticknstring]

What size tongue & groove have most of you guys settled on? I found some 5/8" that's half the price of the boxstores but I'm worried about the extra weight on the axles. Should I keep looking for some 1/4-3/8" stuff or just put the heavier stuff in?

[3pronghook]

I bought a 6.5x18 shell and finished it off myself. steel siding, rubber roof. Lots of work but worth it. I planned on building it camper style with fixed bunk and larger dinette so four adults can actually sit side by side and upright under the fixed bunk. I had the house built a foot taller to better accomodate this and also so i could install and clear the ceiling fan. im 6'4" and know all about bumping heads and sleeping cramped up in a bed that you cant hang your feet over. If you build one wire it like a house. lots of lights and outlets. dont forget speaker wire. maybe coax for tv in back. I use my 12v more as back up and emergency, but still wired two in ceiling, one in back and one outside and over each hole. I put an outdoor light on one front vee, i wish i would have put one on the other side too, maybe even the back. Windows that open on sides and on the back. I have seven holes, so plenty of fishing can be done. i cut a hole in front of the wall mount furnace that is mostly used for the camera. Storage is essential, cupboards, cabinets. Keep under the dinette seats accessible too. A drying rack above the heater for wet gloves or to thaw frozen food. I put a built in recessed tackle storage. To keep things light, frame using 2x2's, glue and screw and good to go. On walls and ceiling i used the thin paneling. I take two of my boys out almost every weekend and we keep plenty warm, comfortable and even sometimes catch a few fish.

[McGurk]

Things I would change in my house? I bought a 7x10 used house with a 2' bumpout for bunks (makes it 7x12) that someone had built and would do these things different:

1) White walls and a white ceiling- my paneling is too dark

2) Rubber roof or properly installed steel roof- everything else will eventually leak and need maintanence

3) Cabinets all on one wall if the house and up high- My 7x10 floorspace is hampered by a 1x2.5 furnace and a 2x3 cabinet that holds a gas cooktop, and there are more wall cabinets scattered throughout.

4) ditch the fixed gas cooktop and use a Coleman camping stove for cooking- takes up floorspace

5) make the minimum height in the house 7'- I'm only 5'9" and I feel cramped in my house

6) ditch the outdoor carpet and put in linoleum or just paint the floor- noone takes their boots off anyways in my house, why bother with the carpet?

7) space holes accordingly- get them as far apart as you can without getting in the way of walking traffic.

8) V front- need a bathroom and storage.

9) get a frame with suspension- I don't have it, and don't feel comfortable driving very far with it.

10) more windows, and double paned windows- nice to have more light and open-ness

11) better lighting and warm colored LED lighting- too dark, and don't like the harsh light from LEDs

12) cold storage accesable from inside- 'nuff-said

More to come, I'm sure.

[jerkbait]

What size tongue & groove have most of you guys settled on? I found some 5/8" that's half the price of the boxstores but I'm worried about the extra weight on the axles. Should I keep looking for some 1/4-3/8" stuff or just put the heavier stuff in?

I actually used 3/4" I had left over from our family room project. I took and ran it through a surface planer and brought it down to 1/2 the thickness. If you have acces to a surface planer that could be an option. You will just have to nail it top and bottom since the groove will be half gone. Worked mnicely for me.

[broman]

4 bunks, 2 in front and 2 in the back. We have to set up cots when we have 3 or more. Makes it difficult to run the rattle reels and to get out the door in the middle of the night.

[rcatcherman]

Mines perfect but I did design and build it after fishing out of many others.

[jigginjim]

I have not gotten a wheel house yet. I have seen the units with back doors, for wheelers to been carried in, put a heavy matter over carpet for wheeler when inside. Thoughts on that? I thought of a cot type bunks, 2x4 with plywood on back, tilt up on one side, dinnet also makes a bunk. V-front for biff, and heater, 3" thick insulated floor. Cook stove also made into the v-front, Must have a window for AC in summer.

[Coach1310]

What are your guys' thoughts on V-Front vs. Square front? I like the idea of a V for easier pulling and bathroom/storage, but I would like to have at ATV door in the back and a spot to keep some fixed bunks, so with a square front that is much easier to accomplish than a V... any thoughts on pulling a square vs. a V? And where to put a bathroom/storage without a V front??

[McGurk]

You can put the access door on the outside of a v-front if you want a bathroom and longterm storage. That leaves a flat wall inside for bunks. Downside is you have to open the outer door everytime someone needs to use the bathroom. That's already the case for me because I don't have one!

[bottom-bouncer]

I am starting a new house. going with a shell from performance engineering 6.5 x 16 with a vee. this time going to use forced air I know that the extra battery's and needing a generator are a pain but I like the idea of the house not having hot spots. no double door in the rear the last thing I want is sloppy wet wheeler in the house. plus thats your best wall for bunks. everything in the v cookstove cabinets forced air furnace all stuffed into the v. bottom bunk will pull out to make a bigger bunk with storage for batterys underneath. that way when the bunk is not pulled out I have 6'2" x 14 uncluttered space to fish.

[crappiekid]

Having owned and built a few houses i have the ultimate house next to build.

8 feet wide and wheels follow your truck tires

v front with split V one half kitchen, other bathroom/ storage with a fish hole in it.

12 feet long with kick out in rear for dinette / bunks (hinged upper bunk)

thin lite and 110 lights / LP light as well

12 volt plugs for your toys

110 plugs with GFI

hinged table for eating (use TV dinner tray tops)

White inside panels for brighter house

Indoor outdoor flooring

Side door

BIG windows that you can see out of while sitting on a folding chair so you dont have to stand up and enjoy the awesome view of the lake

Steel 1 ps roof

15 inch tires

catch covers

LOTS OF CABINETS

30 LB lp tanks with dual hook up

inddor outdoor thermometer with barometer

solar charger built in

inboard charger like my boat

AM FM CD TV / Micro station HD antenna

Spare tire bracket welded to frame

outdoor lights on all 4 sides

Rattle reels

WOW thats it ..

[Bryce]

Toy door in the back, dinette to seat 6 adults and 2 queen size beds.

[Coach1310]

I really like the looks of that!!! Can you explain how it works, as far as getting stuff out of the way for the wheeler??

[Bryce]

Dinette breaks down into 3 pieces by removing about a dozen screws then moved to the front of the shack.