Who uses their fish house like a camper???

[JacobMHD]

I'm curious to see how many of us use our hardsided fishhouses as a camper in the summer. Is there anything to be concerned with? We won't be sitting in it during the day, just sleeping at night and some light cooking. How long does it take to cool down at night? We'll have a fan in the window. I got the ok for the boss because I said that we could use it as a camper in the summer.We plan on using it for the first time this weekend and I need to make sure I do not overlook anything. Thanks for the suggestions.

[JSK76]

just place the fan so it blows the warm air out, and open a second window to let the cooler air in. A second fan inside to blow on you might be nice also.

[hoggs222]

I know some fish house windows are smaller. Is there any way to rig up a window AC unit? You can find them at some online sites for $50. (I'm saying that because I just came in from outside in this Africa Hot weather)

My buddy just dropped $10K on a popup camper. Could've had a nice wheelhouse for that money. Wife wouldn't go for it though.

[MuleShack]

I've got a lodge and we use it in the summer a few times.

Yes it gets warm in there but so does a regular camper, so we open the windows and use a fan to move the air.

We could put an AC unit on our house but have not yet...probably will on the next house though.

[bak2MN]

I have a Ice castle that we use all the time but I had a AC unit put on mine. Get alot of goofy looks and comments when I pull out on the ice with a AC unit on top of the house.

[deadeye]

Seems like a pretty darn good idea to me. If I were going to buy/build a wheelhouse I would use it for a camper and a hunting shack. I don't see any reason not to honestly. Oh yeah, right now is a great time to get a window AC too. Lots of closeouts for the end of summer.

[Ed Carlson]

If I spent 10K or more on a ice house, I would need to live in it.... down by the river...year around...so AC would be a must....and Wi-Fi.

Don't sound half bad actually?

[fishnhooks]

My new wheel house I just got has a roof AC and much like bak2MN, I get the coments like "It's a fishouse, if you need to cool it down just open the door". Like mentioned before, a couple of fans would work nice, one to blow out air and one to blow in air.

"hooks"

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I plan to use mine for the rare camping trip, and for sure for deer hunting.

[rickl1968]

Hummm, Now you got me thinking, I did use it this year for a camper and it was HOT!

Now I have to start looking for a small one that I can mount on the wall or roof.

I am sure the boss will allow the extra expense.

[gurkster]

I use my Ice Castle as a summer camper and fall hunting shack and of course winter fish house. It can get a bit hot in the summer, but keep the windows open, park in shade and add a fan and it is fine. I sometimes pitch a tent too, and sleep in that if it is real hot. I use the wheel house to cook, store stuff in, and in case of bad weather I have a place to hang out in. For a one unit does all I don't think it can be beat.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Has anyone used one of the portable A/C units? I think they are around 5-10k BTUs. It seems like that would work well in a smaller fish house, and you won't have to haul around the roof unit in the winter...

[JaySt.cloud]

Lip Ripper,

I have a Grand Lodge and camp in the sumer with it a bit. I bought one of those portable A/C units and it works awesome. I bought it and let the oldest use it in his house unless I am camping, which only comes one or two times a year. They are bulky, but then you can take it out for winter use. It has an exhaust hose I route out the window and just put a towel around it (I have one of those small fishouse windows) to keep the warm air out. Keeps the fishouse nice and cool for sleeping. Only problem is the father in law wouldn't let me tap into his power at his cabin (rolling eyes) so I had to use my 2000w generator, well it almost couldn't keep up. I found if I let the generator run all out it would barely have enough juice. Got me by for the weekend but have not been back to the father in laws place! I would not go on a weekend like today without one....those fishouses can become a little sauna in the summer.

[motley man]

I have a 7X12 enclosed trailer that I converted into a camper fish house. Two windows, 4 holes, heater, double doors, ramp to put 4-wheeler in, skirting for when I hit the ice, 2 bunks. Works great.

[JacobMHD]

We went for it this past weekend at We Fest and it worked great. It did get hot in the afternoon but no more than a tent would have. Slept on an air mattress on the floor and used the bunks to store totes, coolers, and clothes bags. Not much I would do differently.

[gurkster]

Cool - that is about my experience as well.

[stifler51]

id go out and buy one of those 110 plug-in porti A/C units. MY sister has one in her apartment and it keeps her bedroom nice and comfy thru the summer months. Im sure if u could keep the house out of direct sunlight it would work perfect in an ice house.

[jerkbait]

Do those porti units have water come out of them?

[greenhead4u]

I put a small 5000 btu window unit in my ice castle for a 4 day camp out and it was ice cold. Picked it up at walmart for 100 bucks. I did have to completely take out the sliding window and make a few small modifications but it only took 5 minutes. I just pull it out when it's on the road. It's well worth it when it's hot and humid.

[stifler51]

sisters has a little holding tank or an option to hook up a hose to it.

[Acemac]

Install a solar powered roof exhast fan

[dukhntr]

Has anyone pulled their fish house a long distance. By long distance I mean 700 or more miles. I was thinking about a 1800 mile round trip to Sask. this fall to go duck and goose hunting, but I am concerned about the axel assembly holding up for such a long trip. Believe me, I would rather use my fish house than a tent! Fish house has tandem axels, and the frame was buit by Miltona Blacksmith. Quality of the frame looks excellent, and no problems towing so far. House has maybe 250 miles on it right now. Any thoughts?

TIA, dukhntr

[greenhead4u]

it should be fine. It will also give you a good idea on how your tires are going to wear. Keep a close eye on the inside tread. Most of these houses tend to wear the inside tire even when aligned properly.

[ben karas]

i do use my wheelhouse as a camper forme the wife and my 2 boys an ac unit is cheep a wise investment when its 89 deg outside its 62deg inside! sleep easy its only cash you cant take it with ya! also an atv door in back with a screen works good on the not so hot days. I like it!

[chris63]

Funny you should mention tire wear and Canada.Every time,(once a year)we go fishing to Saskatchewan we make sure to bring spare (tires)and at least one spare hub and bearing assemblies for the boats/campers.In the Murphy's law realm you don't want to be trying to punch out races on the side of the Highway!It's usually a long wait for parts even if your close to a "big"town.Small overhead!Good luck hope you can wack em and stack em!c63