Wife gave ok!!!!

[FinsandFeathers]

So the wife gives me the green light on a new wheel house---WOO HOO--- So now the search starts. What brands do you guys own and why? I'm looking for pro's and con's on the brands and what brand would you buy next? Toy haulers are out so we dont need to go there, the wheeler goes in the truck so were looking at the rear dinette styles. Thanks in advance for the reply's!.....Fins...

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

What size would you be looking for roughly? Hydraulic or cranks? 6 1/2 or 8' wide? Single or tandem axle?

[ozzie]

what type of fishing do you see yourself using it for......taking trips to the bigger lakes for weekends or taking off the beaten path to smaller lakes and moving alot? do you want to be pulling it with the 4 wheeler? how many people do you plan to usually fish out of it? TV-oven-stove top? what nessecities do you want?

[FinsandFeathers]

We dont normally move around alot, we are thinking 16 to 18 feet plus V and 8 wide. We normally make a couple trips to LOTW and Winne every winter so oven, dinette's,ect.. are a must. When were in town it stays on a local lake 25 miles from our house for three or four day weekends (we take most of our vacation time on the ice).

[TravP]

Well my dad has a 6x16ft plus v front ice castle and the house is awesome, once you get to the lake, but it tows like [PoorWordUsage]. It has next to no tongue weight. He's tried different receivers without much luck. The 3 marine batteries in the v helped a little along with an extra 20lb tank. He's talking about cutting the axle system off and welding it on farther back, or welding some steel on the tongue for weight. Once you hit 62 or 63mph the swaying begins. The setup is a breeze though and its comfortable for 3 adults plus gear for 3 days on LOTW's or Red.

[ozzie]

with that style of fishing you are open to almost all the makers out there...the things to be aware of is the frame and what they used to frame it....tube frame and good insulation are musts!!!

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

If you are thinking of going with hydraulic, I would recommend either Shack Rack or Innovative Recreation based upon my recent dealings with all the companies out there. I am still waiting for return phone calls (plural) from some of their competitors. If you want cranks in 8' wide, the only one I know of is Shack Rack, and it is a sweet system.

[tspotout]

I have a 8'by 16' Berkon hyd house with door on the side and booth on one end and rv type sofa on the other it folds out for a bigger bed and bunks above each end also.Oven and stove sit on top of wheel well with counter top also the other wheel well is made into another bench to sit on.

[LakeDocktor]

I too would have to suggest Berkon. Eric does an excellent job on his houses and will sit down with you and help you decide what you exactly want since they are custom built. You can't beat the hydraulic lift in my opinion. Google Berkon Outdoors. He has a completed house for sale and might have a couple used houses listed from previous customers looking to upgrade.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

When I started my house, Berkon was #1 on my list by a long shot. I had seen their frames in person on the Ice Castles, and looked well built. 4 or 5 calls and an email with no response. I decided to give it one last chance (I really wanted a Berkon frame) and I finally got an answer. The guy on the phone had less than zero time for me or my few questions, so, that was the end of that. Unfortunately that service cost them 3 hydraulic frame builds in less than 3 months.

[ROOOOSTERFISH]

Just remember that she will expect something in return , just saying. Honey do list will grow very fast now.

[pike doctor]

Way to much fun to build it. I would not buy one.

From what I am hearing from you the following are a must.

1. A house that has spray foam insullation. TRUST ME, ITS WORTH THE MONEY. When it is -30 up north you will need it.

2. Forced air furnace. It dries the floor off so you can sit there in your slippers and pajama pants and catch fish.

3. A minimum of 8*16. and then a 4 ft V.

4. Might want to consider a bathroom if the wife is with a lot.

5. Definitely get something with an oven. You can cook roast, pizza, baked walleye, etc.

6. Get a TV and a generator. It can get boring on LOW when it gets dark.

7. LED lights for the trailer, ceiling, and above the holes.

I built one last year, and had a blast doing it. I have all the options above except the bathroom.

OEM in Green Isle sells frames. I know a guy in NYA that spray foams, and I know a guy in Hutch that sells everything else. Let me know if you want some numbers.

[hawkeye43]

I got a frame from OEM, he does a very nice job at a great price.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Way to much fun to build it. I would not buy one.

From what I am hearing from you the following are a must.

1. A house that has spray foam insullation. TRUST ME, ITS WORTH THE MONEY. When it is -30 up north you will need it.

2. Forced air furnace. It dries the floor off so you can sit there in your slippers and pajama pants and catch fish.

3. A minimum of 8*16. and then a 4 ft V.

4. Might want to consider a bathroom if the wife is with a lot.

5. Definitely get something with an oven. You can cook roast, pizza, baked walleye, etc.

6. Get a TV and a generator. It can get boring on LOW when it gets dark.

7. LED lights for the trailer, ceiling, and above the holes.

I built one last year, and had a blast doing it. I have all the options above except the bathroom.

OEM in Green Isle sells frames. I know a guy in NYA that spray foams, and I know a guy in Hutch that sells everything else. Let me know if you want some numbers.

Very solid advice. The only thing that I can add is to do it right once (even if you have to wait a year). I did the build it cheaper the first time and regretted it before the house was done.