Salem ice cabin vs ice castle low edition vs custom cottages vs lodge

[jjohnson5150]

We are starting to look into drop down houses & like the look of some untils that can be used as a camper in the summer also. Salem & ice castle are leaders at this point. Does anyone have good / bad feedback with any of the drop down houses. Anything we need to watch out for besides the obvious?

[FIRECAT]

Bought a new Ice Castle this year. Pulls nice, lightweight, Everthing works great. Only neg so far is VERY cheap paneling which i knew about.

[luckydog25]

I have the same question. So far I have found that the ice castle is not built as good as advertised. A friend took the paneling down to put up cedar, he found very poor insulation around the windows and door. He had wiring come apart inside the walls also. It is the eagle series tandem axel, It has maybe 500 miles of highway time and was built in 04. There were several other problems with other guys i know as well. I am leaning toward the lodge, but they are alot more $$$.

[Norm1980]

Ice Castles are going to be the most afordable out of the bunch. I know some people think they are junk, which i agree their finish work could be improved. I will say though I haven't had any complaints with mine in two years, its a 2009 8x16 +3'v nose. I've pulled it up to red lake and winni a couple times each with no trouble.

Salems - I walked thru a couple at the ice show this year and they look well build, but i have no experience fishing/towing them.

[MuleShack]

The salems kinda look like they took the lodge style on the inside with a different floor plan.

Dont know how they would pull with the flat front.

Either way, I would probably get a Salem over an Ice castle any day.

[randerson]

Just got rid of my 2006 Lodge and I have to say when I looked into buying it they were the best built a little more $$$ up front but less headaches afterwards I just didn't like the ice castle seemed like they cut to many corners but there $$$ was nice but you do get what you pay for

[Lure Lightning]

I just bought a yetti and you can have them custom built to your specs. I will try to post pics when possible they werent the cheapest and they werent the most expensive either.

[09ultra]

This is my second season with my ice castle and i love it. I ordered it instead of buying one off the lot,Did some additions when i got it and i couldn't be happier

[GSB Ice Man]

I just sold my 6.5' x 14' Ice Castle. I am going to be ordering the Ice Castle Spirit model, they can't even keep that model in stock right now so I will have to order it.

I got a great deal on the 6.5' and jumped on it, now I regret it and sold it to get the 8' model.

I have had NO problems with my first house either.

I have an uncle who has a Lodge, and it has things(cabinets, wall paneling, radio issues) that have gone to junk already.

Look them over and compare the price.

[aczr2k]

I really like the looks of the Yetti houses myself, you can't beat all aluminum. They wil be my first choice when I give up the portable and decide on a wheelhouse.

[Nordern]

I have had a Salem 16FK for 2 years now and no problems. I use it as a camper in the summer but I leave it at the campsite on blocks.

It pulls no problem with a 3/4 ton. The quality is very good.

[ec30_06]

Any ice castle I have been in has had a very cold floor. I don't think the floors are insulated in any of them unless you custom order it.