Wet sloppy mess in "flip"style house

[Uncle Grump]

Gang

I now have a "flip' style house - and no floor. My Mr Heater/Cooker - even on low, puts out 3K BTU, and its melting the ice/snow and making puddles.

I've tryed putting some carpet under and in front of the burner, and propping the stand up w/ a block of wood. It helped some, but I still get a puddle of water.

Any ideas short of buying another heater w/ a less powerful burner?

Thanks

UG

[HOGEYE]

My friend had the same problem. What he did to solve it worked out great. He to a piece of thin particle board and cut it the size of the ice covered by the fishtrap. With the corners cut out of each corner. He then cut this board into three pieces with hinges on them so it folds right up. It fits perfectly on top of his benc seat. He then bungee cords his power auger to the top of this. Hope this helps a bit.

[Uncle Grump]

Hogeye

I had thought about your suggestion - and rejected it (so far) due to the added weight. Anything lighter either will melt or get soggy - ie a hunk of carpet.

Still - thanks for the idea.

UG

[Guest]

I have a Buddy portable heater and usually set it behind me in the sled (I have a Frabil Triplex). Then I don't have to step over it getting in and out, no ice melting, does'nt blow out when I open the door and its easy to warm a cold hand quick.

[Uncle Grump]

CD

Re-read your post - your idea might work - I will have to take a closer look.

Thks

UG

[setterguy]

The thing that I use is a piece of rubber matting, kind of like the mats they use behind a bar, I know they sell them at Menards, don't know about the depot. IT really works well, isn't too heavy and rolls up to keep out of the way. They are very durable, just remember to take it off the ice right when you turn the heater off or it will freeze to the lake.

[Big-Al]

I've used a small piece of outdoor carpeting, but this soaks up water pretty well. Looking for a large door runner, but can only find them 3' wide. Looking for something 5x7 to fit my otter resort.

[minneman]

is it just me or do I sence some have dissatisfaction in the flip types? I have a bud that has an otter and he made a floor out of plywood, hinged and folds in to the sled, yea weight and the added hassel of that thing each move, now I have nothing against these units, I think they are exactly whats needed for being truly mobile, but mabey some need to actualy fish out of one pryor to a purchace? I dont own one, I have 2 suitcase types 5x7 and 7x8 and wouldnt be without a nice warm dry floor, and they do tow easily too. get the heat off the floor to stop the melting, my .02

[Dano2]

What kind of suitcase types do you have?
Are they durable?

why not just buy a zachmeier fish house?

heh, heh

[Big-Al]

Hey minneman, I have absolutely no dissatisfaction when it comes to my "new" used otter. Just trying to suit it to my needs and make in as comfy as possible. I am very happy with my purchase.

[Steve Foss]

I like it when my heater melts the snow into water. I can see right through the ice that way, which lets me get a look at the fish sooner than if I had to wait for it to come into the hole. And I just keep my ice cleats on so I don't got butt over teakettle when I stand up.

As for a heater with less than 3,000 btus, that's hard to come by. My Black Cat puts out 4,000, and that's considered too low by a lot of people.

I think the best idea I've seen so far is the hard rubber mats you see in front of people's front doors, that kind of deal. Any way you look at it, you're talking about adding weight if you want something else on the floor.

On the two-man or larger flipovers, you could always put the heater beside you on the seats.

And I have no dissatisfaction with my Trap II having no floor.

[Big Dave2]

I have found in my experience that if the ice is starting to become a soupy mess underneath me then it is time to move, since that is the point of the flip style house, unless the spot is so good that I need to stay all day and catch fish. If I ever find a spot that good then I will get a permanent and be nice and warm as I slaughter them!

[Guest]

UG,
When my Lab is with me in the fishhouse I have hung the Mr. Heater (Cooker) with a rope tied to the ceiling, in a corner of the fishhouse (not too high or the heat will melt the fishhouse). That way my dog doesn't catch on fire. The heater is suspended high enough so it is out of the way and still provides plenty of heat. In my portable I have not had any issues with it every touching the house material either. Experiment and see if that is a possibility, may keep your floor from melting!

[Scupper]

UG,
this past weekend I got into the soupy mess your talking about. I took my chisel and chipped a small trough to either hole. Drained the water as it melted but it continued to be wet and slick.
Good Luck...

[HOGEYE]

I was talking about thin 1/8" wood. Not much weight. For me I'm usually on the move or I just put the heater on the seat next to me.

[Pig_sticka]

if you guys are talking about putting a large piece of plywood in ur flip down you might as well get a suitcase.
a few things to help out though in the flip up style houses, point the mr heater upwards more. dont point the tank up but just adjust the heater part. wood still doesn't work as good because the heater will still heat up the wood, rubber, carpet etc. and the ice will still melt underneath it. a mr heater is almost way to big for smaller flip ups though. i wouldn't try hanging the heater either because it is dangerous for trying to stand up or get out. or even for building up heat on the canvas. if the heater is near the ceiling (heat rises) what you think will happen after a few times of headin out. youll have a new lookout hole . good luck finding a way to stop the mess.

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Good Luck Stickin Dos PigZ!