Wheelhouse Question

[gurkster]

I have a 6.5" x 16" Ice Castle Wheelhouse that doesn't drop all the way down. I was thinking about using it as it is. Keep it hitched to the truck and fish it raised up using hole sleeves to prevent snow, hole freeze up, etc. Other than the extra height and the house not working as it really should, does anyone see any major negatives to using it this way?

[kevfish1]

I do, why not just fix it so you can use it the way it is intended? It can be fixed for little to no cash.

[TooTallTom]

If you have a lot of air circulating under the floor of the house, it will be colder (require more from your heating setup to maintain temp.) than if you drop it down and bank it.

And I have a pet peeve about fishing an arm's length from the ice. Something about having to reach into a hole just to get to the water really bugs me... But I suppose I'm not you.

[gurkster]

Yeah - Good point. They used press in grease zerks and one came out so I didn't grease it and it hangs up. I got a new press in, but it comes out when I try to grease it. A larger press in doesn't fit, so I would have to tap it and then use a screw in zerk I think, as well as free it up too. I usually keep the house attached to the truck anyay, as I don't leave it out overnight anywhere. Maybe I am just being lazy, but was trying to think why I couldn't use it as is with the hole sleeves. Other than as you point out I don't know why not.

You say fixed for little to no cost, have you ever broke one free? I have tried, but can't get it free. Used grease, WD40, etc. I have not heated it up, nor taken it apart yet. Do you have any tips to try? Thanks for the reply.

[JimBuck]

I converted a 6x12 utility trailer into a fish house and I am unable to drop my house down due to a fixed axle. If you keep it as is I recommend installing a skirt surrounding the outside of the house that can be removed to minimize draft under the house because it can be an issue. I've gotten used to using longer hole sleeves but some find it to be annoying.

If the house is fixable and you have the time and/or money I'd try to fix it to operate in it's intended way.

[MJBaldwin]

Well in my opinion I would spend the money to get it fixed so it works up to its potential otherwise why by the drop axle? Also if your thinking of buying hole sleeves the cost of those would probably pay for the price to get it fixed.But thats just me. Hope it all works out.

[B-man715]

Heat that baby up!!!

[crappiekid]

i have had this happen a few times over the past 15 years .. Is it totally froze solid or do you have some movement??? If some movement heat up and beat with maul. As you go spray with a penatrant other than wd 40 sux... LPS works great. take the 1/4 inch bolt out remove spindle from shaft. take emery cloth and sand down. GREASE the P i ss out of it!!! and re-install. make sure do do this EVERY year.

you should be able to get it.

[gurkster]

Thanks for the advise. I will try and break it free, I kinda knew this was the best thing to do anyway for the reasons you guys all pointed out. Crappie kid thanks for the tips I will try and heat it up as it does move a bit, just not all the way down. Thanks again all!!

[cold one sd]

I didn't have a drop hitch on the front of my wheel house and had to unhook it from my pickup to set it down. I had my hitch converted to a drop hitch last fall for about $190 so I can leave it hooked up. I should have done it sooner.

[MinnetonkaMan]

Gurkster, I had the same problem on our three year old ice castle. We greased it every year but the system is not very user friendly. Ours would go about two thirds of the way down and then seize up. Our farmer friend has a torch and took care of it for us. He just started heating up the inner shaft were the greaser is and steadily we reeled up and down while greasing and spraying with a rust protector we accomplished getting it to the ground and is working well right now. We put ours through every condition out there from fall hunting trailer with occasional snow falls all the way to being in slush for a couple days last year during early ice walleye fishing. Just heat it up and If you know a local farmer just bring him a pack of fish or bring a six pack and he will get the job done for nothing. On a side note if your cables are rusted this is a great time to change them out we have had ours rust and snap twice and now always have back up cable under the bunk. Even if they look a little rusty they are not going to last for much longer and if reeling up the house is tough they will give away soon. Good luck and if you have any other questions pm me.

[gurkster]

MinnetonkaMan - Thanks for the advise. It sounds like I have the exact same issue you did (goes down about 2/3 of the way then hangs up). I have a hand torch, I hope I can heat it up enough with that. Good point on the cables, I am going to replace them as well, as there is some rust on them. Do you know what penetrating oil you used? I have been using WD40, but I heard that it is not the best for this. Thanks again!!

[coffee]

I had the same issue with this drop-axle frame. Do whatever it takes to get the wheel assembly off. I wouldn't go the route of emery cloth and grease. I would recomend grinding the shaft down with an angle grinder and then giving it a good coating of ANTI-SIEZE. I did this three years ago - problem- free since.