Sleeping in a Portable Tent

[jonboatjunkie]

Hey Guys,

Have any of you ever slept overnight in your portable tent out on the ice? I'm looking at getting an Eskimo Fatfish 949i this year. It is big enough to put a cot in and sleep with the heater running. With it being insulated, it should stay plenty warm in there as well. I guess I ask because if I want to do a weekend trip somewhere and didn't want to pay for a hotel room or a cabin rental, I'm just wondering if sleeping in a portable tent would work? Do you have to license your porty if you sleep in it overnight on the ice? If you have any tips as well to make the overnight trip work, I'd like to hear them too! Thanks!!!

[BartmanMN]

Get something to cover the floor, maybe those rubber squares that snap together to keep it warmer. You also would want a CO detecter (forsure).

Someone else can speak to the license as I am not sure if you only need it if you are not in the house or not.

[LightningBG]

yeah, if you cover the floor, have a cot and a decent sleeping bag, you should be fine warmth wise.

[BrandonJ]

I've never tried it. I dont trust the big buddy. I know it has an oxygen sensor but still dont trust it. But yes with a carbon monoxide alarm you should be fine I would think and obviously leave a door cracked. From the reg book,

"The following regulations apply to all shelters used on all Minnesota

waters, unless otherwise noted elsewhere in this booklet.

• All shelters placed on the ice of Minnesota waters must have either the

(

1) complete name and address, (2) driver’s license number, or (3) the

nine-digit Minnesota DNR number on the license of the owner plainly

and legibly displayed on the outside in letters, and figures at least

2 inches in height.

• A shelter may not be left unattended anytime between midnight and

one hour prior to sunrise unless the shelter is licensed."

[tsande00]

If I was going to spend the weekend(s) in it, I would make a 4'x8' foldable insulated floor (8'x8') out of 2x2's, treated plywood and pink styrofoam.

[Stick in Mud]

It's definitely doable....We always use rubber floor mats with holes cut in them so we can keep some rattle reels down. The floor will be a bit cold, and it might be warmer if you get wood floors with insulation, but the rubber mats are quick and easy. I'm kind of lazy.

[B-man715]

Like the others said, it works just fine.

A floor of some sort, even just 1/2 of the shack, would make it nicer for you (for undressing, putting boots on, keeping the heater from melting the ice, ect.)

A piece of 1/4" plywood with some pink foam works well. Slit the foam every square foot or so and glue it to the wood. This lets the foam break in a controlled manner if the ice is uneven (and still stay glued to the wood). A thicker piece of wood will prevent this, but will obviously add weight......

I've spent more nights in a portable then I care to admit.........