Ice House Question

[eyedr]

I have a question for those of you who have wheel houses. I have a chance to pick up an ice house that is 108 inches wide tire to tire and 14 feet long. I believe that makes it 6 inches over the legal size. I am assuming the risk that I could be pulled over for it but my question is for hauling and pulling across the lake. Obviously it won't track with my truck and I'm wondering how big of a deal that will be. Anyone have experience? I will be using it mostly for local fishing but may take a trip to red lake once a year. Thanks.

[pegleg]

We have one that is 8.5' width... Occasionally on Mille Lacs we come up to bridges that are only 8' wide and we have issues. We needed to put boards down on one side of the bridge to get the proper width. I don't know if Red has bridges but you might run into problems up there also if they have them.

[dougger222]

I would pass on the house and buy one that's street legal. You may never have an issue but you could have a run in with a city cop, sherif, trooper, or cvi. What a way to wreck a fishing trip!

[eyedr]

Thanks for the input. I really wasn't in the market for a wheel house but the guy needs to sell this quickly because he bought a bigger ice castle. So I could pick the house up for 1800 bucks. The frame is really well build, its got good suspension and pulls down the road as nice as an 8x14 can and its got new tin siding, and a sweet heater in it.

[gamberc]

Im a city cop in South Dakota. In my opinoion i dont think you would have alot of LEO's (Law Enforcement Officers) bothering you about the width expescially when its a few inches over the legal limit. I'd be suprised if they busted out the tape measure and actually measured it. Im not recommending you to do anything illegal this is strictly my UNPROFESSIONAL opinion. If it was me I wouldnt hassle you over it unless there was a reason I wanted to speak with you. Again im not recommending anything this is just my personal opionion. If you have any other legal questions about it or want to speak more about it pm me.

[Hawg]

I'ld buy it in a heartbeat. If you can only build to the legal limit why would you? You can't even sleep sideways without boxing in the wheels and losing most of the interior room. Don't drink when you move it.

[low277]

I see a lot of houses over the legal limit going down the road in my area. Like someone else said I don't think a few inches on a fish house type trailer is what the LEOs are after, I have seen guys get stopped regularly for trailer lights that where not working.

Just my .02

[JeffB]

Mine is the same dimensions as the one you are talking about and love it. I've never had a problem pulling mine anywhere. Enjoy the good deal and have fun fishing. If you are ever pulled over tell them its a one time trip to the big lake and be polite if questioned about it. If you find that its a hassle you should be able to get your money back out of it after some enjoyment.

[eyedr]

I appreciate the input we made the decision to pick it up tomorrow so hopefully it all works out. Im looking forward to being able to fish comfortably with my 3 nephews and hopefully getting my wife out there a few times.

[3pronghook]

good friend built his too wide. might be a foot? hes been stopped a few times. ticketed twice for overwidth. it can hapen. this past season ending weekend he got pulled over and the trooper followed him home. got a ticket and trooper told him he can move it but he needs to call in for overwidth permit. tickets 135 i believe. thing with his it LOOKS big. big vaulted ceiling and its a nice house. so its tall and wide and sticks out going down the road. i wouldnt worry about it. my guess is alot of them are a little over

[Ziesmer]

3" on each side? Buy it and never worry about it again.

[cold one sd]

I was talking to a buddy who is a truck driver and he said to put some reflectors or reflector tape on the fenders and no one will bother you if you are a bit over width. I wouldn't worry about it. My wheelhouse is 3" over the legal width.

[eyedr]

Pretty bumbed out, went to pick it up tonight and it was 122 inches wide not 109. and the one wheel didnt ride true. Looks like it was bent and we would have gone through a tire every couple hundred miles. I wasnt in the market for a 8,000 dollar fish house and it looks like a portable it is.