Portable Shelter Floor

[olbaidhh]

Ok, I see a bunch of ideas for portables concerning walls and ceilings using reflectix etc.

BUT...

Who has a cheap, light solution for some kind of floor option in a portable?

Anyone ever try reflectix, any other solution, ideas?

Normally I would not care I have a wheelhouse, but with the weather we have had around here this past winter and with it looking like the same this year, I will no doubt be out in the portable more.

So just looking to see if anyone ever uses anything for a floor and if its even worth it. Maybe keep in mind I have a Hub style shelter.

Thanks in advance for the idea's !

[motley man]

I go to a local carpet dealer and get carpet they pull out of houses and throw away, cut it to the size of hub style portable and it works great. Just bring it in to garage or basement to dry out after use. If you get enough just cut more squares for future days. Do not leave it on ice after use.

[pikestabber]

I have a 6x6 hub house and I bought a piece of indoor/outdoor carpet around the same time I got my house. Both are going on year 4 and the carpet is still in good shape. For about $15, I got something that not only keeps the floor from getting slippery but helps break A TON of cold and does wonders for your toes. When I get home I just leave it in the garage to freeze dry over night, then into the basement the next morning to dry out completely. It's light, cheap, and awesome.

This particular carpet is a darker grey, woven indoor-outdoor...not the fake green grass variety.

[olbaidhh]

ok then, so are your holes precut in the carpet??? This would be great for cutting the holes outside of the shelter as well!

[OnAFly]

How about something that doesn't let water through? I would like to sleep in mine, but I don't want to wake up soaked.

[TyGuy02]

I just built a floor with hinges (plywood with 2x2 framing). I don't know how well it works yet, since I just built it, but I mostly fish from a pickup, so I'm not worried about weight. I left 1' on two of the sides for the holes. So the bigfoot is 8'x8', my floor is 6'x8', and folded is 3'x4'. I like a nice solid and stable base to set things on, so I think this will work great for what I do. I had heard of the carpet idea, but didn't think that it would help much with water seeping through, and maybe not as level.

[pikestabber]

ok then, so are your holes precut in the carpet??? This would be great for cutting the holes outside of the shelter as well!

That would be a good way to go, too. What I do is is shown in my amazing drawing below Lay down the carpet, drill the holes as shown, then put the hub over the carpet and holes. I actually keep all the carpet inside and let it overlap up the walls in the two back corners so I can still get the anchors in on the outside, but if you want to go this way, you could just cut the carpet to 5'x5' or whatever size you need to leave space for the holes. And yes, I do look like a bald weeble-wobble

As for sleeping in the house, we have done it with cots. I wouldn't sleep just on carpet even if it was dry...you stay much warmer being off the ice a couple feet. It actually is level, too, if you shovel out a spot first (which I would imagine you would need to do to be level with a wooden floor, as well).

[NKLCOLT1911]

there is a company out there called ice innovations and they make something called the ice rug, they look like they will work great but are pretty spendy.

[pikestabber]

there is a company out there called ice innovations and they make something called the ice rug, they look like they will work great but are pretty spendy.

Just checked that out...Weather Innovations...6x6 rug is $220. That's more than many hub houses cost! The indoor outdoor can be had for under $20. Looking at their photos, I can't seem to see what makes them so special? They aren't insulated by the pictures I have seen...do they dry automatically and fillet your fish? Maybe I am missing something...

[NKLCOLT1911]

Just checked that out...Weather Innovations...6x6 rug is $220. That's more than many hub houses cost! The indoor outdoor can be had for under $20. Looking at their photos, I can't seem to see what makes them so special? They aren't insulated by the pictures I have seen...do they dry automatically and fillet your fish? Maybe I am missing something...

Only down side to indoor outdoor is its kinda thin if those ice rugs were a third the cost I'd get one, but for the most part the idea of a pop up is to be light and portable if you want a floor get a suit case style till then I would just buy better boots or get a permi

[DLD24]

I just use little rubber rugs I think four of them cover my house....I work with semi trailers so I have a ton of them, because they come in the back of the vans ..if your going to be in the Duluth area I could give ya some...I just roll them up when I'm done.....let me know

[slammer]

Go to any box store and get a rubber door mat. They come in many sizes and have a felt like carpet on them. Turn it upside down as the "fuzzy" side will keep it from sliding around on the ice.

[pikestabber]

...Lay down the carpet, drill the holes as shown, then put the hub over the carpet and holes.

Some other advantages to this versus having just holes in the carpet to match your fishing holes...

a) gives you a place to set fish down momentarily without putting them on the carpet

gives you a spot to put ice you skim from your hole

c) gives you an area to set down your line for a second without fear of getting your hook caught in the carpet

d) beer stays colder on the ice than on the carpet

e) if you enjoy a bit of tobacco, now and again, or even sunflower seeds, you have a place to spit or ash