Advise on Wheel House Frame Purchase Needed

[Chad Holst]

I found a new 8 x 12 foot, with a 4 foot V nose, frame for sale locally and i am going to look at it tonight.

I talked to the owner today and he said that it was home built, from the guy he bought it from. I asked if it was made of angle Iron and he said No (which i heard angle iron is NOT the thing to use.) So it is made of channel something or other... He said he purchased some steal to "reinforce" what he thought was a possible weak spot, from flexing front to back.

it is the type that has jack holds near the wheels that you put a jack in, jack it up, remove pin, lower trailer to ice.

It has the wheels/tires. All new.

It also comes with 2 Vinyl Windows, a new insolated door and material to put the Door in, 2 Hole covers and the light kit. (lights not installed yet).

So, my question is what do i look for when im there, he is only asking $600 for everything and may go down a little bit since he wanted $600 when it included 8 Hole covers, but he sold 6 of them to someone else after placing the add.

This seams like a good deal, compaired to the $1,600-$2,800 advertised by most frame builders.

We wont be trailering all over the world, but maybe 1 trip a year from SE MN to one of the big lakes. Then just around our local areas. I will want to make it light enough to pull with a Jeep Cherokee, but i would want a couple flip down beds and atleast some sort of counter/table/cooking area, heater, stove and tanks in the "V".

Any thoughts or advice would be great, im supposed to be at his place in 4 hours... Is the price right?

[SapperACE]

The frame of your fish house is the most important part of all. Experience has told me to never skimp on the frame. I promise you will regret any frame other than one built by a reputable builder. I've had two "homemade" frames in my life and both ended up costing me more than just buying a good one to start with once I fixed all the things novice builders do not account for. That doesn't include my time fixing them and time lost fishing! You get what you pay for, especially with fish house frames!

[Hawg]

I would look for at least 2x3 tube frame, nothing less but it's scary to think the thing is flexing with nothing on it. Miltona Blacksmith, Don, says he hardly ever builds a 2x3 even anymore. When you see the houses going down the road with the tires tilted in that's too light a frame and axel/hub. $600 seems too cheap to be a good frame to me. Look for good flowing welds also, no gloppy poor welds. It's senseless to put a good house on a bad frame. Don't you know anybody that could go with you? Find a stock car driver/builder, they know steel and welding.

[Chad Holst]

yah, i have a buddy that can come with, I dont know if he knows much about structural integrity but i know he can weld and will know more than i will.

I wasnt going to post this, in fear that someone would snatch it up if its a super deal...but hey..here goes. Maybe this will help, there are 2 pictures of the frame in the cr@igs list add.

( http://rmn.craigs DELETE THIS PART list.org/spo/4120958196.html )

Thanks for the help guys.

[Chad Holst]

Didnt end up buying the frame, the structure seemed fine, welders are good, he purchased 2 lengthes of angle iro to support the length, but it wasnt an issue and would work fine. The issue was the tire system, it was not built for long hauls. very shaky design really. I offered him $450 and he said he would call after showing another buyer this morning. If i get it for $450, ill use the saved funds to redo the wheel lowering system.

BTW, they used C channel for the construction, thats good right?

[Redlineracer12]

BTW, they used C channel for the construction, thats good right?

Not as good as full tubing like most reputable house frames are.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I'd stay away from it. There's quite a few well built frames to be had on Kreg's List for a decent price.

[Chad Holst]

Thanks for the advice fellas! I didnt go with this one, but it looks like we are going to build a new one from scratch. I'll check out the other threads or start a new one.