Yetti or Big Bite

[SwivelDigger]

Looking to buy a new wheel house. I've been looking at yetti's or big bites.....I've found quite a bit of info on yetti's but not much on big bite houses. What are anyone's impressions on either? Any insight on either would be appreciated. Thanks

[KoltRinger]

Going into season #3 with a 6x16 Yetti. So far so good, did have some crank issues, but some were due to operator error, ie a guy let go as it was being cranked down and it frayed up the cable. I looked at the new ones at the St. Paul show and it looks like they have beefed up the cables. Otherwise, nothing but good things and need to get it back on the ice! Good luck.

[greatwhitehunter]

Don't know anything about them but the Big Bite's at the ice expo looked awesome!

[BartmanMN]

I am curious too. The Big Bite look identical to Yetti in photos outside of the graphic package. Look nice.

[Iambjm]

I bought my 6.5x12 Yetti 3 years ago as a shell, beefed up the insulation and finished it off myself. It was work but I am happy with it, and they have improved on the cable systems. I am going to have the jack installed on the front of mine so it will be easier to crank down to the ice in the front. Having back problems it is sometimes hard for me to bend over and crankup the front. I put $2 - 2.5 grand into finishing it off. But is the way I want it. I used store bought cabinets, cause I was too lazy to build my own, 6 holes 2 bunks in the back. I wasn't quite done with all the trim in this picture.

[Chad Holst]

There are other companies i would throw into the hat too. Team Lodge makes a darn good house and if you're looking to spend "yetti" money + interior finishing, then i would sure give Dave a try too.And then you dont have to finish the inside. (unless thats your goal)

Personally if your prepaired to do the interior, i would buy a frame and do it all yourself. If you can build good looking cabinets and other interior features, then you sure can frame a wall and hand aluminum.

[SwivelDigger]

You guys are right, the big bites looked awesome at the ice expo....

Lambjm your yetti looks great...far more talent or patience than I have to build something that looks that nice. You did a really nice job.

Sirlips.... Lodge would be my 3rd choice. Don't get me wrong they are really nice houses. Great workmanship on the inside as well as the outside. I just kind of have a preference for aluminum over steel these days. Everyone says lookout the aluminum will crack etc...... Well how many snowmobile trailers and so on are pounding down the road now days that are just fine? We have an aluminum flat bed at work that gets severely abused quite frequently and it's holding up better than the steel trailer. I ,myself, do not posses the skill or talent to finish off the interior to make it look good.... If I finished off the inside it would look like an ice castle.....stuff split and not fitting together right!

Anyway I appreciate all of your comments and thoughts. I think I'm going with a Big Bite. Now the only question is 8x16 or 8x20..... Decisions decisions.

[rustysetter]

Swivel, I'm looking at big bites too, I have a 2010 lodge and want to upgrade, I was hoping to get some feedback from some big bite owners, but nothing yet. I have only seen pictures so far but I'm going to look at them this weekend.

[SwivelDigger]

Rusty, where are you going to look? I was kind of having a hard time finding them in stock...same thing with the Yetti's that were finished. I did find a couple and the guy said I have first pick of an 8x16 or 8x20.....I think I'm going to do the 8x 20. When I make my choice tomorrow I can let you know. I got them talked in 2 a sweet deal and I'll be glad to let you know how after I get mine sewn up

[rustysetter]

Swivel, I am going to look at the dealer in Milaca, I have talked with the dealer in Roseau too. That would be great if you let me know. I will look seriously at the 20 which would be an upgrade from my 16. Storage space is very important in my evaluation. Thanks for the reply!!

[aczr2k]

lambjm- Our Yetti didn't have a jack either so I made up this mount and modified a standard Bulldog jack. The jack needs to be painted, it's on the list. I also removed the winch from the tongue, it's not needed anymore. I'm sure you've run in to the issue of when you crank the house down the tongue won't come off the ball?

[Iambjm]

lambjm- Our Yetti didn't have a jack either so I made up this mount and modified a standard Bulldog jack. The jack needs to be painted, it's on the list. I also removed the winch from the tongue, it's not needed anymore. I'm sure you've run in to the issue of when you crank the house down the tongue won't come off the ball?

Right about the tongue not coming off the ball, plus I have busted the front cable twice. What did that end up costing you?

[aczr2k]

Free, I made it myself. I already had the jack, it has 15" of travel. Oops I guess I purchased 4 stainless bolts.

[brian6715]

I am finishing my own Yetti, in fact I think I might eventually offer to finish them for other people, being how much they cost finished, it's insane!

Does Big Bite offer an unfinished shell like Yetti does? Does anyone have any idea what they cost?

[aczr2k]

Nothing is cheap, we will have almost $3k of just materials into finishing our 6.5x16 Yetti. Our house is strictly set up for fishing, no bunks and no stove.