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Buying an Ice Castle. Need Advice

Rooster7

By Rooster7
in Ice Fishing

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Rooster7 Contributor

Rooster7

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So I got a GREAT deal on a 2014 Ice Castle Spirit. I can't pass it up.

My problem is, I don't know how to work anything. I have always had skid houses.

Any advice?

I shouldn't say I don't know how to work anything. I'm not an i diot but like I said I have always had skid houses.

So is there any tips and tricks and do's and dont's with a wheel house?

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dfv87 Experienced

dfv87

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I like to have 2 people to lower/raise the side so it comes up and goes down even... just me I guess but I don't like the flex of doing 1 side aat a time. If I go by myself I lower each side part way lock it and go to the other side... repeat. I also got rid of the cable in the front and went with a zero point jack which works so much nicer. if I could figure a way to eliminate the cables all together I would.

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BLACKJACK Grand Master

BLACKJACK

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What size is your Spirit??

Coat the cables with grease, keeps the road gunk off and keeps them from rusting, if it has the 30 pound tanks positioned behind the truck tires, get a cover for them (and the regulator) at a RV center, again keeps the road gunk off. Get the hole long hole sleeves, that way you can set the house on 4x4's, no freezing down and less mess when drilling. Take short trips at first, get used to it, see what works and what doesn't.

When cranking up and down, my Ice Castle book says the hitch crank down last and up last - in other words do the wheel cranks first on both the up and down. I also don't like to go all the way up or down with one side, like to go part way up on one side, do the other side, then go back to the first side. Once you have the pins in, loosen up the cables so they're not taking the weight as you go down the road.

Good luck and don't hesitate to post back here with questions!!

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outkast7222 Enthusiast

outkast7222

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When cranking up and down, my Ice Castle book says the hitch crank down last and up last - in other words do the wheel cranks first on both the up and down. I also don't like to go all the way up or down with one side, like to go part way up on one side, do the other side, then go back to the first side. Once you have the pins in, loosen up the cables so they're not taking the weight as you go down the road.

Good luck and don't hesitate to post back here with questions!!

Odd my manual says the opposite. Tongue down first and up last.

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BigDogRob Collaborator

BigDogRob

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Yes tongue down first and up last...keeps less than 80% of your house weight on the front cable. Make sure you have a decent deep cycle battery, if you choose put two in tandem or use a small generator for weekend trips! Take your time going down the ice roads, it's not a race and will keep your axles looking great for years! Probably the most important is bring your family along! They will love spending the time together! If it is really cold outside bank it around the wheel wells very well! It seems to be the first place to start melting and then you get the holes to start freezing up. Other than that ENJOY IT!!!

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JakeJ_Mn Collaborator

JakeJ_Mn

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Mine is tongue down first - up last. Buy some white lithium spray grease to coat your winches, cables, and release pins. I had some covers made out of boat canvas for my winches.

I have 4x4s cut for blocking and have the 8" long sleeves for my holes.

You will want to drill your holes prior to setting down if you have a gas auger so your house doesn't smell like exhaust. Otherwise, buy a propane or electric, then you can drill inside with the house down. Use a slush box to hold most of the chips. Your furnace will have the floor dry in a few minutes.

I always face my door to the south and bank the house.

Carry a grease gun and grease your pivot points every up and down with synthetic marine grease.

If it doesn't have fans to cirulate the air, either put in a ceiling fan or get a couple small 12v ones.

Most of the Spirits I have seen have 30# tanks. Keep them full and covered.

A generator is a must for the microwave:)

I carry an extra lift cable, clamps, spare tire, high lift jack, tools and a Buddy heater just in case.

It will be easier each time you use it. Enjoy.

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waligators Collaborator

waligators

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Great thread rooster7! I'm getting a house today with a frame that was made by Miltona Blacksmith. I would think that the cranking instructions would pretty much be the same as ice castle. (correct me if I'm wrong on that) I like the idea of getting canvas covers for the winches when being pulled down the road to keep the salt/snow off of them.

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dfv87 Experienced

dfv87

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Oh and extra set of pins for the ones that you drop in the cold and they slide to the hole... relaxing the cable aftre the pin is in also is smart but make sure it is still locked. IMO I upgraded the winches on mine as I wanted heavier ones. the covers are a nice touch also... we use them on long trips.

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BLACKJACK Grand Master

BLACKJACK

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I carry an extra lift cable, clamps, spare tire, high lift jack, tools and a Buddy heater just in case.

I've been thinking about getting an extra cable and clamps to take with but how do you get the old cable off, it has a special clamp holding the ends together, I was thinking it would take a hack saw... High lift jack and Buddy heater along is a good idea too.

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Rooster7 Contributor

Rooster7

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Wow! Great replies guys. Thanks alot. The Spirit is 8 x 16. It should be in my possesion by saturday. I can't wait!!!

My wife has been wanting a camper for a few years now and this will give us the best of both worlds!

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B-man715 Mentor

B-man715

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I've been thinking about getting an extra cable and clamps to take with but how do you get the old cable off, it has a special clamp holding the ends together, I was thinking it would take a hack saw... High lift jack and Buddy heater along is a good idea too.

Menards sells a crimping/cutting tool for $20. Basically a bolt cutter.

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jfish21 Contributor

jfish21

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I also got rid of the cable in the front and went with a zero point jack which works so much nicer. if I could figure a way to eliminate the cables all together I would.

dfv87, I am not familiar with a zero point jack, but this is interesting. Can you show a picture of how you changed yours?

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Effie07 Contributor

Effie07

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Buy an 12 ga. Extension cord to leave in the house for the generator. Went up to LOW for New Years and forgot mine. Luckily Deanna at Zipple Bay was kind enough to lend me one for the weekend. A one gallon kettle for hot water and a five gallon bucket w/ scented bags and kitty litter (stole this trick after someone posted it on HSO last year) works great for keeping the smell down.

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