looking for our first sleeper house, what to buy?

[waxworm09]

We are looking to buy our first fish house and would like some opinions on what to buy. We are looking for something up to 5 or 6 years old. Something between 6.5 by 12 or max 8 by 16 with 2 bunks in the 5-10 k range. What is a good quality brand? We want something we can haul up to red lake a few times each winter, fish the local Willmar area, and also use as a camper for 3 of us in the summer. We found a very nice 8 by 24 in the area for 12k but think that might be too big and heavy for us since we want to head up north with it quite a bit? What are our best options on size, brand, options? Thanks for any help!

[wyonative]

I can show you what 10 k can buy you and live in Olivia drop me a line [email protected]

[SnowGuy73]

I'd suggest ice castle and should be able to find one in that price range around that year.

[RiverChuckNorris]

I own a 8x16, 2011 Ice Castle. It's great but I wouldn't buy another one without the galvanized frame and they only started galvanizing last year (2014 models I believe).

If you have $10k to drop, I'd spend another $2k at the Ice show and get a new one with galvanized frame. They also usually will throw in a Honda 2000 gen if you buy at the show so that would make up some for the extra budget spend.

Last 2 suggestions are to go 8' wide, not the 6.5' and we put in the rubber floor and love it.

[waxworm09]

I was more interested in the 8 over the 6.5, but I have been told by a couple guys that if i am hauling the house up north quite a bit the 6.5 is a better choice because they tow much better than the 8? Not sure if that is accurate but thats what i was told.

[B-man715]

As said, don't buy a painted steel frame. Most look like chit after a couple of years, even with maintenance. Been there, done that.....

I have a Yetti now and couldn't be happier with the looks of the frame after two winters and thousands of miles down salty roads. The galvanized frames available now would be a great choice too.

If you plan on towing A LOT with a half ton, the 6.5' is the way to go. If you are only making one or two long trips a year, or have a 3/4 or one ton to pull, I would go with an 8' all day long.

[waxworm09]

I will be pulling with a half ton, probably 5 or 6 trips between 3-6 hours each trip each year. A few trips ice fishing each winter, and a few trips camping each summer. That too much for an 8'? I found a used 2014 ice castle 6.5 by 12' with two bunks and a fold down dinette, an oven and stereo for $8800 at a dealer in the area, doesnt seem too bad but 12' might be getting a bit small for 3 of us..

[B-man715]

That would be awfully tight for three people. If you get a 6.5 for three people, I would recommend a 16' plus the 3' vee.

Summer towing is not nearly as bad, and I wouldn't hesitate with a big shack (8 wide) if you are only doing a few long winter drives.

Just take your time on marginal roads and set your trailer brakes light if it's icy or snowy. One time it took us almost 11 hours to get home from LOTW in an ice/snow storm......my knuckles were as white as the stuff hitting the windshield.. but we made it home in one piece

[B-man715]

Another option, no matter what size shack you buy, is to leave it up north for back to back fishing trips.

A bunch of places will let you park on land, for as little as a dollar a day. If you can get up there two or three times in as many weeks, it's a no brainer for your stress level and you'll also be money ahead on fuel. I have a buddy that lives 45 minutes from Red (and right on my way) that lets me park my shack in his driveway if I plan on getting back up again soon.

It sure is a lot more relaxing bobtailing

[JSK76]

I had a 6x12 with a 2' semi V for the last 10 years and just went to a 8x16'. I've camped with the 8x16 4 times this summer now and really like the extra room but I really miss the narrower house. I didn't need trailer brakes before, could see cars behind with standard mirrors and pulled like a dream. I never pulled a big camper before so I always feel stressed (wait for winter roads) when pulling it and didn't with my 6' wide one. It was easy to pull out with the four wheeler and could get out on less ice too. I love the extra space, especially having a bathroom now and the idea of heading up to red or low with 2 other buddy's. I've actually contemplated selling it and going to a 6.5x16 with a bathroom but I will give it a winter to see how it goes.

Wether you go with a dealer or private party I would ask if you can pull it a few miles to see if your comfortable with it first.

[waxworm09]

Well we found a 6.5 by 16 Lodge fish house we are very interested in. My next question- when you buy a wheel house, i assume they have to be registered? Do they have a title? Do you pay sales tax and registration on a house? We are looking at spending 8K on the house, what will my final cost be? Not sure if we pay tax and registration and price will jack up to $8700, or how exactly that works. Thanks

[dirt292lv]

Most new or newer fish houses are license and registered as rvs it they are sleepers

If you plan on financing it I would look at interest rates and term of loan sometimes you would be better off buying new maybe more but would benefit in the long run more also for long trips tandems are nice if you can justify the extra cost