Ice Castle or Lodge?

[Witter]

Im looking at getting a shack that I can use in the summer for camping, as well,to please the wife).. I like Ice Castles and the Lodge but cant decide on which one. Has any one had any issues with the hydraulics on the Ice castles in the real cold ? looking at getting a 24 footer, has any one had any issues with having a longer shack ? Thanks

[Iceman1026]

Look at the salem ice cabins I had a IC they just slap them together lodge is over priced

[Boar]

I have a 20ft v IC crank. No hyd. So i dont have any help there. But will mention that my brother has a 24 ft v and with the v hes at 28 and the 3 ft tounge hes at 31. And that thing is a sob to manuever here and ther and back up ect ect on snow and ice. My 20ftv is plenty for me and wife an a kid or two or three and weve camped in it no probs. Think about the size primarily if ur main use is ice.

[iffwalleyes]

I have a Lodge and I think they are finished off much better than IC. But they are alot more $$$$. For the cost savings it's probably ok to go with the IC likely my next one will be. One thing to keep in mind with the Salem Ice Cabin you have to fully unhook from the tow vehicle for it to lower to the ice. They are nice looking houses but for me this would be a reason not to get one. I do alot of day trips with mine and that would be a pain.

[SHAWSKI]

Ours is a 20 foot IC v front is a year or 2 older than Boar's. We purchased it new and can't wait to get it out on the hard water again. We summer camped with it only one time, it worked very well. We set it down on the frame when camping which was very nice compared to all the campers up on blocks and jacks to level and sturdy them.

No regrets.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

The Lodge seems to be a bit higher quality that the Ice Castles, but I think Ice Castle has come a long way in the last few years.

Cold temps won't cause any issues with hydraulics. I've used mine down to -39 (coldest), and quite a few times in the -20 to -30 range.

[RiverChuckNorris]

Can you get the Lodge's frame galvanized? If you can, I might lean towards that if you're ok paying the premium for better f&f. I also do love the idea of the thermal awning Lodge offers.

I own a 2011 IC and the frame is quite rusty (despite taking it to the self-wash after each trip). We also have cables so can't speak to the hydro's.

[iffwalleyes]

Can you get the Lodge's frame galvanized? If you can, I might lean towards that if you're ok paying the premium for better f&f. I also do love the idea of the thermal awning Lodge offers.

I own a 2011 IC and the frame is quite rusty (despite taking it to the self-wash after each trip). We also have cables so can't speak to the hydro's.

I know they will do allot of customization. So I bet that they can get it done for you.

[Boar]

Hey shawski, howes it going. No regrets here ither. Heck of alot fun camping to. Best of both worlds

[Jessie_H]

Friends of mine have a castle, they've had continues issues with the heater and the frame just recently cracked.

They are now waiting for their customized Elite fish house.

[BuckSutherland]

I stopped and looked at the Lodge @ Hillmerson in LF. After I got talking to the guy a little bit and seeing the price tag I just had to laugh. No insulation in the floor, no insulation in the ceiling. Then he claimed it had R38 in the walls and that it didnt need insullation anywhere else. I told him to take his hand out and stick it along side a lit lighter. You can get it right next to it, then I told him to stick it over the top of the flame. Should be all you need to know about them right there. Fancy construction, but poor efficiency if you ask me. Not to mention it is physically impossible to get anywhere near that much foam in a 2x2 or 2x3 wall. But, I am sure they catch lots of suckers cause the house looks cool.

As for the IC, yeah, they slap them together, but at least the average guy can afford one.

I would NEVER ever buy a LODGE.

[elkoholic]

Jessie how long have ur friends been waiting?

[Wes Ellis]

Witter,

If you get a chance stop at Pleasure Land in Brainerd. They have 5 brands of fish houses!

[bassNspear]

i have had 2 castles, and won't buy anything else. I had a 18 and now a 23 footer and its the best thing i ever did. I got hydro frame as well, its well well worth the extra money I'm telling ya. They are the biggest company and can make anything you want.

[SnowGuy73]

Ice castle.

[CaptainMusky]

I stopped and looked at the Lodge @ Hillmerson in LF. After I got talking to the guy a little bit and seeing the price tag I just had to laugh. No insulation in the floor, no insulation in the ceiling. Then he claimed it had R38 in the walls and that it didnt need insullation anywhere else.

your salesman clearly didn't know what he was talking about. The information is available right on the HSOforum: "Top of the line one piece RV rubber roof

Spray in insulation to insure no voids, thus preventing condensation and air movement

R value on walls is 8-10

R value on ceiling is 16-18"

[Fowlmouth]

love ice castle, but both are nice