Berkon vs. Ice Assault Frame

[Rattle_Reel6]

I am going to buy a new frame this spring to start another fish house build. I'm looking for any and all opinions on which of these two to go with - Berkon or Ice Assault. I know the topic of fish house frames has been discussed quite a bit, but this is a large decision and want to make the best one possible.

I will be getting a single axle, 8x16 plus either a 3 or 4 foot V front (leaning toward the 4'- let me know if there are any negatives). Both of the Berkon and Ice Assault are hydraulic and torsion axle, but the 2 main differences are that IA is slightly beefier and boxes in their wheel wells, and the axles are a little different. I will be galvanizing the Berkon frame, and sounds like the IA frames all are going to be galvanized in the future.

The price difference is $4500 for the Berkon (non-galvanized) vs. the IA at $5500. Any input is appreciated, as this is will be the largest investment in the house. IA is the top pic and Berkon is the bottom. Thanks!!

[slurpie]

Both good frames. Another brand could be tebben from Clara city mn. Unless Ice assault changed you won't have their frame till maybe next fall they were really slow at getting my frame done. Only complaint I had of them. Don't have any experience with berkon but hear good things about them.

[dougger222]

Have no experience with either frame (not sure what frame is under my dreamshak).

Personally would think a double axle is going to be better than a shingle axle in that size house. Less tongue weight and easier to tow. The IA looks like it's got a lot more metal in the frame as far as cross sections and such. The one drawback I can see with the IA is a hand crank for the tongue were the Berkon uses hydraulics for the up/down on the tongue. My shack has the same tongue as the IA and it's sort of a pain when the house is set up for remote control hydraulics. Plan to either have it modified to run hydraulics up front or go to electric jack.

BTW, I bought and sold perhaps the last shack rack frame and the frame was 8x22+angled front and it had the piston on the tongue like the Berkon.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Have no experience with either frame (not sure what frame is under my dreamshak).

Personally would think a double axle is going to be better than a shingle axle in that size house. Less tongue weight and easier to tow. The IA looks like it's got a lot more metal in the frame as far as cross sections and such. The one drawback I can see with the IA is a hand crank for the tongue were the Berkon uses hydraulics for the up/down on the tongue. My shack has the same tongue as the IA and it's sort of a pain when the house is set up for remote control hydraulics. Plan to either have it modified to run hydraulics up front or go to electric jack.

BTW, I bought and sold perhaps the last shack rack frame and the frame was 8x22+angled front and it had the piston on the tongue like the Berkon.

The Ice Assault is a hydraulic tongue. You just can't see it in the picture, as it is on the opposite side of the tongue.

[dj2quick35]

Do any of these companies that make the hydraulic frames put in a fail safe in case a line pops or something happens to where the hydraulic system wont work? Would be interesting to see if they could put an electric jack in for emergency cases.

[Rattle_Reel6]

Does Tebben make hydraulic frames? Ive met with Clint at IA and have heard some of the concerns on time with fabrication, but am hoping if I get the order in in the next month, I should have it by May/June at the latest.

I'm leaning toward the Berkon. I like the wireless hyrdaulic remote idea too. Not sure what the "backup" plan is if any lines break, but it sounded like they use pretty common hydraulic lines/fitting/fluid that can be found at a fleet farm or northern tool.

Does anyone have any knowledge of the axles on these frames?

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

While something *could* happen, it's unlikely. The systems on these houses are extremely simple, and the lines are way overrated for the PSI these systems generate.

I'm not sure about the Berkon, but my plan on the Ice Assault frame if anything were to happen is to take a floor jack to the 2"x6" tube steel over the wheel wells. That'll lift it up no problem.

Fluid in my system is regular ATF. I think that is what Berkon runs, too.

Axles are a torsion axle with custom arms on the end. They ride extremely smooth and track perfectly straight.

[dougger222]

I think you can get remote control with most any hydraulic system. See guys at the dump who use a remote control for their dump trailers.