Salem ice cabins

[redrider]

I would like to hear some pros/cons of these houses .

How about some opinions from actual owners or experience

From people that have actually fished or camped in them

Are they spray foamed ? Floors insulated ? Stay warm in -25?

How are to tow ? Just kinda been looking at these & ice castles

I really want Hyd lift but these houses look pretty nice too .

Also curious about the rv models with shower and toilets

Are these actually usable in -30 temps ?

[B-man715]

We looked at them when shopping a couple years ago. Seemed to be on par or a little better than most.

The biggest thing I didn't like about them is fixed tounge. Having to unhook the truck every time would be a pain in the butt.

[redrider]

Yea I hear ya on the tounge issue. Plus you can't drop the tail gate on most trucks with it hooked up. I do see some features on them I like vs others & I've read that they've beefed up the wiring for the jacks plus added space for a second battery on the 2015 models . I just can't get the " how nice it would be to have Hyd lift thoughts" out of my head ! Plus their prices seem to be a little more appealing .

[Gus]

No spray foam in walls or ceiling. You can have the dealer do the floor if you choose. I did not have my floor done and I can walk around in bare feet just fine even on the rubber floor, which I love.

I don't have any issues with my jacks, although they do take a while to run. Longer than a hydro house, but faster and easier than hand cranking.

It is a pain not to be able to open the tailgate when hooked up. That is one thing that really bugs me.

I've stayed warm in -30 temps just fine, but the windows frost over like no tomorrow in those temps. It does seem to take a while to heat up though, and I have considered trying to upgrade to a 30K btu heater at some point. (I have an 8x20 toy hauler model)

I've had small issues here or there, so far the dealer has taken care of all but one and we are waiting on parts for that. Only thing I dislike is waiting for the dealer to get things done. Being my first RV type purchase, I learned a lot. I should have had a better eye on the purchase day. I could have saved myself the trouble of some of the issues I'm having corrected. A bad window is the biggie.

I love the layout, which was the biggest purchasing factor for me. I very much dislike layouts that prevent using rods. So many of ice castles designs put holes where a guy couldn't jig comfortably. Much more setup for rattle reels IMHO, which I dislike.

They are finished pretty well I think. Exterior being the biggest difference over ice castle. Ice castle just tends slap caulk all over the place. Compare them side by side a few times and you'll see what I mean.

I think it tows pretty rough. 8x20 is a bit much for a single axle. Maybe if I had a 3/4 ton truck it would be different. (I drive F150) The trailer sway above 65mph is the biggest problem. Not that I want to be a speed demon, but I'd at least like to do the speed limit on the freeway. Which feels really dicy in any kind of side wind or when a big rig runs by you.

I don't think anybody runs water in their RV models in the winter, that's more a summer thing. Downsides to something happening outweigh the benefits.

I spent 3 years going to every ice fishing show comparing brands side by side, looking at finish, price, function, and layout. Camping in the summer with a heavy fishing emphasis in the winter. I'm a crappie guy so being able to comfortably jig was high on my layout choice, as well as having a queen size bed for camping in the summer. Not many other options that fit what I wanted.

If I ask myself would I purchase the same one over again... I do believe I would. I'd probably spend another 3 years at shows just making sure... but I think I would.

Have fun shopping.

[dj2quick35]

No spray foam in walls or ceiling. You can have the dealer do the floor if you choose. I did not have my floor done and I can walk around in bare feet just fine even on the rubber floor, which I love.

I don't have any issues with my jacks, although they do take a while to run. Longer than a hydro house, but faster and easier than hand cranking.

It is a pain not to be able to open the tailgate when hooked up. That is one thing that really bugs me.

I've stayed warm in -30 temps just fine, but the windows frost over like no tomorrow in those temps. It does seem to take a while to heat up though, and I have considered trying to upgrade to a 30K btu heater at some point. (I have an 8x20 toy hauler model)

I've had small issues here or there, so far the dealer has taken care of all but one and we are waiting on parts for that. Only thing I dislike is waiting for the dealer to get things done. Being my first RV type purchase, I learned a lot. I should have had a better eye on the purchase day. I could have saved myself the trouble of some of the issues I'm having corrected. A bad window is the biggie.

I love the layout, which was the biggest purchasing factor for me. I very much dislike layouts that prevent using rods. So many of ice castles designs put holes where a guy couldn't jig comfortably. Much more setup for rattle reels IMHO, which I dislike.

They are finished pretty well I think. Exterior being the biggest difference over ice castle. Ice castle just tends slap caulk all over the place. Compare them side by side a few times and you'll see what I mean.

I think it tows pretty rough. 8x20 is a bit much for a single axle. Maybe if I had a 3/4 ton truck it would be different. (I drive F150) The trailer sway above 65mph is the biggest problem. Not that I want to be a speed demon, but I'd at least like to do the speed limit on the freeway. Which feels really dicy in any kind of side wind or when a big rig runs by you.

I don't think anybody runs water in their RV models in the winter, that's more a summer thing. Downsides to something happening outweigh the benefits.

I spent 3 years going to every ice fishing show comparing brands side by side, looking at finish, price, function, and layout. Camping in the summer with a heavy fishing emphasis in the winter. I'm a crappie guy so being able to comfortably jig was high on my layout choice, as well as having a queen size bed for camping in the summer. Not many other options that fit what I wanted.

If I ask myself would I purchase the same one over again... I do believe I would. I'd probably spend another 3 years at shows just making sure... but I think I would.

Have fun shopping.

I use my RV toilet in my IC during the winter. i just fill the holding tank up with the pink or blue RV antifreeze and everything works just fine. the hard part is find a place to empty the holding tank after a trip. i am building a new house and actually had an RV dump tied into my sewer line (after city inspector approved it). I have seen holding tank heater mats that you can put on the tanks and they are 12V that kick on after the tank gets below a certain temp. I will think about having those added to any new RV model i might get in the future. Would be nice to be able to take a shower right out on the lake during some of those 7-10 day trips and not have to run in to the resort to pay for a shower.

[B-man715]

I didn't even know about the tailgate issue.......

........But it's not like you need to get anything out of the back of the truck on a fishing trip......

What the hell are they thinking????

[redrider]

Yea they really need to lengthen the tounge or move the jack back some that would be one of the biggest PIA in my opinion , I also was concerned about the single axle . I need a bigger house nowadays with 4 of us my16 footer just doesn't cut it anymore little cramped with two young boys at each other's throats non stop haha! So anyways can you run all 3 jacks from inside ? Some I've seen you can run side jacks from inside but the tongue jack from outside which is kinda dumb in my opinion .

[David Anderson]

On my second winter with a 2013 8 x 20RD. Bought it used last January and was like new when I got it. Electric jacks are nice but slow. Had my floor spray foamed this summer, seems to help. Front Jack and tailgate issue isn't too bad but I'm looking at making a bracket to move it back, but you get used to dealing with it. Upgraded to 2 30# propane tanks. I agree with everything Gus states and the hole positions verses where you sit is a big deal as check out most others, they are right at the base of the seating areas. I removed the couch to get to the compartment and added a door underneath the right side for extra storage, works great. Also put a battery switch near the convertor and added a trolling motor plug as well to plug in my electric Big Foot Auger. Switched all my lights to LED 240 lumen bulbs, 1/6 the power needed. Bought memory foam pads for the beds, much better sleeping. I have no problems towing at 65, I run a 2014 1/2 ton Sierra. I had to put a 4 inch rise on the ball mount to get it level. I wish they would have used stainless screws for the diamond plate as a number of them are rusting from the salt. If mine were new I'd replace the front ones if possible. The new 2 battery compartment is nice but I've never needed extra power yet. Mine came with a microwave and although it's nice I don't use it very often except in the summer when it doubles as my mini Man Cave. They are pre-wired for air conditioning and I have a unit sitting in the shed, waiting for warmer weather.

I would definitely buy another one as most people who see it are impressed. If you are buying I would look at what options are available and talk to other owners to see what is available from the factory.

[redrider]

Thanks you guys for all the input on these houses I appreciate all the help. It's a big investment & something I will own for several years I think so I want to try to get as much real info as I can about all the the different brands . But I've pretty much narrowed it down to I/c or the Salem as far as turn key I really like both of them for different things , but I guess a store bought unit will never be exactly what a guy wants . I like what Dave & Gus said about "hole placement" it's like some of the houses you look at the holes are put in there just random ? Not really "useable" placement for actual fishing in my mind & that's what I'll mainly use this for as we probly won't use it for camping a whole lot , but maybe on e or twice a year . We live in the Northwoods so camping isn't the main use of our shack ! Just basically ice fishing trips are our camping trips/vacations the whole family enjoys it .so anyone with more things to offer would be greatly appreciated . HEY LIP RIPPER! You can chime in here too as I'm not opposed to building my own either but tell me some pros & cons with your experience on that end of also . Who's trailer you'd buy next time & such. THANKS GUYS !

[Gus]

The front jack you have to run outside on the jack. I'm not sure why they did that either, but I can say it's nice to be able to see how high you are going too.

[JimW]

I have a Viking Ice which is made by the same manufacturer as the Ice Cabin. I love it. I did have to get a long receiver for my hitch so I could open the tailgate. I bought a 16" receiver and it moves the rig back far enough to make the tailgate openable. Camped quite a bit in it this summer and have been out fishing with it. I wish you could lower it without disconnecting from truck but really like everything else on it. Jacks are slow but sure beats a hand winch.

Jim