Hydraulic Frames

[Adam NWI]

Sorry if this has been discussed before, I wasn't able to find anything through a quick search.  I'm looking to start a new fish house build and wondering what everyone's thoughts were on Tebben frames.  I like the idea of how they raise the tongue of the trailer keeping the hitch level.  My current trailer binds up on the ball when it's lowered making it difficult to disconnect from my truck.

My main concerns are if I can get it galvanized and if there were any added charges for that.  Also, do these come with trailer brakes built in, or would I have to add those myself?  From what I've seen online, correct me if I'm wrong, trailer brakes are required on trailers with a gross weight of 3000# or more in Iowa and Minnesota.  With a frame weight of 1780#, I'm assuming I'll go over 3000# pretty quickly.

I'm planning to build a 20' house with steel 1x1" square tubing for the studs.  My first build was a 6-1/2x10' plus a 3'v.  It still works great, I just enjoy the project almost as much as I enjoy fishing out of it and I'm ready for an upgrade!

[trav102]

I have a Berkon galvanized hydraulic frame, that I like. Easy to connect/disconnect from truck in either up or down position. Haven't had any experience with a Tebben frame.

[Adam NWI]

Thanks for the reply trav102, the Berkon frame looks pretty similar to the Tebben and it looks like they do galvanized trailers pretty regularly.

Did yours come with trailer brakes?  Or is that something I'd have to add on myself if I go over 3000#?

[trav102]

Sorry I forgot to add, I didn't build on this one, already came built so the brakes were on already. (I built my last one however) But I did look at the Berkon frames before I bought because I was going to build again myself and pretty sure that they had the brakes already. (At least the ones I looked at in their catalog) But I feel like any brand at that size should come with the brakes already, since a 20' house is going to go over the 3k limit.

[Adam NWI]

I was thinking the same thing, but when I don't see it listed with the features I don't want to go off my own assumption.

I sent Tebben a couple emails 2 days ago and hadn't heard anything yet.  I'll give Berkon a try and see what they say.

[Hawg]

If Lip_Ripper Guy doesn't come on about your frame just PM him, he's our resident expert on hydraulic frames. 

[vtx1029]

I was looking to buy a frame from this guy http://www.fishhouse-frames.com/node

but it was out of my price range. He said he can weld on the axle arms after the galvanize. If you have not talked with the galvanizer yet I suggest you do. If your going to use AZZ galvanize out of winstead MN, Dan the sales guy is great to deal with and will explain everything you need to know.

[Moon Lake Refuge]

That's who we used vtx and he was great to work with.  Easiest part of the whole build.  Question on the studs though.  1x1?  That doesn't leave a lot for insulation unless your going with some substantial furring strips.

[Adam NWI]

I use 1x4's as furring strips, which will give me another 3/4".  Then having it spray foamed.

My last house I used rigid foam boards for insulation in the walls and ceiling.  I've never had anything spray foamed before, so if that's not enough let me know what you think.

[Moon Lake Refuge]

9 minutes ago, Adam NWI said:

I use 1x4's as furring strips, which will give me another 3/4".  Then having it spray foamed.

My last house I used rigid foam boards for insulation in the walls and ceiling.  I've never had anything spray foamed before, so if that's not enough let me know what you think.

I would say 1x4 is over kill for furring strips aside from where bunks and cabinets are located and 1x1 is under sized for the studs.  Personally I would run 1x2 to have enough room for insulation.  Couple bucks extra up front. It saves you from hearing your furnace as often and spending as much down the road on propane.  

[Adam NWI]

Planned on cutting the 1x4's down into 1x2's as I don't need 3-1/2" wide furring strips.  These would give me a thickness of 1-3/4" to insulate.  I thought that would be more than what Ice Castle uses.  I think they use 2x2" wood studs which would have actual depth of about 1-1/2".  I may be wrong there as I don't know for sure what they use for studs.

The reason I was going with 1x1" square tubing was to keep the weight down, but with 1x2", I could go with a lighter gauge steel, which would only be a little heavier overall.

I was going with 14 ga. steel for the 1x1's, may change it to 16 ga if I use 1x2's.  What gauge and widths has everyone else used?

[Adam NWI]

In case anyone was wondering the same thing, I just got word back from Berkon, and all of their tandem axle trailers do come standard with trailer brakes. 

One less thing on the to-do list!

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Last I talked with Tebben they weren't galvanizing frames.  That may have changed in the last few months.

Regardless of manufacturer, galvanizing is a substantial up-charge, but worth it ($600-1,000).  No coating any manufacturer is currently doing last more than a couple years.  Paint, powder coating, and bed liner are all going to end up rusty in a very short time.   

Don't use 14 gauge for your studs.  Use 16 or less, if you can find it.  1x1 is probably fine, but I've not seen it used.  You'll get a lot more strength from something rectangular shaped, but added strength may not be necessary.  1x1 will already be stronger than any wood stud.    

Edit to add:

I know nothing about the manufacturer page you cited, but their prices are in line with all the other hydraulic frame manufacturers.  

Edited September 29, 2016 by Lip_Ripper Guy

[Adam NWI]

Thanks Lip Ripper, I used a mix of 14 and 16 gauge 1x1 on my last house.  I used 14 gauge in the corners and V as well as the studs holding up the bunks.  That probably wasn't necessary.

I wouldn't mind using 2x1, but doesn't that cover up the entire outer tube on the frame?  What supports your plywood floor around the edges?

I know exactly what you mean with the galvanizing being worth it.  We build park equipment and always recommend galvanizing over any other finish for the durability.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

18 hours ago, Adam NWI said:

Thanks Lip Ripper, I used a mix of 14 and 16 gauge 1x1 on my last house.  I used 14 gauge in the corners and V as well as the studs holding up the bunks.  That probably wasn't necessary.

I wouldn't mind using 2x1, but doesn't that cover up the entire outer tube on the frame?  What supports your plywood floor around the edges?

I know exactly what you mean with the galvanizing being worth it.  We build park equipment and always recommend galvanizing over any other finish for the durability.

The bottom (and top) plate(s) of your wall are stood on end.   

[Adam NWI]

Thanks Lip Ripper, I've looked at a couple of your builds on this page and I never would have noticed that!

I've never seen a fish house in my area as the closest lake safe to drive on in the winter is an hour and a half away, so I definitely appreciate all the help I can get from the experts!!!

 

[Adam NWI]

I finally decided on a frame and have it ordered.  Now I'm working to get everything else ordered so I can start framing up the walls.  One thing I'm having trouble deciding on are the doors and windows.  Is there a special kind needed for traveling down the highway, or will any glass slider work from one of the home improvement stores?  Where has everyone gotten theirs from?  Fishhouse supply has one, but from the looks of it only one size.

 

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

1 hour ago, Adam NWI said:

I finally decided on a frame and have it ordered.  Now I'm working to get everything else ordered so I can start framing up the walls.  One thing I'm having trouble deciding on are the doors and windows.  Is there a special kind needed for traveling down the highway, or will any glass slider work from one of the home improvement stores?  Where has everyone gotten theirs from?  Fishhouse supply has one, but from the looks of it only one size.

 

Who did you end up going with for your frame?

 

You'll want to get an out swing fish house door.  You can do some online searches for camper doors, rv doors, etc. to track them down.

 

A regular house window is by far the best option.  Menards has some good options, especially with the Jeld Wen's.  

[Hawg]

And make your door open with the hinge in the front in case it ever comes open on the road or going across the lake. 

[Adam NWI]

Good advice!  Thanks Hawg!  I ordered a Berkon 8x21' galvanized hydraulic frame.  After looking into each of the manufacturers that I know of, that came to be my first choice.  It turns out he had one in stock, and I can pick it up this weekend!

 

My original plan was to get the rest of the materials together while waiting on the frame.  Now that will all have to be pushed up.  Can't complain about that!

 

Lip Ripper, I was hoping you would say that about the windows.  Hopefully I can get to Menards sometime this weekend and look around.

 

My steel 2x1 stud order is in.  I've just got to wait for our production dept. to get their tubing orders in so I don't have to pay freight.  Should get that in early next week I hope.  I'm excited to get the process started!

[Moon Lake Refuge]

LRG has said it in other posts but after nearing the end of our build I couldn't agree more.  Order everything you will need for the house, down to the screws and all.  We spent more time waiting and shopping once we were building than I would want to do again.  Hard part can be not knowing what all you'll need but its definitely a PITA having to stop to go spend 10 bucks on screws or something else.

[Adam NWI]

I'm having a little trouble finding 5/16" pine carsiding.  It's not on Menards page and the guys I've talked to at two different stores say they can't even order it.

 

I tried Lowes, which has it listed at $17.45 for a bundle of 6 on their page, but they don't have it in stock in their local store.  They told me I had to wait until today to talk to their specialist to see if they could order it in.  Still, 17.45 seems a little high for (6) 5/16" pine carsiding boards. 

 

Where has everyone else gotten it, and are there better prices out there?

[vtx1029]

@ menards ask them for SKU 5013521 its called Premium Notty Pine planking

https://www.menards.com/main/paint/paneling-planking/planking/pine-planking/v-grooved-beaded-reversible-pine-planking/p-1444426280440-c-8184.htm

 

[Adam NWI]

Thanks VTX!  That'll save me about $350!

 

I assume those come in bundles of 6 as well.  Their page description isn't very good.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

It is bundles of 6.

 

They used to do the buy 1 get 1 free, but I haven't seen that for a long time.  The best bet is to wait for an 11% off sale, and then don't forget to send in your rebate form.