Ice House Wheel Well Question

[TheDotz]

So Im starting my second Ice House build.  Last years worked but wanted to improve.  This year I bought a 2010 8x16 camper that was flooded to start out with.  I couldnt pass it up at $400.   I completely gutted the camper down to the studs.   My next step is to cut out the wheel wells to get ready to take to the machine shop to build the drop axles.  My question is what is the dimensions of the wheel wells on a Ice Castle or similar brand?   I live in SW Iowa and we don't have many Ice Houses around for me to compare to.   Id like to get the wheel wells rough cut out before I take it to the fabricator.

 

Thanks in advance

 

This is the camper Im starting with.

 

[leech~~]

Welcome to the forum.

 

Wow for $400 bucks it looks like you have a good foundation for a nice house.  Not sure if you pulled the walls apart but if it was flooded the insulation in the walls may also be pretty wet. You may want to remove that so it doesn't mold or freeze in the winter if still wet.

Good luck and keep posting pictures of your progress.

 

Sorry, not much help on your question.

[TheDotz]

32 minutes ago, leech~~ said:

Welcome to the forum.

 

Wow for $400 bucks it looks like you have a good foundation for a nice house.  Not sure if you pulled the walls apart but if it was flooded the insulation in the walls may also be pretty wet. You may want to remove that so it doesn't mold or freeze in the winter if still wet.

Good luck and keep posting pictures of your progress.

 

Sorry, not much help on your question.

I got the floor and walls ripped out.  Im starting fresh, down to studs on everything.   Im at the stage where I will get the wheel wells cut out and the drop axles built.  Then the fun stuff begins, hopefully all done before the ice sets in.

[rl_sd]

https://www.hsolist.com/i/371059144455?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=371059144455&targetid=593772128293&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9020351&poi=&campaignid=2086087905&mkgroupid=76935344123&rlsatarget=pla-593772128293&abcId=1141016&merchantid=6326784&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-sz--9-Z5AIVQySGCh0-yQM7EAQYASABEgLgH_D_BwE

 

Looks like the wheel well covers are 38-1/2" x 67-1/2 . I assume that they make them bigger... sorry that I don't have an answer for you. What sort of jack system are you putting in... electric or hand winch?

[TheDotz]

My thought was building an axle similar to this.   Then instead of using cranks I was going to use some 5000lb Square Bullydog jacks.   Then making a handle I could put my impact on to lift and lower the Ice House.    With having the camper, I already have the axle, electric brakes and springs.  Its just the matter of welding it up and making it work.  This is an example of the Clipper Ice, which Im trying to duplicate, just trying to find the dimensions.

Edited August 23, 2019 by TheDotz

[leech~~]

To bad your not up here in Minnesota.  There are Ice houses on lots for sale all over this state.  You could stop in with a tape and get the dimensions you need.  

[rl_sd]

If you decide not to move forward w/ building your own axle setup, you may want to check w/  CW welding in Vesta, MN. They are liquidating a lot of their fish house stuff, I assume since they no longer have the contract w/ Ice Castle. You might be able to pick up a set cheap. The new "cool thing" on the block is composite bushings.... check out this link.

 

 

[Hawg]

That is a GREAT idea!!!

[TheDotz]

Here was my setup we finished up.  The camper drops down nicely.  

[TheDotz]

We used 8000lbs jacks, I took out the handle and used a bolt so we can use a drill to lower and raise the Wheel House.   With 2 guys it takes 2 minutes to lower the house down.

[leech~~]

Welcome to the forum, TheDotz.

 

Nice work!

[TheDotz]

Wheel Wells are in and framed and fenders are welded on.  Next step is put on the spray on bed liner in the wheel wells and drop framing.  Then trim the wheel wells and on to the interior.  Everything is coming together quite well.  

 

 

[leech~~]

Wow, you really stripped her down.  Nice work so far, but you better keep working. The ice is getting thicker by the day!  

[papadarv]

When I built my wheelhouse 5 years ago I wanted total wheel alignment capability. I designed my axles around bolt on wheel hubs with ability to compound shim achieving correct camber and toe. Saw way too many boat trailers with serious worn tires due to hubs welded to axels. (Tire in photo attached to 2x4 was used during build so I could cut the grass.)

[TheDotz]

20 minutes ago, leech~~ said:

Wow, you really stripped her down.  Nice work so far, but you better keep working. The ice is getting thicker by the day!  

It was a flooded camper to start.  $400 basically I paid for a rolling shell.  Here is Iowa not much ice yet, Okoboji should cap tonight.  So hopefully in a couple weeks we will be fishing.  Im wiring it tonight and insulation late this week.  Hopefully we will be done before the 1st of the year or so.