Collapsible Permanent Shelter?

[Lost]

I'm thinking about building myself a permanent shelter this year... just one thing... it's gonna hafta be light and I'll need to be able to easily take it apart since it needs to fit in the back of my Blazer.

Nothing majorly fancy. I'll be using a portable heater for warmth.

Any suggestions? Clues? Etc?

[bobO]

if your going to make that one that small you might as well just buy a 2 man portabel and save you sel all the hassel. I built a permo shack and it is a lot more hassel than they are worth.

[GoodToGo]

I built one of those one time. I made it out of 4x8 panels, chip board and 2x2's. The panels were connected by hiinges, so two panels folded out into one wall, same for floor and roof. The folded out panels all connected with bolts and wing nuts. It all fit in the back of a pickup (barely), took about an hour to assemble or disassemble. It worked, but I ended up going to a portable instead after a couple seasons. It was kind of the worst of both worlds, wasn't really portable, wasn't insulated or set up nice like a permanent. It was cheap though, and that's what I needed at the time. I think you may have trouble fitting anything like this in a blazer, unless you went to a canvas or tarp covering instead of full panels, then you might as well get a cheap portable.

[Lost]

Are there materials other than wood that could work just as well? And if I go with a big portable, how would I mount it so that it stays put like a permanent?

[Kaz]

Lost: I'd go with the idea that a Clam or other brand is the best way to go. After you get all of the materials and the time spent building, you'll probably be unhappy with the results.. And the portables now on the market have all of the wrinkles ironed out of them. Hauling a commerically made portable is lighter in weight, will fit into most any van, pick-up, SUV or some larger car trunks... Do the research and find the one that fits your needs best, and go for it!!... I've been there done that... Kaz

[wolfwood]

they make a thing called ice anchors they are kinda like a big screew u just screw them into the ice and use something to tie your shelter to it. If money is the mane issue for u and u dont mind doing a little constuction cabelas has a portable that u build the floor for youself its between $100-200 with that model I would just screew one or two anchors through the floor

[Lost]

wolfwood, that actually sounds like a good plan to me. Thanks!

[icecold]

Lost, How many people plan to be in your house at 1 time, I just bought a one man suitcase style portable from boatcovers.com, its called the fish it, you have to cut your own holes in floor to suit your style of fishing, it was 124.00 with shipping, It seems to have pretty decent canvas. And you could get 2 people in it side by side if you wanted to, check out there HSOforum or give me your email and i can send some pics

[Lost]

I'm looking at 2-3 people in it so possibly up to 6 holes. Although I do like having quick access to the outside for when the tipup flag goes bouncing around in the air.

[woodyjdh]

Many years ago my dad and I built a collapsable portable. I believe it was a 6x8, or a 8x8 (old age keeps me from being certain). We built it out of 2x2's, ply. floor, and Masonite walls/roof covered with an ext. oil based stain. We built this thing to be put together with nuts & bolts. The floor was built on ski's (home made), the walls stacked on the floor, and the roof was on top. We had eyebolts and rope to tie it all together for transportation. I was in HS, and pulled it from shore. This wasn't exactly light, but it sure went up in a hurry (even in the wind). And it kept us warm using a sunflower style heater. I have no clue as to weight of this, but I know it was sure nice once we could drive on ice-setup on shore, pull out to our favorite spots. I believe it also had 6 holes in it. As well as 2 plexiglass windows. Dad sold this 10 or so yrs ago and the guy still uses it today, just puts on new oil-based stain every couple of yrs.!

*This was before a collapsable portable such as Clam, Otter, and others we as popular/affordable as they are now. Back then you pretty much either built a perm. or sat on the ice.

*Personally, I debated last year what to do for my self, built a port., build a coll. perm, or buy a portable. I ended up getting a portable. Here are the reasons-1. Price 2. Weight 3. Convienence. I bought my QFII on clearance last spring, (helluva deal), it's not exactly what I wanted, but I am happy with it. Plenty of room for myself and 2 kids.