Fish House Question???

[walleye_nut]

Ok I'm in the process of buying a drop down type fish house. My question is what size do I go with? 6x14, 6x18 or 8x14, 8x16. I will have at the most my wife and 2 daugthers with me fishing....sometimes. But more likely I will have 2 other guys fishing at a time.

And does anyone know what the weight difference is between the sizes?

Thanks for your help.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I don't know the weights or costs, but I do know that if you buy an 8 x 12 at one point you will wish you bought an 8 x 14.

[hoggs222]

I have a 6.5x12 and am ready to go for a 8x18 or 8x20! The 6.5x12 is comfortable for 1 or 2 people, but I need bigger!

[riverrat56]

Go as big as you can afford, thats the best advice I can give you, if you try to skimp and save a little money you will be disappointed in the long run. Also I'd look for an 8ft width, the extra 18 inches make a world of differnce.

[hawkeye43]

I thought I would ever say that 8' was wide enough, but after being in a house that was 8'6" I know the next one will be that wide. go the max you can afford, without breaking the bank.

[dirtking]

What do you guys think is the best size for towing (LOTW, Winne, Red....) Is 18' too long is 8'6" too wide - 1 axle or 2 - looks like some of those long houses could use 2 axels

[walleye_nut]

If I go with the 8 ft wide aren't the wheels on the inside instead of being on the outside? That makes for a ledge inside the house right? Don't get me wrong I would like to get the 8 ft wide, but how much space are you really gaining?

[End of the Line]

If your going to tow it up and down the road each weekend that makes a huge difference too on the size. If it is longer than 16' get a tandem axle, it will tow so much better. If I was ordering just a 16' and 8' wide I would consider a tandem for that length too. the other option is look at a torsion axle set-up rather than springs in anything 8' wide. Takes up less interior space and is a better ride. I think you'd like an 8'x16'.

[Gofishleech]

I just got an drop down 8x18 this year and love it. The inside wheel area has small shelves and counter top. The 8 ft width makes a big difference in room. It has a single axle and we have pulled it long distances and it pulls great. It is wired for both 12v and 110 witch is the way to go. Set up and set down is a breeze. For the money I think it is a great house.The V front is also nice for travle.

[ASMOLEY]

If you plan on taking it down the road and being legal you can have a max width of 8'. I would recommend going with the biggest you can afford, store, and haul. The bigger the better when your talking a hard house.

[dougger222]

My father in law bought a 14x6.5 V nose drop down last year for $11,000 and the day he brought it home we both realized he had just gotten ripped off very badly.

The quality in construction was very poor, exterior screws in nothing interior staples done very poorly. I've been told that the only thing holding the Ice Castles together structurally is the large beam they run down the center on the ceiling.

The furnaces they use are worthless IMO, they heat good but eat batteries, if you buy one get an Empire furnace, the blower option is not good if you want to fish for days on end. The only two things I like about the fish house is how easy it is to drop and raise and the catch covers.

The other day he offered me the shanty for $6,000 and I passed.

Although Ice Castles are mass produced and perhaps the number one sold fish house on wheels in MN does not mean there the best.

[dougger222]

8ft 3in is legal limit I think.

[JEV]

Actually I believe its 102". That's 8.5'.

JEV

[dodgeman]

If he paid 11000 for a house that size I would say he got SCREWED. I would be asking a few questions from the place it was purchaced from. I have owned 2 drop down houses and am very happy just picked up my new one 2 weeks ago put both the direct vent and the forced air in i would go 8 wide you will be very unsatisfied with 6.5.. Just me 2 cents

[crappace]

I bought an drop down 4 years ago. It’s 6.5x14 with a 3 ft V Nose to make it 17 feet long. If I had it to do over again I would get the 20 footer with two axles. With our half ton pick ups it doesnt pull that great above 60 mph. With a one ton it pulls like a dream at any safe speed.

The fit and finish looks good from the road but up close I will admit the craftsmanship is not the best. With a little touch up here and there it’s a solid house for me and has been every season. I can run 3 really cold nights with one battery for the blower furnace. I paid $6200 for mine out the door and it’s loaded. If I had it to do over I would have it sided with aluminum. The vinal on it cracks when really cold if it gets bumped. A little research goes along way before you lay down that kind of cash and get a serious case of buyer’s remorse.

[hawkeye43]

The law is 102" 8'6",wheels on the inside. I think 16' is long enough, any longer you may have problems with acceses getting on and off. The wheels should be as wide as your truck or a little wider, not all resorts have bridges that will take wider house.

[dougger222]

He bought the fish house from his relative of all people who is a or was a salesman at the place. Him and his wife sat down and built the fish house to order. It's built primarily for his Harley Davidson bikes! A fully loaded Road King will fit in it but my ATV won't!!!

The fish house could use another $1,000+ to make it fully loaded.

The day he brought it home we all agreed he had just been taken advantage of. He used it a little last winter but did get a ton of use out of it this season.

I've got about $7K into my 1999 built 6.5x12ft fully loaded shanty on wheels and can't a 1/3 of what I've got into it for it. BTW, it's not for sale anymore!!!

[LaZyDayZ]

I bought one of those Grand Lodges this year. Got the 8x16 with the V Front. Pulled it up to LOW averaged about 70-75 MPH and pulled like a dream. I just love the house. Solid and layed out nice.

I was curious about weight so I ran it across some CAT scales and it weighed in at 4200.

I have 7 kids + me and wife and with a little creativity we could all sleep in it. Sleeps 5 very comfortable.

I feel I got it at a fair price and it sure is comfortable.