Tell me about your Fish house on wheels....

[Coach1310]

I am looking at building or buying a fish house on wheels. I am pretty convinced that I am going with a v-front. I would like to be able to haul an atv in it as well. What do your fish houses contain?? How much do they weigh?? Any neat ideas for maximizing space and reducing weight? I am leaning towards a 6 1/2 x 16 v-front, but I want to keep it light enough inside I can haul my atv in it. Any opinions on sizes and models would be great as well. Any info would be great. I have some plans for saving space, but would like to know yours!!! Thanks in advance

[love to hunt]

Coach,

I have a 16' V-nose and it is loaded with bunks, fold down tables, 12V, 110V, TV, weather station, 2 propane tanks, 2 deep cycle batteries, Front counter and the list goes on.

I dragged it across the scale last year and it went 2470#. I have added some goodies and gadjets this year and I am going to weigh it when complete but I can't see it tipping 2800#.

[coldmark]

I'm building an 8x14 and I put a spreadsheet together which estimates the weight. I entered approximate weights for the lumber, plywood, osb, roofing, stove, heater, furniture, lockers, bar, and of course the trailer. I'm figuring around 2900#. I'll weigh it in a few weeks and report back the actual weight.

[Coach1310]

Thanks for the info. Keep it coming. I have a plan of what I want to do, but I am not sure how I am going to work it all. I want to have as much open space to keep guys comfortable, so I am going for as little "permanent stuff" as possible. Trying to find the best way to get a couple of bunks, but without tying up a lot of space. Was thinking of doing a couple of fold up bunks that when dropped down would be a few feet off the ground and when folded up would lay nicely out of the way. Any ideas would be great. Thanks guys..

[luv2fish]

Here is a total newbie question. If your house weighed 2400 - 2800, how much ice do you need?

[coldmark]

What does a 1/2 ton pickup weigh, about 4500 pounds? So a typical large ice house is about half the weight of a loaded pickup. If you see trucks on plowed roads, you're probably ok. It's my first year with a big shack, so I'll probably wait until I see trucks driving around.

[love to hunt]

My F150 weighs in at 5600#. If I see cars on the ice I pull my wheel house out with an ATV. Usually I wait till I have 10-12" of good ice before I start that adventure.

[fishinalot]

If your house is 2800#, you should be OK pulling it out with an ATV over 6-7" of ice. But watch the forecast and make sure the weather will be cold the days ahead if you plan on leaving it out overnight!

[korn_fish]

Quote:

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Here is a total newbie question. If your house weighed 2400 - 2800, how much ice do you need?

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Like the others have stated, I usually push mine out by hand (no ATV yet) when there is 6". could go sooner since I dont get water on top of the ice with 6" of good ice. But dont push my luck. The expected weather for the next week after you put it out is key though.

[End of the Line]

I am building my new ice house right now. I have a different approach though. My house is 8'4"x16' w/ a 3' V-nose. Hydraulic lift with tandem torsion axle suspension that span entirely across from tire to tire like any other solid axle. Allows you to sit over the tires. Its also built from steel square tubing all around. The last time I built one it weighed in less than most any lumber built house. I have 12volt outlets at every fishing position in the house for you Marcum/Vexilars as well as extras for the TV and cell phones. 110v AC & 12 Volt Converter, fans, bathroom, oven etc... The best part of the house though is that everyone sits facing each other while fishing, and all your holes are still in front of you.