camper conversions

[eyemaster]

I am thinking about converting a camper into an ice house. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get the camper to lower down on the ice with out using a manual jack? Also does anyone have any pictures of conversions that they have done? What types work best for conversions? I am thinking about using a Pop Up just for the box, has anyone done this?

[rippinlipz]

I am just using the catch covers with the long sleeves. It would cost a lot to have it converted to go down to the ice, but i might do it next year. I also have a heavy duty tarp material to go around the base to block out more wind.

[eyemaster]

How much dead space do you end up with between the floor of the house and the ice? Do you have any issues keeping the floor warm?

[cold one sd]

I have a converted Palomino and I fish through sleeves. I suppose the floor is about 10" to a foot above the ice and is not insulated. The floor gets cold but not too bad because I have computer fans in the ceiling to keep the air circulating.

[eyemaster]

Do you have any pics of your palomino that you can post or send? I would be very interested in seeing how you did it.

[cold one sd]

Sorry, but I don,t have any pictures. When I got it, someone had taken the top and all the canvas off of it and framed it up wth 2x4s and put a rubber roof on it. My son and I wired and paneled the interior. I have the three burner stove still in it and we put two double camper lights in it and one single which is under a cabinet above the stove. I built one pipe and canvas bunk into each end and put in a Marsch pencil heater with two computer fans in the ceiling above it. There are two holes in each end and a sliding pickup window in the back for light and ventilation. I also have nine 12 volt batteries in it and don't think I could ever get low on power. I can also plug my generator in for my electric coffee pot and my battery charger if needed. It has to be the ugliest ice house on the ice, but it works for me. I also built two sets of rod holders in that hold five rods each and a gun rack for deer hunting. I fish through 10 inch pvc pipes which are sealed at the floor with foam seals which keeps the breeze out. One of the nicest things about it is that I don't unhook it from my pickup and if I want to move, all I have to do is pull up the pvc pipes and go. I can move a lot faster than guys with the homemade portables can. I leave the heater going and when I get to where I want to fish all I have to do is drill four new holes and start fishing. It's ugly, but it works.

[Boar]

I took I 17' camper gutted it, refinished to my needs an really enjoy it. I too fish with sleeves to the ice. 10" pvc pipe works great, you can use a 8" or a 9" auger. I can reach any fish I bring up to the hole. I put 1" blue foam styrofoam an 3/4" water sealed plywood an paded carpet down to help insulate the floor an it dose help. on the sleeve holes I cut a squar piece of carpet large enough to cover the hole buy two inches, then I cut an X in the center of the piece of carpet an inserted the PVC pipe, now the carpet forms a nice seal around the pipe to keep out any draft. The only problem I have is that my camper is 6 1/2 ft tall which is good for me cause I'm 6' 2" but the lower tow feet is about 50 degrees an the upper 4 ft is about 80 degrees so Getting the warm air down can be tough an the holes do tend to freeze up an I do use skirting around the out side. Some small fans hooks up to a power inverter an a deep cycle help alot. Later boar

[caughtacase73]

I converted an old 14ft. hardside camper as well. Like others I use 10 pvc pipe for hole sleeves and computer fans mounted at the ceiling to push warm air down. We use cement blocks under the frame to set the house on the ice. I use the tongue jack and lower the tongue all the way to the ice. This raises the rear of the camper enough to place blocks on either side of the frame in the back. Then I raise the tongue and remove the wheels and place blocks under the frame on the front of the house. 2 guys can set up and be fishing in about 15 minutes. I don't use any skirting and with the computer fans pushing warm air down the holes I don't have too many problems with icing up.

[cold one sd]

I have a couple of camper leveling jacks that I put under the frame in the back and I crank the front tongue jack down to steady it up.