New Wheel house

[DRH1175]

I am looking to get a wheel house before next year. I am thinking 8 x 16. I have looked into Icecastles, Fish house supply and a few others. I was thinking about maybe getting a double door in the back. I was wondering if anyone has one and is there any problems with heat loss and or drafts? I thought I either want to buy the trailer and do it myself or maybe just buy a stripped model and add my own trim, bunks etc... What is the best way to go? Is there a brand that is stronger, warmer or just simply built better? Also how big of an axle is needed. Some come with 3500lb and some come with 6000lb for a simular size house? Thanks

[CAJ]

Get the heavy axe. It will eliminate a lot of problems down the road. Don't know about the rest. If your bearings go out or axe bends, you don't have anything. CAJ

[End of the Line]

I think a solid torsion axle is better, but you got to decide for yourself. Have fun.

[BendnSend]

I used a buddy of mines house last year that has the door like ur talking. Im kinda stuck on if I like it or not. Like you mentioned there was some drafting and condesation making shutting the single door abit of a hassle at times. My personal opinion is that I would not need to have it. I guess the only benefit that I see would be for storing your wheeler in there instead of the box of the truck. But then again if you got atv ramps that problem is easily solved to. Horse a piece I guess!

[love to hunt]

Speaking as an owner not a manufacturer I won't ever put a double door in unless I had a suburban or something like that where I couldn't haul a wheeler with out a trailer. Since I have a pick up I put the weeler in the bed of the truck for 2 simple reasons.

1) I don't like the idea of spending $5-14K on a fish house only to park a smelly wheeler inside and have it leak gas, oil and ruin my shanty. A friend of mine had one and the gas tank cracked during the trip and we had to live with that fuel smell the whole weekend, it was awfull. Then he had the distinct pleasure of replacing the carpet and bleaching the heck out of the floor decking to try kill that odor imbedded in the wood.

2) Rear doors make the lay out with bunks tricky since you just lost a wall. Not that it can't be done it just makes it more difficult. The boys at profish have a great idea with the bunks that raise to the ceiling, I wished I had thought of it.

That is mearly my humble opinion. I know folks who haul the wheeler all the time in the shack and love everything about it, so far.

As far as going with a trailer or a shell type unit it would totally depend on how handy you are and you construction abilities. If you are confidant in your construction tequnics then get a frame and run with it.

If you insist on hauling the wheeler in the house I would definatly go with a heavy spindled frame. Ron @ Fish House Supply builds a good solid 6000# frame, and we build a 5200# with brakes. Either of which would meet your needs very well.

Good luck and let me know if I can help.

[fishinalot]

Love to hunt is right on the money!

I had a double door on the back of my first fish house on wheels and would never do it again. The back wall is to valuable to have those doors on. It is better used for bunks as a sleeper. The other problem is if you have the double doors on the back and you want to put in bunks, you have to do that in the front. When you do that, now you have all the weight of the bunks, batteries and LP tanks up in the front of the house. Now you hook up the house and your 4- wheeler wants to do wheelies because it is too tounge heavy. The best way is to haul the 4-wheeler is in a pickup, also keeping your fish house clean on the inside.

[broken line]

We bought an Ice Castle new this year...it has the double doors in the rear, and has 4 bunks. The two rear bunks are removable if you want to use the back doors. There is a bit of draft through the back doors, but no more than from under the house or any other door or window. We do not own a four wheeler yet, but planned ahead in case we get one some day.

[Kylersk]

I agree with LoveToHunt as well. I originally wanted a double door, but after talking with Fish House Supply about what I wanted in my house (stove, bunks, dinet and such) he steered me away from the double door.

Of topic but...

Two things that I wasnt sure if I wanted to have, and now couldnt live with out have been the stove and toilet/bathroom area. It's sure nice cooking up eggs, bacon and hashbrowns in the morning. Or, not having to step outside when it's below zero to do your buisness. I'll also add, the chemicals that you pour in the porti-poti virtually eliminate any odors that may happen.

[chris63]

If you want to eliminate just about any "smell"you can think of just shake a bunch of coffee grounds on/in the area and in a day or two sweep it away and whala no more smell!c63This sure worked after a well seasoned deer camp outing!!!!!!c63

[Coach1310]

While I agree with Love to Hunt about making the layout tricky, I love the idea of having an ATV door and being able to pull the house out with a wheeler if you can't haul it in your truck bed. LTH- what is this bunk system from pro fish you are talking about? I think my Dad and I are going to build our own this summer and we are in the process of deciding on a layout. Would love to see this system! Thanks. Also, don't forget the option of storing a couple of cots in your house. They may not be as comfy as bunks, but would allow you to sleep a couple more people and still have your ATV door if you so choose!

[zeus]

I would never have the doors on the back of my house due to the following reasons.

It is far too easy to break into.

Takes up valuable space for bunks.

It is very cold when you are sleeping.

I had one once and traded it off for a regular 8 X 16 Ice Castle with the 2" axel and 4 bunks.

[BLACKJACK]

Good post!!! I want to upgrade to a bigger, nicer fishhouse and I've been debating the pros and cons of getting one with the double doors in back, in case I want to pull it out with an ATV (that I still don't own). Hauling the ATv in the back of the truck is not an option because I have a topper on it, that I don't want to be taking on and off.

My conclusion, especially after hearing some of the guys talk about the smell of the gas and oil drippings, and the loss of 'comfort space' is that I will NOT go with the double doors, I definatly want the toilet (for the wife) and stove up front, I want a nice, comfortable layout. Then I'll use the ATV with my Fish Trap for the early and late season fishing.

As for the issue of building it from the frame up or buying a shell or buying it complete, I think that I will need to do the construction in order to afford a bigger, nicer house. Problem is, on some of the construction details like attaching to the frame and doing the roof, I'm a little hazy. When I make the decision, I will be going and talking to some of the trailer and fishhouse materials suppliers about costs AND CONSTRUCTION PLANS. I also have a heated shop that I can build it in, which helps make my decision.

[fishinalot]

I was out to Fish House Supply a few weeks ago and they have a bunk system that can't be beat. It folds as one unit against the wall and it cost around $450 that includes the mattresses. Best bunk system I've seen yet! Ron said it will be in stock next season.

[Coach1310]

A double rear door is not the only option for an ATV door. You can get a house with a rear ramp door. They seal up great and you don't have to bring ramps!

[Coach1310]

One more thing...does anyone have a rv/camper door instead of a regular one like the LODGES do? If so, is it worth it. I have to believe if you plan to use it in the summer as a camper it would be, but I was curious what others think.

[Mydogsnaps]

Go to a RV dealer and look at a pull behind camper that are called Toy Haulers. I have one of these and the single ramp door in the back is the greatest thing ever. Plus I have a queen size bunk that pulls down from the ceiling right above the entrance to the ramp door. I have also seen double queen size bunks (Like a bunk bed) I know both these things would fit in a fish house. Or just do an internet search on Toy Haulers.