Hard Side Ice house - any input?

[stymie]

I recently sold my 6x12 Performance Engineering Ice house and am looking to go bigger (6x16 with V)! I am going back and forth between buying an ice castle completely finished, or an alumalite fish houes and finishing the inside myself. While there is plenty of data out there on the ice castles, both pros and cons, I have not been able to find much information on the alumalites - does anyone out there have one of these and if so, can you let me know how it is holding up? How long have you had it, and how many miles do you put on it in a typical winter. Any input is much appreciated. Thanks!

[rocki]

I have done some research before building my own, and i personally thought sportsman was about the best in the steel frame trailer line. i also could not find any info on the aluma lite model, it sure looks nice, but would that aluminum hold up to all the beating?? they look great but i also would like to hear from someone who has one!

[germanshorthairs]

I bought a shell from the fish house store and finished the rest myself. I went with them because of there frame. It has a ten year warranty and by looking at it you know why. I also have double door in back so I wanted a frame that would last. Finishing the inside was a lot of fun because I could save some money and finish it the way I wanted. I would check out the fish house store. they have a HSOforum. The guys there are kinda hard to deal with but there product is worth it.

[End of the Line]

I built my own and got quite abit of supplies from many vendors on and off this site. If I ever built another one, or had one made it, I would get my same steel frame made again,only because I like my lift system so much, and I would get the shell made from Jay Soderbloom and it would be aluminum! If you like the standard lift systems I would certainly go all aluminum then.

[Freewheeler]

stymie, I have an all aluiminum fish house[except steel square tube frame] and just love it! It is very light, strong, and quite durable. I have put a lot of miles on it from travels to Mill Lacs, Winnie, Red, and Lake of the Woods. Haul my wheeler in the back of it,[double doors] and tow it no problems with my 500 wheeler. I also use it in the fall for all of my hunting too. She's six years old and still like new. Nice to be able to pull it with the wheeler for your Ice trips[early]or hunting trips. You could call me at 2186861135 for some more details if you'd like.

[stymie]

Thank you guys for the input! EOL, I have read through your ice house posts at least a dozen times, if you are telling me to go with Jay, I am going to do it! Your frame and house speak volumes for your credibility. Freewheeler, your post was icing on the cake. I plan on putting in my order for a 6.5 x 16 wtih V this week! Thanks guys!

stymie

[fishinalot]

Aluminum frames can crack because they can't flex like steel can. The other reason I would stick with a steel is the Aluminum frames will oxidize if you don't wash them after being on the salted roads in this area.

I would rather touch up the rust once a year and have the strength of steel.

I don't like aluminum studs, because they sweat and that will only lead to moisture and rotting on the wood in your interior.

I'm only giving the facts from other fisherman I know that have some of these wheeled frame houses. I have a steel tubed frame, wood studded, aluminum sided house and would stick with this type of design.

Good Luck!