Wheeled house Craftsmanship and Quality???

[fishtrap3]

I have been looking around at some New fishhouses and the Craftsmanship and Quality seem to very lacking!!!! I have only looked at one brand (I wont say what one)but at a couple differant locations and I was NOT impressed!! For the price of these shacks I would have thought they would be better..

Any thoughts as to what brand house to look at? If a guy is going to spend over 12,000 dollars on a house you dont want it to look like they cut the wood with a chainsaw and such...

[elkrivermn]

Ultra shack made by Frank's RV in Ramsey Dream Shack made in Princeton Just remember you get what you pay for!

[fisherking01]

Best Option for someone who is looking for the finishing touch in craftsmanship is to finish it yourself. Like most things in the world that are manufactured these days, the craftsmanship is not up to the standards that were in place many years prior. Most manufactured fish houses are built rapidly. Of all the ones I've seen, the interior workmanship is comparable. I don't know of one that stands out.

[Stan7600]

I agree with elkrivermn. I bought a 14' Ultrashack 7 years ago and I'm very satisfied. Take your dream blueprint along and they'll build you what you want. Definitely you get what you pay for. One of the best features on mine is chargin the batteries while you drive down the road. Stan C.

[Willy]

Fisherking has it right. They ask a ton for those houses and they are built like [PoorWordUsage]. Most all of them. They use the cheapest materials they can to get by and usually they skimp on studs, cross supports in the frame, angle iron, cheap panneling and carpet. Build one yourself or look around and find one someone else has built themselves and taken care of. For 12K, you can buy one almost 10 times as nice as any of the "pre-fabs" out there. Actually, you could buy yourself a big one and small one for that. Spend 8K on a 8x16 or so and the rest on a 7x12.

Good luck. My buddy just sold a 8x16 house that was as nice as you can build them for 7500 bucks. He used it about 5 years and was in great shape.

[Bryce]

Gonna have to up the ante a bit more than $12k to see the real quality shacks. Trying to decide between a dreamshak or lodge for next season right now and then having it custom designed. $30k range.

[elkrivermn]

I think the lodge houses look sharp on the outside. The problem I have with alot of the houses is the fact that the manufactures must think the destination for fishing is the Northwet territories with lakes that have 6' of ice and that your going to be useing a Kenworth Tractor to pull it. In other words it is my opinion that they build them way to heavy. But then again its just an opinion!

[iceman1212]

Check out Performance engineering fish houses, I think they are out of glencoe. They make some pretty sweet houses.

[Big Buck Buster]

If you get one from a manufacture, just get the outer shell, and finish the inside yourself. You can do what you want to it, and you can adjust the quality to your liking.

[SomethingFishy*]

Gonna have to up the ante a bit more than $12k to see the real quality shacks. Trying to decide between a dreamshak or lodge for next season right now and then having it custom designed. $30k range.

I own a 8x20 Ultimate Lodge, that being said If I could do it over again I would buy a Dream Shack with Hydrallics. I have considered selling it or trading it so that I can get a Dream Shack.

The reason I went with a Lodge was the Dealer I got it from took my snowmobiles in on trade and Lodge was all they carried.

[fishtrap3]

I dont need leather seats and the likes of the dream shack. Just a little better quality than I have been seeing in the ones I looked at.. Like paneling already warping, partical board being used, using paneling for the molding, lights that seem like they would fall off the wall when you hit a bump.etc. ect.ect...

[Bryce]

Looks like you're a perfect candidate for purchasing a shell and DIY project. I went that route with my current shack. Turned out well but didn't really save that much money and that's without putting any value on my time. Good luck.

I own a 8x20 Ultimate Lodge, that being said If I could do it over again I would buy a Dream Shack with Hydrallics. I have considered selling it or trading it so that I can get a Dream Shack.

Lodge has hydraulics now. Second season with the option. Wouldn't consider a shack unless it has hydraulic lift. Main reason we put dreamshak into play is the 24' option(if it will fit in the garage). Gonna keep the design team busy up there.

[MuleShack]

I think the lodge houses look sharp on the outside. The problem I have with alot of the houses is the fact that the manufactures must think the destination for fishing is the Northwet territories with lakes that have 6' of ice and that your going to be useing a Kenworth Tractor to pull it. In other words it is my opinion that they build them way to heavy. But then again its just an opinion!

4500 # is not that much heavier than other shacks for a 20' V nose Ultimate Lodge. I've had mine out on 17" of ice and could pull it out with the mule if i needed to earlier in the season. Their frame is well build and solid, that was a determining factor in my puchase.

[elkrivermn]

Jut out of curiosity are you happy with your 8x 20 Lodge? what are your likes and dislikes?

Originally Posted By: Bryce

Gonna have to up the ante a bit more than $12k to see the real quality shacks. Trying to decide between a dreamshak or lodge for next season right now and then having it custom designed. $30k range.

I own a 8x20 Ultimate Lodge, that being said If I could do it over again I would buy a Dream Shack with Hydrallics. I have considered selling it or trading it so that I can get a Dream Shack.

The reason I went with a Lodge was the Dealer I got it from took my snowmobiles in on trade and Lodge was all they carried.

[SomethingFishy*]

I think there are some minor quality control issues, although my unit was a carry over dealer show demo.

I don't particulary care for the winch design for raising and lowering as I have had some trouble with the winches and cabeling. I will be replacing the winches and cabling in the near future. This house is also very heavy.

The cd/dvd player is a piece of junk (doesn't like to load discs and faceplate randomly falls off) and will be getting replaced. I also wish I would have gotten a different floor plan as there is alot of wasted space. The rear RV door frosts up so bad that you don't want to sit or sleep near it or your pillows and clothing will get covered in frost in the winter. The windows frost up profusely and are very diffiult to open. The door freezes shut and we have to remove the screen door in the winter.

Considering the cost of this unit I think some of the fine details in cratsmanship could be a little neater, the paneling around the windows isn't trimmed out very nice, lastly Lodge customer service is terrible to non-existent.

Now for the positive things the house heats evenly and holds heat well. Bunks are good size and comfortable for a fish house. Lots of holes. Pulls nicely down the road. I can fit both of our Polaris Sportsmans inside during the summer. AC works good. I think the house is athstetically appealing inside and out. The house has quite a few 12 volt and 110 plug ins although they could be placed in more useful locations and there is no outside plug ins which I will also be adding. I would also prefer more storage space, but maybe we bring to much with us. There are a ton of ceiling lights and hole lights which work very well. We also added rope lighting inside and out for another level of lighting.

Overall I am mostly satisfied but would custom order a Hydralic model, and most likely will do so thru Dream Shack in the future or order a shell so I can fine tune it for my preferences. I do like the fact that the Dream Shack looks like a standard RV camper trailer.

I may list this one for sale after I take care of the small deficiences and after the Ice season is over. I did purchase a 7 year extended warranty on the house to cover the majority of the components.

[elkrivermn]

Thanks for the greatly detailed feed back Somethingfishy I find it intereting about the back Rv door as the last 2 years I was thinking of buying a wheelhouse . The ramp doors were really something I would have had installed they would have been great so I could load my Quad inside, I was allways wondering how good the sealed in the winter time. Theall alluminum houses I am sold on, there is alot of upside with being lighter. Last fall I bought a new boat so there went any money available to buy a new wheelhouse. I personally know Frank at Frank' RV, last year at the ice show I chatted with the sales reps at Dream shack it seemed like a great product. The hydraulic lift are awesome to have versus the winches. Another great wheelhouse I liked was Jay's Soderbloom houses they looked like a great product only problem is he is no longer building them, I still might buy one of his skid houses they could be pulled with my Quad when I get to to lake.

I think there are some minor quality control issues, although my unit was a carry over dealer show demo.

I don't particulary care for the winch design for raising and lowering as I have had some trouble with the winches and cabeling. I will be replacing the winches and cabling in the near future. This house is also very heavy.

The cd/dvd player is a piece of junk (doesn't like to load discs and faceplate randomly falls off) and will be getting replaced. I also wish I would have gotten a different floor plan as there is alot of wasted space. The rear RV door frosts up so bad that you don't want to sit or sleep near it or your pillows and clothing will get covered in frost in the winter. The windows frost up profusely and are very diffiult to open. The door freezes shut and we have to remove the screen door in the winter.

Considering the cost of this unit I think some of the fine details in cratsmanship could be a little neater, the paneling around the windows isn't trimmed out very nice, lastly Lodge customer service is terrible to non-existent.

Now for the positive things the house heats evenly and holds heat well. Bunks are good size and comfortable for a fish house. Lots of holes. Pulls nicely down the road. I can fit both of our Polaris Sportsmans inside during the summer. AC works good. I think the house is athstetically appealing inside and out. The house has quite a few 12 volt and 110 plug ins although they could be placed in more useful locations and there is no outside plug ins which I will also be adding. I would also prefer more storage space, but maybe we bring to much with us. There are a ton of ceiling lights and hole lights which work very well. We also added rope lighting inside and out for another level of lighting.

Overall I am mostly satisfied but would custom order a Hydralic model, and most likely will do so thru Dream Shack in the future or order a shell so I can fine tune it for my preferences. I do like the fact that the Dream Shack looks like a standard RV camper trailer.

I may list this one for sale after I take care of the small deficiences and after the Ice season is over. I did purchase a 7 year extended warranty on the house to cover the majority of the components.

[SomethingFishy*]

I should also mention that I am looking to have some insulated canvas type material made with button snaps to place over the rv door on the interior as I can attach them to the diamond plate around the seal. That should combat the cold. I will also get a piece of screen material for summertime use that can also snap in place.

I just called the dealer about my warranty as I couldn't remember what it would actually cover and I am pleased to report that it will cover the winches and the radio so that will take care of some of my concerns.

[Desperado]

Look at Custom Cottages. Every shack is custom made, so You Get What You Want.

[MuleShack]

I should also mention that I am looking to have some insulated canvas type material made with button snaps to place over the rv door on the interior as I can attach them to the diamond plate around the seal. That should combat the cold. I will also get a piece of screen material for summertime use that can also snap in place.

I just called the dealer about my warranty as I couldn't remember what it would actually cover and I am pleased to report that it will cover the winches and the radio so that will take care of some of my concerns.

I popped a spring on my lodge coming back from Red last sunday and was riding on one wheel on drivers side from Grand Rapids back to the cities. The replaced that and the cable and the front cable under warranty.

I also removed the front bunk on mine and put a 3 door cabinet in its place for more storage of food and other stuff. Then put a shelf on the closet wall up top, then i have room for my 27" TV on the closet wall up front so it faces back and is easy to see from the back.

I too have the issues with the windows and the back door...that sounds like a good idea to use some reflectix matierial or insulated fish house material with snaps to cover the back and windows for those cold nights. I had asked if they make a dual pane RV window, but so far noone has anything.

[Christopher Quast]

I have a buddy that used to work for Performance Engineering out of Glencoe and just last night he was telling me that when they built their walls they used construction adhesive on the studs to prevent the paneling from warping and then stapled it on.

[tspotout]

Check out Berkon's fish houses very nice trailers with Hyd.Spend the extra money and go 8 wide and hyd lift well worth it finish insid your self.

[hawkeye43]

Somethingfishy, I didn't know you could buy just the shell and trailer from dream shack. I bet canves craft could make the panels you talked about.

[SomethingFishy*]

I don't know if you can Buy a Shell from Dream Shack, I think I would special order it to my liking.

I have looked at Berkon Hydralic Shells and they seem to be excellent quality.

Canvas Craft does exceptional work, I may have to give them a call.

[Charlie kempf]

Being kinda handy and skilled I looked them over really good and must admit there are alot of junk out there, I built my own and am very satisfied with the performance of it, it is 6.5x16, I baught an enclosed v nose trailer and custom made the drop down axles and tongue, of course I had to beef up the frame, Ive got six holes two beds and all the likings of home, recently put in a 18000 empire heater man is it nice, gonna build an 8x30 hydraulic frame now, country welding in stanwood Iowa is doing the welding.feel free to e-mail me with any questions. till then good luck.

[shamrock7]

I had an 8 x 16 Ice castle that was harder to lift than my Ultimate Lodge. All in the model of winch. Broke cables on both. If you try to lift the front before the back is cranked up, you will break a cable eventually.

Lodge is one of the nicest houses out there but there are always things that they could do to be improved. Like stated earlier, better windows, better door seals. They do hold the heat. Turned off the heat at 5 on Saturday, got back out there at 9 Sunday and the temp said about -24 and there was only skim ice on all the holes.