Wheeled house Craftsmanship and Quality???

[Willy]

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.

Nah. You just have to build one yourself or buy one built by a private party. Dreamshak, Lodge, etc. Too spendy. There is not a fishhouse made worth 30K IMO.

[adam schletz]

I am having a 8x 18 + 3 foot v custom built for me right now. I have done a ton of research and found that my money was best spent by having one custom made. I am just getting a shell and finishing the inside myself. I agree with willy that there is not a house out there worth 30k. I spent extra money to make sure my frame, hyrdolics, frame, floor, exterior etc.. are done right. I do not really trust any "manufactured house". If you have a welding shop, or a small outfit make one you can watch the progress and make sure the quality of the build. I will post pics this week of the shell,

[Bryce]

As stated, I went that route. I am/was happy with the result but I definitely know my skills as a craftsman cannot match either of these mfgs even if I had that kind of time at this stage of my life. Have used it enough to know how I want the new one laid out. I wish you best of luck with your build. Talk to me in a few years and I bet you'll have a story similar to mine.

Saying not worth x amount sounds like the words of someone who hasn't really (or even) looked at an upper end shack.

[shamrock7]

And a guy does not have to spend $30,000 to get a good unit. I paid well under $20,000 for my Ultimate Lodge. Sure, it's retail was well over $30,000 but that doesn't mean that's what you are going to pay.

[River-Runner]

Anyone know how hard it is to put on that aluminum siding that is not smooth. I'm thinking about building one but makaing sure i'm not getting to far in over my head.

[adam schletz]

I am a woodworker by trade so that helps with the finishing part. I looked at every wheel house made and was just not impressed with the overall quality. interior and exterior. I definatley think some are better then others. I quess i expect more for that type of money(weather it is 15k or 30k) I hope to have around 12 invested in mine and beleive that the overall quality will be much better and for less price.It will probably take me a couple months though.

[gvt]

MuleShack,

I have double pane windows made by Kinro in my fish house. They get very little condensation.

I'm also planning to have a snap on cover made for my double doors. I think the cover needs to go on the outside. That should keep the inside surface of the doors warmer and hopefully dry. If the cover is on the outside the moisture will pass through/around the cover and freeze up on the cold surface of the door. If you hang a blanket over your double door on a cold night you'll see what I mean. Inside sure would be handy though.

[backlash 1]

I have double doors on the back of my house for wheeler loading. If I am not using them (most of the time) I friction fit 1" foil covered foam into the door opening. This helps a ton in blocking heat transfer, and very economical to install. ($25?)

[loc8or]

I have a 08 Nice castle house (2nd season) and only have 2 complaints.The frame could be a little stronger and I think my kids could do a better job of painting the frame than they did.Other than that,the thing is great.For the price you cant go wrong!

[MuleShack]

Thanks gvt,

I just sent off an email to them inquiring what they have and to get some prices.

I would put the insulated cover on the inside of the door. It wont prevent any drafts on the outside, but it will cover the metal when someone is sleeping in the bed by the door to make it warmer.

[tspotout]

I would think twice about getting the rear doors a person does not use them enough to justify it. Most years the ice is thick enough you can drive the truck out with no problems

[SomethingFishy*]

I would think twice about getting the rear doors a person does not use them enough to justify it. Most years the ice is thick enough you can drive the truck out with no problems

We bring the ATV with every time and throw the portable in the back of the truck. We use the ATV to plow a spot and bank the house, it also allows you to keep mobile if the fish aren't under the wheelhouse. I also use mine as a camper in the summer, as we have AC in it, and can haul both of our atv's in it. This was the only way I could justify the cost of a Lodge.

[bak2MN]

I have a 8x18 ice castle tandem axle with brakes. It has eight hole four bunks, cook stove oven, front v has the potty. I also have AC in mine as well use it for camper also. Dont have the back door. Like said above my biggest complaint with ice casle is the paint on the frame. IT SUCKS!!! I am going to spray mine with undercoating this summer. But otherwise love it. I think I would go with hydraulic cranks next time, hand cranking kinda sucks. Not so bad when you bring your buddies up and they do all the cranking LOL.

[MuleShack]

MuleShack,

I have double pane windows made by Kinro in my fish house. They get very little condensation.

I'm also planning to have a snap on cover made for my double doors. I think the cover needs to go on the outside. That should keep the inside surface of the doors warmer and hopefully dry. If the cover is on the outside the moisture will pass through/around the cover and freeze up on the cold surface of the door. If you hang a blanket over your double door on a cold night you'll see what I mean. Inside sure would be handy though.

Holy Cow...I called and got an estimate for getting some Kinro dual pane thermal insulated windows for my Lodge and they want $600 a piece for a 37 x 25 window. I think i'm just going to go to canvas craft and have them make me some insulated covers that I can just snap on over the windows over night. And then Make another cover for the back door to help seal up the frost and any draft.

[SomethingFishy*]

I think i'm just going to go to canvas craft and have them make me some insulated covers that I can just snap on over the windows over night. And then Make another cover for the back door to help seal up the frost and any draft.

If you do let me know what you come up with for costs. Maybe we could get a better deal if we ordered them for multiple houses as I assume the window /door sizes are the same.

I should also update the 95% of my concerns are being taken care of with my extended warranty. Local dealer has been great to work with. I should have my house back on or before Friday.

[MuleShack]

I toasted 3 of my springs in a matter of a week.

One broke in GR coming back from URL, so was driving 3 hours on 3 wheels plus the drive back to the dealer on Monday morning. They fixed no problem, so I brought it back home on Wednesday and figured all was good. Hooked up Thursday AM last week (next day)and got loaded up to go to Mille lacs and last step before heading out i checked air pressure and i noticed a spring was broke. I waited until they opened and they said they had some in stock.

Drove up there and dropped trailer off and waited for it to get fixed (cause they were cutting into my fishing time) and after an hour they brought it out. I said "what the #$@%^)" I still could see my spring hanging down on the other side of the house...did they fix it? Turns out the other side front had broke on the way up to the dealer. So back into the shop it goes and they replaced the other spring and i was on the road an hour later.

The first time they had it, they replaced the front cable because it was a little frayed, along with redoing the cable on the rear spring that broke. They had to move all of the brake wires so that if any more springs broke it wouldnt cut the brake wires.

Good service and it didn't cost me a thing.

They said that there was a bad lot of springs out there, so i guess i got a house with the bad batch.

SFishy,

I will inquire with them for some discount etc, maybe they give FM discounts also. My rear slider windows are 37 1/4" W x 25 1/4" H measured from the outside of the house using the outside of the trim piece. Rear door should be the same.

[MuleShack]

Originally Posted By: MuleShack

I think i'm just going to go to canvas craft and have them make me some insulated covers that I can just snap on over the windows over night. And then Make another cover for the back door to help seal up the frost and any draft.

If you do let me know what you come up with for costs. Maybe we could get a better deal if we ordered them for multiple houses as I assume the window /door sizes are the same.

I should also update the 95% of my concerns are being taken care of with my extended warranty. Local dealer has been great to work with. I should have my house back on or before Friday.

I have 2 of the 27"w x 22"h RV windows plus the the back ATV door which is 76"h x 60"w. I can get the new insulated fabric with snaps on the fabric for $235 for all 3 openings. I just have to put the back part of the snap onto my fish house walls. This seems like a pretty good deal and will probably go with it at some point this spring. it will Make a huge difference when sleeping on the bed in the back of the house with a window at your head and feet and the door on your side.

FYI

It was Canvas Craft.

[SomethingFishy*]

Originally Posted By: SomethingFishy

Originally Posted By: MuleShack

I think i'm just going to go to canvas craft and have them make me some insulated covers that I can just snap on over the windows over night. And then Make another cover for the back door to help seal up the frost and any draft.

If you do let me know what you come up with for costs. Maybe we could get a better deal if we ordered them for multiple houses as I assume the window /door sizes are the same.

I should also update the 95% of my concerns are being taken care of with my extended warranty. Local dealer has been great to work with. I should have my house back on or before Friday.

I have 2 of the 27"w x 22"h RV windows plus the the back ATV door which is 76"h x 60"w. I can get the new insulated fabric with snaps on the fabric for $235 for all 3 openings. I just have to put the back part of the snap onto my fish house walls. This seems like a pretty good deal and will probably go with it at some point this spring. it will Make a huge difference when sleeping on the bed in the back of the house with a window at your head and feet and the door on your side.

FYI

It was Canvas Craft.

Thanks for posting up the info. That seems like a fair price. Did you have the idea to cover the window on the inide or outside of the house? Obviously the rear door would get covered inside. I will probably do this as well...... might be a good time to cash in that change jar i've been saving.

Thanks again.

[MuleShack]

I am going to cover the windows on the inside. Less wear on the material/fabric and much easier to put on and take off.

I may have to add a oak or cedar trim piece around the windows depending on if there is enough backing to tack the base for the snaps to.

[landscaper]

Heartland Recreational Fish Houses anyone heard of them?

[MuleShack]

Originally Posted By: MuleShack

I think i'm just going to go to canvas craft and have them make me some insulated covers that I can just snap on over the windows over night. And then Make another cover for the back door to help seal up the frost and any draft.

If you do let me know what you come up with for costs. Maybe we could get a better deal if we ordered them for multiple houses as I assume the window /door sizes are the same.

I should also update the 95% of my concerns are being taken care of with my extended warranty. Local dealer has been great to work with. I should have my house back on or before Friday.

Fishy...

If you see this, I'm going to go to canvas craft at the end of the month (October) to have them make my insulated window covers. Email me if you still are interested maybe we could get a discounted price for 2 sets?

Steve

[DTro]

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...

I was quite impressed watching the guys over at Custom Cottages build a house today. I would put them on your "check out" list for sure.

[ericb]

I would like to know the weight, of the units, does any body know

[MuleShack]

Eric if your asking about the lodges from above...I never had mine scaled, but they told me it grossed around 4500lbs when I bought it. (8x20 lodge)

[hibanks1]

any one out there currently own a custom cottage....