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Overall Drop Down Ice House Width.


arctic_scrap1

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Can anyone tell me what the overall width of the 6.5ft wide ice houses are? I'm talking outside of tire to outside of tire. I am wondering if I can build a 7' wide house and still be under the legal width limit.

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5 minutes ago, PRO-V said:

Consult the State Highway Patrol so you get the correct answer.

Well I know the legal max width is 8' 6". I'm just wondering if a 7' wide house would be over that once you factor in the extra width of the axle and tires.

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
52 minutes ago, arctic_scrap1 said:

Well I know the legal max width is 8' 6". I'm just wondering if a 7' wide house would be over that once you factor in the extra width of the axle and tires.

 

You don't have to build the axles and tires outside the house. You can sink them into the frame a bit and have them come up and down inside a built in enclosure that will end up being like shelves on the inside. You just lose a little room on the inside in those two areas. Kind of like this. Instead of that.

 

image.png.31aba16542d2967e0d487a6653e1b2f1.pngimage.png.f213599c8cb30faf8a1ba7e607deef1c.png

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My DIY 6.5 x 12 wheel house is 77.5" outside fenders are 12.25" total width 102" or 8'6". Fenders extend 1.5" past tire. At 7' the total width will exceed 8.5' unless designed per Leech post.

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On 12/18/2018 at 9:11 PM, arctic_scrap1 said:

Can anyone tell me what the overall width of the 6.5ft wide ice houses are? I'm talking outside of tire to outside of tire. I am wondering if I can build a 7' wide house and still be under the legal width limit.

 

Edited by fsnrod
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Yeah I know I can do one with the recessed wheel wells like your typical 8' wide ice castle. I was trying to avoid that. I've been in houses like that and I just don't like it. I would prefer one like a 6.5' wide but I'm taller and my fishing buddies are tall so beds across the back of it wouldn't work well. I guess it's back to the drawing board.

Edited by arctic_scrap1
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Two years ago four of us were in a Portavilla rental on Red. 6 1/2 x 16 house. 2 sets of drop down bunks on the side. I will NEVER do that again. Never been so cramped in my life. I would take an 8' wide any day if more than 2 people.

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I've even thought of making an 8x16 shack and then buying an 8x20 aluminum snowmobile trailer. Then use a winch system to get the house back on the trailer. Then I would have the trailer for other uses. I just really hate the wheel well setups on 8' wide drop downs. I don't think that whole setup would weigh much more than a 8x16 drop down.

Edited by arctic_scrap1
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I was looking at 6.5 x 14 ice castles this spring. We decided to by an 8x16. I am so glad we did just because of the bunks. I am a big guy. I don't like being cramped up sleeping. IMO 8 foot wide is the way to go. My 8x16 ice castle weighs 4200 pounds. 

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2 hours ago, arctic_scrap1 said:

Yeah I know I can do one with the recessed wheel wells like your typical 8' wide ice castle. I was trying to avoid that. I've been in houses like that and I just don't like it. I would prefer one like a 6.5' wide but I'm taller and my fishing buddies are tall so beds across the back of it wouldn't work well. I guess it's back to the drawing board.

Inside of mine is 71.25” wall to wall. I don’t sleep in it. I rent a cabin on overnight trips $30 to $45 per person per night 5 to 6 guys on trip. My WH is under 1,000 lbs. It took <$900 to build it, now has power lift. Fish 6 holes 3 people with comfort. Bring comfie chair if you want to fish in it. The $20K cost avoidance from buying a Castle will more than offset the next 15 year cabin rental. After that, at 90, my Son will need to take over arrangements.

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