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Posted

Looking to build a wheelhouse for the first time. I have never had a wheelhouse before. Debating on a 6 1/2 x 14 or a 8 x 14. Things i am looking for is something i can pull with a 4 wheeler early ice, something i can sleep in and a toy hauler. I am also wondering if there are any plans or step by step instructions anywhere.would like to keep it light as possible. Is aluminum or steel better for the trailer. Thanks 

Posted

I would make it 8 ft wide. It's so much better for sleeping.  Especially for a taller person.  Steel frame is stronger. Aluminum is lighter and doesn't rust and more expensive.  I can pull an 8 x16 ice castle with a Honda foreman 500. My ice castle weighs 4200# empty.  If you want it lighter, aluminum is the way to go. 

Posted

The extra room in a 8x16 is a huge plus.

 

That being said, both 6+ x 16 if have fished in only weighed  2000 lbs and 1750 lbs respectively.  Although storage is a premium, if you are fishing and have gear and groceries and people there is enough.  Especially if you your truck for cold storage.  With a wheeler storage is even less.

 

If they suggest 12" of ice to hold a half ton truck (5800 lbs +)  A 4200 lb wheelhouse is pushing it on anything leas than 10".  The smaller house looking at 8" to get it out.

 

I have always leaned 8X16, however, 6 X 16 has turned out to work quite nicely for hunting and fishing.

Posted (edited)

For heat I would recommend something like an Empire direct vent heater. I hate the noise of forced air ones and there are more parts to fail, plus it needs a power source. Computer fans mounted near ceiling work nicely. Also install LED lighting. Another idea I like is spray the floor and about 1' up the wall with bedliner and then roll out rugs if you like. 

Edited by PRO-V
Posted

Do the aluminum trailers hold up? I travel alot and am nervous about the wear compared to steel. 

Posted
1 hour ago, Rocky said:

Do the aluminum trailers hold up? I travel alot and am nervous about the wear compared to steel. 

Alot of aluminum snowmobile, utility, and general use trailers out there.  Take care of them I am sure they will last plenty long.

Posted

Size and weight all depends on desires. If your focus is attractive, sleeping, cooking, TV, drinking first & fishing second the WH needs to be bigger and heavier. If fishing is primary sleeping secondary than lighter weight. If your going to sleep a well designed forced air is nice for consistent heat just like your home. I built 6.5 x 12 fishing only - rent a cabin to sleep & eat. Great hole seperatiom, light weight material. Weight is < 1000#. A couple photos of my build. BTW if I make another it will have hydrolic lift regardless os size.

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Posted

Should the walls be 2 x 2s or should they be bigger

Posted
3 minutes ago, Rocky said:

Should the walls be 2 x 2s or should they be bigger

If you spray foam that really strengthens things up. 2x2 would be good. You will be amazed how much spray foam makes things more strong and better for heating. 

Posted

Is it better to galvanize the trailer or can you get by spraying some sort of rustproofing 

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  Ice fishing remains strong across the south shore of Lake of the Woods out on Big Traverse Bay.  Resorts and outfitters on some parts of the lake have ice roads extending over 16 miles staying on nice schools of walleyes and saugers.  Many fish houses are over deep mud.  Some are on structure.  It is always fishing of course, but overall, February has been very productive for most anglers.   Extensions are being used on ice augers as the ice continues to thicken.  The thick ice this year will be good for the extended ice fishing season Lake of the Woods enjoys with fish houses out through March 31st, walleyes and saugers open through April 14th and a pike season that never closes. Most fishing activity is taking place in 26-32 feet of water.  Anglers are finding a healthy mix of walleyes and saugers, with a good number of jumbo perch in the mix this year.  Some big eelpout are also showing up.  Anglers are reporting plenty of fish for fresh fish frys and usually extra fish to bring home.   The one-two punch of a jigging line and deadstick is the way to go.  On the jigging line, jigging spoons with rattles tipped with a minnow head have been consistent.  Lipless crankbaits and jigging rap style lures also doing well.     Lures with a light have been working well in the stained water.  Please remember, in MN, lures with a light or water activated light can be used as long as the battery is mercury free and the hook is attached directly to the lure and not as a dropper line.     On the deadstick, a plain hook or a small jig with a live minnow 6 inches to a foot off of the bottom.    Some days, mornings are better, other days, it's the afternoons.  There is no distinct pattern, they could come through at any time. On the Rainy River...  The start of the day and end of the day have been best for those targeting walleyes on the river. A jig and minnow or a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head is also producing some fish. Some big sturgeon being iced by ice anglers targeting them.  It is a catch-and-release sturgeon season currently.   Although ice conditions on the river are good, they can vary significantly due to the current, so anglers should always consult local resorts or outfitters for the most up-to-date safety information and fishing advice. Up at the NW Angle...  Ice fishing has been strong in the islands area of Lake of the Woods. Resorts continue to move their fish houses around, staying on the best schools of walleyes.     Anglers are catching a nice mix of walleyes, saugers, and jumbo perch with an occasional pike or tullibee as well.     Big crappies are still being caught just over the border.  Fish houses are available, check with a NW Angle resort for info on crappie fishing.   Lake of the Woods enjoys an extended ice fishing season with fish houses on the ice through March 31st and walleye and sauger seasons open through April 14th. Perch, crappie, and pike seasons remain open year-round.    
    • leech~~
      Maybe you should put rattle wheels down, if your going to sleep for 6hrs! 🤭 😆
    • JerkinLips
      Monday was my worst day of winter fishing on Vermilion in the last 4 years.  Caught only one 14" walleye in nearly 8 hours of fishing.  Missed two other bites and was marking very few fish.  Maybe the fish were taking Monday off after a big weekend.   No more water came up on the ice under my house.  Think it was because I haven't banked snow around it for a couple of weeks so the bare ice around the house is getting very thick.  I measured 38" of ice under my house and the Ion barely made it through even with the extension installed.  Needless to say I banked around the house this time.  Another lesson I learned today is don't drill holes if ice is frozen on your blades.  I did that on one hole and it didn't center properly and drilled at an angle on the edge of the opening.  Hope I can correct the location and angle on my next trip up.   Not much change in the surface lake surface conditions.  The drifts may be a little higher and are definitely harder.  There are still a few bare ice spots on the lake.  Very little activity on the lake today.  There are about 3 dozen houses from McKinley Park out to Birch Island.  Another person pulled there house off today, and I am sure many more will pull theirs off this coming weekend.  Only 13 days left of walleye season.    
    • leech~~
      A good start for never picking up a bow!   IMG_1910.mp4
    • leech~~
      Um, #metoo   leech~~ Author 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders Posted January 26 My whole goal for the rest of this season.  Is to watch KC lose and Taylor cry!  🥳
    • smurfy
    • Wanderer
      Smurfy is happy.
    • Dash 1
      Great looking food. So far not much of a game and I thought the halftime show was worse I've seen. 
    • leech~~
      Oh is there a Superbowl game? 😋😋
    • Kettle
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