Active Week on the Trail Cam…

I don’t have much going on this summer, I also would be interested in seeing what guys have for plans….may just build me my own castle

D

Boy TrekR, you’re right on top of it!

Slab hunter

I would use closed cell foam for the insulation for the walls, foor and ceiling. It will seal the fish house from air leaks. It has a 7 R factor per inch and adds strenght to the structure. It is not harmed by water and can be painted with a fire retardent paint with a 20 minute rating. It also should help the icehouse float

Good idea.

I have been considering buying a Zack Shack which uses the foam insulation inside. Look up Zachmeier Manufacturing in North Dakota. They are required by North Dakota law to ensure a permanent ice shack will float. Their patents for raising and lowering the shack are great, and the rear door is wide enough to drive a 4 wheeler right in. They claim the wheeler can pull it out on the ice easily.
http://www.zachmeiermfg.com/fishhouse.html

They had these on display at Cabelas early this year. I was not impressed with the fit and finish of these units for the price. Functional, yes. Interiors looked to be a nightmare if you wanted any ammenities added after the foam was applied.

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They had these on display at Cabelas early this year. I was not impressed with the fit and finish of these units for the price. Functional, yes. Interiors looked to be a nightmare if you wanted any ammenities added after the foam was applied.

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I wasn’t going to say anything, about the zack shacks, but I thought the very same thing, I seen them at the ice show. Functional Yep, I’m sure it is, but come on, a little fit and finish would go a long ways.

Here is a site that sells the house or any part of you want. You could get the folding axles and then build up from there.

axles

fish house this web site I saved from somebody who put it up a while back. They have everything you need for the do-it-yourself (er’s) I also like the idea of a removable tongue.

i have been thinking of building one for quite some time and what i would do is buy a frame that is finished you can do this at most of the big name shack place like ice castle etc. other wise i would go on the lake and ask some guys with shacks if they minded if i looked at theres. get the basic idea of it and start cuting and welding

Lots of great ideas guys!
TrekR; are you ready to start building??
A question I have is, are brakes required on a small trailer like these and what about suspension? We plan on building it in Red Wing (home) then towing/using and storing it around the Amery, WI area. We can even build it without a suspension and trailer it close to where it’s going to be used. Do you think we need to get carried away with making it highway worthy? Legal YES, but over do it?
Dumb questions I know but I’d like to hear it from the group.

Slab hunter

I don’t believe you need brakes. I know the KingCrow houses, use a set of leaf springs, that the house rides on. My brother had one, and it pulled like a regular trailer. We pulled it hundreds of miles on trips with no issues. You do need working trailer lights and need to stay under the 8’6″ allowed width. Good luck with your castle One thing, if you go with the foam, I would suggest running extra wiring, for future use. Just run it, and spray over it, leaving the ends out of the foam or right under it, then map out where you put them for future use

big g

You may want to check the regulations with the MN DOT before you start the build. Certain lengths might require more lights than others and the weight may dictate if brakes are needed. I have built a couple trailers and got surprised more than once. Like finding out I had to have a serial# assigned by a DOT official after being inspected because of it’s length and weight. 24ft and over 2000lbs. Took more time and investment to get it right. I have one I’ve been working on for over a year now that I plan to use as an ice house. I have a suspension under it because I plan on hauling a 4 wheeler in it and was afraid it would bounce all over without. It’s just 5X8.

I thought that if you were over 3500# then the license for a trailer can not longer be ‘Life Time’ and if your trailer could handle 6000# or more then you needed brakes. Check with the DMV to be safe. My Ice House has brakes and weighs ~4600# and is licensed for 9000#, and thats from Lodge.

Fist of all I would not recommed building your own frame.
There is a lot of trial and error in getting the weight right for the toung. Other wise that house is going to walk all over. I would call around to Northern tool and see if they have any frames left usually they want to blow them out. I know a guy that bought a 8×16 frame from northern for $900.00 Torsion axel, cranks everything. If you are going to build a 8′ wide house you will need clearance lights. amber in the front red in back. See Minnestoa code 169 par.4-10. Brakes, I don’t have brakes on my 20′ but I will by this spring. I can haul my wheeler with out them but I have to be soo careful. Crystal welding, quoted a buddy of mine 250.oo per axel for electric brakes. Good Luck

Was a pretty good week on the trail camera. Mr. “split brow” showed back up without velvet and with a few buddies to boot. Even made some daylight appearances. Looks like he may not be #1 stud in his group though… 3 days until go time…

Very nice

nice deer

Awesome pics!!

Nice looking bucks, and good stand placement. That will be a nice shot.

nice pics of some great bucks looks like a cold front coming thru this weekend should be spot on good luck

Great set of pictures. Best of luck on stand.

Looking good Justin! I hope to see a closer pic of one those buck’s racks along with your hands!

Nice pics Justin, is this in your new stomping grounds or old ones. If its in the new area looks like their are some good deer up north! Good luck.

These are from my old stomping grounds. I am still waiting on one in particular to show up that dodged me last yr. He is much bigger. Have a dozen bucks or so hangin around up north here but only one that caught my eye.

I thought the terrain looked a little to familiar to be from your new stomping grounds. Good luck this fall! I am chasin a couple biggin’s myself this fall. Good luck again and tell your dad hi next time you talk to him.