Drop-down fish house as camper and towing – does it work well?

I’ve been kicking around the idea of picking up a smaller used wheelhouse this fall for ice fishing on the local lake, maybe 6.5×16 or so. Goal was something lightweight and focused on fishing. Then the wife saw the larger RV type models and thinks having a camper in the summer would be fun, probably a 8×17 single axle size and likely new or almost new ($$$). I’m wondering how well these tow with all the moving parts on the drop down wheels compared to a solid axle camping trailer? We’d be pulling it 1000+ miles out west. For those that have used one… does the all-in-one solution work well for both ice fishing and camping, or is a traditional camper better for camping?

The number of units driving around all year would suggest yes. I would imagine that using/maintining drop wheels all year (and in nice, salt free conditions) would keep them in better working order.

I could never have justified the expense of a house or camper that would sit idle half the year – averaged out mine probably gets used at least twice a month. Tows fine, and it is nice to drop down and have a movement free camper.

My only experience with one is a guy I know with a 28′ or 29′ ice castle RV rated fish house/camper. It is really heavy and I don’t think there is anyway a 1/2 ton truck would pull it safely. He has a 1 ton ford and he added air bags so it didn’t sag so much. He had a travel trailer in the past about the same size and said that pulled much easier than the fish house. Keep that in mind if you don’t have a 1/2 ton truck to pull even a 17′. It may be a little much for a SUV. I am sure someone that has one can provide some input.

tindall wrote:

The number of units driving around all year would suggest yes. I would imagine that using/maintining drop wheels all year (and in nice, salt free conditions) would keep them in better working order.

I could never have justified the expense of a house or camper that would sit idle half the year – averaged out mine probably gets used at least twice a month. Tows fine, and it is nice to drop down and have a movement free camper.

I would suggest thats how most guys sold their wives on a new wheelhouse.

They’re great if you use them enough- and tow fine if you have the correct set up. If I purchased another one I would NOT get a another single axle. Even if it was a 17-18′ model I would get tandem axles. Good peace of mind and they tow so much better than a single. Even a 17′ can be over #5000.

At 8×17 and pulling it 1000 miles plus, I would feel a lot safer with 2 axles. It tows easier and flat tires are much easier to deal with. I’d also recommend a tubular frame. I had one with channel frame that bent with the year round use.

I have a 1/2 ton pickup to pull with. So the double axle pulls better down the road.. but if the house gets too long/big it will be stuck on shore longer during the ice fishing season waiting for thicker ice.

Tindall, which model did you go with?

I went a different route than most – I have a 14’+3v ridgeline heavy hauler. Mine is set up for maximum versatility (basically a wired, insulated shed trailer/toy hauler). If your wife wants a proper “camper” or wouldn’t like a luggable loo it wont fit the bill.

I almost always have a battery/inverter in it so I have 12v or 110 (but it can be removed). At the moment it is set up for “summer” with two sets of cot bunks and a portable a/c.

In winter I can set it up to sleep and fish, I can empty it to comfortably fish 6 (theoretically cramming in 8), I can drive the atv inside with or without gear for early ice.

I have used it as a hunting basecamp, and hunted out of it. I have taken it to the inlaws for holiday sleeping quarters as house space dwindles. I have also hauled my buddy’s mom’s apartment in it when she passed.

It weighs about 1300 empty and I typically run 2000-3000 with stuff. I have some old posts about it here.

you can comfortably fish 6 people in a 14′ shack?

I towed my 8×16 yetti to MT a fe years ago. Never again…
Vehicle that gets 15mpg daily got 8mpg towing for 2000mi at about 65/70 mph.
Single axles also suck towing on shorter wheelbase vehicles[ toyota sequoia] bounce, sway and get pushed around by every passing vehicle.

Coletrain27 wrote:

you can comfortably fish 6 people in a 14′ shack?

If it is a 14′ plus 3’v with nothing in it everyone can sit in a full size chair. It’s not an overnight thing for sure, but plenty of room for 3 couples to have single holes, beer, and fish socially for half a day. I’ve had 6 in a “quickfish 6” and that wasnt awful – but this is way better.

I usually set a popup outside with the loo. Or I set up my 6×12 popup and have even more people rotating.

Keep in mind how the bigger house will limit the lakes you can get out on during a lot of our recent winters. Even LOTW resorts limited to single axles for long stretches of early winter. Really sucks to have a nice, roomy fish house only to not be able to use it for much of the winter.

I’ve also wondered what the airflow is like during the summer in those. With fewer and smaller windows than a normal camper, they just look hot to me, but that may just be my perception. I feel like you’d have to have the AC on all summer in one of those.

That’s the mileage you would get towing just about any travel trailer. Lots of wind resistance .

An RV fish house is really nice for ice fishing, and occasional camping, (4-5 times/yr) but both a travel trailer and fish house serve their respective purposes better as I am now finding out. As far as towing, at the size you are talking, any 1/2 ton will easily tow it. It is nice dropping it all the way down and not have any movement when people are moving about inside. Definitely get an AC, and make sure the door is on the passenger side, as most campsites are set up that way to accommodate actual campers. You don’t want to be “that guy” who is staring at the neighbors at the RV park all weekend.

Do the campgrounds you will be camping in have good showerhouses? If you do not need a shower, that can open a floor plan up for other indoor comforts for both camping and fishing or a smaller floor plan.