I’m looking at an Extreme Hybrid RV edition with fiberglass sides and spray foam. The unit has their Arctic Package. I’m wondering what others experience has been with these units. I have a 2020 on hold 300 miles away and no dealers with any on their lot anywheres near me, thanks.
Ask about an extended warranty, it’ll pay for itself.
Any specifics?
I mean here’s the deal, dating back to its inception ice castle has never been top of its class in build quality. You can find thousands of horror stories with an almost equal number of people making the argument that with the fact that they outsell all other brands by a staggering amount it makes sense there are more claims of bad quality. Might be worth your while to join some Facebook groups. There are a few really popular ones for ice castle. There are some manufacturers that have better build quality but you will pay way more and quite frankly even the higher end units will probably have issues.
Having said all of that I think in the last 7-8 years or so ice castle quality has gotten better but keep in mind they are struggling to keep up with demand. As a result they may not be focused on quality right now.
The last thing I’ll say is I wouldn’t be too worried about an extended warranty. Based off of my research i think most ice castle dealers do a crap job of repairing units anyway. After all its they who built your now broken house in the first place and they have little incentive to fix their shoddy work when they have new builds on back order
Yeah I’d agree with Crappie. In summary, it’s a tough tough time to buy recreational items. Prices and demand are sky high (even on used items), and the production of new units is being pushed to its limits more than ever before.
To each their own, but if I personally made it this long without a wheelhouse there’s no way this would be the year I purchased one.
Like I said in my OP this is a 2020 and probably built pre Covid. It’s an RV edition so has equipment from the major appliance manufacturers the same as all other RVs. I’m mostly wondering about the performance of the shell and chassis including the hydraulic lift system.
Truth be told. This is replacing my 5th wheel RV so that I can stay on my property in Tomahawk during the winter. I’ve owned for 5 years a 6.5 x 14’ Firebrand toy hauler and it is my go to ice house for fishing and even camping. It has been flawless. The Ice Castle is more of an “almost house” on my property with room for friends and family at times.
I say this as an ice castle owner so take it as you will. Everyone I know that has bought an ice castle, myself included has had issues with them. This dates from 2015-2022 models and $20-$50 thousand dollar units. Some issues took a little time to show themselves and others were there from the day they got it home from the dealer. They used to get away with it because they were so much cheaper than other brands people would overlook it because they saved money. Also forget ICOG on Facebook when you have problems they will all be your fault and you did something to cause the issue.
Never been impressed with their quality but hopefully you got a better deal to make up for it if that’s your decision. Kind of like alumacraft vs lund. The amount of money saved may outweigh the initial investment? I wouldn’t buy a castle unless it was a smokin deal and those aren’t happening this year. Good luck!
These forums are always hilarious and generally people who don’t fish, use or own an ice castle respond. I’ve owned a number of them and I’ve never had an issue. Not one.
I’d say I know of 25-30 Ice Castles at this time owned by friends and family without an issue. I own a hydraulic version and its been great.
Of my friends that have owned every other brand, Ice Castle has been the most trouble free.
The only reason I’d ever consider a different brand would be to switch to an aluminum some day.
The build quality on Ice Castles in the early 2000’s was poor but after that they have been as good as any brand if not better. To each his own but you’ll be happy with your purchase.
Never been impressed with their quality
Really?? When was the last time you spent time in one? They are literally nicer than most peoples actual houses?
What would impress you? Marble countertops and mahogany cabinets with a gloss finish? 
Its a fish house!! All it has to do is raise and lower and tow nicely down the road? They are spray foamed so they are super warm… please explain how you could not be impressed?
Everyone I know that has bought an ice castle, myself included has had issues with them. This dates from 2015-2022 models and $20-$50 thousand dollar units. Some issues took a little time to show themselves and others were there from the day they got it home from the dealer.
I’m completely the opposite. Everyone I know that has bought an Ice Castle loves it! I haven’t heard of an issue… so either we are super lucky or you and your friends are super unlucky… btw between camping and fishing we slept in our house 42 nights last year. That’s a lot of use with no issues.
What issues are we talking about here? Please… I’d love some details. Thanks
Our 2020 is like a 1978 trailer house 
(tongue really far in the cheek)
Kidding aside, I have very few complaints so far, and nothing I haven’t been able to fix myself (drain plug was loose on the freshwater tank, some missed spots in the dark stain, livewell had a tiny drip, exterior caulking touched up here and there)
All RV and fish house manufacturers crank these things out, and none are “perfect” (my last shack was a Yetti…which wasn’t perfect either)
I get a kick out of people who say “If I’m spending $25,000+ plus dollars it better be perfect”….Good luck with that from any manufacturer these days. You’d be out of luck finding any vehicle that doesn’t have a recall, or a burger that looks like it does in the picture they advertise.
That said, I’d buy an RV Ice Castle over any new camper I’ve seen in a heartbeat.
I’d also HIGHLY recommend getting a galvanized frame. It was mandatory for me going to steel from aluminum.
Buy the shack, touch up what needs it, and enjoy. If you have a serious problem, drop it off in the warranty period and get it taken care of.
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If it is good enough B-man’s twins it would be good enough for me! 
If it is good enough B-man’s twins it would be good enough for me!
Yeah they hate the new shack as much as me 
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I walk thru all the makes and models at the Ice Show. For years I’d say no way on an Ice Castle.
Today – I’d buy one. Their quality is much better then in the past.
B-man,
That’s nicer than my house. 
You don’t actually pull an ATV into that Livingroom do you? 
I am with Joe and Bman on this one everything said is spot on I bought a 2015 used and it has been great, also know several other owners and only a couple small issues, one with the heater last year but fixed it pretty easy.
Bman sweet fish house by the way. Its really not fair all you stuff is way cooler than my stuff.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Stanley wrote:</div>
Everyone I know that has bought an ice castle, myself included has had issues with them. This dates from 2015-2022 models and $20-$50 thousand dollar units. Some issues took a little time to show themselves and others were there from the day they got it home from the dealer.I’m completely the opposite. Everyone I know that has bought an Ice Castle loves it! I haven’t heard of an issue… so either we are super lucky or you and your friends are super unlucky… btw between camping and fishing we slept in our house 42 nights last year. That’s a lot of use with no issues.
What issues are we talking about here? Please… I’d love some details. Thanks
Joe I’m glad you haven’t had any issues with yours. The list of issues I’ve seen have been. Outlets not working, no spray foam in some areas with the attic package, hdmi cable was broke (was ran inside the wall from factory), awning falling off, glass on stove exploded, leaking windows, bent tandem axles, power inverters going bad, propane/co alarms fail. Like I said all these issues and more have happened within a year some within 2 weeks of being new. That’s between about 10 different houses. There have been more issues I just can’t remember it all and I am still on my first ice castle while other friends family have had multiple over the years.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>mxskeeter wrote:</div>
If it is good enough B-man’s twins it would be good enough for me!Yeah they hate the new shack as much as me
What about Ms DNR? Is she still in the picture?
Heck, I thought ice fishing meant sitting on a 5 gallon bucket. That unit is nicer than my house!
HRG
I think it all depends on the individual unit you get, and every manufacturer has lemons. The only reason I wouldn’t buy an IC is for an aluminum frame for towing it all over, but doesn’t sound like that would be an issue for you. Post some pics when you get it! And B-Man’s pics have me a little jealous now!
So much depends on how you plan to use it and HOW you use it. Meaning if you are using it like an RV and don’t tow it much I think you’ll see fewer issues. If you’re a guy who’s heading to Red Lake or LOW with your buddies and towing it 300 miles at 70 MPH and bombing 5 miles across a rutted lake road, you’ll see more issues. RV’s are notorious for falling apart anyway. The build quality is rather sketchy at best even in the most expensive brands. I’ll say my dad’s Ice Castle has better build quality than most RV’s I’ve used. The only issues he’s had is mud daubers making a nest in the furnace intake/exhaust. But it’s used as an RV for the most part. It’s also maintained. If you take care of your things they tend to last longer.
Does ice castle still use sub standard and dangerous wiring methods like they did in my buddy’s 4 or 5 year old model?
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<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Stanley wrote:</div>
Everyone I know that has bought an ice castle, myself included has had issues with them. This dates from 2015-2022 models and $20-$50 thousand dollar units. Some issues took a little time to show themselves and others were there from the day they got it home from the dealer.I’m completely the opposite. Everyone I know that has bought an Ice Castle loves it! I haven’t heard of an issue… so either we are super lucky or you and your friends are super unlucky… btw between camping and fishing we slept in our house 42 nights last year. That’s a lot of use with no issues.
What issues are we talking about here? Please… I’d love some details. Thanks
I have a 2016 that’s had zero issues. Based on research “Most dealers do a crappy job of repairing them” ? I know a lot of IC owners and don’t hear any of this. My dealer, Smokey Hills has been great to deal with since day one.
Does ice castle still use sub standard and dangerous wiring methods like they did in my buddy’s 4 or 5 year old model?
Yikes😳
OP if you get will you change your name to ice castle rock clown?
Does ice castle still use sub standard and dangerous wiring methods like they did in my buddy’s 4 or 5 year old model?
That’s in an ice castle? It looks to me like a garage stud wall or something. Looks like a cinder block on the bottom no?
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>tornadochaser wrote:</div>
Does ice castle still use sub standard and dangerous wiring methods like they did in my buddy’s 4 or 5 year old model?That’s in an ice castle? It looks to me like a garage stud wall or something. Looks like a cinder block on the bottom no?
Looks like the outside siding is off and you can see the tongue and grove inside the 2×3 wall studs and the black is the frame. Below that I would guess is gravel where it is parked on.
Thanks guys, it’s a 2020 so should have 2 ice seasons on it. It’s not a galvanized frame, but if prepped properly, how about coating it with spray Rhino Shield for protection? I will probably get a two or three year extended warranty, but the jury is out on that till I read the fine print.
Looks like the outside siding is off and you can see the tongue and grove inside the 2×3 wall studs and the black is the frame. Below that I would guess is gravel where it is parked on.
Oh, I see that now. Thanks. Doesnt look good.
If you do buy one smokey hills has the best reputation and by all accounts seems to stand by what they sell to the best of their ability. If I bought one I would buy from them
Rodents causing havoc is on ice castle ? Get your buddy a cat. Anybody ever go through a new house build before ? Not one on wheels that’s also a trailer, but an actual house ? Always gonna be issues during and after the build.
Looks like the outside siding is off and you can see the tongue and grove inside the 2×3 wall studs and the black is the frame. Below that I would guess is gravel where it is parked on.
Correct. That rats nest of wire bounced around unsupported and constantly rubbed on the bolt they used for a ground lug, which caused the insulation to wear and arcing/shorting to occur.
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