Just purchased a new to me RV addition ice castle. What are some must haves that you must have for you wheel house? what are some good storage ideas as that space seems to be short. Just looking for some ideas of how you maximize your space and what you do. First time owner just looking for some tricks and what works for other people. I know most of it will be trial and error.
Thanks
Dumb but it works for us-
we have a tote that we put dirty dishes in that we keep outside–not having to worry about that while on the ice or camping has been nice
The first couple times you use it you will learn a lot. In my glacier we use the side bunk as storage for clothes and equipment.
Hole sleeves
Hole covers for rattle reels
Slush bucket
Rattle reels
Extra fuses
Extra thermostat
Extra furnace parts
Old Towels for drying the floor
Blocks leveling and for on the ice
Ice chisel
Spare tire
Extra Carbon monoxide detector
Decent generator
Extension cords
Electric auger with extension
Spare heater or two
Fan
Duct tape
Zip ties
Wd-40 or any kind
Shovels
Truck chains
Electrical meter
Extra generator oil
Starting fluid
These are some of the things I bring. If you have Facebook look up the ice castle groups on there and you will learn tons of great info.
I mounted a storage box on the back of mine this year and works great for blocks, cords and misc things and frees up a lot of room in the truck or shack
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I mounted a storage box on the back of mine this year and works great for blocks, cords and misc things and frees up a lot of room in the truck or shack
That looks like a great idea. 
Coletrain pretty much nailed it. Just remember like you said storage is at a minimum so once you use it a few times ditch what you are not going to use. Welcome to Wheelhouse ownership.
Oh almost forgot the most important thing is strobe lights and the tallest flag pole you can find with Go Brandon flags. 
I don’t have a permanent but I saw a lot of guys this year using big Rubbermaid totes for generator covers. Looked like a great idea. Keeps the wind off your generator, snow out of it, and a little shelter that it self-warms. Guys did have a 4 inch hole in for exhaust
Oh almost forgot the most important thing is strobe lights and the tallest flag pole you can find with Go Brandon flags.
Yes please keep your strobes on and all super bright flashing lights on. All night long so you blind any neighbors you might have.
And the really dumb huge flag poles are a must have
I don’t have a permanent but I saw a lot of guys this year using big Rubbermaid totes for generator covers. Looked like a great idea. Keeps the wind off your generator, snow out of it, and a little shelter that it self-warms. Guys did have a 4 inch hole in for exhaust
I made my own last year and posted it on here. I use it every weekend no matter how cold it is and it’s a lot quieter while running inside the box.
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Does it ever get to warm in that box, especially with all the heat tape ? That’s a good idea
Ive never had a problem with it getting too hot. It gets warm but not as warm as you would think. The cover on the front can flip up on a hinge if it’s really warm outside. The back side where the exhaust and fan blow out I used a household duct return vent.
Fished in a few blizzards this year and watched the neighbors generators ice up and quit running and never had a issue with mine. Beat mod I’ve done for ice fishing IMO
We added a sure step to ours. The ice and snow out side the door can get very slippery after a few days.
Cole train started a good list. I copied a list that was compiled from an old thread on here on more safety type items
-Tow Strap
-Jumper cables/jumper pack
-Buddy heater & extra propane tank
-Spare plug & oil for generator
-Backup extension cord(s)
-Ratchet/Socket kit
-Floor jack (way quicker for changing a tire than the scissor jack)
-Lug nut wrench YOU CONFIRM fits the wheelhouse lug nuts
-Spare high limit switch for furnace
– Torch and lock antifreeze spray for frozen doors
– rubber mallet for chipping ice out of entry door frame; etc
– electric milk box heater as a backup. Will burn through generator gas but I won’t sleep with a big buddy on.
– electric blanket or hand warmers to wrap around propane regulator when really cold.
– spare thermostat
– I know some guys who also bring a spare regulator
– spade shovel
– grain shovel
– buddy with a spare truck
Cole did you buy that orange shack from Amanda at pleasure land
Cole did you buy that orange shack from Amanda at pleasure land
I did. Do you know her?
Anyone add one of those electric fireplaces for the electric heat backup? We also use the side bunk as storage for clothes, totes, etc. I built a 3×3 mini deck for in front of the door out of spare perm decking pieces I had.
I want to remove the rear bunk and put in cabinets. Anyone done this?
If all your gonna use the electric fireplace is for a backup then just get a electric milk house heater for a spare heat source and it won’t take up floor space for everyday fishing
I was going to mount it in between holes on wheel well. Only about 3.5″ deep so won’t take up much room, plus I may turn flame on at night for mood.
I love my fakey fireplace. Gives heat and ambiance and another surface to place something.
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For the kitchen area, I mounted one of these and helped with some of the small kitchen items. Surprisingly, things seem to stay in place even during transport.
I suggest looking through Youtube videos for wheelhouse ideas and also RV ideas as a lot of it is the same. At the very minimum, have dedicated totes for the stuff that you keep in the truck and bring back and forth. Just like camping, you just want to grab them and go and not have to pack anything. Dedicated extension cords, ratch straps, wheel chocks, etc just for the wheel house.
thanks for this discussion, i was looking for something like this.
I don’t use the table set up in my Stinger so I cut a piece of plywood that is as big as the bottom bed. I screwed kickers on each end of the wall and built a brace for the middle. Pull out that plywood and use cushions from top bunk to make a double bed down below. Works great.
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