Wheelhouses

  • Dean Marshall
    Chippewa Falls WI /Ramsey MN
    Posts: 5854
    #1304393

    A friend has asked me for input on general thoughts and or reputationon wheelhouse brands of icecastle and yettie. Thanks for any input.

    Arnie Nichols
    Posts: 40
    #1120950

    Ice Castle is the way to go. Built solid. If at all possible, get the hydrolic model. May cost a little more but it is the way to go.

    Wade Boardman
    Grand Rapids, MN
    Posts: 4453
    #1120952

    Quote:


    A friend has asked me for input on general thoughts and or reputationon wheelhouse brands of icecastle and yettie. Thanks for any input.


    The first thing I learned when I had my Ice Castle was I had friends I never knew about who were more than happy to go fishing with me. However they always seemed to be to busy to clean the toilet they used or help me repack the bearings or any other yearly maintenance.

    1. They are not light, a guy burns a lot of gas dragging them around.
    2. The wheels, bearings and crankdown mechanisms needs extra yearly attention since they are exposed to the worst chemicals and conditions MN and WI roads offer.

    I had a 6.5′ X 14′ Ice Castle. I am convinced the axle for the 14′ is in the same place as it is for the 16′ which puts it in the WRONG place on the 14′. Mine was extremely touchy when it came to loading it and making it tounge heavy was always the better bet.

    Also the door to the house always seemed to not shut/lock properly as the house got to be 3-4 years old. I think unless the house was sitting perfectly flat the door jam would twist and prohibit the door from closing and latching. Because of this the door knob gets beat to hell as you slam it and slam it trying to close the door. Also I have seen this problem cause the door to freeze shut in the middle of the night and risk locking a person in.

    I did have the bathroom in mine and would never go without. Sure you lose room but being able to go to the pot in -20 degree weather is worth every cent.

    TazTyke
    Central Minnesota
    Posts: 473
    #1120996

    Neither. Team Lodge all the way. Lighter then Castle, spray foam insulation and they look nicer.

    While Castle was riding the top for a while all the others came out with better features and Castle fell behind.

    stevedobie
    Central, MN
    Posts: 478
    #1121015

    I have a lodge as well, great house BAD service.

    captddh
    Cannon Falls, MN
    Posts: 534
    #1121030

    I had a 8×16 ice castle for two years. It was fine,…did the job. fit and form not the best but everything worked.
    8′ wide pulls pretty hard,…my Sub struggled with it. I used my wife’s horse trailer diesel which pulled it fine but then you didn’t dare take it out on the ice until late in the year.

    I think the fit and form is better on the Yetti and I like saving the pounds for pulling and for ice safety. That would be my choice if I bought another Dean.

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