Holiday Trailer Ice Shack Build DO's/Don'ts

[bradvtown]

Just picked up an older camper to build an ice shack and looking for some do's and don'ts while getting my build going.

Picked up a wood stove for heat but currently in the debate of roof or wall exit for the vent. What would be your suggestion? Read some previous posts on both options.

Hole covers- Spend the money on catch covers or is there a DIY option that works good?

Any other tips are welcome as I'd rather do it right the first time.

[Curtsyneil]

When cutting holes in the floor make sure your clear of any lines or things that possibly can be cut. Catch cover will not reach bottom of ice you will still have to cut 5 gallon pails to stick down holes cause you will be high from the hole on your trailer to the hole in your ice. Get a auger with a 12 inch extension and a auger that drills through existing holes cause on cold nights they will freeze over. Best augers for that job are the ions no doubt. I would exit the chimney off the top cause if you get a crazy side wind on the lake a side mount on walls will back draft and possibly push smoke or ash back into your fire box or trailer. If you plan on leaving the trailer on the ice for long periods of time pull trailer on some wood blocks to keep flood water from freezing in your trailer or tires.

[Drewski Canuck]

Leave NOTHING in the Trailer between fishing trips.

Easy to break into and often you will have no chance of determining who did it.

Maybe get about a 50 watt solar panel on the wall that will be south facing to keep a charge on the 12 volt batteries that will run the lights in the trailer.

Batteries have to be locked up as best as possible INSIDE. Keep the Propane tank with you between trips if running the stove is important on your return.

Also make sure that there is some reflectors like on a Semi Trailer on the top of the trailer to warn night time drivers / skidooers of the white trailer on the white snow. These things get run into frequently enough.

Drewski

[NCC]

I’d consider a diesel heater. One of my coworkers had a wood heater in his ice fishing shack and took it out because he had a hard time controlling the temperature. Maybe your trailer is large enough that it won’t be a concern.

[-JR-]

When it comes to the older trailers ,why not stick with the gravity furnace in them rather than a wood burning stove .

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by bradvtown

Just picked up an older camper to build an ice shack and looking for some do's and don'ts while getting my build going.

Picked up a wood stove for heat but currently in the debate of roof or wall exit for the vent. What would be your suggestion? Read some previous posts on both options.

Hole covers- Spend the money on catch covers or is there a DIY option that works good?

Any other tips are welcome as I'd rather do it right the first time.

If you come out the side wall high enough up and extend the pipe up and higher than the roof you should have no issues at all. More holes in the roof the more potential for leaks.
Homemade hole covers and those plastic buckets to get down to ice level will do the trick. An auger with reverse is nice to clear the ice/snow out and under the hole not spilling into the bucket/camper floor.
Park the shack on wood like pieces of 2X10 and if staying on an area for a length of time skirt it in with plywood, makes for warmer times inside and easy to set up/take down.
Smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector X2 each.
The imagination is what will build your ice shanty to your liking, so many great ideas out there.

[Dale S]

I have 4" chimney pipe. I'm have a hard time finding the right chimney thimble to work with a thin wall. I'm going to use an existing window to go through the wall. No cutting. I'm going to install the 4, 12" Catch Covers today. I got them on sale at Cabelas for $27 each. I'll post how it goes.

[Curtsyneil]

Originally Posted by -JR-

When it comes to the older trailers ,why not stick with the gravity furnace in them rather than a wood burning stove .

It's nice to have another heat source available if the propane freezes and goes to liquid when cold that's why you put a wood burning stove in also.

[bradvtown]

Thanks for all the feedback.

I've debated putting a solar panel up but hadn't planned on leaving a battery inside. I was going to go with my ammo box battery setup to power some LED lights.

I did debate a diesel heater but ultimately wanted the dry heat of a wood stove for when kids come in wet from outside. I still may end up with a diesel heater and at that point I'd have a permanent battery installed.

Trailer still has the OEM furnace but not sure I'm going to waste any time with it. Would be handy though.

I do plan on leaving the door unlocked so that someone doesn't have to break the door to get in. That said not much will be left inside so it doesn't walk away.

[58thecat]

You stick this bad boy on cold lake and I will babysit it plus put it on a hot spot….no worries about those types vandalizing it.


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[Dale S]

For the most part it’s pretty easy. The only problem was the underneath side. You have to make your own flange to finish off the hole.


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[Dale S]

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[Dale S]

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[bradvtown]

Appreciate all the feedback and input. Lots of things that I hadn't thought of and will save me a few headaches.