Shack Construction Underway

[Thestanimal]

Here is my new ice shack.  Yes I know, the construction is a little late, but better late than never.  The shack is designed to fit into the back of my truck just like a truck camper would.  The runners fit in between the wheel wells and benches fit over the top of the truck bed.  The bottem of the runners has 1'' conduit and it slides very well across the ice (pretested).  The floor is 4x8, with the benches it's come out to about 7x8 and the roof with be about 7 feet.  Going to put 1 1/2" steel pipe across the runners to for easy lifting and pulling with a snowmobile.  The only flaw has been hole placement on the floor, but we are working on a solution.  I will post updates as they come.


 
 
 
 

[oldfox]

Nice looking job!......quality looking work! 

[gamefisher]

You're going to love that design.  Built one this fall very similar only difference is I used ripped 2 X 4's and covered it with mill cloth to cut down on weight.  I built it in panels and assembled it with screws.  At first I had my doubts if it would be rugged enough but its amazing how it stiffened up once you tie it all together.  You'll be able seat 6 - 8 people, quite comfortably.  (not jigging of course)  That pig is going to be heavy with the plywood but nothing a few beverages can't overcome.  You'll be very happy when finished.

[Thestanimal]

I have a quick question for those of you checking this shack out.  What are your thoughts on carpet for the floor?  I have a bunch of left over carpet from finishing my basement.  Good idea/Bad idea?  What are your thoughts?

Thanks

[grumpymoe]

I have a quick question for those of you checking this shack out.  What are your thoughts on carpet for the floor?  I have a bunch of left over carpet from finishing my basement.  Good idea/Bad idea?  What are your thoughts?

Thanks

...how do you get the moisture out of the carpet? the fish that hit the floor? might be a bit rank after a few outings.....personally, I wouldn't....Grump

[PigShanks]

You could carpet the seats and the walls for some added insulation value, but like the grumpy one says, I wouldn't carpet the floor either. Nice rubber mat or outdoor carpet that you can take out, hose off at the car wash, and hang out to dry would be my choices.

[ice dawg]

I think I would do the floor with a nonskid paint to prevent a moisture problem. Maybe you have a shop or something to store it in to dry it out.

[KGrant]

I wouldn't reccomend carpet.  Just a good floor paint.  It can get a little slippery though.

In my 4x8 insulated shack it is very easy to dry out.  Sweep the loose snow down the holes, close the holes up, put the Mr. Buddy heater on high, leave it for 1/2 an hour, most of the ice is melted by then, the little bit that isn't you can break up with the broom and sweep it all down a hole. 

After 1/2 an hour on high it is easily 100 at the ceiling and 70 on the floor, with -10 F outside air.

When we're fishing it staying about 40 on the floor with the holes open, and we keep it 70-80 up top.  I'm going to install some fans to circulate air a little.

That's a great looking shack!  Will it fit in the back of a pickup?  If it did you could put some camper jacks on it so you could unload it by yourself.

[Thestanimal]

Thanks everyone for the input.  Based on your advice we are going to paint the floor on mix put some silt on at the same time to get a little grit.

The shack fits perfectly in the back of my truck-the camper jacks is a pretty good idea.  Might have to figure out a way to install them.  Right now we are planning on putting a 3/4" pipe at each end and lifting the the shack into and out of my truck (thank god I enjoy deadlifts).  After reading a post the other day I think we are going to install a couple of catch covers for in the floor.

I should have some updated pics by the weekend.  Thanks for everyone's input-if anyone else has advice or ideas please don't hesitate to post them.

[Thestanimal]

Here are some updated pics of the shack.  It's near completion-just needs some benches, paint, weatherseal and some ice on Sebago Lake.  It's heavier than expected but we can still get into the back of my Ram 1500.

Here is a view of the front





He is the rear of the shack



Here is a not so good pic of the inside




Feel free to post thoughts and comments

[beeverfishing]

Nice shack!!!   I think they ALWAYS turn out to be heavier than we planned on, at least mine do.
Great job, should last for several seasons.

[Smokeeater]

Wow.  The Inside looks like there is a lot of room to move about.  Could come in handy when jigging or fighting a decent northern of laker.  Good job!!!

[tcfish]

       
       sweet lookin shack but sebago doesn't look so good!

[TJG]

That is the exact design of mine. What I do to load it in the truck:
Drop the tail gate by removing the top support, so the tail gate is at a 45 deg angle to the ground.
Lift one end of the shanty and prop it up with a peice of tubing.
Back the truck up to it and put that end on the truck box.
Remove the tube, back up a bit more and than lift it on the rest of the way.
If it is heavy, you may need two guys.
Your shanty looks awesome, congrats.
Later TJ

[Thestanimal]

TJG

Thanks for tip-anything to make this monster easier to put into the truck is appreciated.

[cstolp]

How about a couple of ramps with a boat winch inside the shack?

[C-web]

Looks good.  I think thats the design I think I'm gonna use. Got any dimensions on it and how hard was it to get loaded?

[Thestanimal]

The floor is 4x8-with the benches it comes out to be 7x8 inside.  The highest point of the roof is 7 1/2 feet high.  The ski's were built from 2x6x10 and we cut both ends so you can pull it from either end.  It is easy to load into the truck but you need at least 2 people, 3 is easier.  The way the bendches come out beyone the base makes the shack "tippy" when you pick it up.  You cannot pick it up with 1 guy at either end-it's too tippy.  We picked up 1 end, backed the truck up and loaded it onto the tailgate and pushed it into the back of the truck.  We then strapped it down and off it went.

[BigTomTipup]

Sweet Design! Looks very streamline and functional. was wondering what u did with the roof, tin or shingles.

[Thestanimal]

We went with just weathershield on the roof. 

[PIKEGUY]

Shack looks great . I would, if at all possible, look into the camper jacks like someone else mentioned. That would make your life a whole lot easier

[Thestanimal]

Here is proof that this monster actually fits.  Getting the shack into the truck wasn't all that hard.  The jump was inspired by the late 70's toyota commercial...."Oh, Oh, OOOH what a feeling....completion"

[PIKEGUY]

Good thing you have a Dodge. That mighta tipped a Ford over

[Contender]

Good thing you have a Dodge. That mighta tipped a Ford over

LMAO!!!!!

Nice shack !!!

[Thestanimal]

windows are plexiglass and the weight is about 600lbs.  Not too bad considering the reinforcement needed.  It will fit 6-7 maybe more if the people are seated on the benches.  I'll know this weekend when everyone gets together on for the derby!

[Redneck5]

Good thing you have a Dodge. That mighta tipped a Ford over

Department
Of
Defense
Garage
Experiment

 

[cstolp]

Found
On
Road
Dead

[PIKEGUY]

F******
Only
Run
Downhill

[pirkaus]

More
Overhauls
Parts
And
Repairs

F***ing
Old
Rebuilt
Dodge

General
Mess of
Crap

[Thestanimal]

This past weekend I heated the shack with a propane tank and single burner heater, but I want to put a wood stove in there.  Does anyone have any suggestions for locating stoves.  I have seen the little tin ones in cabellas used, but the surface is pretty small for cooking.  I would love to find a small woodstove that takes small logs.  Any ideas?

BTW if you ever build a shack put 1 inch conduit on the bottem of the thing.  It was like an ice skate going across the ice.  My buddy had an easy time getting the thing out on the ice.