Author Topic: Camper to Drop Down Ice Shack Conversion (Read 85938 times)

P Meyette · « **Reply #60 on:** Oct 06, 2013, 03:05 PM »

nice looking

dbuchmann · « **Reply #61 on:** Oct 06, 2013, 08:32 PM »

After the cabinets are up all I have left is some minor trim work, a few shelves and make some rod holders. I do have to finish the wiring once I put the boat away and take the batteries out of it. Other than that, I have a friend that makes custom decals so I'm going to get some fish decals made and some ice fishing ones for the inside. Might try to find a TV to put in there. I think once I have it out on the ice I may make a few changes or add some things but for now, it's just about done.

dbuchmann · « **Reply #62 on:** Oct 10, 2013, 07:41 PM »

Got the main cabinet finished and installed today. Hope it holds everything I need in the kitchen area.

Not the best picture...

IceCrafty · « **Reply #63 on:** Oct 11, 2013, 12:25 PM »

Looking Great can't wait to see the finished product.

OldSailor · « **Reply #64 on:** Oct 11, 2013, 01:15 PM »

Quote from: IceCrafty on Oct 11, 2013, 12:25 PM

Looking Great can't wait to see the finished product.

X2----Any idea on the finished weight

It's going to be great to fish out of!!!

dbuchmann · « **Reply #65 on:** Oct 11, 2013, 02:22 PM »

Not sure of the weight. I'm guessing about 1500lbs. I'm going to take it down to our highway department and put it on the scale once I get it done. It will be really nice to fish out of. I am a shop teacher and started a fishing club last year and we do a lot of ice fishing. It will be nice to get the kids out and be more comfortable especially on the cold days. I also take a lot of kids fishing from my church so it should be more enjoyable for them too.

OldSailor · « **Reply #66 on:** Oct 11, 2013, 02:45 PM »

Quote from: dbuchmann on Oct 11, 2013, 02:22 PM

Not sure of the weight. I'm guessing about 1500lbs. I'm going to take it down to our highway department and put it on the scale once I get it done. It will be really nice to fish out of. I am a shop teacher and started a fishing club last year and we do a lot of ice fishing. It will be nice to get the kids out and be more comfortable especially on the cold days. I also take a lot of kids fishing from my church so it should be more enjoyable for them too.

Look under my Avatar!! "Take a kid fishing. Pay it forward"!! They are the future of our sport!!! Thanks!!!!

dbuchmann · « **Reply #67 on:** Oct 16, 2013, 08:11 PM »

Got some things cleaned up, some decals made and made a new drawer/counter.

New drawer/counter I made

Decals on the walls

osiris · « **Reply #68 on:** Oct 16, 2013, 08:57 PM »

looking good did u ever figure out the axle setup

dbuchmann · « **Reply #69 on:** Oct 16, 2013, 09:09 PM »

Yeah I have everything welded up except the 1 1/2" bars into the frame, doing that this weekend hopefully. I'll post pictures when I get it done

dbuchmann · « **Reply #70 on:** Oct 27, 2013, 11:05 AM »

I got everything welded up yesterday but now have an issue with hole alignment. I didn't account for how much the springs would flex under the weight of the shack so now I'm about a 1/2" off on my holes. Any suggestions on what I can do? Thought about a new hole in front of the old one and just running a bolt across the leaf spring instead of through it but there there would be play in it. Here is a picture of the misalignment. I also built some cup holders/shelves for it and installed those.

osiris · « **Reply #71 on:** Oct 31, 2013, 02:42 AM »

U could just weld the holes shut and redrill the holes or make new mounts cut off the old ones #2 is my vote

IceCrafty · « **Reply #72 on:** Oct 31, 2013, 10:53 PM »

Quote from: osiris on Oct 31, 2013, 02:42 AM

U could just weld the holes shut and redrill the holes or make new mounts cut off the old ones #2 is my vote

I agree with the cut the old ones off and install new. just wait to drill the holes until you ready to put the pin in

ultraguy · « **Reply #73 on:** Nov 01, 2013, 05:24 AM »

Or you could just weld a new plate over the old holes and redrill new holes. Use longer Grade 8 bolts.

Poorboy

dbuchmann · « **Reply #74 on:** Nov 01, 2013, 08:26 AM »

Going to be drilling some new holes today if the rain lets up. Thanks for the help. Last night I got all the wiring done and hooked up to the batteries. Going to be adding a few things here and there but for the most part it is done.

damdiver · « **Reply #75 on:** Nov 01, 2013, 04:47 PM »

Load it full of gear, ice auger, few buddies and lots of beer before drilling!

dbuchmann · « **Reply #76 on:** Nov 13, 2013, 08:48 PM »

Built some rattle reels over the weekend and installed them tonight.

P Meyette · « **Reply #77 on:** Nov 13, 2013, 09:23 PM »

very nice looking on the inside you used your space well

Justcuz · « **Reply #78 on:** Nov 19, 2013, 09:41 AM »

What are the dimensions of you back wall bench/bed. Also what supports it, it looks like 2x2's along the side. It lookd great

dbuchmann · « **Reply #79 on:** Nov 19, 2013, 09:20 PM »

The rear bench is just over 6 feet long by 32 inches wide when folded down. It is 3/4" plywood with a 2x2 frame underneath it connected in the middle with 3 hinges. The bottom cushion is attached right to the base but the upper two are removeable so when it folds up or down there isn't a space between the cushions. It is supported with 2x2's on either side screwed into the studs. It does sag a little in the middle if more than one person is sitting on it so I might add a little extra bracing on it eventually.

Justcuz · « **Reply #80 on:** Nov 19, 2013, 11:31 PM »

I am just looking to build something like that in my hut. This way I can sit ad fish, then take a nap when I need to. Can you take another pic of the bench?

dbuchmann · « **Reply #81 on:** Nov 20, 2013, 10:14 AM »

I'll get some pictures of it tonight. Anything specific you want to see?

Justcuz · « **Reply #82 on:** Nov 20, 2013, 10:41 AM »

Mostly just what your support frame, like the sides and back.

Thanks a lot

Justcuz · « **Reply #83 on:** Nov 20, 2013, 10:48 AM »

I hate to ask but, what are the dimensions of you real nice looking rod holder

dbuchmann · « **Reply #84 on:** Nov 20, 2013, 06:02 PM »

The rod holder is 17" long. If I was going to build it over I would have made the counterbore where the rod butt sits a little smaller so its a snug fit, but I'll do. Its hard to get good pictures now that everything is together and in place but the bench is just 2x2s going the length with 3/4" plywood over it. Right now I'm working on making a coat rack in the shape of a walleye outline should have that done by the weekend but it is our gun deer season starting Saturday so not sure when I'll get it installed. Feel free to keep asking questions.

Hard to see but three hinges joining the bench together.

Sorry that it's blurry but here is the 2x2 rail on the back side of the bench.

Supports on either end of bench just screwed into studs.

J_Jaacks · « **Reply #85 on:** Nov 27, 2013, 09:17 PM »

So I got a frame question. Is this heavier than the camper and did you beef up the frame? Also, could you have used the furnace from the camper instead of buying another one? This really looks promising.

dbuchmann · « **Reply #86 on:** Nov 27, 2013, 09:46 PM »

I really don't know if it is heavier than the camper was. I would assume its not since I ripped so much out of it. I really didn't beef up the frame, only where my pivot points for the suspension is. I guess I could have used the camper furnace that was in there but it was vented through the roof and I really didn't want anything going through the roof/walls due to it most likely leaking, the new furnace is vent free.

Justcuz · « **Reply #87 on:** Nov 27, 2013, 11:20 PM »

I really like your heater. I live in ontario and cant find them. Right now I hav a kerosene heater which pumps out the heat, but takes up a lot of room.

J_Jaacks · « **Reply #88 on:** Nov 28, 2013, 09:23 AM »

Quote from: dbuchmann on Nov 27, 2013, 09:46 PM

I really don't know if it is heavier than the camper was. I would assume its not since I ripped so much out of it. I really didn't beef up the frame, only where my pivot points for the suspension is. I guess I could have used the camper furnace that was in there but it was vented through the roof and I really didn't want anything going through the roof/walls due to it most likely leaking, the new furnace is vent free.

Thanks for the answers. I really like your build and think that is something that I could do. Also, I see you didn't do a drop hitch, so does that mean you will have to unhook to raise and lower? Thanks for the help. You definitely got me thinking about this.

dbuchmann · « **Reply #89 on:** Nov 28, 2013, 10:55 AM »

I got my heater off of Northern Tool. I originally got one from Menards but it didn't have the thermostat like this one does. I didn't put a drop hitch on it because I just plan to leave it out on my walleye spot pretty much the entire winter, won't be moving it much.

News:

Author Topic: Camper to Drop Down Ice Shack Conversion (Read 85938 times)