Lodge skid

[SDoc]

I'm new to ice fishing and life on the lake.  I recently purchased an Otter Lodge Hub 96" x 96" and have enjoyed fishing out of it.  At times we could have 3-5 people inside. 

I don't have direct access to the ice so I do have to travel a few blocks on paved road to reach the shoreline.  It works to pack everything onto our four-wheeler and ride out. but has anyone built a skid/platform that you can unfold once the ice set their lodge onto and then able to stay setup and still be mobile for the day.  My thoughts would be to make it so the outside 24" - 30" would flip up to store the lodge and other items.  Then once to the shoreline fold the two sides up, lock in place, then lift it up insert the two wheels, lock the hitch and pull it back to the cabin.

Anyone done anything like this?  Photos?

Thank you!

[cwavs1982]

SDoc, I think you are overthinking this a bit.  You have a lot going on here, so I would say to break it down.   

You transport to the ice via a road so you are going to need something with wheels at best.  I would say to google images of a smitty sled with wheels.  Guys have made them with removeable wheels.  Once you are at the ice, you remove the wheels and have the skis to glide across the ice.  The smitty sled can hold a sled on top that you can use to transport other items.  Guys have designed the smitty sled to also carry the hub on the side.  Once you see the images you will start to get an idea of what you want.

When you are on the ice you have a hub, so you already have the weight issue solved, these are pretty light .  If you really want a floor, I would suggest using the gym mats.  These are interlocking pieces usually 12"x12" or larger.  They are pretty common in some home improvement stores (Home Depot, Lowes, Menards). 

Or, you may want the design like you mentioned.  I would suggest starting with google for images, or sketching something out and see what you want to do.  What you construct it out of will have an effect on the overall weight of the system. 

Good luck!  Curious to see what you come up with. 

Welcome to the Shanty!

[406ice]

Have a clam 4000 that I built a folding sled bottom for.  Used plywood, runners and has 4 hatches for holes.  No wheels ... it’s a skid house floor basically.  Folded up I load the gear onto it.  Once I hit the ice I unfold, setup the shelter and put the gear inside.  Pull it to my spot and settle in.  I built it to make the hub shelter mobile without having to break down camp.  I do put the foam down on the plywood floor ... helps keep the noise down and can’t hurt for the added insulation.  I use a buddy heater and all gear has a place to be ‘fixed’ to the floor so things don’t displace when I move to a new spot.  I fish a small lake with it so I’m only moving several hundred yards at a time (not miles).  Dont know how to post photos to the forum though. 

[Rowdie]

Like you I only have a few blocks to get to the ice.  I use a small trailer to haul my 2 man flipover.  It was a boat trailer my niece welded up to be a flatbed.  She's a tough cowgirl.  I can unload and load it by myself.  I can fit my auger and buckets on trailer with  shack.  I'm still getting everything dialed in.  I have a tow hitch from a misorder years ago I could use but then I'd be pulling shack on pavement and have to pack buckets and auger on 4Wheeler.   I may have her weld a ramp on trailer a rack for auger and  it's case.   She ranches so they have a lot of scrap metal.  But yeah, if you can get your hands on a cheap little trailer, I recommend it.

[Kowasz]

I'm new to ice fishing and life on the lake.  I recently purchased an Otter Lodge Hub 96" x 96" and have enjoyed fishing out of it.  At times we could have 3-5 people inside. 

I don't have direct access to the ice so I do have to travel a few blocks on paved road to reach the shoreline.  It works to pack everything onto our four-wheeler and ride out. but has anyone built a skid/platform that you can unfold once the ice set their lodge onto and then able to stay setup and still be mobile for the day.  My thoughts would be to make it so the outside 24" - 30" would flip up to store the lodge and other items.  Then once to the shoreline fold the two sides up, lock in place, then lift it up insert the two wheels, lock the hitch and pull it back to the cabin.

Anyone done anything like this?  Photos?

Thank you!

I feel like I'm the only one understanding what you are trying to do, I have the same plan envisioned. did you ever end up building this?

[rundrave]

Here is an old thread where this was discussed:

https://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=362419.msg4012054#msg4012054

I have been wanting to do something similar just haven’t gotten around to it.

Would love to see if any others have done something similar? Or have any updates?