Tips for a first time wheel house owner

[Fawkinnae]

Yup you heard it here. Wyofish and I bought a wheel house.

So you know how when you buy a new toy there is a bit of a learning curve. And some of the lessons are unavoidable but some can be avoided because your friends at MNO alert you to the dumb mistakes you might make as you learn to become a full-fledged wheel house operator...

Do you guys have any advice for us as we begin our journey?

Thanks!

[dakids]

Take it to pout fest and break her in gently. 

[kenhuntin]

You must be very proud of your son right now. The first thing you should to do is share a 12 pack inside it while it is still in the driveway. I can't wait to see it.

[Retired on Osakis]

Not sure what your house is like but if you have grease fittings on the pivots for your wheel assemblies make sure you grease them good. Shoot some grease in the zerk fitting with the house up. Do it again about a quarter of the way down, again about half way, three-quarters, and all the way down. Run it up and down a few times to get the grease worked in. One of their main flaws is if that stub shaft rusts and dries out they can seize up on you to the point that you won't be able to raise or lower it. When you lower it always lower the front down to the ice first and then the wheels. Reverse that when raising, front last. Congrats on the new house and good luck. If this house is going to get you out more often catching fish for the ice fishing challenge, then everything I just told you is 

[Boar]

Congrates again guys!! Cant wait t see it at ice-a-palooza. RO Has a great point. Ive greased mine before each use but havent done the quater increments he mentioned which i will now. Anither is when u turn on the tank valve open it very slowly,  there is some pressure sensor in those furnaces they use the will not allow lighting if it senses to much presure at one time. A saftey featur of sorts. If you open the valve to fast it rads it as a possible fuel leek an wont light. Dont remeber how reset things if it happens.dealer would know. Did yu get the sleeves? Get a snow pusher. It works awsome for banking instead of shouvleing. Good luck

[corny13]

Congrats Fawk and Wyofish.... lets see some pics!!  I can envision it wrapped in Fawkinnae Sportsman's Club!  Electric  augers are great for wheel houses.  My last one I had a catch hole slush bucket you drilled thru and collected all the slush... from fishhouse supply.com .  They also have clear acrylic hole covers so u don't drop your phone or keys down the holes..

[Boar]

A honda 2000 genertor is a must. a 50ft extension cord, put together a tool box, wrenches, jack, jack stand, spare tire for it, spare cable for it, anything you can possibly think of for repairs on the road. ya just never know. I bring extra 20 lb full propane tanks an sunflower heaters, and a big buddy, just for those unexpected furnace problems, never know. spare regulator. always try and put the exhaust of the furnace away from the wind, Ialso carry a large piece of cardboard and stick it into the snow banking to shield the exhaust from any wind. hmmmmmm Yes we need pics doug!

[Fawkinnae]

This is all good stuff guys. Thanks! Can't wait to get our first outing under our belts.

[Fawkinnae]

Here's another good question. Is there MN sales tax when buying a used wheel house when I register it?

[deadeye]

Also from page 55 of the 2008 Regulations Booklet:

Here you go, clear as mud.  One thing is fairly clear, the trailer has to be under 3000 to qualify for a lifetime license.


Note: The Dept. of Public Safety - DVS now requires trailers
used to haul fish houses or dark houses and enclosed trailers or recreational
trailers used for fishing must be registered. See your local Deputy
Registrar for trailer registration.

You also need the proper trailer lights and if the trailer weight is more than 3000 pounds you need brakes.

Also, in some cases you will be required to pay sales tax when you register you trailer.

[Fawkinnae]

Also from page 55 of the 2008 Regulations Booklet:

Here you go, clear as mud.  One thing is fairly clear, the trailer has to be under 3000 to qualify for a lifetime license.


Note: The Dept. of Public Safety - DVS now requires trailers
used to haul fish houses or dark houses and enclosed trailers or recreational
trailers used for fishing must be registered. See your local Deputy
Registrar for trailer registration.

You also need the proper trailer lights and if the trailer weight is more than 3000 pounds you need brakes.

Also, in some cases you will be required to pay sales tax when you register you trailer.

Does have a lifetime license. No brakes and under 3000 pounds. Thanks Deadeye.

[DDSBYDAY]

   Congratulations!!  Where are you going to keep it?  Up North or Maple Grove?

[Fawkinnae]

   Congratulations!!  Where are you going to keep it?  Up North or Maple Grove?

Wyocat's going to keep it for now.

[Wyofish]

Here she is. . .

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[HD]

That fish house looks oddly familiar. ......

[Boar]

Sweet love the rear barndoors.. good for u guys!!! Red lake here ya come!

[corny13]

Looks great will be a lot of fun.  Boar's suggestions are all right on, Id get extra cables and U clamps to put on for both the front and one side.  The portable jack great idea.  I would get some wood blocks to put around the edges on the ice also.  Looks like its missing some rattle reels!

Now we need some pics of fish caught in it!!

[thunderpout]

Hey Doug... Congrats on the new digs!  Well i just sold my wheelhouse this year after 12 yrs of ownership... I now have a new camper, a converted Haulmark cargo trailer... Not quite completed but livable.... I used mine for camping/hunting etc as much as for fishing and they make a pretty decent man cave also!  Some good tips there bfore me... The elec auger is a good one as is the back up heater buddy with a quick connect 10 ft hose for a back up heat source is a good idea if youre not a furnace repar man.... A high lift portable jack is a must.... I always had tire wear issues because of the stub axles... (2 spares!)  could go on here... Next time i catch up with ya ill have a list of dos and donts for ya...  Youll love the new house! ENJOY!

[kenhuntin]

You  are lucky to be grandfathered in on that lifetime license. If you can shelter inside them or sleep they cannot be lifetime licensed anymore.