Advice on converting old camper into shanty

tonypower · #1 12-12-2016, 08:58 PM

I have come across a 77 prowler 20ft camper I can pick up real cheap. It's in decent shape. Everything works except the water pump and water heater. Just looking on some advise on converting it. I will probably just leave the axels and use buckets Or some kind of pvc pipe. Any advise would be appreciated, I am not the handiest guy. Thanks in advance.

Mackinaw · #2 12-12-2016, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonypower

I have come across a 77 prowler 20ft camper I can pick up real cheap. It's in decent shape. Everything works except the water pump and water heater. Just looking on some advise on converting it. I will probably just leave the axels and use buckets Or some kind of pvc pipe. Any advise would be appreciated, I am not the handiest guy. Thanks in advance.

I used the metal access pannels you can get at homedepot cut into the floor 16x16 I believe and then made rigid stirofoam boxes that slid in to the ice to keep wind and cold out.

Mack

The Fisherman Guy · #3 12-13-2016, 12:46 AM

Don't cut more holes in the floor than are completely necessary. Before you do, consider investing in these: Catch Covers

Get the sleeves as well:

Cut some plywood to skirt the bottom of your trailer when it's parked. This will keep wind from blowing up the holes, and more importantly - keep the shack from lifting up and potentially moving in heavy wind.

Keep an eye on the tongue jack, it has a tendency to sink into the ice very quickly.

Place smoke and carbon monoxide detectors inside the unit, keep an eye on the batteries.

wags · #4 12-13-2016, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonypower

I have come across a 77 prowler 20ft camper I can pick up real cheap. It's in decent shape. Everything works except the water pump and water heater. Just looking on some advise on converting it. I will probably just leave the axels and use buckets Or some kind of pvc pipe. Any advise would be appreciated, I am not the handiest guy. Thanks in advance.

I'm doing the same. I've stripped the inside, redoing some of the bad frames, re-insulating, rewiring, putting in a wood burning stove, a couple bunks for benches and sleeping. I will be wiring it to allow both battery and generator power, including a couple old computer monitors on the wall for the fish cam. Bathroom will be a bucket with a bag and a toilet seat outside (tarped area for privacy). Skirting around the bottom of the trailer for windblock. Will be jacked on a large piece of wood so the metal doesn't freeze to the ice.

GL, it's a ton of fun! I can't wait to see your setup!

Cheers

tonypower · #5 12-13-2016, 08:47 AM

I might just do the tear down in the spring and summer. I was just going to gut the underside and put a couple holes where the bed is for now. Or I might just park it till it gets warmer. I was hoping to just pull it out and bring it home after the day. I am a little worried about getting stuck in the deep snow, when we get some. Does anyone use a camper and tow it around in the winter? if so, how do you deal with the snow? Thanks for the advise, I obviously have the bug real bad right now. lol

Robbiej · #6 12-13-2016, 01:41 PM

I am just finishing my conversion of a trailer to a shack

I posted a lot of pictures at ice shanty.com if you are looking for any ideas.

http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing...;topicseen#new

Feel free to PM if you have any questions

220 Swift · #7 12-13-2016, 06:17 PM

Any ideas where to get a toilet seet that snaps on a 20 litre pail ? Ive looked around but cant find any.

Shekka · #8 12-13-2016, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonypower

I might just do the tear down in the spring and summer. I was just going to gut the underside and put a couple holes where the bed is for now. Or I might just park it till it gets warmer. I was hoping to just pull it out and bring it home after the day. I am a little worried about getting stuck in the deep snow, when we get some. Does anyone use a camper and tow it around in the winter? if so, how do you deal with the snow? Thanks for the advise, I obviously have the bug real bad right now. lol

We pull our shack on and off the ice after every trip (which is a few days to a week or so). We load it onto a flat deck trailer and pull the trailer on and off the ice. Never had any issues. Just pick your trail and keep it steady.

Good luck with your build!!

Shekka · #9 12-13-2016, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 220 Swift

Any ideas where to get a toilet seet that snaps on a 20 litre pail ? Ive looked around but cant find any.

Just cut a chunk of 2x4 and shape it to the pail on the outside, screw it to the pail and mount the seat.

Redfrog · #10 12-13-2016, 07:26 PM

carbon monoxide alarm.

Mackinaw · #11 12-14-2016, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 220 Swift

Any ideas where to get a toilet seet that snaps on a 20 litre pail ? Ive looked around but cant find any.

Luggage loo seat at canadian tire and walmart

Mack

35 whelen · #12 12-14-2016, 08:31 AM

Seems like a lot of work ,not very mobile What do you do when there is lots of snow on the lakes ,I could see using it as a base and sleeping rig but I think you would be limited as to where you could haul it most years ,should be good this year good ice and not much snow yet.

Mackinaw · #13 12-14-2016, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 35 whelen

Seems like a lot of work ,not very mobile What do you do when there is lots of snow on the lakes ,I could see using it as a base and sleeping rig but I think you would be limited as to where you could haul it most years ,should be good this year good ice and not much snow yet.

I use mine at cold a lot will put trailer just off the point for eyes then fish lakers all day from truck or quad then go back and rest and eat fish for eyes in evening sleep then start all over again. Nothing better then to have a warm cabin to come back to.

Mack

Jeepsnbows · #14 12-15-2016, 10:15 AM

I got a '74 little tow camper 14ft. I just put the catch covers in and a Woodstove. We use it year round for bush camping / hunting and now ice fishing... can't wait to get it out on the ice!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

wags · #15 12-15-2016, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 35 whelen

Seems like a lot of work ,not very mobile What do you do when there is lots of snow on the lakes ,I could see using it as a base and sleeping rig but I think you would be limited as to where you could haul it most years ,should be good this year good ice and not much snow yet.

Hook up to it and pull it.

As long as you can drive on the ice, I don't see how this is an issue.

hughes · #16 12-18-2016, 07:20 PM

http://s903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/usie33/

Here's a link to some photos of the shack me and a couple buddies built a few years back. It's a 1979 20ft scamper camper. Check it out for some ideas if you want.

RandyBoBandy · #17 12-18-2016, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hughes

http://s903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/usie33/

Here's a link to some photos of the shack me and a couple buddies built a few years back. It's a 1979 20ft scamper camper. Check it out for some ideas if you want.

Sweet set up

220 Swift · #18 12-19-2016, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Fisherman Guy

Don't cut more holes in the floor than are completely necessary. Before you do, consider investing in these: Catch Covers

Get the sleeves as well:

Cut some plywood to skirt the bottom of your trailer when it's parked. This will keep wind from blowing up the holes, and more importantly - keep the shack from lifting up and potentially moving in heavy wind.

Keep an eye on the tongue jack, it has a tendency to sink into the ice very quickly.

Place smoke and carbon monoxide detectors inside the unit, keep an eye on the batteries.

Where does one get these hole covers ?