Rear hitch basket useage - ICE Shack

[Firesong]

Yup
I figured it it could hold a transmission off of a VW van (automatic)
then it could hold the weight of an ice shack. So I built a shack
for it. Today we took it out on the road and actually took it ice fishing.
5" of ice so it was nice and thick (for walking and pulling a sled on)
Caught somewhere between 60 and 80 perch. Kept 13 for my
friend's supper (I had already had something in the slow cooker)
Excellent day.
Here's a few pictures.
A little side sway of the actual basket in the reciever but nothing
else too crazy.

Firesong

[after oil]

[FalcoColumbarius]

Skoocum, Firesong ~ and a TV with a screen-saver to boot. It weighs a fare amount. What was it like driving with your ice shack on the back? Have you thought about adding another leaf to your rear suspention?

Falco.

[Firesong]

Just in case you were serious.
That's a fish tv.
Lower the little camera which is also fish shaped and you
can see your hook etc etc.
Excellent for ice fishing. Those on the screen are perch.
You know, some people might not know in case you were pulling my leg.

It didn't really alter the driving at all. It probably weighs about 200lbs
if that. A good deal of it is made from puckboard and pretty light.
The inner tent is an insulated construction tarp for setting cement.
That weighs a bit too.

Hadn't really considered another leaf spring. Can I stick anything
in there, say from princess auto or something?

It didn't sag really.

Firesong

[FalcoColumbarius]

Nah, I knew it wasn't really a screen saver... smiles.

As far as the leaf is concerned: I went to Canada Spring and let the pros do it ( http://www.delica.ca/forum/canada-sprin ... ada+Spring ). I would think an high carbon steel would be the order but being a painter... hard call. I have thought about taking a course on welding and basic diesel mechanics but I am not there, yet.

Falco.