wheeled houses 6.5ft vs 8ft

[3Roosters]

Looking at upgrading my ice fishing mansion. Time to retire my 8X8 fish catching machine and get up to speed with all you new wave of mansions/camper people.
There is a pile of them for sale on the different sites!
Those of you with 6.5 wides- are you happy with your choice or if given the choice would have you gone with the 8'?
Before answering..this new to us unit will primarily be used by 2 or perhaps 3, 4 fisherpersons, primarily on Devils Lake but seldom over nite unless towing to blue plater country to pirate some of their fish.
In the summer, I would estimate it being used for camping once a month, just the wife and me with our 2 dogs. AC is not a must have for us...or is it?
I have looked at a million of them..and floor plans and such...not sure if I would have buyer's remorse if I bought a 6.5ft.
Main towing vehicle would be a 3/4 ton although wouldn't mind it if our Rav (6 cylinder) would be able to tow.
What say you? and go...we can get into a particular brand discussion for a recommendation or stay away from as well.#$%^&> Thanks!

 

[BrokenBackJack]

Guys that i know that have them said there is no way they would go to a 6.5'.

 

[shorthairsrus]

i thought ours was 6x8. Maybe with the wheels it went 6.5. Anyway -- i would go at least that -- anything less and you can see the trailer to back it and ours was tight -- just for day fishin.

 

[Srputz]

I have a 6.5 and fish in it with a 10 and 13 year old works great for us. I don't think I would go bigger, there heavier and harder to get unstuck. Just my 2 cents

 

[raider]

in an ice castle for instance, the wheel width is the same with a 6 1/2 or 8' wide... the extra width does make a big difference in that you can run your bunks across the width instead of the length... the biggest thing to me is the additional distance you can get between the holes with the 8' width, especially in pike country...

we had a full 12x12 back in the day that was home made... it is still my favorite house, but was a bitch to move...

 

[BBQBluesMan]

I have a 8X17 Ice Castle RV edition and love it. No way I would go 6.5. That extra width is nice. With that said I wanted something I could use all year long for hunting, camping, and of course ice fishing. If I wanted a ice house just to be used for ice fishing, would have probably went with a smaller, lighter house. The ice castles are HEAVY, but pulls just fine with a half ton.

Also, I had mine custom built after spending months reading forums on what people recommended. I figured if Im gonna spend the money, I want it built the way I want. Here are a few recommendations.

1) Get the entire house spray foamed.
2) LED lights
3) I had an extra two holes put in my house. The standard for an 8x17 is 6 holes.
4)I had a rubber floor installed instead of carpet. Why anyone would want carpet in a fish house is beyond me haha. Super easy to clean up.