trucks

[Kyle]

What is a safe ice thickness for driving a half ton chevy out?

[Hardyboy]

my truck doesnt see the ice until theres a solid 12 inches and even then im not a fan. 2 feet and i start to feel comfortable. or at least as comfortable as you can be driving on frozen water.

[fishin4fun85]

at least 12 inches....I usually start to feel a little more comfortable when it gets to 15 or so inches....can never be too careful....there could be 2 feet like hardyboy said and you'll still hear about someone going through....be safe and you'll be alright!

[Jim Cramer]

10 to 12 of good ice is plenty.

[mdhmdh]

two weeks after you see the first one driving around out there.

[Gordie]

12 inches is a good start but rememeber here is no such thing as safe ice. be carefull and stay safe

[TyGuy02]

we could have 2 weeks of these -20 nights here in northern mn and I'll still wait until after new years

[CJH]

I always wait until around 16-18 in for me to drive me large SUV out.

Straight from the MN DNR:

For New, Clear Ice Only

* 2" or less - STAY OFF

* 4" - Ice fishing or other activities on foot

* 5" - Snowmobile or ATV

* 8" - 12" - Car or small pickup

* 12" - 15" - Medium truck

Remember that these thicknesses are merely guidelines for new, clear, solid ice. Many factors other than thickness can cause ice to be unsafe.

[Greg Clusiau]

12" is supposed to be okay but I always like to see at least 14-16". Preferably 16".

[mrklean]

depends on who you talk to, some people like to push it others like to wait, i wait till there is at least 12-16 i like my truck and my life more then ice fishing

[usmtsrocks]

I've had my Dodge Dakota on 10-11" before without any issues. I would want at least 12" for any full size truck though. With all this snow I'm getting real ansy to drive out. If you choose to do so, be sure to check ice thickness as you go. Never know when you may hit a thin spot from a drift/spring/under water current/etc... Be safe!

[minnbowhunter]

My Suburban has never been on less than 18 inches and never will.

[herefish101]

I like 15 or 16 inches.

[looneyducer]

Use the Diesel Fool method. When some fool drives a diesel out there, it's getting close to safe.

[jumboperch]

I have a chevy 1/2 ton and won't go out there until 15" of good ice.

[hoggs222]

Whatever you decide to drive on, MAKE SURE YOU DRIVE SLOW! Especially when you are driving around other people or shore (Where trucks are parked on the ice). Driving fast on the ice, creates a wave under the ice and has to go somewhere. Buffalo lake is a good example. Some "not-smart" guy cost a lot of people their trucks parked on the ice a few years ago.

[bikeoutback]

I say the ice is thick enough when I see 6 OTHER people's half ton pickup trucks parked on the lake, then I start to consider driving out there. I also pretty much have never driven out before 1/1

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I don't mind being the first out on foot, or a 4 wheeler. No way I'm the first one out with my truck. I have nightmares of going through in about 5' of water and not being able to get a door or window open. No matter how many trucks are driving, I won't drive out on less than 12" (on MY tape measure), knowing that when I find the small spot of 9" or 10" (they are there), I'll probably still be okay.

[OnAFly]

16" for me. Ice conditions change. Err on the side of caution.

[bogwalker]

Use the Diesel Fool method. When some fool drives a diesel out there, it's getting close to safe.

My diesel never goes on the lake.

[nonteepical]

i probably shouldn't say this and definantly don't recomend it but, back in the late 80's and early 90's i used to raise walleye fingerlings and we were seining under the ice up in Detroit Lakes and had my 1 ton dually with a 200 gallon fish tank, on 7" of clear ice all day long, with a DNR truck parked on the ice about 30' away from ours.

[bogwalker]

Hope you did not use up all your luck in one day.

[nonteepical]

well, i haven't won the lottery yet

[bogwalker]

There you go.

[Pooh]

i used to take my 1/2 ton regular cab short box ford pickup on 10" it was 2400 lbs with me in it and a half tank of gas... my buddys permie used to go out on 6-7 inchres of ice and it weight 2200... use your best judgement its your truck