Safe speed on ice?

[Dan97]

Howdy All...

When watching all these speed demons race (40+ mph) to their houses, the ice seems to protest a bit. Lots of ice cracking noises, water in the holes going up and down..... But when a slower vehicle comes past, there's not nearly as much water movement or ice noises.

I've also seen a tv special about those ice roads WAY up north that they drive big rigs on. They don't drive fast at all. 25 to 30 mph tops. They say excessive speed sets up a "shock wave" in front of the vehicle that breaks up the ice.

Aside from the loss of control issues, are these speed demon fellas asking for trouble? What is a safe on-ice speed for let's say a half ton pick-up?

Thanks......Dan

[tonka]

the way it was explained to me was....think of a boat, when it is hauling butt there is a wake. when it is going slow there is no wake.

[rap]

i remember reading on some ice safety page that you shouldn't go over 15 MPH... that's fast enuf for me on the ice, i drive a suburban 1/2 ton..

[This message has been edited by rap (edited 01-29-2002).]

[Dan97]

15mph for a "heavy" vehicle would be fast enough for me. But how do you explain ice dynamics to the uninformed? In other words, how do you get these boneheads to SLOW DOWN?

Signs at access points? DNR enforcement? Silenced rifle with great optics? What do you suggest? These guys have got find out how un-nerving it is to be able to know they're approching from almost 1/4 mile off.

Dan

(BTW: Just kidding about the rifle. I'd try to use something a bit more portable. jk.)

[kslipsinker]

The faster you drive, the bigger the shock wave you create in front of your vehicle. You may make it to your spot, but the ice has been weakened, and the next guy could be in serious danger. What is the rush? It isn't the smartest thing to rush out to go fishing, you are just going to sit and relax. What is an extra few seconds. I saw the same show on the 18 wheeler drivers in that truck supplies and equipment into remote areas on the ice. They will not go over 5 miles an hour! They are on 80,000 pound rigs, but do the math. SLOW DOWN.

[Guest]

I have heard 15mph as well. Any faster than that and you risk blowing out the ice as the shockwave reaches the shore.

[Guest]

I also heard that 15mph is the fastest you should go.As you drive the weight of the vehicle pushes water ahead of the vehicle causing a wave out in front.This breaks and cracks the ice ahead of you.If you run your hand over a waterbed you can see the effect it has.The same thing happens on the ice.I used to think that if I went fast the momenum of my truck would get over the cracking ice before I could go in.Not the case.Drive fast and you dive in!

[This message has been edited by fishhead (edited 01-30-2002).]

[Guest]

TRUCKS ARE BAD ENOUGH ON THE LAKES BUT IS WHAT REALLY MAKES ME MAD IS WHEN PEOPLE ARE OUT TESTING HOW FAST THERE ATV'S CAN GO WITH OUT RECKING IT. ATV'S ARE A GOOD WAY NOT TO MAKE MUCH NOISE IF YOU WERE TO JUST GO OUT TO THE HOUSE, BUT WHEN YOU ARE TOYING WITH THEM IT DOESN'T MAKE TOO MANY OF US FISHERMANN HAPPY!!
KEEP U STICK ON THE ICE

[Guest]

I was fishing on Mille Lacs two years ago in an 8 man rental house with some friends. We heard this large truck racing down the plowed path. We were off to the side of the path a hundred yards or so and when his truck was within fifty yards parallel to our house, a shock wave went through the ice that shifted our house about an inch. We all looked at each other, like .