Prior Lake Truck Rescue (Lots of Pictures)

[BuckKiller]

I think a lot of people are decived about how thick and strong the "ice" is here in the metro. This ice right now is very weak. Yes, it measures 12+" in many places. But how much of that "ice" is frozen snow? I'd guess about a third to half, meaning there's only about 6 to 8 inches is good ice. I was on a lake last night in the metro that measured 13". A mini van and a half ton pick up drove past, and the ice was cracking, popping and moaning like crazy. The water came out over the top of my hole. This simply is not good solid 12" ice for driving yet.

there are some metro lakes that have 16+ inches of solid clear ice... just depends on where you go.

[Neighbor_guy]

I think a lot of people are decived about how thick and strong the "ice" is here in the metro. This ice right now is very weak. Yes, it measures 12+" in many places. But how much of that "ice" is frozen snow? I'd guess about a third to half, meaning there's only about 6 to 8 inches is good ice. I was on a lake last night in the metro that measured 13". A mini van and a half ton pick up drove past, and the ice was cracking, popping and moaning like crazy. The water came out over the top of my hole. This simply is not good solid 12" ice for driving yet.

This years ice is the "softest" I have ever drilled threw. As long as there is sufficient snow on the lakes, I dont know if I will drive out at all this year.

[shizzy]

that sucks for sure. Call me a wuss but I just dont like driving on the ice at all.

BTW, I drilled through a good 12+ inches of solid ice, but it did have a few inches of "fluff" on top of that. I saw some vehicles driving on the ice and no creaks or moans from the ice BUT. this same time last year was 24 inches of ice and lots of popping and moaning. This is why I dont drive on the ice. Ill drag my sled hundreds and hundreds of yards if it means driving my truck home.

[Eric Doll]

To me it looks like he just parked on a soft spot otherwise the whole truck would of ended up on the bottom.

[Bigtime22]

I am thinking the heaviest part of the truck sank and the back end the ice could support. Pictures like this are the reason you will never see me driving my truck on metro ice. I couldn't even imagine the nagging/arguments with the wife after this one, that alone would be the worst part.

[MuskieJunkie]

Thanks for sharing, I'm calling my insurance agent right now.

[Ray Esboldt]

Quote:

BTW, I drilled through a good 12+ inches of solid ice, but it did have a few inches of "fluff" on top of that. I saw some vehicles driving on the ice and no creaks or moans from the ice BUT. this same time last year was 24 inches of ice and lots of popping and moaning. This is why I dont drive on the ice. Ill drag my sled hundreds and hundreds of yards if it means driving my truck home.

Shizzy, I don't mean to call you out, but there's no way we had 24" of ice by this time last year in the metro. Was there?

But, I'm with you. A little walking isn't all bad.

[cRaPpiEMaN8265]

that sucks for sure. Call me a wuss but I just dont like driving on the ice at all.

BTW, I drilled through a good 12+ inches of solid ice, but it did have a few inches of "fluff" on top of that. I saw some vehicles driving on the ice and no creaks or moans from the ice BUT. this same time last year was 24 inches of ice and lots of popping and moaning. This is why I dont drive on the ice. Ill drag my sled hundreds and hundreds of yards if it means driving my truck home.

Also with 24" of ice a truck isn't going through unless it hits a spot with less ice.. A lot of the time the creaking and moaning is the sound of making ice on those cold days.. I have been driving on metro lakes for a few days now and I am comfortable with 16" which is on Turtle Lake right now. Last year there was 32" on Turtle easy.. Some spots had as much as 36".. Bottomed out the auger with a 42" shaft a few times on area lakes.

[cRaPpiEMaN8265]

[iceman1212]

Oh man that sucks... kinda funny to tho...

[chillincarp870]

this truck fell through right in my uncles back yard. my uncle got it all on video tape of the truck falling through and them getting it out. he said the truck was parking in the same spot for a couple of days. there is a culvert that runs into the lake there and on one of the warm days when all the run off was running into the lake he fell through.

[mrfish1991]

my uncle and a few of his buddies saved a guys life on Mille Lacs once. A guy with a big 'ol truck with a plow on it fell into one of the big heaves that ML is famous for. he was lucky that the plow caught on far side of the heave. The man was a little bit older gentileman who was handicaped and did not know the lake very well. he also had his young grand daughter in the back. a few of my uncles buddies jumped in their trucks and grabbed what ever jerk straps they could find including my uncles. the hooked them up to the trucks and tried to yank the guy out. the first try budged him a little but also snapped one of the straps...which in turn left a big dent in the tailgate of the truck that was yanking on it. finally they got him out using one strap and he was thankful to say the least. if he hadnt had that plow on the front of his truck, he would have been a goner

remember...keep your eyes open and be careful, the ice is never safe...just safer

[Chode2235]

That looks like an expensive repair bill that insurance isn't going to cover.

Insurance will cover it. I worked for one of the "Big Guys" and our unoffical motto was "we insure stupidity."

[shizzy]

Quote:

BTW, I drilled through a good 12+ inches of solid ice, but it did have a few inches of "fluff" on top of that. I saw some vehicles driving on the ice and no creaks or moans from the ice BUT. this same time last year was 24 inches of ice and lots of popping and moaning. This is why I dont drive on the ice. Ill drag my sled hundreds and hundreds of yards if it means driving my truck home.

Shizzy, I don't mean to call you out, but there's no way we had 24" of ice by this time last year in the metro. Was there?

But, I'm with you. A little walking isn't all bad.

I didn't bring a tape measure but I almost ran out of handle on my Mora hand auger.....

[river rat316]

Theres no way in [PoorWordUsage] there was 24" of ice at this time last year, the ice is in way better condition this year than last. Maybe by the end of febuary there was 24" but not in the beginning of January. The ice started way later and way more slush then it does this year!

[Jethro80]

Theres no way in [PoorWordUsage] there was 24" of ice at this time last year, the ice is in way better condition this year than last. Maybe by the end of febuary there was 24" but not in the beginning of January. The ice started way later and way more slush then it does this year!

I agree

[Central Bassman]

i heard about this but never seen any pictures, WOW that would not be fun.

[Big A]

Thankfully nobody was hurt.

and for those who still wonder..

EVERY SINGLE INSURANCE CO OUT THERE WILL PAY OFF ONCE FOR SOMETHING TO THIS CALIBER OF UNFORTUNATE.... but id hate to see the premiums after that!

[Farley]

I worked for one of the "Big Guys" and our unoffical motto was "we insure stupidity."

They should for how much $$$ we pay.

[Big Dave2]

Thankfully nobody was hurt.

and for those who still wonder..

EVERY SINGLE INSURANCE CO OUT THERE WILL PAY OFF ONCE FOR SOMETHING TO THIS CALIBER OF UNFORTUNATE.... but id hate to see the premiums after that!

Just curious........what will most insurances cover? Just damage to the vehicle? Removal?

[Cedarcreek]

Must not know a diesel weighs around 7000lbs and a gas one weighs less then half.

[dougger222]

This is what happens when you drive a diesel on 12" of ice. Glad they got it out of there, but bummer. That looks like an expensive repair bill that insurance isn't going to cover.

Been out of LOW on 12 inches of ice many times with the diesels and large sleeper house. As a matter of fact once had two 1 ton diesels and two large fish houses parked side by side.

A guy I know had a brand new at the time a few years ago Lariat 1 ton PSD on Prior hooked to a large enclosed trailer. His combo broke through in 4ft of water. Even with the lift and big tires it was a total insurance loss. He got a check from his insurance provider for $35K for the truck alone.

My insurance would cover a vehicle to go down if it were a total loss. My agent ice fishes too.

[dougger222]

Must not know a diesel weighs around 7000lbs and a gas one weighs less then half.

A diesel motor is only about 500 lbs more than a gas motor (6.0 versus 6.8).

7K lbs would be on the low end side. My F250 PSD weighs around 7K lbs but my PSD Excursion and PSD dually both weigh around 8,000 lbs.

[Glockwinger]

Originally Posted By: Cedarcreek

Must not know a diesel weighs around 7000lbs and a gas one weighs less then half.

A diesel motor is only about 500 lbs more than a gas motor (6.0 versus 6.8).

My 1/2 ton weighs about 5700 lbs. That's a bit more than "half". dougger222, I believe you are correct in the engine weight vs. diesel motor weight.

[shaggy55352]

On a diesel everything, well pert near, weighs more than a gas truck when compared to an average half ton. Frame, tranny, brakes, diffs, etc. and as you mention the engine. It all adds up to higher risk when drivin on the ice.

[Gary Crichton]

I know the grandfather of the person who went down. I have no details, but we shall know more later this week.

G.C.

[fishersofmen]

If I came home from that, first my wife would hug me.....and then she would start hitting!!!

[Cedarcreek]

Also a note most insurance companies do not cover that type of loss. It isn't a road and go at own risk. Not to mention the expense of removing it and the fees by DNR to cover chemical leaks. I am sure a few do but why not just get some exercise. Or buy a smaller ride ATV or snowmobile. It;s a lot cheaper.

[catflisher]

I'm a jest a wonderin' was there any flish in the cab??

[Croix]

Was out on a metro lake on tuesday and found 22.5 inches, time to get the extension handy especially with the cold snap instore for next week!