Ice Load Chart...

[Private Eyes]

Here this is from US Army Corps of Engineers...

Every winter it becomes very important to know when the ice is safe to use. Here are some guidelines for determining the safety of freshwater ice. The following table of safe loads is valid ONLY for ice that is clear and sound, with no flowing water underneath. it is not reliable for stationary loads. When in doubt, stay off the ice !

It is highly recommended that you familiarize yourself with the Safety on Floating Ice Sheets information by CRREL.

Loads on Ice
Required Minimum Ice
Thickness in inches Description of
Safe Moving Load
1-3/4 One person on skies
2 One person on foot or skates
3 One snowmobile
3 A group of people walking single file
7 A single passenger automobile
8 A 2-1/2 ton truck
9 A 3-1/2 ton truck
10 A 7 to 8 ton truck

[Fish For Fun]

I will let them drive that 7 to 8 ton truck on 10" of ice. No ice is 100% safe there are to many variables. This chart my be accurate in a controlled environment where the ice is perfect. I don't feel comfortable driving my Dodge Ram 1500 on 10" of ice let alone a 8 ton truck.

[JeffCe]

No joke. I wont take my sonoma zr2 on 24" of ice on saginaw bay. Yes it would be nice to just drive all the way to where you want to fish but I'll stick with the quad at least I know that floats (been there before) keep those tires pumped up.