4 wheeler and ice question

[Duck-Hunter]

I got a 4wheeler last year but the ice was crappy last year. I was wondering when you guys take your wheelers out.

[eddiejohn4]

When there is at least 6 inches of good solid ice on the lakes.

[snowman11]

Well, here's my opinion....and I have never taken them out on the lake.

My compact car weighs right around 2,000 lbs. This is spread out over a 4' wide x10' long car.

My brother in laws 4 wheeler weighed 1,300 lbs. This was spread out over about a 3x6 area.

That 4wheeler puts pretty localized stress on the lake. So if you see cars out there, it's more likely that 4 wheelers are safe!

I dont think there is any magical amount of ice that suddenly becomes safe for vehicle travel.....or, it doesn't happen at a certain point.

[roger23]

pulled one out last night 6" of ice. but he drove over some snow covered ice it was honey combed and only about 2" thick every thing turned out ok the water was only about 2 feet deep.we were able to put waders on and ramp it out. the guy just bought it.$7800 he was really worried about it,I don;t think he will be joy riding on the lake any more

[joefsu]

I'm with eddie, 6 inches of good clear ice. 10 inches of solid clear ice for vehicles, but I like to wait for 12 just to be safe. :evil:

[MUSHY1]

Well I hate to say it, but its nice this time of year without all the machines out there anyways.....especiallly the go fast Snowmobilers......Unfortunaltly i will be one of the Machine riders some day, until then I will walk like a NOMAD.....

Mushy

[Ausable Junkie]

I'll probably get alot of flack from others when i say this, but i've had
mine on 4" of good clear ice with a buddy riding with me. Never had a
problem. BUT, this winter has brought some really kooky ice conditions with it.

Seems like there is no uniform thickness for any given body of water. Most
that i've been on, and most people finding the same thing, u might have 5" here and 2" 50 yards away. This is not a good year to venture out on
untested ice. I plan on pulling my shanty out soon but only after i've walked
the entire way testing with the spud.

[woodie slayer]

i ride mine after 5 inches has formed..drag a 25 foot of rope behind you so you can get it out easier. unlike a snowmobile the 4-wheeler will float.
we put one threw fletchers 3 years ago. some idiot put his truck threw and didn't mark the hole. fresh snow had it covered ...
it's a mess ,everything freezes up brakes ,cables ,everything,and you have to change ALL the fluids.

[Scale ' em ']

4 wheelers will float but from a past experience I know that they float upside down .....wheels up .

[WALLEYE MIKE]

Well, here's my opinion....and I have never taken them out on the lake.

My compact car weighs right around 2,000 lbs. This is spread out over a 4' wide x10' long car.

My brother in laws 4 wheeler weighed 1,300 lbs. This was spread out over about a 3x6 area.

That 4wheeler puts pretty localized stress on the lake. So if you see cars out there, it's more likely that 4 wheelers are safe!

I dont think there is any magical amount of ice that suddenly becomes safe for vehicle travel.....or, it doesn't happen at a certain point.

1300lbs for a quad? I have a Arctic cat 400 that weighs 620 lbs. You got lead in that thing (or a heavy rider):lol:

I feel safe with 5" of good hard ice. Feel even better with more.

[jsmith2232]

Most utility quads weigh around 550-700 lbs and sport quads around 375 lbs. Ive been riding my 400 ex on 3 inches on our pond and never fell thru but I wouldn't take it on a lake with out a good 4-5 inches.

[umas911]

http://www.mvp-wc.usace.army.mil/ice/ice_load.html

[WALLEYE MIKE]

http://www.mvp-wc.usace.army.mil/ice/ice_load.html

According to that, 4" of good hard ice will support 1 ton. More than enough for a quad and gear.

5.5" should hold 2 tons.

[woodie slayer]

my 5oo honda rubican weighs 640 lbs

that grizzly we put threw fletchers didn't flip over.we just grabbed a hold of the rope we was dragging and pulled it out with another 4-wheeler.

[muddman55]

8" will hold my 4x4 f-150? I don't think so! Then again it is the Army lol been there done that got a green shirt. I'll stand on shore and watch thank you

[redneckman]

If you are worrying about breaking through the ice. Wait until you see trucks out on the ice and you should be fine.:D

Redneckman

[Duck-Hunter]

I was out on the lake today. a solid clear 8" of ice. there was a someone runnin a quad out there today. I only have a 220 so its light. I can get it into the back of my truck by myself. Ill be on the quad tommorow.

[outdoor_m_i_k_e]

had mine on 3-4 inches on Lake Mitchell in cadillac. its only a 250 and it was solid ice, every year usually 4 inches, this yr wanted to fish, and between the 2 of us riding on it and all our gear, there was no way we were walking to where we were going! put it through with 2 of us on it but we were 30 yards from shore and its a crappy spot every year, i thought i was farther away from the spot, 1/2 inche of ice, stood on the edge of the ice with foot hanging over water to grab four wheeler, 2 feet from where went through, 8 inches of ice.
Just remember, there may be 10 inches of ice on the whole lake, but there are still weak spots and i have seen a truck put through a pressure crack open water 10 feet wide, snowing nad blowing, 2 foot of ice, never seen the crack.