How much ice

How much ice are you guys taking your sxs on?

To be honest, my general rule of thumb is if I see ATVs, I’m walking out. If I see side by sides, I’ll take an ATV out. If there’s cars, I’ll then take a side by side. Once the ice hits 12 inches though I’ll take anything out, such as a truck, without breaking too much of a sweat. These are pretty conservative standards though. I’d think 7-8 inches would be a solid minimum for a side by side but you might be able to get away with 6. It’s just such a tough judgement call with so much at stake which is why I prefer to wait till it’s a little on the thicker side.

I usually play it pretty safe when taking any kind of vehicle on the ice. I was figuring 7-8 for the sxs. I use to take my ATV on 5-6.

I always think that whatever the max ice someone is reporting, you know somewhere there’s 2-3 inches less. So I’m pretty comparable with Thomas. Why push your luck?

excellent advice!

This picture always gets posted as a general idea. I would agree with Pailofperch in figuring that there are spots at least 3 inches less somewhere.

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Pailofperch wrote:

I always think that whatever the max ice someone is reporting, you know somewhere there’s 2-3 inches less. So I’m pretty comparable with Thomas. Why push your luck?

I’ve always thought along the same lines, except I always think somewhere it’s half of what’s reported. Reported at 8″, somewhere there’s 4″. Reported at 20″, somewhere there’s 10″. I don’t drive my truck on too often, and many times I’m the only truck/trailer parked in the parking lot as I’m out on the ATV and everyone else is driving their vehicles out.

Just in case..

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I am not a ice newbie. The worst thing you can do is go off someone else’s ice report. I check as I go early ice. I was asking current sxs owners what ice thickness they look for before they feel comfortable going out.

Thomas Brynildson wrote:

To be honest, my general rule of thumb is if I see ATVs, I’m walking out. If I see side by sides, I’ll take an ATV out. If there’s cars, I’ll then take a side by side. Once the ice hits 12 inches though I’ll take anything out, such as a truck, without breaking too much of a sweat. These are pretty conservative standards though. I’d think 7-8 inches would be a solid minimum for a side by side but you might be able to get away with 6. It’s just such a tough judgement call with so much at stake which is why I prefer to wait till it’s a little on the thicker side.

Good advice. I’ve done this my whole life. Always one level behind what I see on the ice.
Except for walking. I consider myself a first ice tester and have gone on the barest minimum of ice.
I missed hitting 2″ this year. It came on so fast that by the time I made it out Thanksgiving there was already about 4 on the lake I fished.