Ice Road Truckers 2024

Summary

The video script documents a challenging ice road trucking experience, detailing mechanical issues such as broken air lines, brake problems, and a snapped leaf spring. The trucker shares his solutions, including a makeshift fix for a transmission problem and the installation of a diesel heater. The narrative also touches on the harsh conditions, with references to a steep hill named Dry Bones and the necessity of preparedness with tools. The trucker's resilience and resourcefulness in overcoming obstacles are highlighted.

Takeaways

• 🚨 The narrator had a challenging first trip on the ice, encountering multiple mechanical issues including broken air lines and brake CS at minus 30 degrees.
• 🔧 The narrator had to spend 6 hours fixing issues with their trailers, which led to a larger fuel consumption than usual.
• ⛽️ The narrator installed a diesel heater in the cab to keep warm and maintain heat even if the truck shuts off unexpectedly.
• 🛠️ A broken leaf spring was discovered during a routine check, which the narrator knew exactly where and when it happened.
• 🔩 The narrator had to replace a missing pin on the transmission shift rods with a makeshift bolt, demonstrating the importance of carrying tools like a Milwaukee 18VT set.
• 🚚 The narrator mentioned the use of a feeder built with a two stick combination transmission, highlighting the complexity of the equipment used.
• 🏠 The 'Sugar Shack' at Portage 25 is a crucial stop between Meadows and Lockhart for truckers needing to use facilities.
• 📅 The narrator described the logistics of the dispatch system, detailing the 'tea time' schedule and the process of checking in and departing in convoys.
• 🛤️ Portage 32 and Dry Bones Hill were mentioned, with the narrator speculating on the biblical connection of the name to Ezekiel and the concept of dry bones coming back to life.
• 🚧 The narrator noted the rough conditions on McKay Lake, causing discomfort and mechanical issues for truckers, including two trucks losing wheels.

Q & A

What was the initial experience of the first trip on the ice?

The first trip on the ice was initially described as terrible due to encountering problems with broken air lines and brake lines that needed fixing in minus 30 degrees Celsius.

What was the purpose of adding a diesel heater in the truck?

The diesel heater was added to keep the cab warm and to continue providing heat even if the truck shuts off for some reason, ensuring comfort and functionality in extreme cold conditions.

How did the truck driver prevent fuel from jelling during the trip?

The driver mentioned using a device that keeps hands warm while fueling up, suggesting a method to manage fuel temperature and prevent it from jelling in cold weather.

What was the typical fuel consumption for a normal trip?

The driver usually burns about 625 liters of fuel for a normal trip, aiming to stay around the 600-liter mark.

What mechanical issue did the driver encounter with the trailers?

The driver had to deal with broken air lines and brake lines on the trailers, which required fixing in harsh conditions.

What additional mechanical issue occurred during the trip?

A broken leaf spring was discovered when the driver was tying down the load, which was caused by hitting a snow-covered fracture in the ice.

What was the issue with the truck's transmission during the trip?

The truck's transmission felt like it was binding and not shifting to a higher gear, which is sometimes a problem with the A boxes when they wear out the shift rods.

What was the solution to the transmission issue?

The driver and a helper ground a flat spot on a bolt, drove the hole through it, and used it to replace the missing pin on one of the shift rods, allowing the transmission to function again.

What is the significance of the name 'Dry Bones Hill'?

The name 'Dry Bones Hill' might be derived from the biblical reference in Ezekiel where dry bones come back to life, possibly symbolizing the challenging nature of the hill or the resilience of those who traverse it.

What is the process at the YK dispatch?

At the YK dispatch, trucks check in and follow a schedule called 'tea time' which dictates their departure times. Trucks are dispatched in convoys every 20 minutes to ensure no delays.

What challenges did the driver face on the McKay Lake route?

The driver experienced a rough ride on the McKay Lake route, with rough conditions causing discomfort and even wheel loss for two trucks, possibly due to broken studs or bearings.