3" of ice at 20 degress F with no wind is very safe. honey combed ice is always bad and sketchy!!
Un knowingly i have had i pickup on 4" of ice. a 1/2 chevy extended cab. I got off as soon as I learned. We drove half a mile or so drilling as we went and there was a solid foot every where then cut across the lake to get back, because I was sick of drilling holes and every thing was good anyways. stopped to talk to a fisherman, and realized his holes where only so deep, looked back and saw the ice sagging around my pickup and I skiddadled. Very lucky that day. learn from my mistakes!! But I have crossed on 1 inch of ice on shallows as hunting and trapping required. air pockets are the real danger.
