‘Ice Road Truckers’ Biggest Challenge Isn’t the Ice or Crashes — It’s What We Don’t See

Reality television has become such a genre draw because it captures true emotions from its participants. With docufollow style shows, the cameras are present for every moment. Though some shows in that world may seem superfluous, it’s those that are raw and unfiltered that have elicited profound reactions from its viewers. When it comes to The History Channel’s Ice Road Truckers, long-time viewers are more than familiar with the screaming and yelling when things go bad. But for those individuals who risk their lives to deliver their loads, the profession means more than just a paycheck.. It’s the emotional connection to trucking that is bigger than the money.

Ice Road Truckers star Todd Dewey shared his love for his job and why he returned after almost a decade away. But it’s not just for the potentially massive payout for three months of work. It’s the impact he knows he’s doing when he delivers the supplies to communities normally cut off from the rest of the world. “When you roll into those communities after a week-long battle of hardly any sleep and just pushing hard… and those families come up to you, and it’s like Christmastime to them,” he told Collider. “They are so excited to see you and get their food supplies or their toys for their kids.” Ice Road Truckers may not always capture those moments on camera, but at the heart of the job, that’s the truckers’ mission.

Todd Dewey Celebrates the Emotional Connections on the Road

Image via History Channel

Being an ice road trucker is not for the faint of heart. Not only are you pushed to the limits in extreme conditions where, if anything goes wrong, it could be catastrophic, but you’re isolated from your loved ones during your tour up north. But that isolation means nothing compared to the communities the truckers are visiting through their work. These truckers are delivering essentials to remote communities whose survival depends on them. Failure is not an option, but the risk is well worth the emotional reward. As Scott Yuill noted in his most recent run, these supplies are necessary for the infrastructure. As he passed by a burnt home, he knew that the supplies in his truck would go toward fixing it.

Dewey noted the profound human moments translate to true feelings that come when families receive their life-or-death delivery. It’s not just a thank you and head out; there is a genuine connection that is created. “Their little kids come up and give you a hug, or their little kids will bring up a hot plate of caribou or moose meat that they freshly cooked,” he said. “Knowing that you’re coming to help feed you. I tell you what, that is a feeling that beats every other feeling ever. It is absolutely amazing.”

As global warming continues to impact the industry, Dewey knows how lucrative his job is. “The ice roads, every year, they’re getting shorter and shorter,” he noted. “There’s only a short window to get all these supplies into these communities… when that ice starts melting, that’s the only way in and out of there.” Succeeding makes those bowls of soup even more impactful. The stakes are just as high for him and his fellow truckers as they are for these cut-off communities. Ice Road Truckers isn’t just meant for entertainment — it’s about the lifeline of food, medicine, and survival for people cut off when the ice roads vanish.

Todd Dewey Faces His Greatest Challenges In Season 12

Now that Ice Road Truckers has thawed out for a new season, Dewey is back in action as one of two series veterans. But even the vets have had their share of scary moments so far. During his first run of Season 12, Dewey was forced to stop and fix his load as it shifted on the bed of his truck. With a shocking maneuver that relied on the surrounding terrain, Dewey was able to recalibrate and get back on the road. That didn’t mean things would go off without a hitch. His air supply under the truck broke. Forced to sleep in his truck with ripped air lines needing repair, unless he reconnected them, he wasn’t going anywhere. While he did question his return to the road, his grit and determination carried him through. Though he did cut his finger as he jerry-rigged the lines, he was able to make his journey back to Muskie Creek headquarters.

Now, his past is coming back to haunt him as he set out on Asheweig Road. Having experience on this legendary path, he was willing to risk it all to face off against his nemesis. A nemesis that once defeated him when a rock busted his radiator. As he shared in episode 3, “Asheweig Road will tear the absolute crap to your body and your truck.” Heading up to the outpost Kasabonika, he was forced not to use tire chains as the roads refused to be cut up. But at least the furry friend he shared on his Instagram back in March made a cameo in the episode! In the end, the score is even as Todd won this round.

Ice Road Truckers airs Wednesdays at 9:30pm on The History Channel. All episodes are available to stream the next day.