The Rise and Fall of Pork Chop on Ice Road Truckers

Reality TV fans may remember Pork Chop one of the most colorful cast members to ever hit the icy roads on Ice Road Truckers. With his big beard, bigger personality, and Southern accent Pork Chop made his mark during his short time on the show. But his run was cut short when producers gave him the ax. So what exactly happened to lead to Pork Chop’s dismissal? Let’s look back at his wild ride.

Pork Chop Joins the Crew

Ronald “Pork Chop” Mangum burst onto the Ice Road Truckers scene in season 6. The South Carolina native brought 14 years of trucking experience to the treacherous Dalton Highway in Alaska. But it quickly became apparent that hauling loads on narrow, icy roads was very different from Pork Chop’s past jobs.

From the start, Pork Chop struggled to adapt his driving for the perilous conditions. His bold, reckless attitude didn’t mesh well with the extreme caution needed on the slippery routes. Pork Chop resisted advice from veteran drivers, leading to friction within the group.

Risky Driving Raises Red Flags

As the season progressed, Pork Chop’s dangerous maneuvers raised major red flags. In one incident, he tailgated a truck on an icy road with poor visibility. Had the lead driver hit the brakes, Pork Chop likely would’ve slammed into him.

Other times, Pork Chop drove too fast or aggressively for the precarious terrain. He tended to overlook safety protocols in favor of speed and drama. To the other truckers, it seemed like Pork Chop cared more about showboating for the cameras than focusing on the very real hazards around every bend.

Clashes with Crew Members

Besides his questionable driving practices, Pork Chop also butted heads with his fellow ice road truckers. He resisted their guidance and seemed to spurn the tight-knit nature of the group.

At one point, Pork Chop spread rumors that other drivers were saying negative things about him. This manufactured drama stirred resentment within the normally cooperative team.

It became clear that Pork Chop hadn’t earned the trust and respect of the crew. The other truckers felt he hadn’t paid his dues on these treacherous roads. They worried his presence jeopardized safety for everyone.

The Final Straw

As season 6 wound down, Pork Chop’s luck on Ice Road Truckers ran out. After skating by all season, his final mistake got him booted from the show.

While hauling an overweight load, Pork Chop blew a tire but continued driving. This damaged his rig, forcing him to dump his trailer to avoid totaling the truck.

The producers had finally seen enough. Pork Chop’s pattern of shaky judgement and disregard for protocols made him too much of a liability. His headline-grabbing antics weren’t worth the risk he posed. Pork Chop was promptly fired, closing the book on his Ice Road Truckers tenure.

Pork Chop’s Reaction to Getting Fired

True to form, Pork Chop wasn’t exactly gracious when he received his pink slip. He insisted the flat tire incident wasn’t his fault and lashed out at the show for portraying him unfairly.

On social media Pork Chop accused Ice Road Truckers of exaggerating his mistakes and problems to make him a villain. In his view, the producers intentionally presented him in a negative light to stir up drama.

While he stopped short of bashing the show entirely, Pork Chop made it known he was unhappy with how things ended. In his opinion, he got a raw deal, but the decision was out of his hands. His rocky ride had reached the end of the road.

Life After Ice Road Truckers

Following his Ice Road Truckers firing, Pork Chop returned to the Southeast and regular truck driving jobs. He made appearances at some trucking trade shows, playing up his minor reality TV fame. But major entertainment opportunities never came knocking.

A few years later, Pork Chop experienced some financial and employment struggles. He had a hard time collecting unemployment benefits and alluded to being laid off more than once. It seemed fame and fortune had eluded Pork Chop post-TV.

Recently, Pork Chop has maintained a low profile online and in public. Other than the occasional trucking event cameo, he hasn’t pursued roles in television or media. While he hoped to spin his Ice Road Truckers stint into bigger things, that hasn’t fully materialized.

His Legacy on the Show

Though his time on Ice Road Truckers was short-lived, Pork Chop made a lasting impression. His outlandish personality and frequent follies lit up the screen, even as they irritated his castmates.

Fans were entertained and intrigued by Pork Chop’s antics, even when it was clear he wasn’t cut out for the harsh roads. And his dangerous driving shed light on the immense skill required to handle 18-wheelers on frozen lakes and narrow passes.

Pork Chop also set the blueprint for “over-the-top” driver characters in future seasons. For better or worse, the show has tried to recreate his unique brand of chaos ever since.

The Chance of a Comeback

Given his contentious breakup with Ice Road Truckers, the show likely won’t come calling should new episodes film. But Pork Chop did parlay a short run into extended notoriety. So the door may not be totally closed for a return to reality TV down the road.

With a few years removed from his firing, Pork Chop might jump at another shot at fame. Television loves bringing back fiery personalities, even if just for a one-episode guest spot. It would fit Pork Chop’s flair for drama.

Regardless of what’s next, Pork Chop gave us an unforgettable run on Ice Road Truckers. We witnessed his meteoric rise, dangerous driving, and fiery crash all in the span of one season. Like it or not, this brash trucker knew how to leave a lasting impression.