Austin Wheeler from Ice Road Truckers: Life After the Show – What Happened to Him?

When Ice Road Truckers made its chilling return to Alaska’s Dalton Highway in Season 6 (2012), Austin Wheeler was one of its boldest newcomers. At just 23 years old, he was among the youngest truckers ever featured—armed not with celebrity, but with nearly two years of real-world hauling experience from Carlile Transportation in southern Alaska. Thrust into a world where windchills plunged toward –70°F and one mechanical misstep could end a run, he stumbled through ditches and breakdowns yet earned a moment of triumph by maneuvering a 22‑foot‑wide cabin through Fairbanks’ streets. His rookie season unfolded as a collision of danger and determination—and left a lingering question among fans: what became of Austin Wheeler once the cameras turned off?

Early Life and Background

Austin Wheeler was born on October 12, 1988, in Kenai, Alaska. He attended Nikiski Middle-High School in Nikiski on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, and later studied at the Nevada School of Construction, where he gained technical knowledge to support a career in trucking and heavy equipment operations. His passion for driving began early—by the age of eight, he was already riding along with his grandfather, who owned a dump truck. Wheeler recalls: “I used to go with my grandpa … he taught me how to drive.” By the time he was 10 years old, Wheeler was operating dump trucks in the pit, a role he continued through his teenage years until 18.

Professional Experience Before the Show

Before his television debut, Wheeler had nearly two years of experience as a heavy hauler with Carlile Transportation in southern Alaska. This background meant that while he was new to the cameras, he was already familiar with challenging freight jobs—experience that prepared him to face the tougher demands of the Dalton Highway.

Role on Ice Road Truckers

At just 23 years old, Wheeler entered Ice Road Truckers Season 6 and quickly drew attention as the youngest rookie learning the ropes on Alaska’s Dalton Highway. He often described the work in one word: “cold.” He recalled one of his harshest experiences when his truck thermometer read 58 below zero, estimating the windchill closer to 70–75 below. Even with heavy layers, he admitted, “All that gear just doesn’t help—the wind finds its way right through it.”

In his on‑screen introduction, Wheeler emphasized that the appeal of trucking went beyond just surviving the cold. He spoke with pride about handling oversized loads, recalling how moving a 22‑foot‑wide cabin through town with police escorts and pilot cars gave him a sense of responsibility and accomplishment. For him, these challenging assignments were more than routine hauls—they represented the excitement and satisfaction of moving something significant.

As the season unfolded, Wheeler’s experiences reflected the steep learning curve of a rookie adjusting to the ice roads. Early on, he struggled with basic tasks like chaining up tires at Atigun Pass and showed frustration when paired with veteran Jack Jessee, whose cautious pace clashed with his impatience. He experienced both setbacks and triumphs: getting stuck in a ditch during one of his first solo runs, spending a night stranded in the snow, but also completing oversized hauls like moving an entire cabin through Fairbanks city streets. His confidence grew as he handled larger assignments, including heavy-haul convoys with massive modular buildings, though equipment problems and rookie errors kept testing him throughout the season.

By the close of Season 6, Wheeler had completed 23 loads, ranking third among the Alaska drivers behind Jack Jessee and Darrell Ward. His performance showed steady improvement and highlighted the steep learning curve rookies faced on one of the toughest roads in the world.

Life After Ice Road Truckers

After his single season on the show, Wheeler did not return for later installments. As the series shifted its focus toward Canadian routes and other veteran drivers, his television presence came to an end. Unlike some of his co‑stars who used the spotlight to branch into new ventures, Wheeler has largely kept a low profile.

The only publicly available updates come from his Facebook page, where he lists his current residence as Kenai, Alaska, and shares occasional personal photos. In 2016, he posted a scenic Alaskan mountain view, reflecting his ties to his home state. By September 2018, he shared a smiling photo of himself in work gear at what appears to be an industrial site, hinting at his continued involvement in hands-on work. Most recently, in July 2024, he updated his profile with a photo taken by the ocean, wearing reflective sunglasses. In the comments, Wheeler mentioned that he was aboard the USS North Star Island boat, offering a rare glimpse into his current surroundings and hinting at involvement in maritime or industrial work. Together with his earlier posts, these updates present a timeline of his continued connection to outdoor and industrial settings. Beyond these occasional Facebook glimpses, however, there are no confirmed details about his professional pursuits after the series, and it appears he chose to step away from television and live a more private life.

Wiki Bio Facts

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Austin Wheeler
Birth Date	October 12, 1988
Age	36 years old
Birthplace	Kenai, Alaska, United States
Nationality	American
Education	Nikiski Middle-High School; Nevada School of Construction
Occupation	Truck driver, Television personality
Known For	Appearing in Ice Road Truckers Season 6 (2012)
Years Active on IRT	2012 (Season 6)
Load Count (Season 6)	23 loads (3rd in Alaska)
Current Residence	Kenai, Alaska