There is no denying that snow season has arrived. If you’re a truck owner with a snow plow, as much as you may dread all the inches of white stuff, you have to admit there is a certain appeal to the flashing strobe lights, the whine of hydraulics and the sound of steel dragging on the pavement. At times it might feel like you are playing with your favorite toy, but there is no mistaking the price and value of that toy, hence you had better know how to use it wisely and make it last. If you are new to plowing or purchasing a plow for the first time, I think you will find my information regarding features and options valuable.
Basic knowledge is the key. Let’s start with the blade of your plow. You can choose from straight or a V-shape blade. V-shapes are often used more in heavy duty commercial plowing, while basic snowplowing only requires the common straight blade. V-blades feature a pivot point in the center that directs the snow. Extendable blades can be ordered from the factory or you can get wing accessories and create the extensions. The finish may be in a painted or stainless steel option.
The design of the plow blade will either be made of polyethylene, which is often called Poly, which is lighter than steel. However, a steel blades’ greater weight helps with the downward force providing better movement of snow. For times when you might run into unseen objects while plowing snow, most plows allow for that with full trip or edge tip pivoting mechanism to keep from feeling like you crashed into a house. Plow blades range in size from 6 ½ feet to ten feet wide, and can weigh anywhere from 200-1000 lbs. The weight of your blade will dictate which type of set up is best suited for your pickup truck.
The best thing ever manufacturers ever invented for a snow-plowing truck was the quick mount and release system. Most commonly, plows are attached to the truck via brackets or a 2 inch hitch receiver. Unlike my father’s generation who had the difficult task of super heavy blades before and after each snowstorm, or be forced to leave them on their trucks between storms. Our newer technology allows for much less physical stress and quick removal or hooking up of the blade. Once you are ready to plow, you manipulate the plow blade from inside the truck cab with controllers that help you move the blade up, down or side-to-side. Handheld units and joysticks are used by some drivers, the difference being joysticks are usually mounted to the dashboard and handheld can be moved and stored when not in use.
Just like other decisions that are necessary before you purchase your model truck, if you decide you want to do snowplowing, it is best to decide that at the time you purchase your pickup. There is much to consider, such as the price of the plow and its installation, plus any needed accessories or parts your truck would need to accommodate your chosen plow. Pickups are often available with plowing prep packages that give you a stiffer front end suspension and oil transmission coolers which most trucks don’t come with as standard equipment. There is most likely a $3000-3500 price difference in a plow setup that will be used for just your driveway and a few others, as opposed to a heavier duty commercial package. Be aware that periodic maintenance will be involved in keeping your blade and truck equipment since your pickup will have added stress on the chassis, power train and drive train.
In choosing just the plow itself, your local dealer can assist you with options for your truck based on the gross axle weight rating as well as other criteria, the type of mounting hardware you need and any special equipment. Once you’ve selected a plow, you will have to consider what accessories you have on your wish list, such as rear-mounted salters and deicing spreaders, an overhead light bar, rear flood lights and bed-mounted ballast options. You may also want to consider blade guides and possibly a snow deflector. If you are really going into this venture strongly, you might be interested in Fisher’s premium XLS blade, which has two adjustable wings on both right and left edges that can quickly become a 9 foot scoop or fully extended into a 10 foot straight blade which pivots right or left to push snow to the side of your truck instead of in front. Some other reputable brands include Meyer, Western and Snow-Way.
Absolutely there is an initial large expense involved in setting up a snow plow, but in the long term if you are making money plowing snow, you can easily recoup the layout of your investment. The days of making snow angels and snow men may be behind you, but plowing offers a whole new way to play in the snow and reap some cash while you are at it, so give it a shot if you feel adventurous. Most truck owners I know either love it or want no part of it. Either way, feel free to comment on this article at www.truckworldaccessories.com and join other truck enthusiasts in conversations all about the pickup truck.
Beware Of This When Buying A Used Pickup Truck
Of course a shiny brand new truck is a thrill for any truck lover, but if your wallet can’t deal with a big monthly payment and you still need a pickup for work or just because you want one, use the following tips to prevent getting yourself a lemon or having to sink crazy dollars into the truck right after you buy it because the seller misrepresented the vehicle.
New Year – New Truck? Top Four Best Pickups
If you are like everyone else, you may have made a resolution last New Years that you didn’t keep, which may have been to take better care of your old pickup. The up side to that is that you may be in the market for a new truck to start the New Year. Here is what the manufacturers are claiming to be the top four choices in brand new pickup trucks for 2017.
Keep Your Truck Perking In Cold Weather
The last thing you need or want is for your truck to not cooperate and perform well for you every time you turn over the engine. Even though your pickup may be garaged, it doesn’t like the freezing weather any more than we do. Some parts of the country have mild winter temperatures, but many of us can have extreme or unseasonably colder weather than we normally do which presents challenges for getting to work, school or wherever we need to be. I swear by the motto that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Here are some reasonable precautions and tips on helping your truck survive winter temperatures.
