Snow Plowing Tips Using Your Pickup Truck

It's that time of year again - the cold, snowy days of winter. If you're a driver, you know that it can be a real pain to try and clear snow from your driveway and sidewalk. It can be a challenging and time-consuming task, especially if you have a large parking area or a long driveway to clear off. But for some, owning a pick truck seems to be an advantage. Pickup trucks are more than just for hauling cargo and off-roading. In fact, many pickup owners use their trucks to plow snow during the winter.

Using pickup trucks as personal snow plowing vehicles can make the daunting task of clearing snow off the driveway significantly less stressful and exhausting. It saves you time and lets you stay out of the cold while plowing. If you're not sure how to do it, keep reading to learn everything you need to know about snow plowing with a pickup truck. You can quickly plow your way through the snow and get on with your day. Here are some tips on how to do just that.

Snowplow is one of the most useful truck accessories when you live in areas that regularly receive large amounts of snow. It works using a large blade to scrape the snow off the ground. If you're looking to buy a snow plow for your pickup truck, there are a few factors you'll want to take into consideration. 

1. Consider your truck's size to ensure that the plow you will buy has the right size of blade to fit on your vehicle. 
2. The type of truck you will use. Some plows are designed specifically for certain types of trucks. It will help you determine which plow is compatible with the Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (FGAWR) - the available weight capacity on the front of your vehicle. You cannot exceed the amount of FGAWR as it may lead to overloading and overstressed components that may be dangerous to your safety and your vehicle. Plows are generally big and heavy, though some manufacturers introduced lightweight snow plows. 
3. You need to decide what type of plowing you'll be doing- will you be primarily pushing snow off driveways and sidewalks, or will you be doing more heavy-duty plowing? Will it be for personal or commercial use?

There are two types of blades for truck snowplowing - the straight blade and V-blade. The straight blade is the standard choice for personal use. It is inexpensive and effective in clearing snow on driveways. It has a large curved front edge called camber which scrapes off the snow to clear a wide area of ground. It folds back when not in use, so there is no need to remove it from the truck between snow plowing tasks.

The V-blade plow is versatile with its multi-positional capabilities, making plowing quick and efficient. It can direct snow in various ways that a straight blade couldn't do. Its sharp arrowhead configuration allows it to easily stack snow and slice through hard snow that formed overnight. It is easy to operate, ideal for commercial use to finish the job faster.

Once you've narrowed down your options, it's important to do your research and read reviews from other truck owners before you make your purchase. Also, remember that many accessories are available that will help extend the usefulness of your truck's plow and ensure you get maximum value out of it long after winter ends. The same can be said to UTV and ATV accessories added to these Powersports vehicles to turn them into winter service or snow removal vehicles.

Getting familiar with the functions and features of the plow can make snow plowing using your pickup truck an easy task. 

• Once you have installed the plow, you need to learn how to comfortably hold the plow controls in one hand while holding the steering wheel with the other hand.
• Test the plow blade to ensure it's working by pressing the keys to move the plow up, down, left, and right.
• Learn how to angle the plow. It enables you to set a direction for which side the plow will push the snow. Positioning the plow at an angle lets the air flow through the truck's grille to prevent overheating.
• Modern plows have float mode. This feature allows the plow to move up and down on uneven surfaces to prevent surface contact and bump onto something that can damage the plow or the truck.
• Turn off the controls to ensure safety while transporting the plow on roads and highways.

Snowplowing has its own set of guidelines to follow, and it requires some skills to do it safely and effectively.

• Install a set of winter tires, if possible. An appropriate set of wheels and tires can help your vehicle move and maneuver on snow with ease while plowing. 
• Before you start plowing, remove all accumulated snow and ice from your truck's windows and mirrors for visibility.
• Clear any obstructions in your path, such as parked cars, before you start plowing. 
• Determine a set path of plowing and a designated area to pile the snow. 
• Set up a sign for caution using flashers or warning lights when plowing.
• When transporting the plow, your maximum speed should be 45mph and even slower, depending on the road and weather conditions. Ensure that the plow is locked and secured to the hitch. Check all the pins and other safety devices if they are all safe and secured in place. 
• Do not exceed 10mph while plowing. It is effective when plowing thick and compacted snow, allowing the blade to dig in further. It will also save you the time of plowing leftover piles of snow.
• Work systematically and gain momentum by plowing snow in straight lines and from side to side to save fuel and time. 
• Avoid hitting fences and mailboxes when plowing a driveway to prevent damage to your property, truck, and plow blade. 
• If you have to stop plowing for any reason, never leave your truck running unattended.
• When you finish plowing, clean off your plow blade to prevent corrosion and rust. Make sure to put all your equipment away, and everything is in its proper place before driving away.

Snowplowing with a pickup truck is an efficient way to clear snow from your driveway or parking lot. The winters seem to be getting worse each year. Preparing your pickup truck this winter and putting it to good use can significantly improve your quality of life during this season.