Plow Truck

becker87 · October 10, 2011

Going to get another truck for work within the next year and was wondering what you guys think the best setup would be for plowing. I am the landscape manager at a growing business so the truck would be used for landscaping in the summer and continue plowing snow in the winter. I do not think I will get a dump box on the new truck as i already have a 1 ton silvy with a dump box as well as a dump trailer.

So a few questions. Which is better, SRW or DRW? Thinking it will be a 1 ton either way. Is a longer or shorter wheelbase better? Gas or diesel? I will probably go gas because of the cost and the stop and go mostly in town driving and the 6.0 does just fine in the truck i already have. Of course it will have four wheel drive. I would like to stay with GM as i am a chevy man, but finding the right configuration will be the determining factor there. I would like to get an ext. cab or crew as sitting in a reg. cab truck with three grown men gets a bit crowded. My ideal truck would be an 2011-12 GM 1 ton SRW with flat bed with the 6.0L, but im not sure if they will let me get something that new.

So give me your thoughts and experiences with plowing

Kodiak450 · October 10, 2011

The 6.0 has more then enough power for plowing heavy snow. My ideal set up is how I have my truck set up now. Added HD leaf springs to the rear stack for taking on added weight from palet of salt (it now takes a palet of salt to make the rear drop and when a palet is on my truck still sits higher then it did stock). If you are running an 8' blade I recommend timbrens SES. They will prevent the front end from dropping 3" when the blade is up to only 1". Also with added HD springs to existing stack I have much longer tire life then ever now! Used to get a new set every 12-18 months tops, now I'm going on 2 years since I purcahsed a set of tires. Also the set up works great for landscaping business, as towing trailer with ZTR's and other equpiment, the weight doesn't cause the back to drop at all.

Recently switched out my hidden strobes for LED's, which save alot of power. Might add an additional set on to plow head lights in near future. I wouldn't get a crew cab with a long bed for plowing, something about the extra length of the truck and a weak spot in the long frame for plowing is not good for the truck from what I read a few years or more ago. You definately want a long bed though, and especially if you are landscaping. Painted bed liner is a must have too. I would never go back to plastic liners again. I've had issues with bed squeeking in as little as 4 years old cause water got trapped under the plastic liner and started rusting out the bed. Use synthetic oil, ELF or Mobile one works great with GM's. Shift on the fly 4wd, crank up the torsion bars after the plow is installed. If you can find a low mileage 03-07 classic style, go for it! I'm actually thinking about getting another plow truck on the road and have been looking for the perfect 03-07 classic, but getting hard to find. came across a lifted diesel, but that wont work for plowing for me. There's too many down grading down with NBS trucks vs 03-07. With the exception of tweaking the 6.0 with more HP (not that it is really necessary for plowing and using it as a landscaping work truck) there's is way too many cons imo with the NBS that would prevent me from buying one. I believe GM will do some catch up and great improvements in this decade "I hope". But for me, the Genaration truck I use now is really good and built well. With the exceptions of the rotors GM used (which I replaced with an aftermarket brand) I've made better improvements to my truck over the years. If it ever came down to where my engine needed replacement and tranny, I would go with it vs getting a new truck.

As far as getting a plow for your future truck, I highly recommend Western's Pro Plus or the Wide Out blade. The GM's handle them nice and they do a really great job at clearing snow. I got the optional back drag edge and was very impressed on how well it worked. Also the optional wings set. They cost over $549 for the set, but really do a great job and cut down plowing time when plowing large lots.

KMGZ400 · October 10, 2011

i personally would go with an ECSB diesel but the 6.0 will do fine... i cant fit in reg cabs at all.. they are very uncomfy

Patch6713 · October 10, 2011

I have an 05 EC SWB 2500 6.0. I'm very happy with it and haven't run into any problems with it. Defiantly has more than enough power. I have heard people say that plowing with a diesel is nice because of the added power and added weight to the front end, but like I said I have never had a problem. I run an 8' plow and wouldn't go any shorter. Actually, I might want to get a little longer plow because when you turn you defiantly run over unplowed snow.

Extended cabs are nice because it gives you room to put things in the back out of your way, and if you are going to have three people in the truck defiantly want to go bigger than a regular cab.

Think about if you are going to want to put a sander in it. If you do, 8' is the way to go. If not and if you don't think you will need the space in the summer, going with the SWB gives a smaller turning radius.

I currently have a Fisher 8' MM2 and am very happy with the plow. I am going today to look at a 8.5' V-plow as a possible upgrade.

becker87 · October 11, 2011

Thanks for the responses guys. Sounds like a ECLB is the way to go, probably would be a flat bed, gas engine more than likely as well.

I know this is a GM forum, but in your honest opionion which manufacuter has the best set up for a plow(SFA vs. IFA), or does it really matter as they can all handle it fine.

I was thinking today maybe a dodge or ford 4500 would be the way to go as i tend to overload things to much. (When you want to take as few trips as possible you take risks even though you know it may be a bit to heavy) Do they have a better or worse turning radius, or do they act as a 1 ton would?

Thansk again guys!

Patch6713 · October 11, 2011

I know with a F450 and 550 you can upgrade to a heavier duty plow. For example, on a 3500 you can put a Fisher 9'HD but a 550 you can put a Fisher 9' MC and have seen 10' MCs on them so you will have to decide how big of a plow you want to get.