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Thinking About Getting A Plow- Will It Hurt The Truck?

MKWL

By MKWL
in Garage, Shop & Tools

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MKWL Enthusiast

MKWL

Posted
Posted

I'm thinking about getting an 8' Fisher plow for my truck. I am wondering who else on here plows with a 2500HD, and the kinds of things that were badly with a plow. Is the trans an issue with plowing? I have plow prep BTW.

 

Thnaks in advance,

Matt

wellinghurst Enthusiast

wellinghurst

Posted
Posted

From my experience, the typical wearable parts do wear faster with a plow, but that all depends on how much you drive around with it. Nothing should "break," but your tires, shocks, and brakes have to work harder and differently, so they could wear faster. Your truck is made to operate with a plow, so go for it.

ctfan Enthusiast

ctfan

Posted
Posted

I plow. I have a 7 1/2 ft Western Pro with wings. It was on my 01 HD and I will be transferring it over to my 04. On my truck I cranked the torsion bars up, use Timbrens in the front and use ballast in the back. All 3 of these will help keep the front end from sagging with the plow raised. As for the rest of the truck. WAIT til the truck has come to a complete stop before shifting from reverse to drive and back again. When I plow I have the truck in 4hi, tow/haul on and just for piece of mind I drop it into 3rd. It never hurts to let the truck sit in neutral after you've done a couple larger lots while you catch up on paper work or are on the phone. With it in neutral, the pump will still circulate the fluid to help cool the tranny. The way I understand it, when the truck is in park, the fluid won't circulate. I could be wrong on that but not 100% sure. Take your time and dont be ramming piles and jammin gears. Check out these sites for some good snow plowing info. I'm a member of both(they are free)

 

www.letstalksnow.com/forums

 

www.plowsite.com

Daubs Enthusiast

Daubs

Posted
Posted

My general rule is to never purchase a used vehicle that I know has been used for plowing snow. And same for truck used for daily towing (not talking RV stuff here, I'm talking about the truck that has fifth wheel trailer with backhoe in tow every day, or one that's been on the farm pulling round bales every day).

 

Why, because as previous poster said, they will wear out parts faster with that kind of use.

Roofer Senior Enthusiast

Roofer

Posted
Posted
My general rule is to never purchase a used vehicle that I know has been used for plowing snow. And same for truck used for daily towing (not talking RV stuff here, I'm talking about the truck that has fifth wheel trailer with backhoe in tow every day, or one that's been on the farm pulling round bales every day).

 

Why, because as previous poster said, they will wear out parts faster with that kind of use.

 

 

Yes, but the motor and tranny will be broke in for that kind of driving if that's what you are going to use it for. Brakes and tires are cheap to replace.

 

My truck has been towing since the first week I had it and it is one of the best trucks we have had. Actually that's why I still have it. i have seen alot of trucks broke in lightly as daily drivers and then used to tow with a second owner just to have the tranny go out soon after.

 

No science or testing involved here, just real world observations.

Roofer Senior Enthusiast

Roofer

Posted
Posted
I plow. I have a 7 1/2 ft Western Pro with wings. It was on my 01 HD and I will be transferring it over to my 04. On my truck I cranked the torsion bars up, use Timbrens in the front and use ballast in the back. All 3 of these will help keep the front end from sagging with the plow raised. As for the rest of the truck. WAIT til the truck has come to a complete stop before shifting from reverse to drive and back again. When I plow I have the truck in 4hi, tow/haul on and just for piece of mind I drop it into 3rd. It never hurts to let the truck sit in neutral after you've done a couple larger lots while you catch up on paper work or are on the phone. With it in neutral, the pump will still circulate the fluid to help cool the tranny. The way I understand it, when the truck is in park, the fluid won't circulate. I could be wrong on that but not 100% sure. Take your time and dont be ramming piles and jammin gears. Check out these sites for some good snow plowing info. I'm a member of both(they are free)

 

www.letstalksnow.com/forums

 

www.plowsite.com

 

Good reply and great tips! :thumbs::confused::tear:

  • 3 weeks later...
crbourret Enthusiast

crbourret

Posted
Posted
I'm thinking about getting an 8' Fisher plow for my truck. I am wondering who else on here plows with a 2500HD, and the kinds of things that were badly with a plow. Is the trans an issue with plowing? I have plow prep BTW.

 

Thnaks in advance,

Matt

I've been plowing for about 20 years now. In my experience it's not the plow that hurts the truck but how you plow... :rolleyes:

mini1 Enthusiast

mini1

Posted
Posted

If you don't really need the plow, then don't get one. It's a whole lot cheaper to hire someone else to do it and let their truck take the beating. I had a plow on my last 4 or 5 trucks and with this one...I said no way. It was one thing after another breaking and needing service. Either hire someone to do it, or get a tractor, beater plow truck, snow blower or install radiant pavement heat.

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