I have a couple 250 trucks that I plow with, my buddy wanted to start working with me and wants to know if he can put a snow plow on a 150 cause that's the truck he wants to buy. So could a 150 plow for a living???

 

No way....they are not meant to use as plow trucks. If you were only going to plow your own driveway, you could get away with it, but If you are going to do it for a living, the F150 is just not the tool for the job.

 

Like he said, it is up to some light plowing. I wouldn't do anything heavy with it though. Plowing really beat up the Super Duties I used to do it with.

Mike

 

thanks for the info

 

The days of solid front axles in half ton trucks is long gone. I personally think it's a bad idea.

The snow plow prep package for the 2010 F-150 costs a mere $95. It only adds upgraded springs and only allows a maximum of 700 lbs of weight on the front end.

The superduties are much better suited for this task.

 

This is great advice. I shake my head and chuckle every day when I see a local guy that plows with an S-10. He's a landscaper/property manager/light construction business owner. His truck, his money I guess...

 

This topic always makes me laugh. Folks here are so against working with a F150, it's not even funny. Don't plow with it, it can't handle it. Don't tow that big load with it, it can't handle it. But mention any other brand on any topic, and the BS about how great and tough and ..... our trucks are comes pouring out.

The only thing I would worry about when it comes to plowing with a 2009/2010 is the limiting effects the stability and traction control might cause. Other then that, a properly sized plow on a F150 (7.5' moves alot of snow) will give you years of service. Like any tool, beat the crap out of it and it will let you down.

I have many years of plowing under my belt, all with F150's. And you know what guys. I've had very few failures due to the effects of plowing. Heck, my 07 has held up great plowing.

And laugh or shake your head all you want. That guy plowing with that old S-10, is making money with his truck.

To the OP, visit www.plowsite.com if you want to talk with others that plow for a living.

Just my 2 cents.

 

Very good post and reps sent but I'll add this. I never considered my 1988 F-150 heavy enough to push a snow plow. It's been 14 years since Ford went away from the TTB on the half tons and I'm still a little leery of the new IFS. Most on here have chimed in and said that they've never had any issues with their IFS but it still seems a little less heavy duty than the TTB or SFA.

With all that said, I suppose it makes sense that if Ford didn't want the half ton to push snow then they wouldn't offer a prep package for a plow.

Likewise, it also makes sense to me that if you show up on the dealer's door step with a warranty claim such as a broken suspension component or a transmission failure and they see where a plow has been mounted, they're going to send you packing in a hurry with a big rejected flag all over your file. That could be the case with any truck no matter how heavy duty it is.

 

This was my experience plowing. I plowed for a city where our trucks and equipment were very well maintained but the goal was to get the snow off the roads, fast. We had 2 F250s, 2 GMC 8500s, and later on the boss put a 7.5ft on his Chevy 1500. The 250s and 8500s did the vast majority of the work. We went through ball joints and alternators pretty fast, steering got loose pretty quick, and the truck felt more loose and rattly every season.

I only saw the 1500 in service for one season before I took a different job. The main difference I saw was that when you lifted the plow it almost put the front suspension on the bumpstops. It also dimmed the lights a lot more when it was being operated.

I would use a F150 for some driveway and parking lot work, but not for any extended road work. I base that on the suspension mainly. In 4x4 or 4Low I have little doubt that most 4x4 trucks could push a plow.

Mike

 

I agree 100% I have a 97 F250LD it is a F150 with a bigger rear. Started plowing with her in 99 and haven't missed a season yet. All it takes is the right Maintenance and respect for her. Remember to treat her with a gentle hand and she will work her AS SSS off for you.
Just my 2 1/2 cents worth.

 

I hadn't considered this post might be about plowing streets. If that's the case, heck no a F150 would likely be a mighty tired/worn peice of a equipment after plowing city/town streets all winter.

But since most plowers are doing residential driveways and parking lots. I stand by my original post.

Tim, I wouldn't worry about the fronts on these trucks being weak. I'm at 96K and climbing where I've only replaced the shocks/struts (I did this at 400 miles to replace those soft/spongy factory units with a set of HD Bilsteins, I perfer the firmer ride over the comfy factory ride). Heck, one of my heritage trucks eat ball joints ever 60K. The 98 that I plowed with didn't need ball joints until 80 or 90K.

One things for sure, you can buy a nicely equipped F150 and throw plow on it for a lot less then the equivalently optioned SD.

Again, just my opinions here.

 

WIN!! very good post. reps for you.
and shorter gears, and a thicker frame, and the toughest trans and biggest motor they put in our gen.....

 

You are problem right about the gears, trans, and frame. my 97 F250LD has a 4.6. Haven't had a thing go wrong in 155K.

 

I'm curious, what the heck do snow plowers do in the months when there isn't any snow to plow? they hibernate or something?.

 

Sip mai-tais on the beach in Bermuda with all the money they make