Originally Posted by
tseekins
Non of the F-150's are snow plow rated, HD or not. The reason Ford gives is because the electric power assist steering (EPAS) draws so much juice that the electrical system can't handle the load of the electric snow plow motors.
Huh...that's an interesting change. The previous generation ('04-'08) had something in the manual that the HD models could hang a light plow.
Originally Posted by tseekins
The only F-150's that don't have EPAS are the 6.2L trucks and they are not rated for plow prep packages either but it has little or nothing to do with the front suspension.
I don't agree. It has EVERYTHING to do with the front suspension IMHO. Looking through the chart on
www.fleet.ford.com, the maximum front GAWR available is 4,050 lbs. The base curb weight permits ~5-700 lbs extra on the front axle before going over GAWR. Even a light plow, accounting for the weight levered off the rear axle, would place the front end over GAWR without even the weight of a skinny driver.
With the exception of the HD models the max payload is typically less than 1,500 lbs, with some exceptions. Add a driver, plow, and counterweight in the bed and you'd be over GVWR easily. There's a reason that no half ton truck on the market is rated for a snow plow. And it ain't the alternator.
