Hi all,

I've just passed the 3k miles on my new truck, and love it!

I have discovered a problem, though, and need some input from others who have faced it.

I bought the crewcab. Where I live we get at least 6 months of snow. My truck has to live outside. I've got a short wheel base myself and can't reach all the snow on the top to brush it off.

Especially in spring, the snow on top of the crew cab slides down onto the windshield at about the second stop sign or so. It's a complete avalanche/whiteout. The wipers stall out and stick, and I have to stop or pull over and try to clear it all again.

I'm worried about this happening if I have to brake suddenly for an elk or a car in front of me - and instantly not being able to see.

My truck doesn't have the exterior cab lights on top, a friend told me it might help if it did, but it seems like the snow would still avalanche the windshield

It's still snowing here now, but at least it's starting to look like spring. I need to resolve this before winter comes again, though.

Anyone else have this problem? Is the wiper motor not strong enough or can it be beefed up?

The blades are really floppy, too, nothing like anything I've had on my previous 7 trucks. I can replace the blades at the 5k service but don't think it will make any difference powering through the heavy snow.

Ideas anyone?

 

In my opinion cab lights would be very little help if any at all and I don't see how fresh blades would matter either.

I understand the situation having lived in the north for many years but I didn't have a truck then... I now have a truck but don't have the snow. Do you pre-warm? Maybe you could let it run longer to help with the melting and "encourage" the snow to come off rather than being caught off guard by it...

Use that best-in-class power to accelerate quickly and the snow should fly off the back! And don't the wiper motors don't have best-in-class power too?!

Stand in the door frame to clear the roof or climb into the bed??

 

Thanks, BB, I have tried the acceleration trick - but I'm halfway up the mountain and have most of a mile straight down to get outta here... and just haven't been able to get the snow to go off the back, the cab is kinda sloped forwards.

I'm bummed about the wimpy wipers, not really SD tough in my opinion.

I have tried the open door routine and can reach more snow, but I still have to hold myself with one hand and can't reach all of it. I'm 5'3" with short arms.

Do you know if the wiper motor can be beefed up or tested? I may have them look at it on my 5k service.

I just haven't ever had this problem before, and have lived with winter all my life.

I do pre-warm, but not for more than a few minutes. I don't think the top of the cab would warm up fast enough to warrant a long idle time in cold weather. From what I've read it is better on a diesel to warm it a little but then get going, not let it idle cold too long after a cold start.

 

What you need is an extendable snow brush, and just have to stand in the box and wipe it off. I've seen people driving toyota yaris have the exact thing happen, now they had no excuse other then total lazyness being the cause of their white out.

 

If you have a topper, well then the extendable brush with a swivel end, stand with door open window down. prop yourself against door and push towards other side of the truck as much as you can or pull off from as far as you can reach, repeat on the other side.

 

That's exactly what I do. I'm only 5'6" and can't reach the top of the cab all that well, so I have a carwash brush that I sweep everything off with.

 

All I've got to say is Sno Brum.....they are expensive for what they are but definitely worth it


Amazon.com: Sno Brum Original Snow Removal Tool with Telescoping Handle: Patio, Lawn & Garden

 

sounds like u need the snow pusher. im not sure what its called exactly but look for a stick with rubber. i think its rubber at least.. i bought mine at a auto zone it works great for light and heavy snow.. saved me a lot of time during the winter while plowing.

 

I just use a push broom.

 

The roof clearance/marker lights don't help. The snow still comes down, if not removed. I use a large push broom and pull the snow down from each side of the truck. Also pull the snow off the windshield and hood. If it is real bad, I climb in the bed of the truck to get the rest of the snow off.

 

how about a metal carport?

They are under $1000 here, compared to your 50k+ truck it's a drop in the bucket.

I personally go the push broom/step ladder route. I keep them right inside the door to my garage.

 

SHUTTSCO, INC. SNO-RAKE SNOWRAKE SNOW RAKE 877-222-7669

Once you have a snow rake it sucks to get stuck with a regular brush

 

THANKS everyone, I've been using a broom but if I open the cab a bunch gets on the seat... no cab on back, and the bed has two toolboxes and usually about 3' of snow in it :-(

We get 400-500 inches of snow here, and it's still snowing today.

The carport idea would work in another situation maybe, but would not hold up to the snow loads here, and I'm just renting with no room to build one anyway!

I will check out the rakes, just don't want to scratch up the top!

 

Ive been using the rakes for years with no scratches. Dealerships use them on all of their cars. Just keep the pad out of any dirt

 

Where is it still snowing today? 4-500 inches a year? yikes! What kind of sleds do you have?