I am wondering if anyone has tried to put a snowplow on the new F150 with EPAS? I know ford says not to do it but there are alot of things they dont want us doing. I am just wondering if a plow will wreck something or if it is a liability issue?

 

You're not going to find any plow manufacturers that are offering a plow for trucks with EPAS. Ford issued a notice clearly stating that you can not put a plow on the 2011 F150. I've talked with the folks at Fisher and they have NO plans of developing a set up for our trucks. Ford screwed the pooch on this one.

 

epas?........

 

Electric power assist steering.

The owners manual states that the F-150 in general is not rated for a snowplow. The 6.2L trucks have the traditional power steering system, not EPAS.

EPAS draws a tin of power from the alternator and the electric motors on the the newer snow plows do as well. It would likely overload the electrical system.

This is why they make Super duty trucks.

 

yeah i found that out yesterday...i have my plow serviced early to avoid the rush....i have an '08 with a plow ....they said ford really screwed the pooch on this one..i agree

 

It also has to do with the electric fans - with the plow mounted, there is no air flow thru the radiator which causes the electric fans to be on high, say 50 amps. Now add in power dumps from lowering/raising the plow and the constant tight steering while plowing, you run into the situation of not having enough battery power to provide safe steering.

 

i was so hyped up to get a new EB, but i love having my plow on (so does my back) looks like im going to keep this one until ford gets smart and maybe puts dual alternators on like the diesels

 

I know Ford recomends not to put a snowplow on the new F150 but there a alot of things that we all do to these trucks with aftermarket add ons. I have seen these trucks with plows on them last winter and I am just wondering if anyone on FTE has a plow on their truck and if so have you had any problem with the steering or is this just a liability issue for Ford?

 

The plow manufacturer's aren't building a kit for these trucks. So unless you've found someone who is crazy enough to retrofit a plow on a 11, you wont find anyone with one. Ya, you've seen 09-10's with plows and they, just like earlier trucks, work just fine with a plow. But unless it's not going to happen with the 11. Folks seem to want to think the only choice for plowing is with a SD, but there are TONS of folks who plow with half tons and do it quite reliably.

So, read the bulliten below and you'll have the same info we do. It indicates electrical issues and the notice is to remove liability from Ford. Plow manufacturers have published a similiar document to remove liability from them. So, it's both. If you want a plow on a F150 buy one that is a 2010 or earlier or buy a SD or any other brand. Only Ford has decided to limit the use of the "rugged" (not any longer) F150.

 

Blame the plow manufacturers for going to a non hydraulic system. Electric plow motors suck anyway.

I just did a little surfing on the GM, Ram and Tundra sites. The Ram and Toy make no mention of a snow plow prep package on a half ton truck. The GM site makes it very clear that a package is available.

Until someone proves to me that Ram and Toy do in fact endorse plowing snow with their 2011 half ton trucks, I'll assume that GM stands alone in this category.

 

Ive seen this bulletin before and yes I have seen plows on 2011 F150's before in the Michigan UP last winter when I was up there snowmobiling. You are correct that the plow manufacturer's are not making kits for the 2011 but you just by a kit for a 2010 and install it yourself. I have been plowing for over 20 years now with half ton and one ton trucks and have never paid anyone to install any of my plows, anyone with a little mechanical abilty can install a plow in an afternoon without any problem. So back to my original question, does anyone on here have a plow on thier 2011 F150.

 

On this site, you've already gotten your answer. NO, no one has one on their 11. Got one, then install one and let us know if Ford is full of **** on this.

 

Thats my plan, and I'm pretty sure that when the snow starts falling I won't be the only one doing this!
Anyone had any experiance with the light duty plows out there, Western HTS or Boss sport duty plows?

 

in talking with the guys who service my plow, the damage to the truck wouldnt be worth it (at least thats what douglas dynamics training is telling them)...i have the suburbanite (homesteader) on my '08...i absolutely love it, but was going to upgrade to the western version of the h2t with the new truck...i guess not now until they decide(or someone in the aftermarket decides) to make dual alternators an option on the f150

 

What damage do they think it will cause?