I'm considering a plow for my truck. If I'm really honest, I know next to nothing about plows, though I have a few assumptions that could be way off base. My biggest assumption is that the most important parts are the wire harness and mount that's on the truck, meaning if I get those two things on right, I should be able to find a used plow that's compatible with the mount and just hook up and away I go. I could be a little naive. I'm not completely dead-set on getting one, but am considering it.

I have a '24 F350 6.7 crew cab WITHOUT the plow package. I don't plan to do this commercially, but may help out family or neighbors from time to time. I likely will avoid driving around with it attached if at all possible. Because my use case is so minimal, and these things are so pricy, I'm considering getting the plow used if possible. I'm not afraid of wiring or putting the mount on, unless it looks particularly difficult or something I'm not anticipating.

Some questions: I see trucks around with Boss, Western, and a few other brands... Is there a brand I should be looking for that has a nice install for our truck? Or perhaps they last better? Brands I should avoid? Maybe Boss, for example, has a mount that works with plows from several generations or something so I don't have to find a needle in a haystack? Maybe I shouldn't even be considering the idea? I thought about it on my last half ton, but everyone said get a 3/4 ton to get one. It would just tear up a 1500. Like I say, I know next to nothing about these things beyond what I've seen around town. How much should I be paying for one?

If you have any input, I'd genuinely like to know what you think. Thanks in advance.

 

We bought a 1997 K2500 Chevy Silverado 5.7l that came with a plow back in 2012. It's one of those heavy duty plows with a Fisher Minute Mount (which I call 20-minute mount).
It's an old clunker that gets the job done, but it's heavy, and isn't easy on the truck. Initially only thought we'd keep it for a few years, but we still own it, soon going into its 13th winter.

I've seen much lighter plows since, and if I'd only plow a few driveways, I'd likely opt for something like that in the future.

Look for a plow and mount that's easy to handle, and easy to put-on, take off.

 

I have had Boss and Meyer, in the past ..they are both like you said, threading a needle.. to mount them..
I would look a western plow, from what I know from guys that have them , they go on with no problem... and mount up in a minute or two..

 

Mounts are vehicle and plow specific. I would not buy the mount first. Find a plow, then see about a mount before you buy the plow.

 

I don’t have a plow on my truck. Might a plow on a garden or larger tractor be more appropriate? Yes you may need to tow it to get to your destinations. I have a JD 54” plow that was originally on a 2WD JD425, then on a Simplicity 4WD and now on my Kubota BX2680. I have a 1200’ driveway and it gets the job done on the edge of Lake Michigan snow belt. The below picture is the exception. Two of the last 18 years were like below. Last winter I didn’t even use the plow.

 

I've been a western guy for 30 years, as mentioned, mounts and wiring harness are vehicle are not universal.

Western uses what they call the ultra Mount, it's a pretty good system. With any plow, be prepared to cut your valance. At least with the Western you can pull the receivers off so they aren't so visible in the off-season.

 

Check into a new package installed by the dealer, this way from here on you maintain it keeping it like new forever. I too am in Wisconsin and it seems most plows sold used, are either beat up, bent, broken or on their way out. Once you have a plow you'll soon become everyone's buddy when it snows but it does pay well.

 

Fisher/Western are about the best in the market. The Hard parts are an easy mount, the electrical on these truck is tricky as there's very limited space for the modules and routing. My biggest concern without the plow package would be front spring rate, and if there's enough Alternator for the added electronics.

 

what he said ^^^^^^^ I'll also add that it might void warranty if you put a plow on a truck that isn't factory plow prepped. I know my extended warranty specifically asked if my truck had a snow plow

 

I don't think the extended warranty cares if the truck has the snowplow prep or not. The purpose of the question is to increase the cost of the warranty to reflect the harder use the truck will experience. The snowplow prep package primarily just increases the front spring capacity and alternator output. It does nothing for the engine and transmission.

 

I have a 2005 Western pro plow 8.5" straight blade on mine:



My 2019 does have the 5990 springs up front, they handle the plow well and my OEM 220 amp single alternator has no issue keeping up with the power demands of the plow, truck and strobes. Fisher is the most common plow I see around here, Western and Fisher are both Douglas Dynamics products the wiring is similar if not the same but the mounts are totally different as is the trip edges. I will say when everything is properly aligned the ultra mount is REALLY easy to mount up. Legitimately your up and running in a minute or two.

What is the GAWR of your front axle? You can always upgrade to 6000 pound springs but my biggest concern would be the balance of the warranty. When I was shopping for trucks a few years back, one dealer told me putting a plow on a non-plow package equip truck is that it can void your warranty. Seems a bit overkill and there are plenty of non-snow plow with blades on them but it was a warning they gave me.

 

The only thing more painful than looking at your expensive new plow sitting idle for most of time that you own it is looking at your inexpensive but broken plow sitting idle during the time that you really, really need it.

That is not to say that lightly used and well maintained plows are not available, they're just tougher to find. And tally another vote here for the ease of the Western Ultramount system.

 

So far my rear blade on tractor has worked "good enough" and thats with a driveway thats close to half a mile long. If you need a snow plow for your property, then you might already have a tractor. Just an idea that costs less and doesn't do heavy wear and tear on you front end.

I keep looking at front plows for my truck though. Might take a bad winter to push me over into one.

 

Yes but if I say I don't have a plow and then put one on Im sure they'd have grounds to void the extended warranty

 

Agree. But they would only void coverage for things related to snowplowing. Transmission, yes. A/C system, no. They would not void your warranty at all if you stated you had a snowplow up front, and paid extra for the coverage, even if your truck did not have the snowplow prep package. I think that was your concern in your previous post.