Whether you’re venturing into the commercial plowing business or a rural resident who needs to clear a driveway, there’s a lot to know about mounting a snow plow to a pickup truck. In this post, we’re going to to provide info on the best truck for snow plowing, as well as look at the popular half-tons, review the best snow plow options, and provide some impartial commentary on selecting the right truck for your plowing needs.
Snow Plowing with the 2015 F-150
Ford’s new F-150 offers a snow plow package on all cab configurations and on all (or almost all) trim levels, which is unique among manufacturers. According to Ford’s website, a plow as heavy as 450 lbs can be mounted to the new F-150. This new truck also has a “snow plow mode,” which turns off all the non-essential features to give the truck maximum power for tackling snow.
If there’s a concern with mounting a plow to the 2015 F-150, it’s the newness of the truck’s design. Some plow manufacturers might not have mounting hardware ready to go.
Snow Plow Prep Package Availability: Any cab, XL, XLT and Lariat trim levels.
Package Requirements: 5.0L V8 and 4×4.
Package Cost: Depends on model. As little as $50 on the sticker.
Pros: Inexpensive prep package cost, lots of cabs and trim levels to choose from.
Cons: New truck might not be compatible with your favorite plow; Recommended for light duty/personal plow use only
Snow Plowing with the 2015 Ram 1500
Unfortunately if you want a factory fitted snow plow prep. package for the Ram, you’ll need a 2500 or 3500, as there’s no such thing as a snow plow prepped Ram 1500. On the bright side, the after-market has all you need to mount a plow on this truck (or any truck, really).
Snow Plow Prep Package Availability: N/A – no factory option, but lots of after-market fixes
Package Requirements: N/A
Package Cost: Factory package isn’t available, but there are kits that come with your favorite plow. Figure you’ll spend $1,500+ to get a plow that will mount with hardware for the Ram 1500
Pros: You have the freedom to chose where you’re shopping from and will have a better range in sizes, materials etc.
Cons: No factory package is available, which may indicate Ram doesn’t think the 1500 is a good plow truck (or perhaps just that there’s no demand); You’ll have to make your own suspension upgrades
Snow Plowing with the 2015 Silverado 1500
The new 1500 Silverado comes with it’s own snow plow prep package. It does require you to buy the truck with 4-wheel drive and a regular cab; no extended cab or crew cab trucks are sold with the snow plow prep package. Here’s what the Chevy snow plow prep. package includes:
- Power feed to accommodate a backup and roof emergency light
- A 170-amp alternator
- Forward lamp wiring harness and a provision for a cab roof-mounted lamp or beacon for added visibility
- Transfercase shield
- High-capacity air cleaner and an auxiliary transmission oil cooler
- Heavy Duty front springs
Snow Plow Prep Package Availability: 4×4, Regular cab.
Package Requirements: 4×4, Regular cab.
Package Cost: ~$400
Pros: The snow plow prep package includes considerable extras
Cons: Limited to a regular cab
NOTE: Many plow owners swear by the torsion-bar suspension setup found on many older GM half-tons, but the newest half-ton does not use a torsion bar suspension. If you want that, you’ll have to upgrade to the 2500 or 3500 HD.
Snow Plowing with the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500
The Sierra’s offering for a snow plow prep package is actually quite impressive. Depending on the specific application you can get the following.
- A mounting location for snow plow controls.
- High-output alternator.
- Backup emergency light power and forward lamp wiring harness.
- Instrument panel jumper wiring harness for an electric trailer brake controller.
- A high-flow front bumper.
- A high-capacity air filter and skid plates.
Snow Plow Prep Package Availability: Regular cab, 4×4
Package Requirements: Regular cab, 4×4
Package Cost: $400
Pros: All modifications made for the plow package are covered under GMC warranty. Easily adjustable torsion bars for wheel alignment.
Cons: Limited to a regular cab
Snow Plowing with the 2015 Toyota Tundra
Once again, Toyota has decided against issuing its own line of plow packages, leaving you only with the option of buying an aftermarket kit if you want to move snow with your Tundra. Still, according to various forum posts, the Tundra is a capable plow truck even for commercial use.
Snow Plow Prep Package Availability: N/A – no factory plow prep package is available
Package Requirements: N/A
Package Cost: You can typically find plows that include everything you need to mount to a Tundra for $1,500+
Pros: Lots of after-market plow options available for the Tundra, as the basic design hasn’t changed since 2007
Cons: No factory prep package means you’re upgrading suspension and running wiring yourself
Snow Plowing with the 2015 Nissan Titan
Nissan has also followed in the footsteps of Toyota and will not be offering a factory spec plow package on the Titan. This means that if you want to use your truck from moving snow then you will have to look in aftermarket kits.
Snow Plow Prep Package Availability: N/A – no factory option avaiable
Package Requirements: N/A
Package Cost: Just like the Ram and the Tundra, you can find after-market kits that have all the “stuff” you need for $1,500+
Pros: The 2015 Titan is very affordable, with big discounts and incentives available. If you want the cheapest new plow truck you can find, this might be an option worth considering
Cons: Our quick check of after-market plow manufacturer listings show few options for the Titan, so you want to verify fitment before you buy
Other Half-Ton Plowing Considerations
As a general rule, most commercial plowers favor 3/4 and 1-ton trucks for plowing day-in and day-out. However, there are plenty of people who require a plow for a personal driveway or small commercial use, and any half-ton truck is capable of filling this need.
Based the upgrades offered, the Chevy/GMC 1500 seems to have the best factory plow prep. package, and is therefore worth a serious look. However, strongly favorable comments about the Tundra we found during our research suggest it’s worth a serious look as well. Finally, be careful buying a Nissan Titan as a plow vehicle, as mounting options are limited.
Finally, upgrading the front suspension of your truck may or may not be required, depending on how serious you are about plowing. If, for example, you’re only going to be plowing once in a while, you probably don’t need to worry too much about the front suspension. On the other hand, if your plow is going to be mounted 3 months of the year and driven daily, heavier front springs are a great idea. Upgraded shocks ensure a factory ride despite hundreds of pounds of plow (and plow mounting hardware) hanging off the front bumper.
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