I'm looking at a new truck that would be used mostly to haul the family around on occasion and to plow the drive during the winter. Probably wouldn't be do any other plowing with the occasional exception. The driveway isn't all that big but it pretty rough (Gravel).

I don't really tow right now but I can see it happening in the future. Wouldn't be anything to crazy that I can think of. I have another daily driver so this would only be used a few times a month and when the weather was bad.

I'm debating between a lower mileage (under 50k) 1/2 ton or get one with a few more miles (75k) 3/4 ton. I'd like to keep it for at least 5 years so that is why part of me wants the lower mileage one but at the same time I'm thinking I won't put more then 10-15k a year so both would be easily under 150k by the time it's all done and said with.

Just wanted to hear what everyone's thoughts are with the plowing 1/2 ton or if it just worth it to step up to a 3/4 ton.

Thanks,
Joe

 

No matter if you buy a 1/2ton or 3/4ton truck you are going to destroy it plowing but with that said the 3/4ton will hold up better. I pushed snow with a 1/2ton GMC for a year and it did just fine but its also in your technigue and doing your PM's that is going to help your truck more than anything. Also figure on doing u-joints every year and ball joints every 18 months. When I was pushing snow with my truck I was in an area that got 120+ inches of snow fall annualy and very rarely took the plow off my truck for the winter.

 

The right tool for the job is a 3/4 or 1 ton. If it's not going to be a daily driver, go as heavy duty as you can. The only reason to get a 1/2 ton is for more comfort.

 

I have a 1985 K5 blaser and have been plowing with it for 5 years at least. Never had to replace any thing except the flywheel when i got it for 400 bucks. It has never failed to plow a 1400 ft gravel driveway. I seen above about ahanging ball joints and u joints etc.. But basic maint. on the truck and you will have no problem. It is truly how you plow just take it easy and get it done but don't abuse the truck and it will be fine. I would just look for an old beater with a plow and not worry about it being road worthy. But if you need a plow for the road then by all means get a F250 or 350... good luck.

 

I was plowing with a 1998 Chevy 1500 with 220,000 miles on it. stock 305 and everything, the **** was beat out of this truck, only thing changed was transmission...

 

One has to remember that older half tons were actually pretty well over engineered and one could get away with some of that stuff. The newer trucks (for cost reasons) are not over engineered nearly as much - meaning one cannot get away with as much.

Speaking as one who drives an F-150, plows with and F-350, and works on lots of plow trucks, here's my advice. If you're only going to plow a little bit, buy a light plow, take it off whenever you're not using it, only get light snow and baby the hell out of it when plowing - go with a half ton. Anything more requires at least a 3/4 ton truck - plain and simple.

 

Holy crap... he's plowing his driveway, not Walmart. A 1/2 ton will do just fine. Hell, even a Jeep would be just fine.

 

I see alot of Rangers and S10's with plows. A fullsize 1/2 ton should be ok with a plow.

 

Sure - but with all the rest of his criteria, why NOT get a 3/4 or 1 ton? Why did YOU buy a 3/4 ton, Z? What are you using for a daily driver?

 

And I see a large number of politicians who claim to know how to spend my tax dollars wisely, so they should be OK - right?

 

If your just doing your driveway you'll be fine with what ever you use. Half ton will be just fine. Everybody in my neck of the woods uses just a f150 and chevy 1500 nothing special and they do just fine. I ploughed all winter with a chevy 2500 and it was fine too.

 

You took the words right from my mouth!

 

If you have ever moved snow and spent a ton of time in the seat of the equipment that you are running there is a night and say comparison between the two. Work had a 91 Chevy 2500 with a 7'-6" Western Pro plow and I had the same truck in a 1500 and my truck was eating a set of ball joints every 18 months where we were getting 24-36 months from the 2500. You have to also rember that with a plow you are going to have anywhere from 1500 to 2800 pounds hanging off the front of your truck for the plow and then you add the weight of the snow to that and you are talking about pushing the weight of another truck.