I am considering putting a plow on my 2005 Dodge 1/2 ton 4x4 work truck. Wanted to get some thoughts on how it will handle it. I am not contracting out jobs, just doing my business parking lot and around my shop area. Thoughts on size and weight of plow and if any upgrades should be done to the truck, transmission cooler, additional support to the frame? Thanks for any thoughts.
Plowing snow with 1/2 ton truck
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snow_monkey
New member
Plowing is very hard on a 1/2 ton. My advice would be to follow the manufactures recommendations. Ford f-150's 2007 and up have more capability then the prior models. They make a real lite steel plow for residentail use also a number of plastic plows. If you put a full size plow on her your gonna put her in the dirt. There are people that still do it. I would use your own judgement on that one. The best option would be to upgrade to at least a 3/4 ton. If you are careful I have known people to use a 1/2 ton for what you are doing but they are extremely careful!
To answer your question, yes it can be done but I would invest in several things. First a Tran’s cooler is a must and I would also look into an external engine oil cooler, Front "helper" springs to keep her level and then some weight in the bed. I think the "plastic" blade is a good idea for your use and I would also look into a power programmer to tune and de-tune your engine/trans shift patterns to get the most out of your drivetrain.
Oh what tires are you running? A good aggressive lug wouldn’t hurt either.
Good Luck
Oh what tires are you running? A good aggressive lug wouldn’t hurt either.
Good Luck
You will have no problems with your 2005 and a plow. the 1/2 ton ram is fine stock as a plow truck to do your own lot and maybe a few others. I had a 05 and it was my plow truck from the day I bought it new. I had a poly hiniker on it. Plowed two of my lots and my home as well.
Never had one issue with it and I beat the living **** out of that truck. Bought it new in 05 and traded it on a 2010. It was used for off roading, plowing, and towing I only changed the oil and tranny fluid. Didn't even need to do brakes. traded it in when it had 70k with no problems dealer even gave me 15k for it and they knew it was a plow truck.
Never had one issue with it and I beat the living **** out of that truck. Bought it new in 05 and traded it on a 2010. It was used for off roading, plowing, and towing I only changed the oil and tranny fluid. Didn't even need to do brakes. traded it in when it had 70k with no problems dealer even gave me 15k for it and they knew it was a plow truck.
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Thanks for the replies. I am looking at 2 options. A Hiniker 7ft poly that weighs 450lbs, or the 7.6' Hiniker steel that weighs 600lbs. I am concerned once a plow is on I may end up using it more than currently planned so the 7' poly seems undersized even though that is what is the correct choice based on the spec info. The steel plow seems more like the right long term choice but may be tougher on the truck. Although I typically will not be traveling much with a plow on. Most of the work would done on site and then un hooking at the shop if it is as easy as they say. Plan on the trans cooler, adding weight to bed, and running new truck tires. Price is very close between the 2 plows, any more opinions??
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Plowing with it should be Ok as long as you take it easy. It is the driving with the plow hanging over the front bumper that wears out the fe parts of a 1500 very quickly.
Get the lightweight plow and put it on/take it off when driving the truck. Make sure and come to a stop before shifting back and forth from D to R and vice-versa and you will be fine.
Get the lightweight plow and put it on/take it off when driving the truck. Make sure and come to a stop before shifting back and forth from D to R and vice-versa and you will be fine.
oldguy
Member
I have a 7-1/2 foot steel Hiniker on a 1996 Chev ½ ton. I do not use it commercially, but the road into my house is 1/4 mile long and I plow out a few of the neighbors houses.
I would have preferred an 8 foot blade, but went with a 7.6 because of the weight of the plow on the ½ ton. The ½ ton doesn’t have any extra springs in the front, no tranny cooler or extra goodies and works just fine. The Hiniker quick attachment works easily with just one guy once you get the hang of it.
I would have preferred an 8 foot blade, but went with a 7.6 because of the weight of the plow on the ½ ton. The ½ ton doesn’t have any extra springs in the front, no tranny cooler or extra goodies and works just fine. The Hiniker quick attachment works easily with just one guy once you get the hang of it.
anonomoose
New member
Those poly plows are great, and they are light and snow doesn't stick as much as the metal plows. Doing what you say you are going to do with it is just fine. And it is always a good idea not to run like a tiger down the road plowing out the neighborhood because it will wear a lighter truck like that out faster since they are considered light duty trucks.
Also know that when you run down the road with those blades on, you can heat that truck up fast because it blocks the air that normally cools the radiator. So put the blade an an angle if you are going to drive any distance.
Never hurts to have a tranny cooler, but a gauge will tell the tail and then a good after market cooler could be added if you see the temp rising especially in mild weather conditions.
I bought a 3/4 ton 2500 gmc, and put a 7.5 polly on it and it did a terrific job but it was way more truck and plow than I really needed. I installed a western on it and even with the torsion bars cranked 3 notices it still dropped the truck when the plow was lifted. I had a hard time deciding on whether to go with a western or boss, but I decided to go with the western because you don't have to run around "looking" like a plow truck when the blade is off with the western, where the boss had brackets hangin down all the time. The plow worked great. When I sold it I got nearly 80% of my money back because it looked like new with the polly blade. So it turned out to be a great investment for the 4 years I had it.
Much of the plow equipment out there is very well refined and if you take care of it, they are good investments in the long run.
I would NOT shy away from putting a plow on anything anymore. Lighter the better. One or two extra passes is not an issue unless you are trying to make a living at it.
Also know that when you run down the road with those blades on, you can heat that truck up fast because it blocks the air that normally cools the radiator. So put the blade an an angle if you are going to drive any distance.
Never hurts to have a tranny cooler, but a gauge will tell the tail and then a good after market cooler could be added if you see the temp rising especially in mild weather conditions.
I bought a 3/4 ton 2500 gmc, and put a 7.5 polly on it and it did a terrific job but it was way more truck and plow than I really needed. I installed a western on it and even with the torsion bars cranked 3 notices it still dropped the truck when the plow was lifted. I had a hard time deciding on whether to go with a western or boss, but I decided to go with the western because you don't have to run around "looking" like a plow truck when the blade is off with the western, where the boss had brackets hangin down all the time. The plow worked great. When I sold it I got nearly 80% of my money back because it looked like new with the polly blade. So it turned out to be a great investment for the 4 years I had it.
Much of the plow equipment out there is very well refined and if you take care of it, they are good investments in the long run.
I would NOT shy away from putting a plow on anything anymore. Lighter the better. One or two extra passes is not an issue unless you are trying to make a living at it.
bluetoysguy
New member
We have a 8' steel Boss straight blade plow on our 2002 Chevy 1/2 Silverado work truck. I plow with it quite a bit-I'm in the truck a good share of the day when it snows. I can tell you it is hard on the truck, but a lot of it comes down to how careful you are. If you are abusive, you will likely have problems. If you are careful, a 1/2 ton works ok and will give you many years of service. Plowing is hard on any truck, 1/2 ton or big dump truck...
We replaced a bunch of front end parts this year at about 70,000 miles, mostly due to plowing I'm sure. No complaints about that though considering all the work this truck has done for us over the years.
We replaced a bunch of front end parts this year at about 70,000 miles, mostly due to plowing I'm sure. No complaints about that though considering all the work this truck has done for us over the years.
My dad has plowed with his 1995 1/2 ton dodge truck since 1995. We have plowed a very large parking lot for our business and at least one home. I would have to say on an average day, total plowing time was around 45 minutes or so. The truck currently has about 30K on it. Only 30,000 miles and most are plowing. The only update we have done is adding a tranny cooler. It also depends how hard you are on the truck... You must come to a complete stop, with foot on the brake, BEFORE you put in in reverse. We always plow with the shifter down in "1" too. The truck has been great and we have trashed the plow frame a few times. A 3/4 ton would hold the weight better, and now days I think they don't let you put it on a half ton or recommend against it. If you have to travel some to get to the plowing I would use a 3/4 ton. We only had about a quarter mile.
later
m8man
later
m8man
Well I had the same truck 05 ram 1/2 ton and I had the poly and I plowed commercially for five years with no problems on a stock truck. The same plow is now on my 2010 1/2 ton ram.
For what you are plowing you do not need to add anything! For example I plowed one winter with 22" wheels on summer rubber!
bluetoysguy
New member
Keep in mind that as soon as you get a plow, you will suddenly have all kinds of friends and relatives that want you to plow them out. And sure, at first its kind of fun, but pretty soon it gets to be a real drag. What really stinks is when you start missing out on snowmobile rides 'cause you have to plow....Think long and hard before buying a plow my friend.
Thanks for all the info, I am having a 7.6 steel Hiniker installed, and doing all the little extras to make it suited for my truck.
The choice to purchase is a work decision. I am a golf course superintendent and with the current economic times I need to do anything I can to help my position, even if it cuts into my "off season". I spend approx the cost of a plow having it contracted out for one year, so it only makes good business sense. But the downside is no more off season.
The choice to purchase is a work decision. I am a golf course superintendent and with the current economic times I need to do anything I can to help my position, even if it cuts into my "off season". I spend approx the cost of a plow having it contracted out for one year, so it only makes good business sense. But the downside is no more off season.
He probably already has the 1/2 ton.
I plow commercially and have two trucks minimum every storm. Once you figure everything out there is plenty of time to plow and ride
