It is never too early to start planning for the upcoming winter season. Now that we are in November, wintertime is just around the corner.

When you live in a city or state that is very snowy during winter, reliable and helpful truck accessories for the season—just like a snow plow—are worth buying.

Why buy a snow plow?

Some people opt to modify their vehicles to plow trucks because they cannot count on commercial trucks to clear the snow from the roads. The snow plow is a large implement mounted on the truck's front or rear section, used to move snow.

It is indeed a hassle to see a lot of snow accumulating on your front lawn and the driveway. Some people take it upon themselves and decide to be the "Mr. Plow" of their street. A snow plow is a necessary mod to your truck to help remove the amassing snow in your yard or the sleet on the roadside.

Types

When buying a new snow plow, it is crucial to know where and how long you will use it.

  • Straight plows: It is ideal for clearing snow on large and open spaces. It helps remove the impediments from the driveway, especially after heavy snow. Many pickup truck owners commonly use them. It is cheaper than other types, but its durability is inferior.
  • V-Plows: It is considered the most versatile plow. The plow operators may change the moldboard to a straight, V, or scoop shape. The user can quickly clear the snow in a variety of settings.
  • Box or Push Plows: This type is common on vehicles like compact tractors or skid steers. It helps in clearing the sleet on more extensive areas using a larger truck.

Whether for personal or commercial use, it is essential to determine the type of plow because it will affect the truck's performance. SnowSport Snow Plow is one of the popular choices for those who want to clear the sleet from a smaller space. Removing the sleet in more extensive snowy areas for hours at a time will require a more heavy-duty plow type.

Blades and cutting edges

It is also crucial to determine the materials used to create the blade and the cutting edges when selecting a snow plow for your vehicle.

  • Aluminum: Some manufacturers made their plow blades using aluminum due to their lightweight and corrosion resistance. They are typically paired with thick rubber cutting edges that work great on asphalt, brick, grass, gravel, and concrete.
  • Carbide: The blade is created mainly with steel but has an insert or plate made using tungsten carbide. The composite materials increase the wear-life of the blade. This material is rigid but turns frail and may shatter once it's chipped.
  • Steel: Steel is a durable material. Manufacturers use carbon steel or heat-treated steel for the cutting edges.
  • Rubber: Rubber is a material that is resistant to abrasion and tear. Cutting edges made of rubber are flexible and lightweight. It is best for clearing light snow and slush without scratching the road surface.
  • Polyurethane: This material is rarely used in privately owned trucks, but you can find it on large commercial trucks for landscaping or snow removal jobs. The polyurethane-made cutting edges can clear the accumulating sludge on interstate roads, city roads, and high-speed highways.

The plow's blade material and cutting edges will affect how much snow it can move when you're working with it. The cutting edges can also impact the performance and efficiency of the snow removal.

Checking the weight and size

It is vital to check the weight of the blade if you are considering buying a snow plow. Make sure that it is suitable and works well with your vehicle. Most plow manufacturers offer an extensive line of plow products to a variety of vehicles. The size starts at widths of 6.5 feet for Jeeps and compact-sized pickups. 

6.5- to 7.5-foot plows are best suited for most standard pickup trucks. For half-ton trucks, the recommended plows must have 7 to 7-foot blades. 1-tonner trucks typically use 7.5- to 8-foot blades. Dump trucks and larger trucks with dually wheels can go up to 9- and 10-foot-wide plows.

To know what blade size to use, remember that the heavier the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), the wider the plow blade it can handle.

Purchasing a plow too big can do some damage to the vehicle. However, if you buy a plow too small for your truck, it may break instantly after a few minutes of usage. Either way, you will end up pushing less snow and spending more money on buying incorrect snow plows for your vehicle.

Also, if you mount the plow too high, only the leading edge of the plow will scrape the pavement. It will cause the ends on the plow's cutting edge to wear faster and more challenging to remove. If you overload the vehicle's front with a plow that's too heavy, it can stress the suspension and front axle. It also distresses the braking system, which may reduce its efficiency.

Tips on selecting snow plows

Finding the right plow to use with your vehicle can significantly improve the plowing experience. You also have to take note of your safety as you install and operate the plowing system, may it be on the front or rear part of your truck.

Plowing will be easier if you buy a suitable snow plow. Here are some tips to help you choose:

  • Check its quality and construction

Some plows are designed for heavy-duty work, especially if you need to use them for longer work hours. Low-quality plows will only last for a while. Select the one that's constructed using high-quality materials.

  • Check the design

 For pickup trucks, plows with low-profile designs are great to use. They do not obstruct the headlights or restrict the view. If the plow provides good visibility even in extreme weather conditions, then it's a must-buy.

  • Check the model-specific mount

Some plows are designed with model-specific mounts to ensure a perfect fit for your truck. The blades are easy to maneuver and provide adequate clearance when transporting the plow.

  • Adjustability

For pickup trucks used for snow removal jobs, it is good to use an adjustable blade. Some plows have a self-adjusting blade you can move to different angles and positions. They allow the users to reach tighter spots and push the blade to the desired depth.

  • Match the installation process to your plow usage

Frequent plowing is necessary for places that get a lot of snow. If you use the plow systems often, you probably want to have the blade permanently attached to the truck throughout the snow season. However, if you rarely use the plow, an easy-to-install plow is better to use.

Certain plow products have a reasonably straightforward process without the complex wiring components for installation. Other plows may require more attention to install correctly. Read the instruction manual and see if the mount can be secured using a pin or necessary drilling.

Winterize your truck

The extreme winter that started last year has been the most significant winter season that affected North America. The ice and freezing temperatures prompted the Detroit automakers, such as Ford and GM, to pull back their assembly plant production not only in the state but across the country. The extreme cold damaged a lot of infrastructures and affected the workers, costing billions of dollars of revenue loss.

After purchasing a snow plow, you can even add winter tires to gear up your vehicle. The winters seem to worsen these days, so it's time to get your truck ready. Be fully prepared when wintertime rolls around this year.