Straight or v plow for a 3/4'ton Duramax

jjeff · Monday at 4:57 AM

So running scenarios in my head what to do with my 3/4 ton truck first I wanted to sell but didn't need to sell it now I'm seriously thinking of keeping it. It's ten yrs old pretty well maintained and still very reliable. It's got the factory snow plow prep package seriously entertaining the idea of getting a snow plow for it I can plow my 1k foot drive way, access roads to my Xmas trees and it's still reliable enough to drive it 500 miles up north and plow I'mediate access to my cabin on arrival. In previous yrs most consumer grade plow trucks I've used and seen were on the last of there useful lifespan this truck definitely is not imo. I offered it for what I consider a song however the closest I came to selling it was the individual wanted me to sell it on a payment plan lol. I can sometimes be generous but not stupid. Id also get a 8' dumper dog for the bed so I figure a little north of 10k for plow and dumper dog I'd be putting into it. Depending what I diy undertake for installation of both. I know the complete history and maintenance of that truck however I'm apprehensive or cheap or both using a nicer vehicle like that as a plow truck and occasional 2 yd dump truck. Admittedly My hindsight wasn't exactly 20 20 when I ordered my new truck. And if I could redo it I'd probably have looked at new more base crewcab 1/2:ton tundras instead of a new one ton Duramax which was going to take the place of my 3/4 ton. If I do somehow go this route and get out of my new 1 ton order. My old 4 cylinder 5 speed winter beater car will be gone. And a new gas 1/2"ton will take its place. Anyone have good bad or indifferent opinions on snow plows, and dumper dog's with a somewhat beefed up rear suspension on a 3/4'ton with an 8' bed? I definitely miss not having a one ton rwd dump truck and have ran into lots of scenarios where I would have used it since I sold it despite its dilapidated borderline end of useful life condition.
Thanks for insight.

RjCorazza · Monday at 5:52 AM

jjeff said:
So running scenarios in my head what to do with my 3/4 ton truck first I wanted to sell but didn't need to sell it now I'm seriously thinking of keeping it. It's ten yrs old pretty well maintained and still very reliable. It's got the factory snow plow prep package seriously entertaining the idea of getting a snow plow for it I can plow my 1k foot drive way, access roads to my Xmas trees and it's still reliable enough to drive it 500 miles up north and plow I'mediate access to my cabin on arrival. In previous yrs most consumer grade plow trucks I've used and seen were on the last of there useful lifespan this truck definitely is not imo. I offered it for what I consider a song however the closest I came to selling it was the individual wanted me to sell it on a payment plan lol. I can sometimes be generous but not stupid. Id also get a 8' dumper dog for the bed so I figure a little north of 10k for plow and dumper dog I'd be putting into it. Depending what I diy undertake for installation of both. I know the complete history and maintenance of that truck however I'm apprehensive or cheap or both using a nicer vehicle like that as a plow truck and occasional 2 yd dump truck. Admittedly My hindsight wasn't exactly 20 20 when I ordered my new truck. And if I could redo it I'd probably have looked at new more base crewcab 1/2:ton tundras instead of a new one ton Duramax which was going to take the place of my 3/4 ton. If I do somehow go this route and get out of my new 1 ton order. My old 4 cylinder 5 speed winter beater car will be gone. And a new gas 1/2"ton will take its place. Anyone have good bad or indifferent opinions on snow plows, and dumper dog's with a somewhat beefed up rear suspension on a 3/4'ton with an 8' bed? I definitely miss not having a one ton rwd dump truck and have ran into lots of scenarios where I would have used it since I sold it despite its dilapidated borderline end of useful life condition.
Thanks for insight.

I run a straight plow on my 2011 F250, and it suits my needs. I bought the truck with the plow very slightly used back in 2013.
I think if I were to specifically shop for a plow it would be a V plow though. The V plows will give you more options in larger snows, and scooping windows etc.
I will say that driving a heavy plow on the road for 500 miles is going to be hard on your truck, plow prep package or not.

jjeff · Monday at 6:02 AM

One thing I like about the gm hd line of trucks is you can still grease the ball joints and steering components tye rods steering box etc. At least until 2018 on my 4500 Cutaway you still could. I problaby can mitigate some of the front end wear by not getting the largest heaviest built up plow available for that truck I don't or won't commercial plow with that truck. In any case whatever size I decide to go with it will blow the doors off time it takes vs using a atv plow or underpowered atv snow blower.

jjeff · Monday at 6:27 AM

Keys to possibly keeping my 3/4 ton is somehow getting a 1/2'ton instead of 1 ton I hate going, back on deals I made in writing with either party involved and rarely happens although the small deposit I made was refundable. Getting a dumperdog or similar, and a plow. Maybe I can work something out getting a Chevy or GMC 1/2 ton from dealership I ordered 1 ton from? Idk besides the 1 ton crewcab I ordered not having an 8' box it might be desirable for some? As long as heated seats and steering wheels aren't what a potential buyer is looking for, lol.

Rustyiron · Monday at 7:35 AM

I think you will be surprised at the cost of a new plow these days. I don't think you can set up the truck as you described for $10k.
I used to think the V blades were unnecessary.... until I got one.
Go with the V and get a set of studded snows.

If you keep that truck off of the salt it'll serve you (and your investment) well for years to come.

jjeff · Monday at 8:01 AM

Rustyiron said:
I think you will be surprised at the cost of a new plow these days. I don't think you can set up the truck as you described for $10k.
I used to think the V blades were unnecessary.... until I got one.
Go with the V and get a set of studded snows.
If you keep that truck off of the salt it'll serve you (and your investment) well for years to come.

Fortunately already have a pretty solid line on a boss v plow that was on a Chevy 3/4:ton used one winter and is super reasonable. It's stainless steel and heavier than what I wanted but should be available asap if I can get a different deal going. Just got all new cooper tires for it while I was at it replaced the front and rear differential and transfer case fluids. Getting it ready for a new owner that thought I was a finance institution I guess. Wife already agrees that truck was worth a lot more we would have let it go for and will use dumper dog and plow as a farm write off for our hobby farm. It definitely is hard to keep trucks salt free with a plow especially if you drain the water in your barn/ shop every winter. But I do agree washing salt off is key to preserving it.

jjeff · Monday at 8:14 AM

Learned a valuable lesson don't offer to sell something to people your related to even very distantly.

JJT · Monday at 9:21 AM

I've had both a straight plow and a vee plow. After getting the vee, I'll never go back to a straight plow.

nyone · Monday at 10:56 AM

JJT said:
I've had both a straight plow and a vee plow. After getting the vee, I'll never go back to a straight plow.

My experience also. Il never own a streight blade plow ever again if I can help it.

jjeff · Monday at 4:44 PM

My line for a used boss v plow just got darker or clearer or something the heck with it im keeping my 16 Sierra Duramax and getting the barely used boss v plow and a dumper dog or similar. I'm kind of ecstatic to plow in a heated truck cab again despite not being a tandem dump truck with an 8-10' wing plow hanging off the side

Question? Does a bed insert dump box have power down? Or is it gravity? Prefer one with power down. I said awhile ago this 16 Sierra Duramax was the best truck I've ever owned despite sparse luxuries and amenities i barely know how to use . And I was planning to drive it in the ground. Guess I will even after outgrowing the double cab. I do see a much less expensive modestly equipped crew cab half ton in my near future though. Unfortunately I was advised I'll probably have to get rid of my 5 speed 4 cylinder winter beater though. Apologies for the somewhat boastful but frustrated snow drift but at least Ill have a reliable plow truck with a dump bed again