Snow Plow on my Quad Cab?

[forr]

I'm looking into a snow plow for my '01 Quad Cab 3500. Does anyone have any news to report on front suspension mods for plow weight? How about the ball joints? I'm thinking I better invest in some new front springs but don't have a clue what the best setup might be for an 800# plow hanging out front. How about the track bar? - I've had absolutely no problems to date but I subscribe to the better-safe-than-sorry routine. If anyone has suggestions I'd really appreciate it.

 

[Snow man]

Dodge says 633 lbs is the max weight for a plow on 2500 quad cab trucks,3500 trucks arent supposed to plow at all,since they need a 8 1/2 or 9ft wide plow to clear the dual wheels,and those plows always weigh more than 633lbs-so no plow prep on the 3500. If your the better safe than sorry type,dont put a plow on it,it will overload the front end,simple as that. i have seen 9ft 2" Boss V plows on 3500 quad cabs,I know from the brochure that they weigh 1170 lbs,those who do this are pretty much on there onw as far as warranty,and insurance,since overloaded trucks are not covered by insurance,you dont want to get in an accident with that truck.

 

[KatDiesel]

Mark Kitchell had one one his truck and plowed all the time. Maybe he'll chime in.



This would be better suited for the Non drivetrain forum, so look for it there.

 

[SGrady]

Snow man, is that 633lbs. with the 4850# front axle or the 5200# front axel?

 

[Bigramguy]

On the older Rams,with the 4850 lb axle,most plow mfg's would only recommend a 7 1\2 foot poly plow. Newer Rams are rated for an 8 ft with the 5200 lb axle. You will need a 9 ft for the 3500. You will have no problems with a 9 ft plow. I would recommend a western,as they are one of the lightest,and pretty strong. All the Boss plows are very heavy,especially the "V" plows.



You should have no problems with the springs,just add a set of Timbren load boosters. Most of our plow trucks are older,with the 039 springs,and are fine. Your truck will have the heavier 047\048 springs rated even higher.



Adding ballast to the back of the truck,will pull wieght off the front,to keep you under the front GAWR. I have a steel\concrete rear bumper that adds ballast and offers extra protection. With a 9 ft western,upgraded batteries,full tank,and all my other Gizmos's,my front axle shows 4820 on the scales. Only problem I have is I'm now over my GVWR. You will be fine as the 3500 has a higher GVWR.

 

[Snow man]

The 633 lbs is with the 5200 lb axle,Dodge does not offer a plow prep at all for xcab/quad cabs with the 4850 axle. I had a 96 Ram 2500,I had a 7 1/2 ft fisher minute mount on it,it handled it fine,although it was overweight,it was an excab long box. i am putting an 8 1/2 western straight blade on my 2000,it weighs 730 lbs,so im a little over,but i travel alone when plowing,and you can have up to 2 people in the cab maximum when the plow is attached. I plow commercially,the Ram is a great pushing truck,always outpushes my GMC's,although the Ram requires a lot more repairs after plowing,than the GMC's,I still like it better.

 

[Cooker]

Sorry to be a little off the topic here, but what did DC to to get the front axle up to 5200lbs on the newer trucks? It's still a Dana 60 right?



Thanks.

 

[Bigramguy]

Snow man



Get the 9 ft as it only weighs 20 lbs more. The truck will handle it no problem. I've been plowing commercially for years with our rams,all have the 9 ft westerns,except one 2500,which is extended to almost 12 ft,and all have survived with minimal front end work,something our chevys would never do. I do believe the timbren springs,ballast,good drivers,and proper maintenance has alot to do with it as well.

 

[Snow man]

Thanks for the reply,I want a 9 fter,but the 9 is real tight in some of my alleys,and between trailers,I use pro-wings on my 8. 5-making it a 10 ft 2",then i can pul them off if needed. I have been plowing for 15 yrs commercially,and I think the Ram pushes the best out of all the rigs Ive driven,Except for my 3 yd loader,and the tandem dump LOL.

 

[Snow man]

Cooker,the ram got the 5200 lb version in 2000,along with the bigger,better front brakes,and easier to service the rotors .

 

[Cooker]

Thanks Snow man!



-Ryan

 

[apkole]

I'm with Snow Man on this one. The Dodge trucks seem to have been the best option for snowplow operations. I've been doing this for 24 years now, and alot of the pros in our area are using Dodge trucks. One company that switched to F**d for the heavier GVW just informed me that after 2 years they are switching back to Dodge. This company has been around since about 1960 , so their failure analysis and service evaluations carry some weight.



With the developement of the quick hook-ups on the plow systems, I wouldn't be too concerned about the front end weight. I usually drop my Boss 8' as soon as I'm done plowing. Watch the curbs and pot holes though.



Hey Cooker, is ya gonna be a mush pusher again this year? And what's your prediction for this GR winter?



Andy

 

[Cooker]

apkole,



I don't think I will be plowing snow again this winter. I may help out if they need a hand, but I won't be a full season employee.



As far as the GR winter, it will be interesting. With the way the seasons have changed around here this year I wouldn't be suprised if plowing will start in November. Hopefully we get more than one month of snow this year, and no rain until April (that sure is wishful thinking). I sure hope to get more snowmobiling in this year than I did last year.



Take it easy,

Ryan

 

[SGrady]

How much ballast weight do you guys put in the back of the truck?

 

[Snow man]

I ran my 96 empty,I will be running a small 1 yd V-box in the 2000,so it will have about 3000-4000 lbs in the back when loaded,I wont need 4wd,with that much weight,unless im nose down,or deep snow. One of my GMC's has a V-box in it,it weighs 9500-10000 lbs loaded,and has a Powertrax locker,the empty 96 Ram,still outpushed it.

 

[Big MAK]

I plowed with a 9' Western Pro Plow (Steel, 800lbs). No problems. Equal weight in sand behind the rear axles and I strongly recommend Timbren's (rubber overload springs) for the front suspension. The Timbrens will keep the truck nice and level so it won't nose dive when you lift the blade; and won't nose dive when you punch into a pile of snow. Get the Timbren's if you're going to plow -- I'm repeating that because it makes a huge difference and will save your front springs. Also spreads the load over more area on the front axle which is good. A side benefit was the truck tended to brake straighter unloaded too. Although I just sold the plow to the company I used to sub contract with since I won't have the time for many winters to come (grad school and work). But I enjoyed it a-lot. Don't plow if you think you can do it without breaking stuff though. You'll break stuff -- so charge enough money to keep fixed. I'm just stir crazy enough to think laying on the ground in a -30 windchill fixing my steering is fun; too much desk work the rest of the year. Now I'm too tired to care! Good Luck.