To plow or not to plow?

[MMcCowan]

That is the question. I'm sure this has been discussed at nauseum. I apologize for my laziness for not searching harder. I'm thinking of getting a plow for my '05. I would already have a few residential driveways to do and a couple long rural driveways to take care of. I think the plow would pay for itself in a season or two and then start making a little money on the side. But, what will I be in store for. I've heard it really takes a toll on ball joints, u-joints, and even the frame. I definitely plan on keeping the truck for quite awhile, maybe hand it down to one of my boys in 6 or 7 years. It has 73k on it now. Seems to me most of the plow trucks I see around me are gassers. Is there a reason for this? Those of you that plow, what are your experiences? Is it worth the trouble if you are not doing it commercially? TIA.

 

[ttbird]

Have had a Meyer's plow for over ten years on my 95. I plow my long drive and the one next door. Also my sister's a few miles away. I try not to leave or travel long distances with plow on. It's real heavy for the front end with the Cummins but I have not seen any ill effects with the little use it gets from my few jobs. I would think that, as you use it more you would see more things wearing out sooner. In 1995 the plow would have voided my warranty because they did not offer a plow package but I think that changed somewhere later in their production. Someone should know when it was available.

 

[AH64ID]

If you plan to plow with an auto I would get an aux trans cooler with elec fan...

Otherwise just don't leave it on for long trucks. Our trucks are almost maxed out on front GAWR when empty.

 

[DBentley]

Be babysitting the trans temp gauge while plowing because it spikes up fast.
Other than that I say go for it.

 

[brods]

It is a tough call. There is no question that plowing puts more wear and tear on a vehicle. How much depends on the driver to a large extent. The 3G frame looks pretty stout so no worries there. Definitely get a transmission temp gauge if you don't already have one.



You may want to check some of the snow plow forums for info:

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When I bought my 05 I had every intention of plowing with it, but that was before all the front end issues the truck has had just carrying around the heavy engine and the feeling that the stock 48re is barely adequate behind the Cummins. To me it is not worth putting the plow on the Ram and I'll continue to plow with an old Chevy gasser. Start it up, clean the windows and go. No having to wait for the engine to warm up before spooling up the turbo like on the Cummins and old Chevy parts are plentiful and cheap, no worries when something breaks, unlike with the Dodge were everything seems to cost way too much. YMMV

 

[DonFitzwater]

Sounds like there are some sissies surfing around this site. My 06 (48re) has only had the tie-rod update with 41,000 on the odometer. The ball joints are still tight and the transmission still hasn't grenaded. I do have gauges and watch them like a hawk but have never seen trans temp above 180 and that was summer time towing a 14,000 lbs boat over a mountain pass. While plowing during a heavy snow the trans managed to hit 120 degrees a couple of times. I do see alot of people complaining about temps spiking but it's usually because they throw the trans in park after running it. Just make sure you let it idle in neutral until your ready to shut it down.

 

[Bloomy]

Partners's 05 with 78k, boss 8'-2" poly V, three sets of ball joints, two driverside axle u-joints, one passenger side axle u-joint. 325 tires doesn't exactly help either. Four years of light-ish plowing. My 06 79k, same plow two years of light plowing, second set of ball joints all the way around going in this week (if I get a free minute to do them) along with both front axle u-joints. Second rear u-joint installed in July of this year. transmission has been fine on mine. Both are 48RE's. No mods to mine low power module on the 05. One torque converter replaced on the 05.



By lightish plowing I mean less than 15 properties for two trucks. I have sold my plow, but do to career change more than anything. The truck was great as a plow truck. Loved it, loved plowing. People think I am nuts. Truck is comfortable, great power, never any problems with my transmission and I'm not gentle. Run it like a rental unit. I won't say the plow caused premature ball joint wear compared to other's on here who lost them with less miles and no plowing. Tough call. You can make money, but plan on a set of ball joints and u-joints up front each year if you do a fair number of properties. If you don't do the labor yourself your probably talking $1000-$1500 each time. Can you clear that in profit each year?



Thomas

 

[basilry]

Iv been plowing with my truck since it was new and have had to replace ball joints and front axel u joints every year. Im guessing that the plow is causing the premature wear on them but I knew that going in also. This year I have went with the dynatrac and carli joints to see if that will help any. Just keep in mind that things wear out and the plow will only help them wear faster.

 

[JKloppe]

transmission temp is never an issue for me, but i only plow in 4lo. I put in all new joints in at 100k. Its how you drive while you plowing that determines wear and tear. It has been a big money maker for me.



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FYI- Meyers are junk if you are looking

 

[MMcCowan]

This is good stuff. Thanks for the responses guys. I think I'll sit on it for awhile. There is no way I would make any money without a better customer base than I would have right now. I'll just plow with the tractor again this year. I should probably wait on a little more "play" cash before I go out and bye anything.

 

[JerryNelson]

I have an 05 with 85,000 on it and have plowed with it since it was new. I have replaced ball joints once and u-joints twice. Just like every one that has a ram has done. I plow parking lots, take it up north to my cabin and do my driveway there 150 miles a way pulling a 4 place snowmobile trailer at the same time. NO trouble. The plow payed for it self the first year. love the truck and love the power

 

[cmills]

hard to say

Believe it or not but I have been plowing with my 99 every year since 2001 and I have over 300,000 miles on the original ball joints (I would consider myself very lucky considering ball joints). I replaced one hub assembly at about 220,000 and the other around 290,000. I've replaced the steering gear box and I think the joint at the pitman arm and maybe one tie-rod (hard to remember after so long) and numerous track bars. I've also had to rebuild the transfer case and install a rebuilt transmission but these were at well over 200,000 miles and my truck gets used for work, so I would say the plowing probably isn't any harder on the transmission and transfer case than anything else I do.



To make a long story longer, I would definitely say using a plow would have to be harder on the front end components and probably an auto. If you have the right accounts you can make decent money plowing snow, and if you do I would say it is worth the extra wear and tear on the truck, but if not I would say you have to be the judge of whether or not having a snow plow for convenience is worth the expense and wear and tear.



One other thing that makes a difference is how you operate the truck and plow, some people can do more damage to a truck in one season ( from abuse) then others who take care of their stuff will in a few years.





Sorry for the long post, just speaking from experience.



Cory

 

[glhs]

Do you guys grease your balljoints?

I remember reading a while back in the TDR a member who used a zerk needle greaser to poke a hole in the rubber and continue to grease every oil change.

 

[DBentley]

I shoot grease in everything.
If it has no fitting i poke a needle fitting in and fill the rubber boot.
Go for the plow.
What harm can it do.
Used trucks aren't worth crap use it don't abuse it and have fun.
When its time to trade or sell you ain't getting nothing for it any way.

 

[MMcCowan]

I have decided I wanna do this. Seems like those of you that do plow are having fun doing it and using a truck the way it is supposed to be used. I hope to join the plowing ranks soon. Thanks.

 

[brods]

Just a heads up: make sure the plow lights hookup conforms to Dodge’s recommendations. Here is a recent post from another forum about a bad TIPM on an 06 CTD:

There is a known problem for people who installed plows on these trucks for it damaging the TIPM. May want to check into it. Sorry dude. I hate telling people they may need a part like that but weve seen it quite often.

The dodge bodybuilder site has the recommended wiring instructions in the snowplow section for each year. This is the one for our 05s: http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/2005sbbgl/docs/dr/rsi.pdf

Stick to the recommendations and you’ll be fine.

 

[Dave04]

Whats the difference on the transmission when the trucks in park as aposed to neutral?

 

[DonFitzwater]

When the transmission is in park there is no fluid circulating. If you idle it in neutral fluid will circulate and keep everything cooler.

 

[Matt400]

How deep of snow can you guys move?

Reason I ask is cuz it can pile up around here in a hurry, like 18" or more easy over a weekend. I know you contractors go out to keep up with it but what if you don't?



My contract gets 900 for the season so I am thinking of doing it myself for my own commercial lot not just cuz of the money but to get it done when I need it done- not hrs later.

Lot size is 50' x 150'

A bonus would be using for our driveway which is just a small parking lot, not a road so I would use a 7. 6 straight blade- maybe boss, western or fisher not sure yet.

 

[jhenderson]

You really want at least an 8. 5 foot plow. Any less and you dump snow under the front wheel when the plow is angled. These trucks can handle the added weight. At the risk of starting a riot, I think a lot of ball joints are replaced prematurely on these trucks. My truck has over 200,000 on it, has had a 8. 5 Boss plow from day 1, as well as pulled a 15,000lb. trailer off road(log landings)as well as res. deliveries of firewood for at least 4 days per week for it's entire life. The ball joints have some vertical movement, but no horizontal play. Many auto manufacturers allow up to . 250 in vertical play before replacement. My truck was aligned for the first time about 40,000 miles ago. The shop owner told me I needed 4 ball joints, and showed me some vertical movement. I told him to just line up the front end . He did not know I spent 3 years working in one of the oldest and best front end and frame shops in southern New England when I got out of school. My tires all wear even.