Bought a snowplow, now what

I broke down and bought a plow for the Taco. Ive held off for 4 years because i didnt want to beat up the truck, but recent medical issues jump started this purchase, damn back. Because of this, please no posts saying you shouldn't put a plow on the truck, because its going on, install already scheduled! I take very good care of my things, so im not going to be stupid and ram the plow into things. Its also only for my driveway. Obviously, theres always the chance to hit something, but its a chance.

For info, completely stock suspension and truck for that matter. I have a steep paved driveway and most of the time will be able to go down it first.

1. For people with plows, have you needed ballast in the back? I bought a Western defender, which is a fairly new steel compact version. The weight is 290 lbs.
2. The plow should go on and off fairly easy, so i wont drive with it unnecessarily. However im sure there will be times when snow is expected and will want to drive with it to work. Anyone notice bottoming out with stock suspension. If so, are there any types of helpers for front suspensions? I have a 35 minute commute, each way, rural roads.

Any other info from fellow plow owners would help.
Thanks all

 

There was a thread somewhere recently here about guys running plows on Tacomas. Give a search...and regarding your back....I totally feel your pain!!
Jeff

 

Thank god, I don’t have to plow myself out of my house or back in.

 

You should be fine. Just plow as soon as the storm is over. Don’t let it melt and re freeze into concrete.

 

Some guy on here plows a shit ton with his little taco and its got like 240k on it or something. Toyotas can plow, its no 7.3 powerstroke with a 10 ft plow but itll take the beating. I plowed in one for 2-3 years

 

The key to plowing, atleast from what I have read , is that jamming into snow banks puts the most stress on the truck. If you are careful with that, you'll be fine.

 

I always wanted to have a snowplow on my truck. i don't even live in an area with snow. I'm following this thread because it's cool. looking forward to seeing pics, OP.

 

Welcome to the Mr Plow club! The worst part is sitting around waiting for more snow to fall because its actually fun to plow. I do my driveway, my elderly parents and I inevitably do several neighbors too because its fun and its nice to be a good neighbor. Most will tell you to run with some weight in the rear(ballast), but to be honest I have run mine with and without. I normally do run with a few 100 pounds of sand in the rear. I have the Western Suburbanite which is slightly lighter than yours. I think its around 270lbs.

 

That is something I have been considering as well. I have a front hitch receiver, and want a hitch-mount plow - if anyone has any recommendations, I'd love to hear them.

 

Yup, bad episode currently, and my driveway is a lot of work. Big storms could take 2 hours to clear. Never mind the work, until my back is in shambles.

I'll probably keep a couple hundred near the tailgate, probably a big cement mix container of salt/sand. As stated, the driveway is steep, so it would be nice to keep the ass end a little heavier as im pushing down.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/snowplow.192800/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/snow-plow.480328/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/personal-snow-plowing.476080/

 

Always wanted to plow until I got a snow thrower and a JD 420 back in 2003

Plows are ok but when you don't want mountains of snow or plan on pushing back for next storm, a thrower or a blower can be nice

My 1969 140 has a thrower and can do my long drive way up to 1 foot of snow in less than 15 minutes

 

I’ve used a track snowblower for 9 years on my driveway, a must for a steep drive. I’m sure me, or my wife this year , will have to use it again if we’re not home and get slammed, but I’m hoping the plow does most of the work, instead of my back.

agree about throwers putting it where you want, but I feel like I can find a few places to put snow. It’ll be a learning experience. Got sick of wondering how I’ll plow it, and the back episode was the kick I needed to put a plow on.

 

Can't use a thrower... Gravel projectiles suck.

 

Love my sno-way, that and the taco are a great combination.

 

Plow snow I'd imagine.

 

I get about 60 inches of snow/year- 125 ft driveway 20 ft wide- fisher homesteader poly plow. 280lbs (4- 70 lb sandbags in back) 2015 xcab 4x4 4cyl works great I dont rush it - I dont bang the banks. plow is easy on/off (keep it in garage) but little squat with it on -just easier to park

 

I second this. I plow with my quad, all my neighbors have snow blowers. I'm done quicker and have more fun and have time to plow for a couple of elderly neighbors, but the snow-blown driveways look nicer and tidier than mine.

Also, the wife and I have separate driveways. I often skip some or all of mine because I have a friggin TRDOR!

 

Fine travel is ok. Coarse isn't fun.