Consider this... You've just purchased a truck for plowing this winter. You joyfully bring your new vehicle to LH Jones to upfit it with a snowplow only to find out that plow manufacturers don't recommend a snowplow be put on the vehicle.

Wow. You just spend a lot of money on a truck that won’t accept a plow.

How can this happen? The answer is complex. The solution is simple.

Weight Ratings
Trucks are equipped with various axles, tires, suspensions, and other equipment that determine how much weight a particular truck can carry and where it can carry it. The truck is then rated based on all of these figures in various categories like:

• Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (FGAWR)
• Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (RGAWR)
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
• Curb Weight
• Center of Gravity

 

Safety Standards
Each vehicle manufacturer then dictates, based on Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), how much weight can be placed on the vehicle and where it can be placed – like having a plow at the front or a spreader on the rear of the truck.

Plow Recommendations
Plow manufacturers review the vehicle manufacturers data for each new model year and specify which of their plows will fit which trucks. Unfortunately, sometimes the results are surprising. What used to be a hefty truck now might have a light front end and a particular model might not accept a plow anymore.

Snowplow Prep Package
It almost always a good idea to have a vehicle equipped with a snowplow prep package if you’re going to be plowing. Also, if you’ll be upfitting the vehicle with a spreader you should consider a camper package that allows more weight on the rear of the truck. But, these packages are not always required.

The Solution
The easiest way you can tell if a vehicle will be able to be equipped with a snowplow is to contact LH Jones and give us the vehicle specs BEFORE you buy your new truck. We’ve seen far too many good folks get really frustrated when they find out their new truck won’t accept a plow. Don’t be disappointed - call the plow experts at LH Jones to make sure your truck can be equipped with a plow - before you buy.  Call today 888-292-1305.