GMC/Chev 1500

[Paystar]

The local hydraulic shop/snow plow installer now has a big sign out front......."We will not install plows on GMC/Chev 1500 pickups. HD models only."

Apparently the front frame horns keep breaking off them?

 

[s219]

Be interesting to know the real reason -- I have heard everything from engine overheating at high speed (airflow gets sucked forward), issues with front mounted sensors (airbags, stability, etc), and loads from electric power steering. GM offers a plow prep package for regular cab 4x4 models that apparently address these issues. Trucks without that package will technically void the warranty by installing a plow. Ford and Ram have had similar packages and warranty limitations too.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Big issue on these new trucks is Electric Power Steering instead of a hydraulic system with a power steering pump. The electric hydraulic pump for the plow and electric power steering put too much load on the alternator.

I have talked to a couple plow companies and many are going to change over to linear actuator system vs the old hydraulic. The new systems pull about 30 amps vs 300 for hydraulic systems.

Chris

 

[George2615]

Most brands of 1/2 Tons haven't put plows on them for several years now. Since the early 2000's.
Chevy / GMC still charge for a snow plow prep package on half tons but tell you you can't put a plow on. I think it has to do with the lighter suspension and frame.

 

[Wolfy]

Weak frames and hit or miss electrical systems have plagued Chevy/GMC for some time. Otherwise, they are pretty good trucks.

 

[timswi]

I haven't experienced that with any of my GM trucks..Weak frames, don't think so.

Generally, no 1/2 ton anything should be running a commercial snow plow. That isn't what they are built for.

 

[crashz]

Hmm. I had a 7.5HD fisher on my 04. No frame problems at all in 180K miles. And that plow was heavy. And I plowed commercial lots with it for a few years. But that was on a 10 yr old truck now.

One thing to keep in mind is that nobody ever re-tightens the mounts for the plow. This does a lot of damage to the front section and in my opinion leads to the cracking problems. I've see complaints in the plowing forums regarding this issue on the GM HD trucks, but some Ford and Dodge too. Makes me think its the mounting instead.

 

[timswi]

Hmm. I had a 7.5HD fisher on my 04. No frame problems at all in 180K miles. And that plow was heavy. And I plowed commercial lots with it for a few years. But that was on a 10 yr old truck now.

One thing to keep in mind is that nobody ever re-tightens the mounts for the plow. This does a lot of damage to the front section and in my opinion leads to the cracking problems. I've see complaints in the plowing forums regarding this issue on the GM HD trucks, but some Ford and Dodge too. Makes me think its the mounting instead.

You're probably right about the mounting...I also doubt that you beat the $*^& out of your truck plowing...A buddy of mine plows condo neighborhoods and I see what happens to his 1 tons and 3/4 tons of every make. Trannies, transfer cases and woe unto the front suspension parts and u-joints...He does have others running some of the trucks though. The 1, 5 and 10 ton dumps hold up nicely tough as does the Toolcat

 

[arnoldziffel]

My "Classic" 2007 1/2 ton Silverado is starting its 9th winter plowing 24 rental home driveways.

I have a Fisher 7.5 RD plow system.

No problems.

 

[Clint S]

Many have cracked behind the upper control arm for the older models. Do not know about the newer ones (2011 and newer).

 

[crashz]

Many have cracked behind the upper control arm for the older models. Do not know about the newer ones (2011 and newer).

I've seen a bunch of posts from the plowing forums with 89-2000 and 2000-2010 GM trucks that have had this problem. All of them were HD models though.

 

[wawajake]

All the big truck three makers don't reccomend the plow on half tons to be "safe" .........although Ford is going to sell a package (see link) ...........but only if you get the V8 ...the ecoboost configuration can't handle. and it looks like plow must be under 500 lbs.........quite frankly at that weight any half ton nowdays could handle as long as electrics are made to handle. Heck we have tons of snow up here.........my former neighbor used a old 4 x4 Lada with a 7 ft fiberglass plow for five years. and he owned the Hyundai dealership and did the lot plowing there too.

2015 Ford F-150 Will Offer Snowplow Package - PickupTrucks.com News

 

[jejeosborne]

All the big truck three makers don't reccomend the plow on half tons to be "safe" .........although Ford is going to sell a package (see link) ...........but only if you get the V8 ...the ecoboost configuration can't handle. and it looks like plow must be under 500 lbs.........quite frankly at that weight any half ton nowdays could handle as long as electrics are made to handle. Heck we have tons of snow up here.........my former neighbor used a old 4 x4 Lada with a 7 ft fiberglass plow for five years. and he owned the Hyundai dealership and did the lot plowing there too.

The ecoboost will not work because of the intercooler being in the way or blocked from the plow.

 

[Diamondpilot]

The ecoboost will not work because of the intercooler being in the way or blocked from the plow.

There are a few plow manufacturers allowing their plows on the Ecoboost. The problem is not the intercooler, it's the electric power steering.

A hydraulic plow uses about 300 amps of power to run the pump. Some manufacturers are switching over to linear actuators. They use 30 amps. I researched this hard about 2 months ago. The reason the 5.0 is ok with a plow is it still uses a power steering pump.

Chris

 

[jejeosborne]

There are a few plow manufacturers allowing their plows on the Ecoboost. The problem is not the intercooler, it's the electric power steering.

A hydraulic plow uses about 300 amps of power to run the pump. Some manufacturers are switching over to linear actuators. They use 30 amps. I researched this hard about 2 months ago. The reason the 5.0 is ok with a plow is it still uses a power steering pump.

Chris

The 5.0 has electric power steering as well so that wouldn't be the reason here.

 

[timswi]

No one I know is asking for a law...I certainly don't want one even though I would never be subjected to it...There are other issues at hand that lawyers can't solve....Just think of someone beyond yourself...Guess that isn't possible for some around here..Whatever.

Good lord, me and DP are agreeing again..The world might be coming to an end.

 

[Pierrepont]

I'm tempted to buy a brand new 2014 GMC K1500, with Snow Plow Prep.

Regular Cab, 8' box, the "new" 4.3 V6 EcoTec3 engine, (not the old 4.3).

I'd be installing a Fisher 7.5' HD straight blade plow.

Anybody have any first hand real world experience with this set-up?

I'd be trading my 2007 "classic" Silverado 4.8 V8, regular cab, long box, (91,000 miles) which has been a great truck, now in its 9th winter of snow plowing service. No need to trade, just have the new truck itch.

I personally plow 24 residential driveways. We're on Lake Ontario north of Watertown, NY and WE GET SNOW!

What do you think please?

 

[WilliamBos]

I'm tempted to buy a brand new 2014 GMC K1500, with Snow Plow Prep.

Regular Cab, 8' box, the "new" 4.3 V6 EcoTec3 engine, (not the old 4.3).

I'd be installing a Fisher 7.5' HD straight blade plow.

Anybody have any first hand real world experience with this set-up?

I'd be trading my 2007 "classic" Silverado 4.8 V8, regular cab, long box, (91,000 miles) which has been a great truck, now in its 9th winter of snow plowing service. No need to trade, just have the new truck itch.

I personally plow 24 residential driveways. We're on Lake Ontario north of Watertown, NY and WE GET SNOW!

What do you think please?

Upgrade to the 5.3L, you will be happy that you did.

 

[HHR]

The 4.3L is 96 pounds lighter and may use less fuel than the 5.3L when doing lots of low speed plowing. If you have been able to get the job done with a 4.8L for 9 seasons, I see no reason to get the 5.3L unless you want the extra power for other reasons.

 

[timswi]

Drove a loaner 2014 4.3 4x4 GMC..Ran very well actually but I'm not sure about having the torque that you might want. But as was mentioned, if you were more than happy with the 4.8, the 4.3 might do you just fine. If you were on the fence, go with the 5.3.