2wd for plowing

I am looking for advice on purchasing a truck. I am looking to get a
well used Ford F150 or 250 truck and use it for Plowing 2 600 foot
driveways and some minor hauling. This would be strickty a work truck
and I would not be putting any real miles on this vehicle. I have
several coworkers that are interested in selling me there trucks for
around a $1000. The problem is they are both 2wd. I live in
Wisconsin and last year we were pummeled with snow. My question is
should I even consider using a 2wd for plowing snow? I am not
planning on doing a great deal of plowing other than my own personal
needs and maybe a neighbor or two. If I put a good set of snow tires
and plenty of weight in the back and use a real light plow can I pull
this off or will I regret this? Thanks for you input.

You would be wasting your time with a 2 wd truck. It's not just moving,
it is steering control that 4x4 really helps. With a 2 wd you would
have to lift the blade to turn.

My $0.02,

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

andy wrote:
>
> I am looking for advice on purchasing a truck. I am looking to get a
> well used Ford F150 or 250 truck and use it for Plowing 2 600 foot
> driveways and some minor hauling. This would be strickty a work truck
> and I would not be putting any real miles on this vehicle. I have
> several coworkers that are interested in selling me there trucks for
> around a $1000. The problem is they are both 2wd. I live in
> Wisconsin and last year we were pummeled with snow. My question is
> should I even consider using a 2wd for plowing snow? I am not
> planning on doing a great deal of plowing other than my own personal
> needs and maybe a neighbor or two. If I put a good set of snow tires
> and plenty of weight in the back and use a real light plow can I pull
> this off or will I regret this? Thanks for you input.

On Mon, 13 Sep 2004 12:38:52 -0400, andy wrote:
>>
>> I am looking for advice on purchasing a truck. I am looking to get a
>> well used Ford F150 or 250 truck and use it for Plowing 2 600 foot
>> driveways and some minor hauling. This would be strickty a work truck
>> and I would not be putting any real miles on this vehicle. I have
>> several coworkers that are interested in selling me there trucks for
>> around a $1000. The problem is they are both 2wd. I live in
>> Wisconsin and last year we were pummeled with snow. My question is
>> should I even consider using a 2wd for plowing snow? I am not
>> planning on doing a great deal of plowing other than my own personal
>> needs and maybe a neighbor or two. If I put a good set of snow tires
>> and plenty of weight in the back and use a real light plow can I pull
>> this off or will I regret this? Thanks for you input.


Using a 4x4 truck would just be a lot easier. That being said, you
can use a 2 wd truck if you set it up right. You will need lots of
weight over the drive axle. (Skip the 1/2 ton truck and go with 3/4
ton and up. You want LOTS of weight.) You will also likely want
chains on the rear wheels, and maybe the fronts too just to aid in
turning. I'd suggest plowing often if you are using a 2wd truck. You
won't be able to wait as long as you could with a 4x4 truck and still
expect to move the snow around.

If WI is like other snow states I've been in, you are probably better
off looking for somebody's old plow truck. For what it will cost to
add the plow to the 2wd, you may be able to find a beat up 4x4 with a
plow that still has enough life in it to make a few hauling trips too.

Matt
99 V-10 Super Duty, Super Cab 4x4