Plows

Fisher makes a 'Homesteader' *unit for the new Taco...pricey at $3500.

I opted to just buy another vehicle - a Wrangler with Sno-way plow. :thumbup:


* corrected

I've been cheking out the SnowBear plow, which is only $1,600 including the mounting bracket + $150 shipping.

http://www.truckaccessoriesworld.com/snow-plows/snowbear.htm)

It's supposedly cheaper because you can only lift/lower remotely from the cab. Angle changes have to be done on the plow itself. BTW, they DO have an 05 Taco mount available. Check http://www.snowbear.com/

That Fischer "Homesteader" is VERY nice, though. Full remote controls. I found it for $2,800 + shipping here: http://www.centralparts.com/TableList41.aspx

The cool part about the Homesteader is that you can almost completely remove the mounting bracket by pulling out a few pins...

Decisions, decisions...

Ive seen people blowing with Toyota trucks for years, but I still think its a bad idea.
A Tacoma just isnt built heavy enough for plowing, in my opinion.
Go for it if you want, but I wouldnt plow with anything smaller than a 3/4 ton.

Check out Blizzard. I originally was going to buy a 2005 Tacoma until I found out I couldn't put a plow on it. Late this year they came out with a mount for 2005/06 Tacomas so I went straight to Toyota dealer and bought 2006 TRD Off Road. After driving it a couple days decided it was to nice a truck to put a plow on. Instead of trading in my 2000 Ranger, I kept it just for plowing. Plow is not light duty like most made for small 2000+ pickups but not as heavy as Western or Meyer. I load 300 lbs. at rear of truck to offset weight of plow. The Ranger handles the weight OK but engine works on steep hills. Should be no problem on your Tacoma. Plow model # 760LT and weighs 550 lbs. 7'6" blade. Hope this helps.

Correction. I gave you the wrong specs for the plow. It's a Blizzard model 720LT, 7'2" blade and weighs 370lbs. Stay away from the Fischer. Checked into it and dealer said not good for anything other than long smooth driveways with 3 - 4" of snow. I believe it uses rubber band trip style springs instead of conventional springs. Sorry for the wrong info.

luckily i live in South Carolina:woot:

haha we are like "what's a snow plow?"

TRD Hunter said:

luckily i live in South Carolina:woot:

haha we are like "what's a snow plow?"

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Yeah, that's what I'm sayin. Us southerners don't know about snow plowing. :lol:

TRD Hunter where do you live in SC? In in Charleston.

TRD Hunter said:

luckily i live in South Carolina:woot:

haha we are like "what's a snow plow?"

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I'll take dealing with snow and ice over dealing with hurricanes and the wicked bugs Im sure you guys have to deal with. Not to mention hot, humid weather. You guys can have that.

cephasiii said:

TRD Hunter where do you live in SC? In in Charleston.

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I'm from Manning, its about an hour from Charleston, as far as huricanes and bugs are concerenced...well your right there

I'm hesitatnt to put a plow on the truck. Seems to make the truck too nose heavy.

The truck will only be nose heavy if you don't add ballast to the rear of the truck to counter the weight of the plow. I use 300 lbs at the tailgate which makes the truck (2000 Ford Ranger) sit the same as with no plow, only about 1" lower overall. I drive 40 miles each way to plow. No problem with Ranger and should be no problem with Tacoma. Plowed 16+ inches of snow easily.

The "Homesteader" web site "configurator" says that the Taco doesn't need any "ballast" with that plow. Must be because it only weighs @200 lb, because I'm sure thay'd be glad to sell you a ballast if the Taco really needed it!

The Snowbear is also very light and doesn't need any ballast.

(This is on a 4x4. A 2x4 "may" need the ballast... you'd have to check.)

I checked out both of those plows before someone told me about Blizzard. It's been awhile but I believe both those plows use what look like big rubber bands instead of springs. I think they may also be plastic blades. Not sure if they angle or not. As far as ballast, you can use anything for weight. I use salt for my water softener and when winter is done I just throw it in there. Sand is a pain in the ass and anything else has to be stored off season.

The thing about the SnowBear and the Homesteader is that they ARE made with slightly less durable parts... rubber springs, plastic plow, etc., but they are for "homeowners", not professional plow companies. I only need to plow about 6-10 times a season, so they will last a long time.

Both the SnowBear and Homesteader can be angled. The SnowBear is "manual" (you have to get out and change the angle) and the Homesteader is remote controlled from the cab.

Ive seen people blowing with Toyota trucks for years, but I still think its a bad idea.
A Tacoma just isnt built heavy enough for plowing, in my opinion.
Go for it if you want, but I wouldnt plow with anything smaller than a 3/4 ton.

Re: I must disagree with your statement: Look at the old Jeeps and Land Cruisers that have been used for plowing for years. Also, any new 1/2 ton pickup is what most plows are made for. I would not feel bad about putting a light duty, poly-blade plow on my Tacoma. If I had a full sized pickup, then yes I would buy a Fisher, Curtis, Meyer, or other plow. But, in general I would say that the Tacoma is more than suited for plowing snow.

Here is a link to Blizzards web site http://www.blizzardplows.com/pr13.html

This particular plow is not considered a professional plow and is nowhere near as heavy as others in their line or Meyer or Western plows. It also comes with a joystick controller which is much easier to use. The hydraulic pump is mounted on the back of the plow frame so it detaches along with the plow when taken off the truck, (pull 2 pins, put stand down to support plow while not on truck, detach electrics and drive away). To hook up, drive up to plow, (it has self aligning guides as long as your in the ballpark), put 2 pins in and re-attach electrics. It also has a switch on the plow itself to raise and lower, which is good to have when hooking and unhooking. Homesteader is $3500.00 and I paid $3600.00 installed for what I consider a much better setup.