The best trucks for snow driving and plowing

Winter is when a truck earns its keep, whether you’re just trying to get to work after a storm or you’re out plowing lots at 3 a.m. But the best truck for driving in snow and the best truck for plowing it aren’t always the same truck. This guide covers what makes a pickup good in winter, which trucks suit snow driving vs. plowing, and what to check before you buy a used plow truck.

The short answer: for driving in snow, almost any 4×4 half-ton pickup on proper winter tires will get you through, and off-road trims with a locking rear differential do even better. For plowing, choose a three-quarter-ton or one-ton truck with a factory snow plow prep package, such as a Ford F-250 or F-350, Ram 2500 or 3500, or Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra 2500HD or 3500HD.

Best trucks for snow at a glance

What you need	Best fit	Why
Daily driving in snow	4×4 half-ton on winter tires	Enough traction and clearance without heavy-duty running costs
Deep snow and rural roads	Off-road half-ton trims	Extra clearance, skid plates, and on many trims a locking rear differential
Driveway or light residential plowing	Three-quarter-ton with plow prep	Front axle and suspension rated for a plow
Commercial plowing	Three-quarter-ton or one-ton with plow prep	Handles full-size plows and long shifts
Plowing plus salting	One-ton or dually	Payload for a loaded spreader in the bed

Quick checklist: what makes a truck good in snow

• Winter tires: the single biggest upgrade for grip, braking and steering in snow.
• 4×4 with low range: for deep snow, steep driveways and pushing a plow.
• Ground clearance: keeps the truck from riding up on packed snow.
• Weight over the rear axle: an empty pickup bed is light, so add ballast.
• A locking rear differential: keeps both rear wheels pulling when one slips.

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2016 International 7400 4×2 Snow Plow Truck

Mead, CO · 14,091 mi

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What is the best truck for driving in snow?

A 4×4 half-ton pickup on real winter tires is the best all-around truck for driving in snow.

The Ford F-150, Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 and Toyota Tundra all handle winter roads well when they’re set up properly. Off-road trims such as the F-150 Tremor, Silverado Trail Boss, Ram Rebel and Tundra TRD Pro add ground clearance and skid plates, and most include a locking rear differential. That helps in unplowed snow and on rural roads. Our half-ton truck comparison breaks down how the big three stack up.

Tires matter more than the badge. A 4×4 on worn all-seasons will lose to a 2WD truck on good winter tires on an icy hill, so budget for a dedicated set.

What is the best truck for plowing snow?

A three-quarter-ton or one-ton pickup with a factory snow plow prep package is the best choice for most plowing.

Ford Super Duty (F-250 and F-350), Ram 2500 and 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra HD trucks all offer plow prep packages. These typically add heavier front springs, a higher-output alternator and plow wiring provisions. The prep package matters because a plow puts several hundred pounds out in front of the front axle, and the truck has to be rated to carry it. Browse snow plow trucks to see trucks that come already set up with a plow.

Before you mount a plow, check the plow manufacturer’s fit guide. It lists which plows are approved for your exact truck and how much ballast to add to the bed.

Can a half-ton truck plow snow?

Yes, a half-ton can handle light residential plowing with a lightweight plow approved for that truck, but it isn’t built for daily commercial work.

The limit is the front axle rating (GAWR). A full-size commercial plow can push a half-ton past it, wearing out ball joints, springs and steering parts quickly. Plowing your own driveway or a small lot is realistic, but running a route all winter is a job for a heavier truck.

Is a gas or diesel truck better for plowing?

Gas trucks are often the better plow truck for most buyers, while diesel suits heavy plowing combined with towing or hauling.

• Gas: a lighter engine leaves more front-axle capacity for the plow, costs less up front, and starts more easily in deep cold.
• Diesel: more torque and long engine life, but the heavier engine uses up front-axle capacity, and idling for long shifts can be hard on emissions systems. Plan on a block heater.

If you’re shopping for a used diesel, our guide to Duramax reliability by generation is a good place to start.

Do you need a one-ton or dually for plowing?

You need a one-ton or dually if you plan to carry a salt or sand spreader in the bed as well as running a plow.

A loaded V-box spreader can weigh thousands of pounds, which can exceed the payload of many three-quarter-ton trucks once a plow is mounted. One-ton trucks and dually trucks have the payload to carry both. Compare salt spreaders to size the spreader to your truck.

What should you inspect on a used plow truck?

Focus on rust, the front end and the drivetrain, because plowing is hard on all three.

• Frame and lines: road salt eats frames, brake lines and fuel lines, so look underneath with a flashlight.
• Front suspension: ball joints, tie rods and front springs, and any sag at the front of the truck.
• Transmission: fluid colour and smell, and whether an auxiliary cooler was fitted, since plowing builds heat.
• Plow mount and wiring: cracked mounts, corroded harness connectors and a working controller.
• Body rust: rocker panels, cab corners and the bed.
• 4×4 system: clean engagement in high and low range.

Our pickup truck inspection tips walk through a full auction-day checklist. If you have a side-by-side, see whether it can handle plowing for smaller areas instead.

Can a plow truck pay for itself?

For many owners it can. Plowing driveways and small commercial lots is one of the most common ways to put a truck to work in winter. Our list of ways to make money with a pickup truck covers plowing alongside other side businesses.

The bottom line

For getting around in snow, a 4×4 half-ton on winter tires is plenty. For plowing, step up to a three-quarter-ton or one-ton with a plow prep package, and go to a one-ton or dually if you’ll be salting too. When you’re ready to shop, browse snow plow trucks and used pickup trucks on RB Auction, and check recent sold prices before you bid.

See also

What is hotshot trucking? Requirements, trucks and costs