Snow Plows For The AV

[Cookie Monster]

Any chance you have a pic of your AV with the plow on it. That would be a nice pic. I'm planning on putting a Meyer Snow Plow on my 2500 AV for next season. I have the snow plow prep package. Not being able to get the sunroof didn't matter because I was getting the DVD player anyway. I want to get a 7.5' steel blade. How is that poly blade? I was always afraid of breaking the blade if I hit something solid. I'm assuming your plow is a hydraulic power angle.

[vf454]

That seems kind of scary mounting a snowplow on the back of the truck. Can't see what the blade is doing. Looks weird too.

you don't have that mess of metal up front and no cutting of the front bumper cladding

[imaniguana]

here is my answer to the plow problem on the AVhttp://www.superplow.com/homeowners.html

Okay, I'll bite.  How much?

[The_Malt]

Know it may be alittle to late but may be there is a discount this time of year. Check out this easy install snow plow web site. http://www.mysnowsport.com/

[Need4Speed]

I looked at the CDROM that was in the brochure for the 2003 AVs and it had a picture of the AV pulling the artic cat on the trailer....I thought that last years brochure had a similar picture but the AV had a plow. The brochure and CD ROM didn't mention a plow package (or even a plow). Can the 2003 be ordered with the plow prep package?

[Cookie Monster]

The 2002 Avalanche brochure has a pic in the back of a 2500 AV with a plow on it, towing a trailer with a sno-cat on it. Same pic in the 2003 book, but no more plow. Looks like they just did some computer tricks and threw a different vehicle in front of the sno-cat. Kinda like Mr. Potato Head, where you can mix and match stuff.

My AV isn't showing up for another 2 weeks, so I can't check yet, but doesn't the 03 2500 say "AVALANCHE 2500" on the front doors of the truck?  (Just like the 02)The pic in the brochure just says "AVALANCHE" on the doors (Making it a 1500) . But it does have the 8 lug rims .

Now that I'm looking at it, the paint appears to be indigo blue metallic, which isn't on any 03's. Arrival blue replaced the indigo.

:0:But, I did check, and there is someone behind the wheel driving it. I guess the remote controlled AV isn't an option yet. (Just the mini ones they sell in BJ's for about $100)

I have a 2003 AV 2500 with the snow plow prep package. No plow yet though.

-Santo

[Need4Speed]

Also, in the 2003 brochure on page 8 there is a Yellow NF, the doors do not have the "Avalanche" words. Is this true, that NF editions don't say Avalanche on the doors? If true, do they have it on the tailgate or is it also removed?

[super-guy]

One advantage to the plow being at the back is that you are pulling the snow rather than pussing it. You could back up to something and pull the snow away from it rather than push all the snow up to it

[ShapeShifter]

Also, in the 2003 brochure on page 8 there is a Yellow NF, the doors do not have the "Avalanche" words. Is this true, that NF editions don't say Avalanche on the doors? If true, do they have it on the tailgate or is it also removed?

I'll bet it was just a photo editing mistake. They routinely computer edit their pictures in the brochures. The trucks are rarely doing all of the rugged things that they are shown doing.

For example, in the 2002 brochure, there is a picture of a red 2500 with a snowplow and pulling a snow cat. At the time, there was no manufacturer that had a snow plow application that fit an Av. The plow was added digitally. In the 2003 catalog, it looks like the same truck and same trailer/snow cat are used, but this time there are differences: the truck is blue, the plow is gone, the background is different, and while the truck is still obviously a 2500 based on the caption, the wheels, fender flare, and front bumper fascia, but this time the "2500" is missing from the door panel cladding.

One advantage to the plow being at the back is that you are pulling the snow rather than pussing it.

But a disadvantage is that you then can't easily push it up into a pile, either. And when you are pushing, visibility is greatly reduced because you are backing up.

Around here, there are quite a few plowing contracters who use rear blades, but always in conjunction with a front blade. They will back into a driveway, drop both blades to drag the snow to the street, and then use just the front blade to buck the snow into a pile at the curb.

But still, that rear mounted plow does look cool for the homeowner in snow country who has a large driveway.

And I like their use of Steamer Lane Breakdown as performed by the Doobie Brothers as their background music in the video. I always did like that tune.

-- SS

[james21]

Well pulling the snow may be easy but what are you going to do with it once you start pulling it, where is it going? Are you going to pull it all to a central location and then use something like a frontend loader to dispose of it in your neighbors back yard . I'm sure that would be a lot of fun, but it would be too complicated. With a front-mounted plow you can push it all to a place that is out of the way and keep it clean, plus you'll be able to move more with each pass . Another disadvantage to the rear plow is that you have to get out of the truck everytime that you want to reposition the plow, whereas the front mounted one uses hydraulics and a joystick inside the cab . This way you stay nice and warm. I'd choose the Front Hydraulic Plow for my 1500, besides they are a lot lighter now, so they won't damage the frame.

-James.

[ShapeShifter]

Well pulling the snow may be easy but what are you going to do with it once you start pulling it, where is it going?

Did you watch their video? Click here

I had the same thoughts. They do show it pushing backwards to clear the snow at the bottom of the driveway. But using the back of the blade can't be as efficient as using a front blade, and you can't raise the blade as you reach the pile to push the snow higher into a pile. (I suppose you could try it, but raising a blade with the curve going the wrong way doesn't seem like it would do the same thing.)

Plus, my comments about having to do it in reverse still apply.

Another disadvantage to the rear plow is that you have to get out of the truck everytime that you want to reposition the plow, whereas the front mounted one uses hydraulics and a joystick inside the cab .

They do show it being raised and lowered remotely, although there doesn't seem to be any pivot to it. But any of the heavy duty rear plows used by contractors around here also cannot pivot.

It seems to me the main times when you want to pivot the blade are when you are either plowing a large parking lot, or when trying to push the snow into a pile and you are angling in from the street across the apron of the driveway. Neither of these activities seems to be the strong points of this plow.

I just read their FAQ page, and it looks like there is a spring-loaded automatic pivot. While plowing, the blade will automatically rotate to one side or the other, depending on which side has more drag, and help push the snow off to one side. Maybe it can be used for wider driveways and parking lots after all.

Still, doesn't seem like it would replace a heavy duty front blade for a serious contactor, but maybe it does have a place for a homeowner in snow country with a large driveway who wants to do it himself.

-- SS

[james21]

Well, either way I don't need a plow for my AV, I have 2 John Deeres' one with a 60" plow the other with a 46" snow blower . So I am pretty well covered. My big Deere is a 4300 series and takes care of our 1500' driveway, it does a great job, and given that we've had a lot of snow in the past couple winters, i'm glad that we had it .

-James.

[gordybrown]

Do not plow with the 1/2 ton (you WILL snap axles and destroy diffs) and do not plow with 2 wheel drive (the plow will push you all over the road).  Without the snowplow prep package you will also fry your trans (plows block radiators).  I speak from 10 years of experience here.

[RENORCR]

Just another option:

Snowbear Flexblade

[ductman]

Know it may be alittle to late but may be there is a discount this time of year. Check out this easy install snow plow web site. http://www.mysnowsport.com/

I have this plow and it is great.  All you need is a front or rear 2" hitch.  It is light so it does not wreck the front of the truck and the blade is hard rubber, so  when you hit somthing it just bounces over.  I modified mine to take an ATV winch to lift it up so I don't have to get out of the truck.  I have plowed blocks in Brooklyn,NY at work-It is not a commercial plow by any means but it does the job.  Make sure you get the angle adaptor.  It is about 1/3 the price of a real plow also.  The only draw back I have found is that you can't drag snow backwards from say your garage door as you can with a regular plow.  Also if the snow is packed down and icy it will not scrape down to the pavement as a regular plow would.  If the snow is fresh it scrapes down to the pavement with no problem.  The rubber blade is also very gentle on your property-you can actually plow over the grass and curbs without doing much damage.
there is a video on the web site.

[ductman]

Just found this pic of my Av plowing snow with the snow sport plow

[NJ-Black-02-2500]

Been plowing for many years now...
These funny little toy plows are just a waste of money...
especially that one you tow behind you...you have to drive on the snow (packing it and making it harder to get up....just silly) only will work in really fluffy snow...the kind that doesnt make snow balls....

If you want to plow cheap buy an old S10 blazer and put a 6.5 foot plow on it.

If you want to do your driveway buy a snow blower or hire a professional!
 
If you want to get into plowing get a Western, Meyer, Fisher, Blizzard, or similar real plow....
I like Western myself. 


Also, it's just silly to try to plow with a 2wd. 
I've blown the 4wd in my plow trucks a few times....and it stops working immediately.....

you can plow with a 1500...but try to pick up one of the lighter plows...not the pro models... plan to replace ball joints frequently....

The plow package includes a bigger alternator, heavier duty front torsion bars, and wiring for an auxilary light on the roof...some states make you have a flashing amber light for plowing. 


If you want to clear your driveway then buy a snowblower...
Cheaper, maintenance is cheaper, and it does a much better job for a driveway...
Can do sidewalks, can get close to your garage door, can do your back deck...can make paths around the yard for the dog...just generally better for home owners....

On the other hand...if your doing a lot of snow removeal then get a real plow...
power angle, power up down....getting in and out gets old quick....

People who know snow removal just laugh at those toy plows....sort of like pushing a cardboard box down the street...or duct taping a few shovels to your bumper...

[Darkhorse]

Been plowing for many years now...
These funny little toy plows are just a waste of money...
especially that one you tow behind you...you have to drive on the snow (packing it and making it harder to get up....just silly) only will work in really fluffy snow...the kind that doesnt make snow balls....

If you want to plow cheap buy an old S10 blazer and put a 6.5 foot plow on it.

If you want to do your driveway buy a snow blower or hire a professional!

If you want to get into plowing get a Western, Meyer, Fisher, Blizzard, or similar real plow....
I like Western myself.


Also, it's just silly to try to plow with a 2wd.
I've blown the 4wd in my plow trucks a few times....and it stops working immediately.....

Same here and you're right, even if you just plan on doing your own driveway, all your friends will want you to plow theirs too. A full-size plow for a silverado will fit a WBH avalanche perfectly, for non-commercial use, a 1500 will work fine, just jack your torsion bars up 4 turns. if you want a good plow that disappears when you remove it, check into a hiniker. below is my '95 1500Z71 purchased new with a plow on it at Hutchings chevrolet, Soldotna, Alaska, 67,000 miles later no problems at all except a new optima battery.
and no, a snowplow will not set off your airbag.
$0.02

[ductman]

...I don't get out of the truck -I lift it up and down with an ATV winch on a bracket I welded to the plow frame.  I stay inside the truck with the heated seats on-I have a snow blower for the sidewalks, etc.  It is obviously not meant for commercial plowing but when you have a decent size paver driveway it makes life easy, is fun and does not harm the pavers(rubber blade).  I also use it to clear my parking lot at work-about 60 spaces, and I used it last year with about 14" of snow.  It takes longer but works.  It is also about 25% of the price of a real plow and is light so it does not wreck the front end of your truck like a real plow does.  I also have a front hitch that I can use all year and not ugly mounting brackets that you need to cut the front facia for.  Laugh all you want!
It does what I need it to do, just look at the pic

[Fast Eddie]

I thought it was a joke too until I saw that thing in action.  He made light work of a 70' x 25' driveway in 3 minutes if that (10"s of snow)- he wasn't even in 4wd.  Even with my 11hp 28" MTD I would still be out there for 1/2 hour getting frozen and soaked.  Not to mention the parking lot he did- You could spend four times the amount on a real plow and wreck your truck or get this one and do the same job.  It is not the plow for someone who does it for a living or has many lots to do.  But if you have a 1500 sq ft parking lot and some driveways it is a great choice, plus it can be picked up by one person and moved around...

[irontrain]

I had long had the notion that other than a fixed position plow no other was available. This may not be true. I saw a 2003 Z71 with a regular working plow on the front. We were heading in opposite directions but I liked what I saw. I would really like any information on a plow package for the Avalanche. Does anyone have any new info?