Forum Discussion

K_Mac's avatar
K_Mac
Explorer
Sep 06, 2014

Sno Plow Prep Pkg.

I just read in T.C.M.#879 Aug. 26 2014, a disclaimer (if you will) that according to the U.S. Govt. Dept. of Transportation, & Nat. Hwy. Traffic Safety Admin., that any truck bought after April 1 1973, that has the Sno Plow Prep. Pkg., should have a disclaimer printed that says: "THIS VEHICLE IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR USE WITH A SLIDE IN CAMPER". I've had four NEW Fords, one GMC, and two Mitsubishi's, and all but one Ford had plow pks's., in this time frame. I've never read this before or ever heard mention of it until now, I talking forty years. According to G.W.(TCM), he saw these in every Dodge Truck when he was shopping for his new vehicle. Am I the only one who's in the dark about this disclaimer, tell me I'm not the only one who's never heard know about this.
Truck Campers
  • The_Mad_Norsky's avatar
    The_Mad_Norsky
    Explorer
    Sep 07, 2014
    :h me too!

    I would think that having the snow plow prep would be a plus for those who plan to add a winch or, for example, a heavy BuckStop style bumper onto their vehicle. Just a way to handle increased front weight.

    I have doubts that this package would adversely affect handling with a TC on board in any way, shape or form.
  • Mattyd's avatar
    Mattyd
    Explorer
    Sep 07, 2014
    I posed the same question to my Ram dealer...here is what his research came back as saying...

    "The answer for the camper question...even though the "plow prep group" only adds the alternator and skid plate shield by name, they actually engineer the front suspension with that package to support an increased weight of a snow plow. So, if you put a camper in, the engineers say that the truck will be unbalanced. It could still be done on this truck, at buyer discretion. So, we probably would want to get you a truck without the plow prep group."

    Not saying I agree...just what was reported.
  • campn4walleye's avatar
    campn4walleye
    Explorer
    Sep 07, 2014
    We ran into this after signing for our new DRW. I was looking in all the nooks and crannies while DH was chatting with the dealer. In the glove box was a paper stating exactly that. Holy cow, was I freaked! The dealer didn't have an answer and we even tried to call Dodge to get the right info.

    I came home and immediately wrote this forum. Consensus was...go enjoy our new truck and purchase our camper.

    I was pretty unsettling. No one had an answer for us. Most folks on the forum say it's "lawyer speak". I still don't understand it.
  • Trackrig's avatar
    Trackrig
    Explorer II
    Sep 07, 2014
    JimBollman wrote:
    Golden_HVAC wrote:
    It is kinda like the 'law' that you needed to have someone with a red lantern in front of your car at night in New York in 1903. The 'law' might still be on the books, but in reality,....

    Fred.


    You mean I can fire my lantern man? Wow that would save me a bundle, but it's NY they probably are still enforcing it and it is probably a felony.


    NO - you can't get rid of the DW...........

    Bill
  • JimBollman's avatar
    JimBollman
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2014
    Golden_HVAC wrote:
    It is kinda like the 'law' that you needed to have someone with a red lantern in front of your car at night in New York in 1903. The 'law' might still be on the books, but in reality,....

    Fred.


    You mean I can fire my lantern man? Wow that would save me a bundle, but it's NY they probably are still enforcing it and it is probably a felony.
  • Trackrig's avatar
    Trackrig
    Explorer II
    Sep 06, 2014
    Dumb law, it will probably still be on the books after snow no longer exists......

    On my 1983 truck I had a snow plow. Had to add an leaf to the front springs because of the weight of the plow. Used a heavy TC on it for several years with no problems at all. Can't say I ever tried to plow with the camper on it though.

    And because I had a very heavy duty hitch welded to the frame under the rear for pulling a Bob Cat loader, I couldn't carry the spare tire in the holder anymore. I mounted it to the plow controls on the front end. It was lighter than the plow and worked very well there.


    Bill
  • cewillis's avatar
    cewillis
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2014
    I wish I had the snow plow prep. And here > o < is where they can stick that 'disclaimer'.
  • Golden_HVAC's avatar
    Golden_HVAC
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2014
    It is kinda like the 'law' that you needed to have someone with a red lantern in front of your car at night in New York in 1903. The 'law' might still be on the books, but in reality, the trucks have changed so much that the law is not really required to make the truck safe.

    While back in 1973, a truck with heavy duty front springs and a plow mounted on it might not be safe for also carrying a camper at the same time, todays trucks are a long ways from the 1973 truck. Much as the model T truck is different from a 1954 truck, and the 1973 truck.

    Fred.

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