2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Pickup Owner's Manual - Page 284

Q: A: How do I know if my vehicle can handle a snow plow? Some vehicles are built with a special package, called RPO VYU (snow plow prep package). If your vehicle has this option, you can add a plow to it, provided certain weights, such as the weights on the vehicle's axles and the GVW, aren't exceeded. How heavy can a snow plow safely be? The plow your vehicle can carry depends on many things, such as: This means that you may only be able to carry one passenger. But, even this may be too much if you've got other equipment already adding to the weight of your vehicle. Here are some guidelines for safely carrying a snow plow on your vehicle: D Make sure the weight on the front and rear axles D Q: A: D The options your vehicle came with, and the weight of those options, to carry, D D The weight and number of passengers you intend D The weight of items you've added to your vehicle, like a tool box or truck cap, to carry. D The total weight of any additional cargo you intend Say, for example, you have a 700 lb. (318 kg) snow plow. The total weight of all occupants and cargo inside the cab should not exceed 300 lb. (135 kg). D D doesn't exceed the axle rating for each. For the front axle, if more cargo or passengers must be carried, appropriate counter ballast must be installed rear of the rear axle. Counter ballast must be properly secured so it won't move during driving. Follow the snow plow manufacturer's recommendations regarding rear ballast. Rear ballast may be required to ensure a proper front and rear weight distribution ratio, even though the actual weight at the front axle may be less than the front axle rating. The snow plow manufacturer or installer can assist you in determining the amount of rear ballast required, to help make sure your snowplow/vehicle combination does not exceed the GVW rating, the front and rear axle ratings, and the front and rear weight distribution ratio. The total vehicle must not exceed the GVW rating. 4-56