2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Pickup Owner's Manual - Page 359

Q: How heavy can a snow plow safely be? A: The plow your vehicle can carry depends on many things, such as: Here are some guidelines for safely carrying a snow plow on your vehicle: • Make sure the weight on the front and rear axles does not exceed the axle rating for each. • The options your vehicle came with, and the weight of those options. • 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 will not move during driving. • The weight and number of passengers you intend to carry. • The weight of items you have added to your vehicle, like a tool box or truck cap. • 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 total weight of any additional cargo you intend to carry. 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). This means that you may only be able to carry one passenger. But, even this may be too much if you have got other equipment already adding to the weight of your vehicle. • 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. 4-55