Truck Snowplow Buyer’s Guide – Finding the Right Blade for Your Fleet
If you’re considering adding a snowplow to your truck, one of the first questions you’re probably asking is: How much does a Tundra Ram Snowplow cost?
The answer isn’t as simple as the price of the plow itself. A complete snowplow system is made up of several components, and the total investment can vary depending on your truck, the plow you choose, installation requirements, freight and applicable taxes.
Understanding what goes into the total cost can help you compare options and have a more productive conversation with your local Sno-Way dealer.
What Makes Up the Cost of a Tundra Ram Snowplow?
A Tundra Ram Snowplow is more than just a blade. The complete system is made up of several components designed to work together with your specific truck and snow-removal application.
- Plow Power Pak
The Power Pak is a core component of the snowplow system and provides the hydraulic power needed to operate the plow.
The Power Pak works with the plow’s hydraulic components to provide the movement and control needed for positioning the blade during snow removal.
- Plow Blade
The blade is the part of the snowplow that does the work of moving snow.
Depending on the Tundra Ram model you select, different blade widths and configurations may be available. The appropriate blade depends on factors such as your truck, the type of property you’re clearing and how you plan to use the plow.
A homeowner clearing a driveway may have very different requirements than a contractor using the truck for commercial snow removal.
- Plow Control Kit
The control kit gives the operator the ability to control the snowplow from inside the truck.
On most Tundra Ram models, customers can choose between wired and wireless controls, depending on the specific plow and available configuration.
The right control setup comes down to personal preference, convenience and the specific plow you’re purchasing.
- ESS Smart Lighting System
For Tundra Ram plows equipped with plow lights, the ESS Smart Lighting System is another component of the complete package.
The lighting system provides the necessary illumination for operating the snowplow while helping maintain visibility during winter conditions.
It’s important to note that plow lighting is not available for UTV, skidsteer and driveway plows, so this component does not apply to every Tundra Ram application.
- Vehicle Mount Kit (VMK)
The Vehicle Mount Kit, or VMK, is specific to the make, model and year of the truck being equipped with the snowplow.
This is one of the reasons there isn’t a single universal price for installing a Tundra Ram Snowplow. The mounting equipment needs to be matched to the vehicle.
Your Sno-Way dealer can determine the correct VMK based on your specific truck.
- Vehicle Center Member (VCM)
The Vehicle Center Member, or VCM, bolts to the Vehicle Mount Kit and is another component used to connect the snowplow system to the truck.
The appropriate VCM can be identified through Sno-Way’s What Plow Fits My Truck application, helping ensure the correct components are selected for your specific vehicle.
There is one important exception: the 22 Tundra Ram straight plow lists a sub-frame part number rather than separate VMK and VCM part numbers. The sub-frame for this application contains those two pieces together in one box, and the pricing reflects that combined component.
What Else Can Affect the Total Cost?
Once you’ve accounted for the actual snowplow components, there are several additional costs that may factor into the final purchase price.
Installation
Most dealers list installation as a separate cost.
Professional installation typically includes mounting the snowplow system to the vehicle, installing the necessary electrical components and controls, connecting the lighting system when applicable and ensuring the system is operating properly.
Installation costs can vary depending on the vehicle, plow configuration and dealer labor rates.
When you’re comparing prices, make sure you understand whether installation is included or listed separately.
Freight
Freight may also need to be added if the specific plow or components aren’t currently in stock at your local dealer and need to be ordered.
Availability can vary by dealer, location, model and time of year. If you’re shopping for a plow before the season, it’s worth asking whether the configuration you want is already in stock.
Sales Tax
Applicable sales tax is another factor that will affect your final purchase price.
Because tax rates vary by location, this amount is typically added to the purchase price and installation costs according to local requirements.
So, How Much Should You Expect to Invest?
Rather than looking for one universal price, it’s better to think of a Tundra Ram Snowplow as a complete system with several components and associated costs.
Your total investment may include:
- Plow Power Pak
- Plow blade
- Plow control kit
- ESS Smart Lighting System, when applicable
- Vehicle Mount Kit (VMK)
- Vehicle Center Member (VCM), when applicable
- Installation
- Freight, if required
- Applicable sales tax
Because the components vary by truck and application, there isn’t one price that applies to every Tundra Ram Snowplow installation.
What Am I Getting for My Investment?
It’s easy to shop for a snowplow based solely on purchase price.
But a better question to ask is:
What am I getting for my investment?
The Tundra Ram Snowplow Series is designed around more than simply moving snow. Features such as Sno-Way’s Drive-In Mount System, Down Pressure® Hydraulics System and other available technologies are designed to deliver performance.
Knowing your truck and application is the first step toward determining which Tundra Ram Snowplow is right for you.
A dealer can help evaluate your specific vehicle, how you plan to use the plow, the type of snow you’ll typically encounter and the properties you’ll be clearing. From there, they can recommend the Tundra Ram configuration that best fits your needs.
A driveway customer may prioritize maneuverability and ease of attachment. A contractor clearing commercial properties may place a greater emphasis on productivity, durability and available features.
The right plow isn’t necessarily the biggest or most expensive option. It’s the one that matches your truck and the work you’re asking it to do.
Why Your Truck Matters
One of the biggest factors in selecting a Tundra Ram Snowplow is the vehicle itself.
Make, model and year determine which mounting components are required, while the truck’s capabilities and intended use help determine which plow configuration makes the most sense.
That’s why it’s important to provide your dealer with accurate information about your truck when requesting a quote.
Your dealer can use Sno-Way fitment information to identify the appropriate mounting components and help narrow down the plow options that are best suited to your application.
Don’t Just Ask for the Price of the Plow
When you’re shopping for a Tundra Ram Snowplow, don’t simply ask:
“How much does the plow cost?”
Instead, ask:
“How much will it cost to put a complete Tundra Ram Snowplow system on my truck and get it ready to work?”
That question gives you a much more accurate picture of your total investment.
Your local Sno-Way dealer can provide a complete estimate based on your specific truck, application and desired configuration, including the necessary plow components, installation, freight when applicable and taxes.
Ready to Find the Right Tundra Ram Snowplow?
The Tundra Ram Snowplow Series by Sno-Way gives truck owners a range of options designed for different vehicles and snow-removal applications.
Start with your truck. Know how you plan to use it. Then work with your Sno-Way dealer to build the right complete snowplow system for the job.
Push with power. Push with confidence.
