Ford Lightning Can't Plow?? | In Depth

[@tylerbenerofe3094]

Hey guys as someone who actually has done professional plowing. Plowing is generally done with HD trucks. Ford is probably planning on an HD Lighting that will have plowing and higher payload in mind, they're probably waiting on seeing how the current Lighting does in the wild.

[@fatruff3]

Yep - you don't want to be plowing with your brand new half ton anyway. Good way to ruin something.

[@pclutch]

@Logan Heraly but you can and lots of people do

[@fatruff3]

@@pclutch Not more than who use the frunk I dare say.

[@pclutch]

@@cswa99cswa what's your point

[@besperus4475]

Um. A Chevy S10 Blazer can plow snow.

[@kyleronen]

Hey guys, I work for a company that does all sorts of fabrication, and we just shipped over 100 plow trucks to Canada. I'm going to bring this up with our fab team and r&d after the holidays. If they find a solution, would you guys still like the plow attached, maybe for next winter?

[@desalvo66]

"snowplow technician here, we cannot currently install snow plows on vehicles with electronic power steering. the weight of the plow being so far out front of the truck destroys the electronic power steering components very quickly. so i am going to guess snow plows will not be made to fit the rivian."

[@xsterawesome]

I think the biggest problem is that Ford thought no one would buy the Ford Lightning so it wouldn't have made any sense to invest into all this custom fabrication for 1% of 1% of truck sales. Hence why they already have to make a bigger factory before the first one finished opening, I think we're going to see some amazing stuff when they redesign in 25. Owning a Ford Lightning for a few months I feel like this truck could really be applicable to way more people than I ever imagined I also could not believe the rapid growth of EV adoption. And also is fair to say this is primarily a luxury option considering you more or less have to own a house to charge at, install charging equipment, and obviously be able to afford the truck, all and all, I think the demographic of people trying to spend 90 grand on a pickup truck and equipment who don't just pay for snow plowing service is fairly small.

[@MineGames131]

My dad works for Ford and is currently tackling the P702BEV (Lightning) uplift project. It has been a nightmare.

[@fhurst1]

Richie Rich gave y'all a "Go to hell number" 😂

[@Hengsha]

Reading about the problems with the lightning battery in the cold and also while towing, I imagine the battery life would be laughable when trying to plow with a lightning commercially.

[@RR-jk3rl]

100% correct. EVs are only sufficient for fair weather commuting. The end.

[@teichholtz]

@@RR-jk3rl Yes and no. I do a 200 mile round trip once a week in my Bolt year round. In cold weather I have to stop once for a ten minute charging session. And use the bathroom. And buy a snack.

[@teichholtz]

Yes, I have been driving electric for ten years and I can see that one could really not use a Lightning for commercial plowing.

[@zomby177]

I’m a Fisher plow dealer in Massachusetts. It looks like the mount for the HT mount would actually fit on the frame with minimal modifications, if the frame was exactly the same as the gas F150. There are some other issues with power management that ford has had in the past to the point that the whole 2011 model year F150s can’t have a plow at all. If you really wanted a plow on that truck reach out to me, but you are correct in the fact you may be voiding the vehicle warranty if you put one on.

[@HeritageStacking]

I have a 2020 F150 with a DK 88inch on it full hydraulics. I had two options a second battery or a cylinode. The newer 150s 2016 to 2024 all have a power on demand controller, and it sucks. So you have to go one of the 2 ways. I have tried both and the battery is better if you install a cut off for when the truck is off. Then if the battery A or B has an issue you can self boost.

[@simonthebroken9691]

I wouldn't put a front plow on my pickup. I'd use a rear mounted pull type. Try Sno-Power, Boss drag pro, or Short Iron. They're very versatile. They ride nicer as well. Mounts are all a little different. The Sno-Power uses a fifth wheel mount. Something to look into. Hope that helps.

[@machew2009]

Even with a rear having a front mount would make stacking the snow much easier and better putting both front and rear mount on a truck would really make the ultimate plow rig

[@chettross9852]

I think they could make a snow plow that mounts to the recovery hook area. Remove the recovery hooks and bolt it into the same location

[@James-ln6li]

does the lightning have recovery hooks? I couldnt tell from the video

[@rogerstarkey5390]

That's *Exactly* what I was about to post. Bolt to the recovery mounting (strong enough to "tow 3 tons") With a brack that loops under the radiator and rests on the frame behind , just to stop downward rotation. Then a plate between them (as high as you want) and it's essentially a normal install?

[@rogerstarkey5390]

@@James-ln6li 4:05 Under the spoiler.

[@James-ln6li]

@@rogerstarkey5390 Thanks, I missed that

[@GremlinSciences]

You don't necessarily need to remove the recovery hooks, you could actually use them as-is to mount the plow. It might not be a rock-solid mounting that way, you'll end up with a bit of slack from any gaps the the mount, but some of those recovery hooks are actually welded on.

[@glennrmarks]

Even if the F150 lightning ⚡ didn't have a 12V battery, you have a 110V outlet so plug in a 12V charger to run it!

[@jimcallahan448]

I think you have a valid point. Though I live in Florida now, I remember the winters in Philadelphia area. This would be a good topic for Sandy Munro @ Munro Live because they look at the undersides and structure of a lot of vehicles and being based in Michigan, they get snow.

[@careyfrennier347]

I’ve been using this plow for about 13 years. I have a 21 F150 Powerboost with a front hitch and it works perfect.

[@mikealthoff8007]

How about putting a plow on your Rivian?🙃

[@kenniemorash2882]

i really hope tesla has a way to make a plow work on there stainless truck ... great video

[@teichholtz]

A few months after Cybertruck was announced I sent some mail to Fisher asking if they had their eyes on it. They did not. It's been a few years now, I'd wager that they might be looking at it.

[@Milliegs]

Front trunk space is used by way more owners than a snow plow. Just buy a nice old Ford tractor.

[@djsparkyy]

I don't know anyone that plows with an f-150. If people are buying a truck to plow, they usually getting an F-250 minimum. I'm not saying that nobody plows with an f-150, just that it's a lighter duty truck and it's definitely not the first choice.

[@michaelhartman851]

It was probably overlooked on purpose, first off evs have terrible range in winter or cold weather, second they experience huge issues charging in cold, third the ev f 150 has shown to lose most of it's range when towing so no way could it be productive enough to make sense, I would be interested to see how many miles of range it takes to plow the average driveway.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

A huge frunk is more important to millions of people than a snow plow attachment.

[@Gurule]

I agree. I live in CO and have never plowed snow. Maybe I'm too poor to have that kind of space lol.

[@WSDFirm]

True, but why not both.

[@BRYSEN22]

I live in Colorado and we rarely see a private pickup with a snow plow. Now you know is just getting ridiculous with what they think is normal, only because they want to be dramatic. One size doesn’t have to fit all. Stop being drama queens.

[@men2dewy]

Can't Ford offer a choice of a full sized frunk and a provision for a plow with a slightly down sized frunk. Even some refrigerators offer a choice of with or without an ice maker.

[@catbert7]

False dilemma; could have easily added an attachment point any number of places, they just didn't.

[@kagenish]

This is not just Ford, Rivian also can't plow. But I think all truck companies are thinking more in line of just getting the truck out to market first. Then worry about 3rd party makers later.

[@Honders]

My Rivian plows like a beast with my zero mod Western plow mount hanging from the recovery loops and pushed from the hitch.

[@DouglasJMark]

Great video guys. Just cleared my driveway with some muscle and my newish Toro battery snowblower. It’s crazy the Lightning isn’t currently able to take on a snow plow. Most of the gardeners here plow to make ends meet in our winters here. Lotsa love especially for the holidays from Toronto. 😀

[@Francisco_Manos]

You guys are right, it makes sense to have ev trucks have this option (part of the utility of a truck) . I live in California so I would not really need a snow plow but up in Northern California I would.

[@knoahbody69]

Only if you live in the foothills.

[@LestatTravesty]

nope. you and them are clueless of plowing. so much so, that you didn't even think it out at all, on Fords end.. EV trucks totally different in ways plowing was originally sat up for. plowing with an EV changes a shit load of vital factors. first off... if they sent out 50,000 EV Trucks all ready to put a plow on.. they have no idea how an EV truck will actually handle with a plow. yens don't realize it, but there is so much more to it than just slapping a plow on a truck, and think that you gonna go do 20 drive ways. or a handful of parking lots. this is totally out side of all of your knowlegde. i can't be typing up a book here. but long story short... if ford gave you a plow ready EV. they know they'l be fixing it on recall after recall after winter. for it to be plow ready...means its no longer a "show boat".. its offically a work truck and plowing is absolutely brutal on trucks... you guys do not have a clue. but plow guys do. imagine if they got going with plowing with their EV's, to find out, that this or that wasn't reinforced. also to find out that, yeah them wheels might have instead power, but turns out, with snow building up on the plow, that you would have no way possible to get the grip that you needed. and its them plow guys finding all the shit out, out on the job?? EV trucks changes so many factors for a Truck to be able to plow. there is a complete shit load of factors that need to be addressed. these guys just want to see how it would do with a plow. its a total differant ball game when doing 20 driveways or a handful of parking lots...parking lots in general are brutal to snow plow trucks. if its not a city plow truck...no regular pickup is actually made for plowing. because plowing is devastating to the entire truck what you can expect after just one winter of doing "some" plowing. is random squeaks, inside and out side the truck. all kinds of shit would get loosened up enough to squeak. just from one season. second season. you'l feel the steering get play. very possible might see your doors and hood, start rubbing or getting real close to it, when shutting them.. if you favor one side over the other, and all the snow preasure is ussually on just one side of the plow, that tweeks shit out of alignment, little by little and it doesn't take long to start noticing just how devistating plowing is on a vehicle. the truck needs to be an actual work truck. extra tough all the way around. take a guess how easy and common it is, for you to not have a clue that this or that parking lot, has the parking spot curbs, or some of them do but others don't. so you almost need to hit some to find out where they are, under the snow. eitherway...hitting shit like that lol.. even though it is rather fun and shit...its devastating to the front end and even impacts the entire truck slightly. i think plow ready EV trucks should only come, after a good deal of actually test have been done on them wih plows and plowing...not test by throwing them out to the public to test. i think this was actually a very good call for Ford... they could of just walked them selves into a complete fuk story of recalls if the ran all of them ev trucks out the door, not have propperly tested them with plowing. and just had did what you guys did....just assume that they would plow like nothing changed about the truck keep in mind...they got a big ass battery under them taboot. that is a big factor to consider as well.

[@asherdie]

@@LestatTravesty and you wrote a book anyway

[@k2burns1]

A snowplow is great but a electric snowblower would be even better on the front of my cybertruck! Let’s make this happen !

[@lesstevens2370]

I can see the cybertruck being easier then ford since it's an exoskeleton the body is the frame

[@johngaltline9933]

I mean, if you can afford a cybertruck, you can afford about $5k for an old tractor with a snow thrower that will do the job better. Plows are better for clearing large, paved, surfaces, because they are faster in an environment where they won't damage the grade and you have the power to push them. Plows also 'just work' without any hassle. blowers get finicky about things like wet snow, or trash under the snow getting them clogged up. A plow just pushes all of it. That's why plows are the standard for the folks that actually need to move snow quickly. For home use, a tractor will do the job a lot better if you have that much to clear, and a $1000 snow blower will do just fine if it's not enough to need the tractor.

[@grantdm]

Ford understands that "frunk" access is way more valuable than a front hitch for 99% of the urban residential truck market -- far and away the main market for this truck. Even in snowy areas, most people don't have driveways big enough that would justify a plough even on an ICE vehicle. As for the commercial market, I don't think anyone would want an electric pick-up truck to work as a plough. Cold weather reduces range, and so does pushing snow,. The driver would be spending too much time charging vs moving snow. I agree eco-minded landscapers might be an exception, but that is too niche. Where people do have big properties, such as rural areas, Ford understands it will be to hard sell this truck due to entrenched mindsets, and I think they just calculated it is not worth the cost to offer it as an option. BTW Jack and Jesse: Quads can do this job more nimbly, and is a fun and practical tool on a large property. I suggest you look into it (an electric one of course!).

[@deivclayton]

Thanks, guys! So glad you are using your platform to urge manufacturers to step up their game. It's ridiculous for Ford to have failed in not considering snow. Huge parts of the country spend massive amounts of money on snow removal and it's ludicrous they didn't account for it. Hopefully they'll address this issue soon and future F-150 Lightnings can have a workable solution.

[@agentcarder]

They didn’t address it cause theirs like 10 people who would put a plow on a lighting cause they know people who buy trucks for truck things aren’t buying a lighting. It’s for family hauling only

[@gary6676]

Let's see how the batteries hold up in zero degree weather first

[@deebee4575]

@@gary6676 yep. Give it four years of battery degradation, and a night when it's ten below, and you'll be lucky if you can get 20 minutes of plowing time out of them.

[@Tman0517]

You may wanna check back on the front hitch because the frame isnt too different from the 16 f150 i had and i put a front hitch on it with a dk2 snow plow. And the front hitch hung pretty low so it may be worth a look

[@Paint-Guy]

I live in Ohio and have plowed professionally. I don’t know any pro that plows with a half ton truck. The frame and suspension is not designed for it. The 3/4 and larger fords/chevys are built for it. So it doesn’t bother me that it’s not plow ready. F-150’s, gas or ev, are really cars that look like trucks.

[@charlesgreen4240]

Would the Ford Lightning have the necessary battery capacity? Towing seems to significantly reduce the range. I imagine pushing heavy snow may be even more detrimental. A contractor may need to plow for eight or more hours. I doubt they'd accept a less capable truck for this purpose.

[@pstoneking3418]

Good point. Cold weather in itself has reduced my range significantly. If there wasn't a lot of distance between jobs then maybe. Otherwise I'd say, it wouldn't work.

[@calebbelk7780]

Bummer. Have you guys looked into getting one on the Rivian? I'm sure it wouldn't be any better, but what if?

[@wantblackwolf]

Pull plows are an option like the BOSS Drag Pro or HW16 Sno-Power. Though these are more for paved drives and parking lots.

[@Steven-og8jj]

You guys could also use the Boring Co. flame thrower to melt the snow. Just for fun to see what happens.

[@CyFr]

You should watch how well a leaf blower works at getting rid of ice

[@elborro444]

Hey good on you all for trying. I like the idea of the frunk area mounting bracket, I think you’re onto something there.

[@Knightairman1]

As has been said HD trucks do most the plowing. Plows put a lot of weight on the front suspension. If your gonna plow you plan for it. My dad sells for Ram, and he special orders 3/4 ton trucks with snow plow options with upgraded suspension

[@yoopernick1528]

I'm retired from my local town's Public Works Dept., where I have MANY YEARS OF PLOWING EXPERIENCE. Disclaimer, I didn't operate the HUGE PLOWS keeping streets clean, I plowed out roadways in our parks, cemetery, ice rinks, and parking lots. We used HD trucks with Boss Plows. I mention this information to give you some background on me and to give what I say validity. While I spent years plowing with HD trucks, at my own home I had bought a new 1/2 ton Silverado with a 7 1/2 ft. Boss Poly Plow. I plowed myself and a few other people out with this setup for 10 years. I then sold this setup to the mechanic at work who continued to plow with it for years afterwards. I had absolutely No Problems/Issues with the truck being a half ton. My point is, unless your plowing commercially a 1/2 ton truck has no problem being able to plow snow. Where I live, we get from between 15 to 25 feet of snow annually. What I want to also point out here is the truck makers are losing site of what trucks are for. There trying to make them another CAR! Even if your just an average guy who does weekend projects and doesn't feel the need or want for a Heavy Duty Truck, the Half Ton Truck still needs to be capable. The truck manufacturers are going insane with HD Trucks, making them so high off the ground , some type of step-up to just get in is almost a must. These trucks are so high up now they really don't fit into a standard garage door height opening anymore. If you want to park your truck in the garage so you don't have to clear off snow and ice, you pretty much need a Half Ton. That's why for the non-commercial customer of truck buyers, we need a capable Half Ton that can plow a homeowner's property out and still be able to park in a normal garage!!! I'm waiting to see how the truck manufacturers will address the issue of keeping an Electric Version of their truck capable of doing things like plowing snow in the future.

[@derrickmartin9717]

The dam in the front is probably an issue with putting in hardware for a plow. Everything is a trade-off. The active aero of that dam gives the truck a fighting chance at efficiency for highway speeds. I'm sure that was an easy tradeoff for them and I'm sure their focus groups confirmed it.

[@bobbresnahan8397]

The rear plow won't work for my drive which is dirt and a little under .5 miles. I have a Tundra with a loose-mounted front plow and it barely works in years with a lot of snow. I have an early order in for a Cybertruck and have been hoping to become a one-vehicle family. The Models 3 and Y are pretty good on my drive as long as I keep the snow accumulation be 6". More than that and the snow begins to accumulate under the frame. I'm not optimistic about a plow on the Cybertruck, but I'm ready to be pleasantly surprised. Tesla has a habit of doing that.

[@jay4him1]

I have been asking about this issue Since the Lightning came out. I have been running a SnoSport for 5 years and it’s great.

[@MisterTrigger21]

I love rich from EG and I was blown away at the price. then I thought about the sheer amount of labor and engineering to get it working without the mentioned issues... price seems about right.

[@NoonMight]

If you have a four door pickup truck, i personally think a frunk is a “waste of space” no pun intended, because they could’ve added a winch system, plow add ons, extra battery for tools/hardware, kitchen system for camping, etc

[@njh4473]

Guys, even the Ford F-150 gas truck are not built with plowing in mind you can only put a light duty plow on a f150 with a 5 liter gas engine all other motors a plow will void warranty. Most plows are on a 3/4 ton truck or larger. The three major companies that are building pick ups want their 1/2 ton trucks to be used as a family vehicle they want the bigger trucks to be used as your work horse. Great video keep them coming.

[@mmdias87]

you guys spent the entire time only looking at this issue from one side. Anyone that knows plowing knows that during the most critical times (Snow storms, blizzards, ice storms) you will be working non stop sometimes 24 hours straight and you cant clean, salt, clear the snow and ice fast enough. The additional range loss from the added weight of the plow + winter heating of cabin and battery + the extra power needed to physically push the snow would reduce the range soo much that you would be constantly charging during the most critical times. You also forgot to mention another key fact. Almost all snow plow pick ups are equipped with an additional salt slinger adding a significant amount of weight and further reducing range. This is a very specific use case that account for a very small portion of pick up sales.

[@demoticshadow2494]

Merry Christmas guys Keep up the great work!

[@sitnstill4now]

With all that battery power a front mounted snow blower would be a pretty monumental option too.

[@RB-pi3jl]

Where you live, a snow plow option is obvious. Where I live, it's not.

[@rogerjeck9281]

guys, totally agree with you to a point. I don't think they added plowing to the gotta have list for lack of time to get it to market asap. remember, Ford is no tesla so no time to get plowing in the tetras for this generation. I really feel like holding my water for the nxt gen truck that is supposed to be here in '25. if that one doesn't allow for plow work, I will be disappointed completely...

[@motofunk1]

Tesla needs a bitchin CyberBlade plow for the Cybertruck.....

[@krisvandermeulen253]

What? No Mr Plow sniper from the Simpsons?

[@TheBlindjedi]

You should try a drag plow. It's rear mounted but articulating and even some of them have wings so you can clean past the width of the truck. You can either backup you push the snow like you did in your video or you can drive through the snow and drag it along with you

[@WSDFirm]

I need a CyberPlow!!! Thanks for helping Tesla know to make the CyberTruck ready to plow ❄️❄️❄️

[@andrewt9204]

Unless you have a huge driveway, snowblower is better. Managing piles gets to be difficult in places that it snows 5 feet a year. The only benefit is the comfort of a warm cab. There is a 12V concern with plows though for real. Putting a plow on any F150 other than V8 with the plow package is not recommended as the normal 12V system is taxed too hard operating the plow hydraulics. The plow package beefs up the alternator and wiring. Not sure the DC-DC converter size is on the lightning.

[@teslaowner9020]

Can you put the plow on the Rivian?

[@erikfruits6733]

The Ford F150 Lighting PRO should have been made for PRO applications with stuff like this and add PTO ability

[@VideoPir]

This this this

[@robertthompson3447]

Ohhh, ohhh, ohhh, maybe the pro version could have an 8 foot bed 🤞

[@60trickpa]

Would the truck be able to take the extra weight on the front ? ALso batteries do not do well in the cold and how much will pushing snow reduce battery life?

[@garychlastawa8277]

That plow was hilarious, I hope a front plow becomes an option in the future.

[@elainebradley8213]

Level 2 chargers are another example of lack of motivation to change the world to lower CO2 emitting vehicles.

[@stanleyromanowski9816]

Lithium batteries do not like cold temperatures. The more load you put on the truck, the faster the battery will discharge. Plowing in the winter will also add the load of lights an cab heat.

[@JerryRigEverything]

Very interesting.

[@hahtos]

Wow, what a missed opportunity. Let's hope the Cybertruck can mount one

[@anydaynow01]

Even if it can't they are going to play it off like it's a good thing some how, this is such a biased channel.

[@vwasson6725]

LMAO Initial versions of E-Trucks will have short comings. These issues will eventually be fixed, but they're still just trying to establish an entry into the E-Truck market.

[@bunkie2100]

From what I understand, its not a good idea to hang a snow plow on a 1500 series truck, it's just not up to it. You really want a 2500 or 3500 series truck.

[@pdrpicker]

I got my lariat lightning in June and spent a lot of time looking for solutions. I had a Snoway26R which I was looking to install. The summer went buy and I never found the time to pull the bumper off and look at where the 26R side brackets attach to the tow hook holes and the rest. I did not get to the point of determining if the cooling system was in the way. In the end I decided I just did not want the ugly mount present on the truck. In Toronto we get 2-3 MAYBE4 big storms a year not like a snow belt area. Personal use is a lot lighter than a pro power - my ecoboost F150s have been completely satisfactory for my use. Any professional p;ow operator would simply use a 3/4 tone truck. In the end - we installed the 26R on my friends GMC truck - I just don’t tell my friends when I’m driving the GM! Very pleased with my lightning in many many respects. I did also look at the rear plows and decided it just was not going to be adequate.

[@Roger3592]

Did you try the rivian?

[@hemaccabe4292]

Let me translate, no, the F-150 Lightning is not a real truck. It can't do plowing, or towing or function very well in the cold. In fact, no electric, "truck," can yet. This may change if other Epickups ever get released, but for now, no real Epickups, just pretend, limited function toys.

[@EatDirt1]

I put a front hitch on my FJ and use it all the time. If Cybertruck has no way to mount a hitch or a plow up front I’ll have to pass on it.

[@garychlastawa8277]

Maybe Ford didn't expect people to think about trying to plow with this. I mean they originally started out intending to make 40k(?) a year and probably were wondering if they could sell that many at first.

[@robertthompson3447]

Ford hasn't figured on their customers using the F-150's as trucks for decades. 😢

[@jcspurlin]

Electrified Garage quoted 30k+ wow!!! I thought you guys had a pretty close relationship with Rich Rebuilds!! Glad you guys found a work around.

[@polarbearigloo]

didn't they market it as a contractor truck and doing cutting and welding in the bed? Plowing would be great but that is not the case. I agree if Cybertruck would have nips to bolt on a solution with covers over it to hook up to front castings that would be a great solution.

[@robertthompson3447]

How is anyone going to do anything in the bed with the deck as high as it is?

[@polarbearigloo]

@@robertthompson3447 If you are referring to the lighting, there is 2 options the step up or good old heave hooo. For the cybertruck we can only speculate is to how but mainly lift mode with the ramp for the quad. But it depends on your use case for the lighting, like you might put a contractor box on it and have toolboxes on both sides and a space in the middle for ladders/ materials. Thats the beauty of working with the same deck design with ford, since you are not reinventing the wheel. For the cyber truck since it is obtuse any bed insert would need to be custom, so you fabricate for yourself or wait for someone else to do it.

[@6738]

Imagine the range loss if you plowed with an ev truck. ~20% range loss just from the cold now add the extra weight up front and the loss of aerodynamics.

[@frankcouture428]

Probably on par with the reduced MPG you would get with an ICE truck with a plow in four wheel drive.

[@6738]

@@tedmoss if youre plowing parking lots you gotta drive there no? If you plow out of town you probably gonna be taking the highways

[@6738]

@@frankcouture428 a 3L duramax can get over 1000miles on a full tank... The lightning gets 230.. yea you gotta pay to fuel up but you can get more lots plowed and make more money in the long run.

[@timw1971]

But guys, will the Cybertruck have a plough capability??? I mean without mods or 3rd party products. Even if the Cyber is released in the summer (northern hemisphere) would you judge it on that?

[@N_Denny101]

As a guy who used to plow for a living in winter, I would run trucks up to 36 hours basically non stop. How long will a battery in the truck last while plowing. That's basically like towing I feel. The small 1/2 ton trucks don't like the work horse life of plowing as much as it cost to make the money back for the plow in a few years. That being said, who actually pays for a plow, for a 1/2 ton truck, to just plow a drive way or two? Quads with plow probably cost less than a plow for lightning. When the super duty platform comes electric im sure you'll have your mounts. But as of right now, the lightning is just what you said "mall crawler" status.

[@justnsaliga8518]

solution to all your problems, Curt Manufacturing Front Mount Receiver Hitch 31083, the one that bolts in place of the two loops/recovery hoops, and Reese hitch mounted plow of your choosing.

[@kevtheobald]

The speed at which Ford got the Lighning to market, I am impressed it drives at all. This notion Ford does not care about what owners want because no way to attach a snowplow to the front is harsh or putting unreasonable expectations on it. Ford has issues, but I think the first true full-size electric work truck to volume production is a great accomplishment.

[@catbert7]

The frustration here is that Ford chose not to include functionality that would have been easy for them and which they do for all their other trucks.

[@kevtheobald]

@@catbert7 That frunk has been a huge selling point for Ford. If it was no frunk or a half size frunk for the sake of being able to add a snow plow, I think the large frunk was the right choice for this first generation EV truck. Ford will evolve the Lightning and maybe they will find someway of keeping the large frunk, but have the same ability to attach a snowplow to the front. I agree with Zach that Ford should work with the top snow plow companies to figure out a solution.

[@robertthompson3447]

It's a minivan, not a truck. Why else would it have so much cargo area and that many seatbelts. 😅

[@Summitperry]

You can get hydraulic back drag plows.

[@sewing1]

Ford rushed the Lightning to market. Hopefully version 2 will have more capabilities, including the ability to mount a plow.

[@robertthompson3447]

They didn't even have time to design an 8-foot bed. 😅

[@rockettests2617]

No surprise there.

[@Josh-179]

I think the thought process at Ford was that the huge front trunk would be more useful to more buyers that the ability to attach a plow, which is actually true. A lot of people use plows, but in the large world of trucks, only a small percentage of trucks are actually used for plowing. It would have been a lot easier for Ford to maintain space for a plow hookup. They have said the greatest challenge of the whole engineering project was making the frunk.

[@tommeyboy5629]

Meyer has a lightweight plow for a 2" receiver. If you can get a receiver on, it can be done

[@alexgayer85]

My dad put a front hitch on his Tundra and mounts a Snowsport plow. He likes it! Great video!

[@suunraze]

The techs worried about 12V battery may have been onto something important. Which is that the 12V batteries in EVs (or at least in my M3LR) have significantly lower discharge rating, "cranking amps." It may not be enough to safely run hydraulics for something like a plow. Unless the Lightning has a Li-Ion 12V battery?

[@motofunk1]

Nah, they are just used to do it the way they always have. Change the motor to a small AC one and plug it into the outlet in the frunk. Also plenty of options to invert to DC.

[@suunraze]

@@motofunk1 Yes, I think those ideas would work. Just running it from the low voltage battery might be impossible

[@MichaelEricMenk]

But there is one difference.. On a EV and HEV, the 12V is charged from a DC-DC converter, that can supply 100% rated power all the time, while alternators must have high RPM to deliver 100% rated power. With the DC-DC converter it's more likely that you can get more amps directly from the charging source, reducing the amps from the battery..

[@JohnDiMartino]

Half ton trucks aren’t built to plow snow . Certain models do have a plow prep package available ,however they are usually never on dealers lots because no one who is serious about plowing buys a half ton.

[@timb9189]

Would a plow work on the Rivian?

[@christopherevert7618]

Please do an update. Also try with a front hitch.

[@Ruralmn]

I want an update on this. How much battery do you use clearing your property and how big is your area?

[@gasdorficmuncher9943]

can you do a piece on scotty kilmer channel about his hit piece on electric cars being heavy more dangerous than gas cars ?

[@Khyberization]

As someone that owns a maintenance and snow removal company, I honestly can't use the lightning for a snow removal truck. My teams have to move quickly and plow from 6 to 8hrs, and sometimes 12+ hrs when we cycle drivers. Mostly without much travel time, as the area our trucks plow are close to eachother, so just the 30mins to the area and 30mins back to the yards. They can't spend 45mins charging. I'm guessing the range will drop drastically with the snow pushing. That could be an entire property including the drive to the gas station and back, that I can do in that time. Maybe the cybertruck with its super fast charging can work, but unless we are talking about 80% in 15mins charge times to make them useful in my line of work. Also we don't use 150 or 1500s for plowing as those trucks get killed, but that was an engine thing, not a structural thing from my understanding, as transmissions go from the F/R changes, along with the high rpms we are pushing when clearing snow. The electric motor changes that. But now we have charge time problems. For a single house that is fine, but I don't know too many people willing to drop ~11.5 usd or ~14k Canadian to clear a drive way when you still have to shovel the walkways and steps to your house.

[@calivalley9056]

Snow power makes rear mounted drag / push plow, with hydraulic wings. Good job not cutting Ford any slack, this should have been factored in.

[@ScottWhalen81]

I don't think Ford ever designed their vehicles for plows. 3rd party companies built on Ford & other manufactures frames. Just like the dealers, Ford has little to nothing to do with them.

[@aaronbourgault6838]

I had somebody tell me once that if he put a plow on his F-150 gas truck that it would void the warranty something to do with the crumple zones

[@michaelcoughlin8238]

So.... what's the radiator for on an electric truck? Is there a battery cooling system that uses it?

[@nopenope5203]

Honestly? I'm GLAD they moved the radiator out of the way to give us a bigger frunk. I live in florida and I never see the front end being used for anything. I think you're overstating the importance of ford having options to mount snow plows for the Ford Lightning.

[@gcslade7487]

Rather than a truck mounted plow, why not use an ATV or UTV with a plow? You could buy a new high-end UTV with 6' blade for far less than retrofitting the Ford Lightning for a plow.

[@flakes369]

Because they want to show the capabilities, or lack there of, of the Ford... The point wasn't to plow snow just to plow snow

[@surferdude4487]

@@davidbeppler3032 Sure. Great idea. Now remind me, if I sign up for a Cybertruck today, when will I get it?

[@surferdude4487]

@@davidbeppler3032 Yep. That sounds about right. :(

[@countryfriedgamer15o]

I have a older 03 f150 4x4 and though you could spend the money and buy a regular snowplow for it but i didn't do that. My grandpa had an old 3 point blade he used on his ford tractor. With a bit of searching i came across the hitch and plow which is a hitch mounted frame to use with 3 point attachments. I used another attachment to make the hitch into two got a attachment for a hitch mounted winch. Bought a cheap 2500lb winch off Amazon to lift and lower the blade. Since the blade has a pin and holes already for angling i still have to get out to change angles but it's pretty simple to do. The hitch and plow price may have changed as i bought it a few years ago but when i got it was $350, the plow was free as we already had it but you can find a used one for probably around $200 or new i think will be probably $600. The double hitch attachment was $45 i believe, the hitch plate for the winch im going to say $30 maybe. The winch was $70 with a wireless remote, so all and all $350+$600+$45+$30+$70= $1,095. Obviously if you find a used blade, you could be closer to $700 for everything given having a front mounted hitch which i think i paid $100 and some change. So you're looking about the same price all new as the snowsport but id say more rugged and i have a way of lower and raising. It seemed to be a good option for me considering i already had the blade but im sure you could find one pretty reasonable used.

[@KrisTC]

You guys should do a collaboration with the cybertruck truck guy. He does a lot of plowing.

[@rogerstarkey5390]

You just dig?

[@kayakerian]

Great videos guys, but while I agree that it sucks that you can't easily attach a plow, I think you kind of missed that probably 90 percent or more owners would not want one, while 100 percent of owners like the front trunk. In other words than, Ford probably did the best job of catering to the widest market, and it's hard to fault them for that.

[@Noisy_Cricket]

Yeah, was just about to post this. Most of the guys that do snow plowing are doing it with older trucks. The vast majority of people are not going to use their brand new EV for this. And everyone loves the huge frunk, so they're not going to spend time and effort to provide plowing when they can make more money with the frunk.

[@dennismokry258]

I question the long term safety of a snow plow on an EV. A big reason snow removal companies use the heavy duty trucks and/or old trucks is the amount of stress on the frame. Impact, vibration, and twisting stresses cause damage throughout plow trucks. I don’t know that EV trucks and battery packs have been tested with these kinds and amounts of stresses in mind. There is also the problems of charge duration in cold temperatures and time to recharge. With an ICE there is less variation in how much work you can do on one fill-up and less down time to fill-up.

[@tomc8157]

@@Noisy_CricketHere is the problem, the world government is pushing so hard to make everything fully electric, they should be worried about trucks that can do everything. They wanna outlaw gas trucks, sure, great. Make all these EV "Trucks" competitive with current trucks that CAN push snow, and haul a sander filled with sand / salt. If I'm gonna plow a 20+ hour storm, and power goes out, I can always throw extra fuel in the back of my truck. How does a EV get around that? Don't get me wrong I love the idea of EV's but not fully realized yet.

[@johngaltline9933]

Honestly, what they were thinking most likely was "This truck is not useful as an actual work truck, therefore, it doesn't matter if it can plow. It's a toy truck not meant to do work, the frunk is a more useful feature for 99% of the buyers of this truck" Also worth noting even a gas F150 from the past 25 years is not a useful plow truck. You can get light weight plows and make it work, but if you want to put a big plow on a truck, suitable for commercial plowing work, you need a super duty or equivalent truck. You need the suspension up front for the weight. Also with current batter technology, an electric truck isn't going to be a useful plow truck. Put half a ton of salt in the back and push snow in cold temps and the battery will be lucky to make it a couple hours in a field where time is everything.

[@gregorsmith8541]

Maybe you can fit one to the Semi. Dropping a radiator below the frame is a big no-no if you go off-road where you need clearance.

[@richardservatius5405]

swivel on the box ends to allow the snow to peel off would really help.

[@libertykrueger1433]

If those front tow hooks are hard mounted, it shouldn’t be to difficult to attach a mounting point for a front hitch or even a small electric plow there.

[@thomasfriedmann8522]

Boss Snowlows Drag Pro or similar are designed to fit in the bed of the truck. The issue is that in the industry lightweight trucks don"t cut it. You need the heft of a large truck.

[@fredmertz6480]

Meyer makes the Homeplow that is front hitch mounted and 12v hydraulic lifted and and angled. IF a front hitch could be mounted this would be a viable option. It's not made for commercial plowing. That's a BIG IF though.

[@cusman]

What about the Rivian R1T pickup truck?

[@Jenuin]

I would have loved to do the work to make this snow plow functional on your electric F-150 this would have been such a cool project.Edit: ohhhh 😅 you didn’t want the void the warranty so you would have never 👎 done this regardless. A snow plow I bet you would void the warranty. 😢 you should check into that.