Is anyone else considering moving the snow plow from their current truck to the F-150 Lightning when you are able to get one? I currently have a Boss Stainless DXT plow on my 2002 GMC 2500HD that the Lightning will be replacing. The frame for the Lightning from what I have seen so far appears to be the same as the current ICE F150 that potentially would allow for use of the same mount for installing the plow mechanically. My bigger question would be have the vehicle designers considered the extra load of running a plow off the 12V system for the majority of the vehicle electronics? Would you possibly need to install a supplemental 12V battery for running the plow off of that is charged off of the 12V supply to the vehicle electronics? I fully expect some contractors will be looking at using one of the Pro models for plowing during the winter months with it being part of their annual business today with an ICE pickup.
Snow Plow Usage with F-150 Lightning?
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2021 Mustang Mach E First Edition, 2016 Nissan Leaf, 2003 Toyota Tacoma, F-150 Lightning Lariat ER
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If the Lightning operates like the Mach E, the high voltage battery will continually keep the charge up in the 12v battery. The Lightning has even more capacity for such things as it has the ProPower Onboard able to continually produce 110v power, too. I don't see a need for an extra 12v battery to operate a plow on the Lightning.
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I have a reservation and am planning to order a Platinum edition with a new plow. Will sell my rusty 2005 Chevy Tahoe with Western HTS plow.
It takes about 2 hours after a hard snowfall to plow my commercial parking lot and 3 driveways for the houses that we own.
I think the 12v system should be fine but I am more concerned about the battery pack overheating from the heavy load of plowing.
I have heard that Teslas are only good for one or two drag races before their computer limits power.
I hope we get an answer before ordering opens up.
BTW Is your Boss Stainless DXT plow the 8 ft or 9 ft plow?
It takes about 2 hours after a hard snowfall to plow my commercial parking lot and 3 driveways for the houses that we own.
I think the 12v system should be fine but I am more concerned about the battery pack overheating from the heavy load of plowing.
I have heard that Teslas are only good for one or two drag races before their computer limits power.
I hope we get an answer before ordering opens up.
BTW Is your Boss Stainless DXT plow the 8 ft or 9 ft plow?
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Welcome to the forum @roc-noc! The cold weather combined with the load is something to consider in terms of range but in terms of things actually overheating that's more of a Tesla specific issue from my understanding.
Are you planning on getting the extended range battery?
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Yes. From what I understand, the Platinum edition only comes with the ER battery. If not, I will be adding that.
I am not as worried about the cold as I keep my vehicles in heated buildings. More worried about the load and if the battery pack can maintain power during my plow. Since I am only plowing for my own property, I can cut my plow time and charge between properties as necessary. (The properties are fairly close to each other.)
I am not as worried about the cold as I keep my vehicles in heated buildings. More worried about the load and if the battery pack can maintain power during my plow. Since I am only plowing for my own property, I can cut my plow time and charge between properties as necessary. (The properties are fairly close to each other.)
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I am HIGHLY interested in the official verdict with this. I have a 2009 f150 that I put a 7' 2" LT Snow Ex plow. I need the lightning to be okay with the plow.
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Welcome to the forum @turftempest! How much do you use the plow each winter? Is it for your property or for other areas as well?
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I just got the plow but I have plowing experience from years of my previous job. I have a couple driveways I did last year from weekly lawn mowing customers but this year I will be doing a lot more. This sounds weird but I am looking at the lightning or an F350. If plowing takes off, I will have no other choice but to get the super duty. If not though, I would love to get an answer on this.
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I wouldn't buy an F150 Lightning for a commercial plow business. I want mine to plow 1 small parking lot and 3 driveways which takes me about 2 hours with 8 inches of snow using my Tahoe with 1/2 ton straight plow blade. I think a full charge on the Lightning with large battery will be able to handle this 2 hour job. But not a 12-14 hour shift which I would expect if plowing was my business. I would go with the F250 or F350 and probably a V plow.
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I don't know about the extra load of plowing itself, but one thing to consider is that driving speed is the big battery killer, due largely to wind resistance. Wind resistance increases with the square of speed--so a moderate increase in speed disproportionately affects range. Relatively slow local driving to service plow business customers wouldn't be affected by that.
Another consideration: do you have local DC fast charging? If so the Lightening will charge to 80% in about 40 minutes, so you could get another charge-worth of business in over lunch. Maybe two charges on a long day. If you need to charge at home it will take far longer, even with the fastest home charger (a dedicated 48A circuit)--maybe 8 hours.
I have a Snoway 26R on my 2.7EB works completely fine and am hoping/expecting to put it on the lightning.
Similar to you, my plowing takes 45min to an hour on my business property only so not heavy duty by any means - last two leased trucks I have not bothered with the light harness.
This year has has had a few big dumps but not every week by any means.
I am located in Southern Ontario.
Similar to you, my plowing takes 45min to an hour on my business property only so not heavy duty by any means - last two leased trucks I have not bothered with the light harness.
This year has has had a few big dumps but not every week by any means.
I am located in Southern Ontario.
The lightning has a 35 amp hour AGM 12v battery. I have doubts that most snow plow kits would work with the standard battery. It's definitely not going to be able to power a substantial winch.
https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/attachments/f150-lightning-electrical-system-overview-pdf.33317/
https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/attachments/f150-lightning-electrical-system-overview-pdf.33317/
2021 Mustang Mach E First Edition, 2016 Nissan Leaf, 2003 Toyota Tacoma, F-150 Lightning Lariat ER
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Remember the truck has an onboard system that charges the 12v battery of the 400v battery. The DCDC in the Mustang Mach E operates at up to 160 A (1.9kW). How much power does the snowplow need?
As for winches, a Warn 2000 only needs 83A at 12v. How substantial a winch do you want to use?
The Lightning only has 55 amps of headroom for 12v accessories.
I don't plan on plowing or mounting a winch--I'm just geeking out on specs
2021 Mustang Mach E First Edition, 2016 Nissan Leaf, 2003 Toyota Tacoma, F-150 Lightning Lariat ER
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Where did you find that the Lightning only has 55A of headroom?The Lightning only has 55 amps of headroom for 12v accessories.
I don't plan on plowing or mounting a winch--I'm just geeking out on specs
2021 Mustang Mach E First Edition, 2016 Nissan Leaf, 2003 Toyota Tacoma, F-150 Lightning Lariat ER
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That description of headroom is for continuous draw. Raising and lowering of snow plows are intermittent draw applications.
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I have messaged Fisher a couple of time now and they do not yet have a wiring package for the Lightning. You may be able to bolt one on, but you'd have to do your own customer wiring.
I have a couple of small driveways, not a commercial business. Owning a truck for plowing doesn't make sense for me. The ability to plow is a decision maker for me. I need Ford to solve this, particularly if they market it as a work truck.
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I have two Lightnings on order and would like to mount a plow on one.....I have been making inquiries to Fisher Tech support today.....they are working on "the future" plows for the Lightning but nothing yet. No time line provided.
Does anyone know yet if at least the (front) frames are the same from ICE F-150 to the electric version.....wiring is not all that complex if the plow mount frame will bolt up
Does anyone know yet if at least the (front) frames are the same from ICE F-150 to the electric version.....wiring is not all that complex if the plow mount frame will bolt up
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Not all Tesla's. The Model S performance/PLAID/P100D variants could do a dozen races without breathing hard.
Check out this outstanding channel, owner has literally thousands of drag passes in Tesla's, most within tenths of a second consistency!
I've watched him for years, he often remarks that there is no drop off in performance from run to run, and indeed after a few runs in a row, the battery heats up and this reduces electrical resistance and he runs slightly faster as a result.
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