Snow plowing w/ Taco, Tow or Off Road package?

My wife and I currently own two 4Runners. Our son is using my vehicle at college, so I thought I would get myself a Tacoma as my daily driver.

We live in a rural area of NY state and I would like to use the truck to plow the road to our house (100 yard gravel section that is technically a town road, but we have to pay for plowing).

I plan on getting the V6 engine with 4WD. In addition to these options, which is the better package on the Taco for snow plowing, the tow package or off road?

The impression I get from a google search is that the off road package is better for driving through snow, but the tow package would be better for pushing a plow.

 

The TRD off road is more off a sub model or trim, while the tow package can come on mostly any trim or sub model.

I assume most Offroad’s come with the tow package which consist of the trailer receiver and associated wiring.

The off road is differentiated by other trim levels by having a rear locker and different shocks, among other small things.

The trd sport is mostly aesthetic features like painted rear bumper, hood scoop, etc.. but it does come with a rear Limited slip differential.

I have no experience with snow as I am in Hawaii, but I’d assume any model with 4wd will get you where you need to be. It’s really the two speed transfer case and 4wd that’s gonna matter. I think the rear locker would help with the plowing, but not sure. Others will chime in.

 

The main difference - when it comes to plowing - in those two trim levels is the rear axle. The Off Road has a locker and the Sport has limited slip. Both packages come with the Towing package so they both have transmission coolers. I would never plow with a manual.

Having plowed for many years driving for a guy who runs a fleet of F-350 Fords, I wouldn't recommend plowing with a Tacoma. Sure, it sounds like fun, but it's brutal on any truck - especially a smaller one - even on a short road like you're talking. That and it's equally brutal on resale value when somebody finds out you had a plow on a truck.

 

Off-road package would have diff loc if you got stuck, tow package would have engine and transmission oil cooler which would help also. So get the off-road with tow package and you will be good to go.

 

The off road comes with a tow package I believe . I have a ‘07 off road and I have the tow package (trans cooler, hitch ect)

 

Both the TRD Off Road and the TRD Sport come with the tow package.

 

You would be fine plowing your drive way, be smart since it’s a light duty truck, just plow it more often. What I mean is, plow when you get 4” instead of when the storm is done. It save unnecessary stress on the truck. Just be smart about it.

 

Depending on the amount of snow (very little vs a lot) I would generally only plow with a truck that has a fully boxed-in frame. Anything less (like the Tacoma) you are asking for frame damage.

 

There used to be a person on this forum that would swear by his plow. But also he liked to argue for the sake of argument, so who knows if his experience was valid, and for that matter, that's why he's not here anymore.

Personally, I'd rather find a used tractor for all things abusive. Better to break a cheap engine than my daily driver.

 

I wasn’t totally sure , I wasn’t even sure if they still continued that in the newer vehicles . Thanks for confirming !

 

I have plowed snow for the last 3 decades , there is no way I would put my Taco in snow duty. I vote for a tractor with a thrower for your driveway.

 

The Tacoma will plow a driveway just fine but…. A new plow set up is a pretty penny and a full size rusty yard truck would be less expensive. I bought an old quad with a plow that works quite well for peanuts (a couple hundred).

 

Thanks. It's good to talk to an experienced professional on this subject. We had a good plow guy in our area for many years, but he had left the job last year and the new people are unreliable and expensive. Looking at Tacomas in my area, I can get a used V6 Trail with mileage under 100K for low $30s (which I was considering for plowing until I read your post), or I can get a high mileage Taco in the high teens to low $20 as my daily driver and look for something else for plowing.
With two 4runners and a Taco in the house by winter, I wouldn't need to clean the road down to professional standards. Any idea for options in that regard?

 

Personally, I'd never hang a plow on anything less than a full sized 3/4 ton truck. Maybe find a higher mileage used one? Problem is, they're going to run astronomical dollars this winter to get one. I think I'd just lean on the municipality for plowing.

 

Get a tacoma and a beater.



I always cringed at the thought of plowing with my daily (my tacoma). Because of this, I ended up buying a used truck specifically for plowing (found a 2004 gmc 2500 reasonably priced); and a used plow to go with it. Took the whole plow apart to repaint it two years ago.

When I bought it:


after repainting (still need to add decals back):



No hate here. Good luck plowing with the taco!

 

^this. We've got a 4x4 quad with a plow that works great. You're only plowing 300' so I don't think you need to invest in a 3/4 ton truck and a huge plow for that type of job.

 

Same history
Same scenario
Same choice

 

I would Never buy a used truck used to plow snow. It tears up the frame, transmission and engine. Get a old 3/4 ton 1970s truck with the solid front axle and real 4WD. It starts, runs and plows snow. Does not need to be pretty!!!

 

This^^^^
And others have as others have said, these trucks aren’t made for it. My previous ride was a Ram 2500, no comparison when it comes to duty rating.
I enjoy the Tacoma, but it’s closer to a lifted Honda Civic than a plow truck

 

I plowed with my 08 for a couple winters. Just my short driveway along with my neighbors occasionally. It plows pretty decent. It’s def light for a plow truck but I wouldn’t hesitate to plow with a Tacoma with light use.