[QUOTE=justme-;2721275]For completeness of the thread -
You want to look for rust on the plow and plow frame- that is an indicator of how old the plow is- old plow means lots of plow time no matter what the seller says. Rust to the cab mounts, door bottoms, cab floor, linkages... that kind of stuff shows up first on normal trucks and even faster on plowing trucks.

The part I highlighted is not true. I've have a plow on a '76 Chev since 1986. That's 24 years. I plow a parking lot for a small commercial bldg, about 3 other lots when I'm in town and my driveway. In 24 years I probably have less usage then you "do it for hire, full time winter job" guys do in one storm

 

[QUOTE=D2 Cat;2721962] You add to the handful of exceptions to the rule. There is an exception to every rule. If you follow the rule you'll be alright, if you expect the exception to be the rule you'll get burned.
The condition of the plow, if you look at it and read it, tells you a lot about the use of the truck. What you highlighted above needs to be taken completely with the sentence it is in- the rust and flaking of the plow frame is an indicator of the age of the plow, the more rust and flaking (or less steel remaining) the more plow time. 20 years once or twice a storm is, as you said, almost negligible wear- it's almost negligible rust too I would wager, but it also depends how long you have been doing that plowing- 24 years or 10 makes a difference in the wear.

The point is, there are lots of people plowing who don't know how to properly plow, just like there are lots of people driving that should be walking. (helck, half the town/city drivers here don't know how to plow properly!) Buying a used plow truck is risky no matter what, but you need to know what you are looking at and for to minimize the risk.

 

I have to Disagree with most on here about the plow. my truck is a 1998 with a 8 1/2 foot commercial plow. has been on the truck since the truck was new, there is very little rust if any really, under the truck. The man I bought the truck from washed the underneath after every plowing and I do the same, even with out a plow you should wash under the truck after each snow or ice storm, that SALT BRINE they put on the roads just eats up the underneath. If the man did the plowing right he didn't hurt the truck. I've had plow trucks since 1968 an never hurt one plowing.

 

Thanks for the replies guys, but as things turned out, I found a 2005 3500 this morning that is more than I hoped for and less than I expected to pay. Bought it over the phone. I am glad I posted this question, though. Your responses made me less concerned that the truck I bought has 208K miles on it. I am one happy camper. I'll pick it up on Saturday. You'll find me cruising the gen 3 forum pages after today.

I'll have to change my signature to include:

2005 Dodge 3500 Lariat, 5.9 CTD, 4x4, 6sp Manual, Manual xfer case, QCLB, all the options, 208K miles, Edge, custom exhaust, etc.

So long!

 

Nice!