For those who enjoy the quiet contemplative act of shovelling snow, look away now. But for anyone searching for an easier way to clear their driveway, here are a few considerations before buying a plow you can attach to your vehicle.
A word of caution
Your vehicle dictates the type of plow you can buy and how much snow it can clear. Check the specs; a key one is your vehicle’s Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (the maximum weight your front axle can bear). Plowing can be rough on a vehicle’s transmission, frame, and suspension, so have some mechanical sympathy. Also, installing a plow may make your car insurance more expensive.
Plowing gravel driveways
Go slow—the faster you plow, the more gravel you’ll disturb. Let the first snowfall or two settle on the surface, so you have a thin layer of compacted snow
to protect the gravel.
Listen as you plow. If you hear scraping gravel, raise the blade so it skims the gravel surface. Hidden rocks or stumps can damage the plow or your vehicle. Mark the driveway edges and any obstructions with snow stakes—before it snows.
Slitting PVC pipe along its length and snapping it over the blade edge helps protect the gravel surface. Alternatively, several companies sell “plow shoes” that lift the blade slightly off the ground.
Cottage Q&A: Will a DIY fix solve my snow load problem?
4 types of plow attachments
1) Straight blade (pictured)
The most common configuration. Basic blades push snow straight ahead, while some models can be raised, angled to the side, or both.
2) V-plow
Typically heavy and attached to full-size pickups, V-plows work better cutting through deep, heavy snow.
3) Front mount
This is the most commonly used mount for pickups and is also popular on some SUVs. There’s a huge range of capability and cost, from basic, manually operated blades for around $2,000 to hydraulic plows for around $8,000.
4) Rear mount
Lightweight “personal snowplows” attach to the trailer hitch of a car or SUV, plowing while you reverse. Prices start around $1,300, but they’re only suitable for snowfalls up to about 25 cm.
This article was originally published in the Winter 2025 issue of Cottage Life.
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