GMC SIERRA 2002 Manual page 285

Q:
How do I know if my vehicle can handle a
snow plow?
A:
Some vehicles are built with a special package,
called RPO VYU (snow plow prep package). If
your vehicle has this option, you can add a plow to
it, provided certain weights, such as the weights on
the vehicle's axles and the GVW, aren't exceeded.
Q:
How heavy can a snow plow safely be?
A:
The plow your vehicle can carry depends on many
things, such as:
D
The options your vehicle came with, and the weight
of those options,
D
The weight and number of passengers you intend
to carry,
D
The weight of items you've added to your vehicle,
like a tool box or truck cap,
D
The total weight of any additional cargo you intend
to carry.
Say, for example, you have a 700 lb. (318 kg) snow
plow. The total weight of all occupants and cargo
inside the cab should not exceed 300 lb. (135 kg).
4-56
This means that you may only be able to carry
one passenger. But, even this may be too much if
you've got other equipment already adding to the
weight of your vehicle.
Here are some guidelines for safely carrying a
snow plow on your vehicle:
D
Make sure the weight on the front and rear axles
doesn't exceed the axle rating for each.
D
For the front axle, if more cargo or passengers must
be carried, appropriate counter ballast must be
installed rear of the rear axle. Counter ballast must
be properly secured so it won't move during driving.
D
Follow the snow plow manufacturer's
recommendations regarding rear ballast. Rear ballast
may be required to ensure a proper front and rear
weight distribution ratio, even though the actual weight
at the front axle may be less than the front axle rating.
D
The snow plow manufacturer or installer can assist
you in determining the amount of rear ballast
required, to help make sure your snowplow/vehicle
combination does not exceed the GVW rating, the
front and rear axle ratings, and the front and rear
weight distribution ratio.
D
The total vehicle must not exceed the GVW rating.