Scoring a deal on used sno way plow mounts can save you a ton of money compared to buying brand-new hardware from a dealer. If you've ever priced out a fresh subframe or mounting kit, you know those chunks of steel aren't exactly cheap. But let's be honest, finding the right one on the used market takes a bit of patience and a keen eye for detail. You're not just looking for something that fits; you're looking for something that isn't bent, rusted through, or modified by someone who shouldn't have been holding a welder.
Why Going Used Makes Total Sense
The reality of the snow plowing world is that trucks come and go. People trade in their rigs, engines blow up, or they simply decide they're done with the winter grind. When that happens, the plow usually gets sold off, but the mounts often stay bolted to the truck or end up sitting in the back of a garage. This is where you win.
Sno-Way mounts are built like tanks. They're heavy-duty steel designed to handle the massive stress of pushing thousands of pounds of snow. Unless the previous owner hit a hidden curb at thirty miles per hour, that steel is likely just as strong today as it was five years ago. Buying used sno way plow mounts allows you to put that extra cash toward better tires, a newer strobe light, or maybe just a few extra tanks of diesel for those long nights.
Getting the Right Fit for Your Truck
One of the biggest headaches with used gear is compatibility. You can't just grab any mount and expect it to bolt up to your specific year, make, and model. Sno-Way has changed their mounting designs over the decades, and while some are backward compatible, many are very specific.
For instance, if you have an older truck, you're likely looking for the classic subframe style. If you're running a newer 29 or 32 series plow, you need the corresponding mount that matches that specific hitch system. Before you head out to pick up a used mount, verify the part number. Sno-Way's website or an old catalog is your best friend here. Don't just take the seller's word for it when they say, "It came off a Ford, it should fit yours." A Ford F-150 mount is a completely different beast than an F-250 mount.
Where the Good Stuff is Hiding
If you're hunting for used sno way plow mounts, you've got to be proactive. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are the obvious starting points, but they can be hit or miss. You'll see a lot of "Plow for sale," but you have to ask the seller if they're willing to part with the mounts too. Sometimes, the truck is already at a salvage yard, and they'll let you pull the mount for a fraction of the cost if you bring your own tools.
Don't overlook specialized forums or local "plow guy" groups on social media. These communities are filled with people who have stacks of parts sitting in their shops. A simple post saying, "Looking for a Sno-Way mount for a 2015 Chevy 2500," might yield a result in hours. People often forget they even have these things until someone asks.
The Pre-Purchase Inspection
When you finally track down a potential set of used sno way plow mounts, don't just throw them in your trunk and hand over the cash. You need to look them over really carefully.
First, check for warping or bends. Lay the mount on a flat concrete floor if you can. If it rocks back and forth or looks "tweaked," walk away. A bent mount will make it a nightmare to hook up your plow, and it can put uneven stress on your truck's frame.
Next, look at the bolt holes. If the holes are "egg-shaped" or elongated, it means the previous owner didn't keep the bolts tight. That constant rattling wears down the metal and makes for a sloppy fit. You can fix this by welding and re-drilling, but it's a lot of extra work that you might not want to deal with.
Finally, check the rust situation. Surface rust is totally fine—a little wire brushing and some black spray paint will make it look new. However, if you see deep pitting or spots where the metal looks thin and flaky, that's structural damage. You don't want your plow falling off in the middle of a blizzard because the mount snapped.
The Small Parts and Hardware
One thing people often forget when buying used sno way plow mounts is the hardware. Usually, the seller just gives you the big steel plates and forgets the specialized bolts, spacers, or "nut bars" that go inside the truck frame.
Sno-Way often uses specific nut-on-a-stick designs to get into tight spots in the frame. If those are missing, you'll have to get creative or order a hardware kit separately. It's not a deal-breaker, but it's a great bargaining chip to lower the price. If the hardware isn't there, tell the seller you're going to have to spend $50 to $100 on Grade 8 bolts and custom spacers, and see if they'll drop the price accordingly.
Installation Doesn't Have to Be a Nightmare
Once you've got your mounts home, the fun begins. Installing used sno way plow mounts is generally a two-person job unless you've got a really good floor jack and some patience. Since these are used, the threads on the truck's frame or the mount itself might be a bit crusty. Run a tap through any threaded holes or use a wire brush on the bolts to make sure everything spins on smoothly.
I always recommend using Grade 8 hardware for everything. Never, ever use the cheap bolts from the local big-box hardware store. Plowing puts an incredible amount of shear force on these bolts, and you want the strongest stuff available. A little bit of anti-seize on the threads is also a smart move, especially if you plan on taking the mounts off during the summer.
Dealing with Modified Mounts
Sometimes you'll find used sno way plow mounts that have been modified. Maybe someone welded on an extra bracket or notched a piece out to clear a non-factory bumper. Be really careful with these. While some modifications are fine, you don't always know the skill level of the person who did the welding. If the welds look like "bubble gum" or "bird droppings," it's probably not safe.
If you're handy with a welder yourself, you might be able to clean it up, but for most people, it's better to hold out for an untouched, factory-spec mount. You want the geometry to be exactly what the engineers at Sno-Way intended so that your plow blade sits at the right angle for the best scraping performance.
Final Thoughts on the Hunt
Finding the right used sno way plow mounts is mostly about being in the right place at the right time. Keep your eyes peeled on the local listings, especially in the late fall when people are clearing out their garages or in the early spring when they're selling off equipment they don't want to store for another year.
It might take a few phone calls and a couple of drives to look at rusty piles of metal, but when you find that perfect, straight, and solid mount for half the price of a new one, it'll all be worth it. Just remember to double-check those part numbers, inspect the steel for cracks, and always use high-quality bolts. Before you know it, you'll be hooked up and ready to push some snow without having emptied your bank account in the process.