Snow Plow Package 473

[ViperKiller]

I apologize if this has been answered before, but I didn't find it in a search:

In the process of ordering a 2012 F-350, does the snow plow package (473) still include a different fan clutch like on the 6.4 and 6.0s ?

For those of you who tow goosenecks: Have you ordered the ford prep package or sticking with installing a B&W aftermarket hitch?

Any other advice on options I should consider would be appreciated. Here is what I have decided so far:

2012 F-350 Lariat, Crew Cab, 6.75 ft bed, 6.7 Diesel, 4x4, 3.55 Elock
Lariat Interior Package (96L)
Moonroof (43M)
Captains Chairs
FX4 package (17X)
Navigation (58N)
TPMS delete (18L)
Block Heater (41H)
HD 200 Amp Alternator (67D)
Roof Clearance Lights (592)
Electric Supplemental Heater (41A)
Upfitter Switches (66S)
All Weather Floor Mats
Bed Cable Lock
bed extender
20" Cast AluminumWheels

[Bob Maxey]

the fan is the same with or without snow plow prep. The ford hitch prep is very clean and well done. I'd go for the Ford hitch prep.

If you need to order one please give me a call I'd love your business.

[lincster]

I stuck with my B&W. I already have the companion hitch, why would I pay Ford a bunch of money for something I already have? I will have a new under bed mount installed and be good to go.

[Crashking]

I opted for the ford goosneck set-up and tough bed... had a B&W on my previous truck, I liked it, just didnt feel like installing another one again since Ford has the option... we shall see if i like it any better or worse once it gets used

Also, I dont think you can get the bed extended with the cable lock. I also Opted for the cable lock on my truck.

Not sure how fond you are of the Ford All weather Floor mats, i was gonna go that route, but found that weathertech digital fit mats that covered more area in a better fashion for slightly more money, so i had the dealer add that onto the price of the truck and they ordered them for my truck, so now ill have the weathertech mats, and the factory carpet mats, which the ford all weather mat option deletes the carpet mats, so if you wanted both your essentially paying the price for the weathertechs. ( i wanted both sets so when the truck is expected to get dirty occupants i can put the weathertechs in, and when i'm taking my girl or friends out for a night on the town i can put the nice carpet mats in)

Just somethin to think about

[taken]

Have you considered going dual alternators as opposed to the HD unit. My 09 with the plow prep came with the HD and it was weak for plowing. Moving the plow really drew down the juice. Have you tried the bed extender? I had that on my 09 too. It was usless. You can't extend it with the bed loaded. So, you have to extend it then load the bed over it. I sold mine on eBay. The tailgate step on the other hand is invaluable. Use it ALL the time. As for the NAV, I passed for my truck that's on order. First, it's almost 2 grand and a very good Garmin is under $150. Second is it has the ability to enter your destination while in motion locked so you have to pull over and put it in park to set or change your destination. Unless you buy a lockpick, this is very annoying. Plus a lockpick is more than a Garmin. As for the 5th prep, I got it and bought a Reese 18K Elite hitch to go with it. Reese makes the Ford 25k hitch, so it's a drop in for our truck without paying the high Ford price. I got mine online for $850. I went with the factory prep for a few reasons. First, if your starting from scratch, it's cheaper than buying the Reese install kit. Plus, it's installed before the bed and frame are coated and painted making rust a much further out reality. Also, I'd rather have Ford's laser cut the holes than a dealer with a hole saw!

[Sportscraft]

I too would go with the ford 5th wheel prep as long and you have enough clearance for your trailer. B&W has the advantage of offering the "extension" which pushes the ball back 4" for shortbeds of you need it.

[taken]

Oh, plus the factory prep, it comes with the in bed wiring. If you then buy the Reese like I did, it comes with a wiring harness too which costs over $100 retail. You can sell it on eBay dropping the price of a Reese Elite 18k to well under $800.

[ViperKiller]

Thanks for the replies-

Ive scratched the bed extender- does seem like something that will only get used once in a while.

As far as the hitch prep-
I doesn't look like the corrosion resistance will be any better considering that the hitch itself is a standard paint (just like a B&W). Also, I really don't like the 5 nubs in the bed with plastic covers, seems like they would get cracked and broken in no time. Can someone show me how the ball connects to the prep? It looks like you engage it into a slot and turn it 90 degrees...

I do like the in bed wiring harness so I checked on an non hitch-prep truck and the connection harness is under the truck. I can't imagine the bed harness being more than $100 at wholesale pricing through a ford parts department.

As for the tough bed- I would like to see the longevity first. If you go with line-x you have a lifetime warranty (original owner). Is the tough bed warranty only 3/36? Call me stubborn, but I've never had an issue with line-x or a B&W.

[ViperKiller]

As far as the Dual Alts are concerned-

I had them on my 2005 and never had to replace one, however I never liked how it added the additional belt and pulley set-up. Seems like if you did have the single and it failed, it would be an easy roadside repair. With the duals, if the lower alternator failed, it would be an awfully hard roadside repair. It's unlikely that my truck will have a snowplow on it so I figure the HD will do just fine. Does anyone know how the duals are mounted on the 6.7?

[taken]

It's not the hitch I was talking about with the corrosion (it's only in your bed once in a while), its the mount and drilling through your bed. Ford installs the mount and drills the bed before it's prepped and painted. If you do it after you are breaking that seal. Every accessory that has required me to drill a new truck is the first place rust always starts. Even if you prime and paint the cut area. That's what I was referring to. Same thing with the in bed wiring. Drilling for it breaks the seal too. For a $300 option at invoice, you can't go wrong. $100 of it alone is the wiring so it's a $200 investment against rust. Just my thoughts. Enjoy the truck!!

Oh, and I forgot to mention, as far as the covers in the bed when the hitch is removed. I use a rubber bed mat to prevent things from sliding around. It will keep the pucks covered so no worries there. I did go with the tough bed option. They had initial quality issues in 08 but from everything I read and hear, it is 100% now. No worries from me and it's cheaper than getting it sprayed after.

Makes sense on the HD alt if your not plowing. I plow for family in the winter and have ordered the supplemental electric heater as well so the duals were a plus for me. Not sure about the mounting. Will know in 2 weeks!

[Crashking]

Originally Posted by ViperKiller

Thanks for the replies-

Ive scratched the bed extender- does seem like something that will only get used once in a while.

As far as the hitch prep-
I doesn't look like the corrosion resistance will be any better considering that the hitch itself is a standard paint (just like a B&W). Also, I really don't like the 5 nubs in the bed with plastic covers, seems like they would get cracked and broken in no time. Can someone show me how the ball connects to the prep? It looks like you engage it into a slot and turn it 90 degrees...

the B&W paint sucks and was flaking before i even got it in the mail to install on my 2006, the paint on the reese hitch looks decent and "stuck on"

i feel the same about the plastic covers, will probably go with the rubber floor cover, had this in my XL truck and would just roll it up when i needed the gooseneck.

I have not actually installed the gooseneck ball in the hole yet, but the ball itself has 2 retaining balls at the base of it that engage the hitch prep, and the instructions say to make sure the retaining balls are pointing to the left and right sides of the truck. the ball itself has a T handle on the top of the ball that is lifted and retracts the retaining balls so that it can be inserted, once inserted the t-handle is twisted and lowered, then when the gooseneck is installed, it cannot come un-coupled

I do like the in bed wiring harness so I checked on an non hitch-prep truck and the connection harness is under the truck. I can't imagine the bed harness being more than $100 at wholesale pricing through a ford parts department.

As for the tough bed- I would like to see the longevity first. If you go with line-x you have a lifetime warranty (original owner). Is the tough bed warranty only 3/36? Call me stubborn, but I've never had an issue with line-x or a B&W.

I believe it is covered via 3/36 which is unfortunate compared to aftermarket offerings, i hope it holds up like what is offered aftermarket... only time and use will tell if I made a mistake

I answered what i could

[ViperKiller]

After lots of thought and research I decided to go with dual alternators, no tough bed and no hitch prep.

I like the dual alt set up on the 6.7 much better than the 6.0. Both alts look easily serviceable and there is one serpentine belt that drives everything.

I got the dealer to throw in the ford gooseneck trailer harness for free. For those wondering, cost on the harness is about $45 and the part number is BC3Z13A576A- I'm not sure if that includes the little mounting box.

For me, the price difference between the B&W + Line-ex +harness vs the hitch prep + hitch kit + tough bed/bed mat was negligible, so I went with the B&W.
B&W $400 (installing myself)
Harness $45 (or free)
Line-ex $425

Tough Bed $374 Inv
5th Wheel prep $307 Inv
Gooseneck Hitch kit $ 208 Inv

I do agree that there is a slight loss of corrosion resistance when installing the aftermarket equipment, but I don't think it's significant within a 7-10 year lifespan that I plan to own the truck.

[philgrg]

I was in the same hitch dilemma as Viper. Then I came across this a couple of days ago:

http://www.turnoverball.com/products...th-wheel-hitch

The list price is $899 and it fits the factory Ford hitch prep kit. I already have the regular companion for my B&W on my current truck. I called B&W who said I could purchase the base to work with my companion hitch for around $400. I guess it was a matter of time until someone came up with some competition for Reese. I'm glad it was B&W.

[pstroke85]

Just found out there are aftermarket bolt in aluminum caps for the factory fifth wheel tow prep package. I only run goose neck, so two of the fifth wheel holes are constantly opened up, these are perfect. This is their site: HOME

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