Alright, folks, let’s dive into the messy but satisfying world of salt spreaders for pickup trucks. I’ve had my fair share of icy encounters, and let me tell you, nothing beats the convenience of having a trusty salt spreader attached to your truck when winter throws its worst at you.
First off, I went and got myself a decent spreader. I didn’t want to mess around with the manual ones – been there, done that, and my back still remembers. So, I opted for one of those 12-volt babies. You know, the kind that hooks up to your truck’s battery and does the hard work for you.
I remember the first time I went shopping for one. The choices were overwhelming! But I focused on getting one that could handle a good amount of salt – around 80 pounds seemed like a sweet spot. And I wanted it to be easy to mount on the tailgate of my pickup. No complicated setups for me, thank you very much.
Once I got it home, the real fun began. Installing it was surprisingly easy. It came with these brackets that just clamped onto the tailgate. I tightened a few bolts, connected the wires to the battery, and boom – I was in business. It felt good, like I was a real pro or something.
- Choosing the Spreader:
- Look for a 12-volt motor.
- Capacity around 80 pounds.
- Easy tailgate mounting.
- Installation:
- Clamp brackets to the tailgate.
- Tighten bolts.
- Connect to the truck’s battery.
The first test run was a blast. I filled it up with salt, hopped in my truck, and started driving around my driveway. The spreader worked like a charm, evenly distributing the salt behind me. I could adjust the spread width too, which was pretty neat. I felt like a kid with a new toy, except this toy was actually useful.
Over the winter, that spreader became my best friend. I cleared my driveway in minutes, and even helped out some neighbors. It was so much easier than shoveling, and honestly, it was kind of fun to use.
Maintenance Tips
- After each use:
- Clean out any remaining salt.
- Rinse the spreader to prevent rust.
- Before storing:
- Thoroughly dry the spreader.
- Apply a lubricant to moving parts.
One thing I learned is that you gotta keep these things clean. Salt can be nasty, and if you don’t rinse out the spreader after each use, it’ll start to corrode. I made it a habit to give it a good wash after every snowstorm. A little maintenance goes a long way in keeping your gear in top shape.
All in all, getting a salt spreader for my pickup was one of the best decisions I made. It saved me time, effort, and a whole lot of back pain. If you’re on the fence about it, I say go for it. Just make sure you pick a good one and take care of it. You won’t regret it when the snow starts falling!
