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Old 03-30-2023, 01:42 PM   #1
Neo1130
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Towing with a Ram Power Wagon

Just curious if anyone else tows a decent sized trailer towards the max end of the capabilities of a Power Wagon? How are you liking it?

I have a 2018 Power Wagon on 37's and when I was stock, I would get about 7-9 MPG. I'm sure I'm down to 5 to 7 with the 37's but I haven't given it a shot since the upgrade.
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Old 03-30-2023, 02:48 PM   #2
sourdough
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You've limited the capability, a lot, by putting 37s on the truck. The "max end" of the towing capability of the truck dropped from any published specs. Also, the Power Wagon is a "truck" but was never built as a "tow" (carry weight) truck. What's the payload (carrying capacity/occupant load)located on the sticker inside the driver door - 1400 lbs?

IIRC the Power Wagon came with a 4.10 rear axle ratio - same as my truck. It came with 33" tires OE (approx.). Increasing the diameter of the tires effectively dropped your axle ration considerably - maybe 3.55, 3.73 max? The increased height of the truck due to the tires makes it much more unstable in crosswinds, evasive maneuvers etc. The Power Wagon was made for one game, towing is a different one. Big tall tires are for one thing but not good for towing.

The payload puts a 5th wheel out of consideration. The lift makes most trailers of any larger size questionable. IMO a trailer less than 25' and gvwr of maybe 5500lbs. Remember you will have to have a heck of a drop hitch to pull a TT so that will exert additional forces from the trailer to the truck. Nothing less than an extremely good weight distribution hitch with 4 point sway control. Personally I would never tow a trailer with 37" tires on a truck (is it lifted)?
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Old 03-30-2023, 03:28 PM   #3
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Is a "Power Wagon" (nifty name) a half ton? 3/4 ton? 1 ton? What does your payload sticker say? Yellow/white in door frame?
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Old 03-30-2023, 05:32 PM   #4
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Power wagon is a 2500 but was built for off road and has lower payload and towing capacity, about 5,000 lower than a laramie and about the same as a 1500 so about 10,000.
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Old 03-30-2023, 05:39 PM   #5
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I towed our old 2019 Outback 240URS 28’ 8000 lbs from Fort Collins, CO up to Idaho over to the coast down to San Fran and back with my 2019 PW on 35s. No issues at all and I got about 8.6 mpg for the trip. Have a 3500 mega cab diesel and 5er now.
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Old 03-30-2023, 05:58 PM   #6
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This is like the Power Wagon I grew up with. It was an off road farm use absolute tank.
An inline 6 making about 100hp so not very fast. I remember the 4 speed "grind-em till you find-em" transmission and in low range 4wd it could climb a tree. Or, knock it down
A far cry from what they've morphed into today.
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Old 03-31-2023, 04:17 AM   #7
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From the latest Edmonds.com:
“ The Power Wagon tow rating maxes out at 10,590 pounds, which is impressive, but not by heavy-duty truck standards. The beefier Rebel can pull up to 16,780 pounds. Payload capacity is also up almost double, from 1,630 pounds on the Power Wagon to 3,140 pounds on the Rebel.”
The term Power Wagon is just a cute moniker now used by Dodge to try to foster images of past beasts that roamed construction sites looking for large things to eat, climb or break!
I believe Danny explained it better than I could.
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Old 03-31-2023, 06:45 AM   #8
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Yes, the Power Wagon is a 2500 which has been downgraded in towing capability due to the softer suspension. However, even with the softer suspension and larger tires, it still towed much better than my 1500 in every single way except for gas mileage. I was able to get about 13 MPG when towing on my 1500 of the same year. 13 MPG is where the Power Wagon STARTS without towing.

I have since added air bags and have an Andersen hitch setup which was a HUGE night and day difference. I'm not worried much about the capabilities because I am at the max for MY truck, but still tows just fine. To date, I've got well over 100k towing miles under my belt, 40k of which are in the Power Wagon. I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. It feels about the same handling wise as my fathers 2022 Ram 2500 Cummins.
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Old 03-31-2023, 07:17 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by Neo1130 View Post
Yes, the Power Wagon is a 2500 which has been downgraded in towing capability due to the softer suspension. However, even with the softer suspension and larger tires, it still towed much better than my 1500 in every single way except for gas mileage. I was able to get about 13 MPG when towing on my 1500 of the same year. 13 MPG is where the Power Wagon STARTS without towing.

I have since added air bags and have an Andersen hitch setup which was a HUGE night and day difference. I'm not worried much about the capabilities because I am at the max for MY truck, but still tows just fine. To date, I've got well over 100k towing miles under my belt, 40k of which are in the Power Wagon. I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. It feels about the same handling wise as my fathers 2022 Ram 2500 Cummins.

Your profile indicates your pulling a 34' 8200lb. gvwr Outback. You are pushing, if not exceeding, your gvwr and payload. Have you scaled the rig?

In your initial post you asked about towing a trailer that was at the end of a Power Wagon's capabilites; are you looking to get a larger trailer or just experiences from others? You indicate you are happy and wouldn't have it any other way - have you had to control that rig in an emergency evasive maneuver in full lockup? Not trying to be offensive but if you're looking for a larger trailer IMO you shouldn't, what you have is too big but of course that's your call.
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Old 03-31-2023, 07:19 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dacheedah View Post
Power wagon is a 2500 but was built for off road and has lower payload and towing capacity, about 5,000 lower than a laramie and about the same as a 1500 so about 10,000.
I saw a new 2019 Power Wagon at the local New Car auto show in February 2019 and it had a payload of 1200 lbs. Meaning the max tow was closer to 5000-6000 lbs based on payload limitations. Putting 10k behind that specific power wagon would put you about 1000 lbs overweight. Ha.
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Old 03-31-2023, 07:45 AM   #11
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The Power Wagon, Ford's Raptor & Tremor were built/designed to be factory built off road capable vehicles not tow vehicles for heavy long loads. But like most any vehicle they can "pull" just about whatever you hook to them, but they can't come close to safely "carry" the weight of as much as it can "pull" within the limits of the truck.
Marshall has a great analogy using a wheelbarrow for the difference in tow rating & payload, but I can't remember exactly how it goes, maybe post it here again.
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Old 03-31-2023, 08:55 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Neo1130 View Post
Yes, the Power Wagon is a 2500 which has been downgraded in towing capability due to the softer suspension. However, even with the softer suspension and larger tires, it still towed much better than my 1500 in every single way except for gas mileage. I was able to get about 13 MPG when towing on my 1500 of the same year. 13 MPG is where the Power Wagon STARTS without towing.

I have since added air bags and have an Andersen hitch setup which was a HUGE night and day difference. I'm not worried much about the capabilities because I am at the max for MY truck, but still tows just fine. To date, I've got well over 100k towing miles under my belt, 40k of which are in the Power Wagon. I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. It feels about the same handling wise as my fathers 2022 Ram 2500 Cummins.
I this pretty much sums it, "you don't know what you don't know ". I'm betting that if you try a 3/4 ton truck built for work and not off roading you'd see another huge improvement. The addition of the airbags and Anderson hitch sounds to me like the towing wasn't satisfactory at first.

Stay safe and have fun.
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Old 03-31-2023, 09:34 AM   #13
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I wonder how much Brian wants for that green Power Wagon he posted a pic of? It is better looking than my clunker! Trucks USED to look cool especially when they were beefy and didn't have "air scoops" on the hood.
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Old 04-06-2023, 07:13 AM   #14
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Just curious…
How is your towing insurance? You are pushing the envelope, my friend.
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Old 04-06-2023, 07:31 AM   #15
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We picked up the trailer this past weekend and surprisingly, even with a full tank of water, actually tows better than our Jayco 26BH ever did when empty. I am honestly quite surprised at the stability of this thing. We even were towing it home with 40+ mph winds and of course it was a little back and forth but still very stable.

I am not really worried at all. Putting in the numbers, I am still within the weights per my VIN, not just the marketing specs... However, I do know that with the 37's it does get decreased a bit. The 37's though are rated for the extra weight as well. There is no lift on the truck or any other modifications that would decrease the numbers... Only the tires.


All in all, I am extremely impressed with how well the unit tows.

And yes, I have awesome insurance... State Farm has treated me very will since 1995.
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Old 04-06-2023, 07:42 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by flybouy View Post
I this pretty much sums it, "you don't know what you don't know ". I'm betting that if you try a 3/4 ton truck built for work and not off roading you'd see another huge improvement. The addition of the airbags and Anderson hitch sounds to me like the towing wasn't satisfactory at first.

Stay safe and have fun.

The airbags were added to help level the system out. Andersen hitch was chosen because I don't have to deal with torsion bars any longer. When I disconnect, it's much easier to put everything in a 1 ft x 1 ft bin, than it is to swing the bars around. Plus, adjustments can be done on the fly easily. Ride quality is greatly improved no matter what vehicle you're using. My father turned me onto them. Did a back to back ride when he installed his on his first 2015 Ram 3500 and it wasn't as bouncy as the torsion bar setups.
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Old 04-06-2023, 08:02 AM   #17
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Power wagon

Need to sort out whether you're after opinions, or facts to stay legal and safe for yourself and other hwy users.

Comments on going to scales and the yellow sticker, lead to the latter.
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Old 04-08-2023, 02:53 PM   #18
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I'm towing a 27SAB (rated dry weight is 6600 lbs, 9900 max loaded)with my 2017 Power Wagon. Though I have never had it on the scale yet, I can tell you it tows just fine. Is it the ideal set up? I think not, but after my first tow, I made some adjustments and it towed much better. Namely correct tire pressure in the trailer tires and on the truck itself. The weak spot of the Power Wagon is of course the rear coil springs. My other Power Wagon has leaf springs and is rated higher than the '17. The payload on mine is about 1350 lbs. I'm most likely over that. I need to get on a scale and see how bad I really am. I have towed 9,000 miles with this set up and no problems so far, no panic moments and it tows straight as an arrow, no sway issues. Brakes just fine as well.
Most say to put airbags on, and I've considered it, but from my research, I don't think that is the right answer. But I am continuing to research it.
I'm still on the stock 33" tires.
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Old 04-09-2023, 06:45 PM   #19
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NEVER know how "good" your insurance is until you have a big claim. Everybody is happy when you give them a lot of money!
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Old 04-11-2023, 05:32 AM   #20
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NEVER know how "good" your insurance is until you have a big claim. Everybody is happy when you give them a lot of money!

State Farm has been a blessing to me...


1. I totaled out my 1989 VW Jetta due to the negligence of the tire shop, which deflated my tires to BELOW 20 psi the same day I wrecked it. (Yes it was Firestone) but they didn't give me a sheet saying they did so. It was in their system which I only found out AFTER the wreck. But State Farm offered to take them to court for me. I just wanted my pay out for the car, which I got.


2. Same car above, I was coming around a blind corner and staying in my own lane. There was a UPS driver that was in my lane and ran me off the road. He didn't stop... Again, State Farm to the rescue. UPS driver tried to say I was racing in the streets. You know what State Farms answer was to that? "It doesn't matter, you were in his lane so the fault is on UPS."



Although they DID drop me for about 3 years because I made too many windshield claims. They saw that I had 6 tickets that year (was a bad year for medical problems for me) but gladly brought me back after that and they still fight for their customers.



And like I said, I'm well within my limits for the truck/trailer combo so I don't think there will be anything to fight there...
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