New tow rig!

olyelr · 05-09-2016, 06:13 AM

I finally got a new truck that will tow our TT much better. The 15' Yukon (half ton, of course) was actually doing a superb job dragging around our 28BHBE, but I just felt like it was just a bit overloaded. I finally had the gumption to trade in my Jeep Wrangler for a new truck... a '16 Ram 2500 Power Wagon. I have been dreaming about this truck for years... Im still waiting to wake up!

For those that know what the Power Wagon is, you are probably wondering why I would even consider this package (it has a horrible payload rating compared to a normal Ram 2500). Well, I didn't get it just for towing. I dont work out of it towing for a living. I just pull a small trailer around occasionally and then the TT, which it does the job just fine. This trailer is probably the biggest thing I will ever be towing.

Anyway, just wanted to release some excitement I guess!

Out with the old, in with the new...

I havnt done a single thing with the Equil-izer hitch setup (currently set up for my wifes Yukon). The short distance I towed seemed just fine. I think I am gonna run some numbers, though, just to make sure.

TWP723 · 05-09-2016, 06:35 AM

Looks like she's sitting fine. Nice rig!

olyelr · 05-09-2016, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWP723

Looks like she's sitting fine. Nice rig!

Thanks!

Thats what I am thinking, too. Its just hard to believe going from a short half ton SUV to this long 3/4 ton truck that I wouldn't have to change a single thing on the hitch, but....

Northern Jay · 05-09-2016, 07:05 AM

Nice rig. A quick trip to your local scale will give you peace of mind that all is good.
Happy Camping

RedHorse1 · 05-09-2016, 07:21 AM

I look into my crystal ball and I see a happy camper. Enjoy!

SkyBound · 05-09-2016, 07:59 AM

What is the truck's actual payload, just out of curiosity's sake? Tow rating too? I actually didn't know they made the Power Wagon in a 2500. Looks nice for an ol' goat. 6.4L?

olyelr · 05-09-2016, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyBound

What is the truck's actual payload, just out of curiosity's sake? Tow rating too? I actually didn't know they made the Power Wagon in a 2500. Looks nice for an ol' goat. 6.4L?

Payload is 1135 pounds lol. My wifes half ton yukon is more than that, so is my dads half ton ford. I think tow rating is 10,500 pounds, cant remember for sure.

The power wagon package is only in a 2500, only in a crew cab, only a 6.4 hemi and only an auto trans.

cekkk · 05-09-2016, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olyelr

Payload is 1135 pounds lol. My wifes half ton yukon is more than that, so is my dads half ton ford. I think tow rating is 10,500 pounds, cant remember for sure..

Our Expeditions have around 1700# of payload, Tahoes, 1600. Just out of curiosity, how can a 3/4 ton have 1135???

TWP723 · 05-09-2016, 11:50 AM

Payload downgrade option. 2WD's have higher tow rating capacities than 4WD's. Bunch of different reasons. We have a F350 on our lot and it's payload cap is LOWER than my F250! Weird...I know.

cekkk · 05-09-2016, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWP723

Payload downgrade option. 2WD's have higher tow rating capacities than 4WD's. Bunch of different reasons. We have a F350 on our lot and it's payload cap is LOWER than my F250! Weird...I know.

You are correct about tow ratings, 2wd vs. 4wd. 4wd also reduces payload, as it adds weight to the vehicle. As does dual rear wheels. But our Expeditions are both 4wd. The payload for the 2013 4wd King Ranch is 1660 per cars.com, about a hundred pounds less than the 2wd models. I just can't understand 1100 or whatever OP has in his 2500. There's probably a good reason, I'd just like to know what it is. Oh, well. Maybe I can Google it!

TWP723 · 05-09-2016, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cekkk

You are correct about tow ratings, 2wd vs. 4wd. 4wd also reduces payload, as it adds weight to the vehicle. As does dual rear wheels. But our Expeditions are both 4wd. The payload for the 2013 4wd King Ranch is 1660 per cars.com, about a hundred pounds less than the 2wd models. I just can't understand 1100 or whatever OP has in his 2500. There's probably a good reason, I'd just like to know what it is. Oh, well. Maybe I can Google it!

I agree!

Donedroolin · 05-09-2016, 01:25 PM

Nice truck. Has the power wagon has great off road abilities and neat features to allow it to. Oh yea looks GREAT hooked to the Trailer also.

cekkk · 05-09-2016, 02:03 PM

Just discovered it's primarily designed for heavy duty, boulder climbing off-roading. That may well explain its limited towing and payload numbers. 32" wheels, 4.56 gear ratio! A monster. Only problem I have with it is, having spent hundreds of hours on serious off-road mountain mining trails, and having seen more than a couple of $50k trucks in various states of never-to-be-recovered condition, why would you do that to your baby???

olyelr · 05-09-2016, 08:06 PM

The power wagon is to a 2500 ram as what a rubicon is to a jeep wrangler (if anyone knows what that is).

It comes from the factory with a completely different suspension than a standard 2500, and is about 2" taller. The suspension is very soft and flexy for off road use, therefor the payload suffers. It also has front and rear lockers, a sway bar disconnect, 285/70 tires and a 15k pound warn winch hidden behind the bumper. They switched gearing over to 4.10 after 2014 when the 6.4 and mds came along. Used to be 4.56 gears.

I didnt buy it to beat it up and abuse it off road, but i will use it. The msrp on the thing was $63k, and it dosnt even have a diesel.

olyelr · 05-09-2016, 08:12 PM

I looked at my work van payload sticker today out of curiosity (2010 dodge grand caravan) and it beats my trucks payload by 15 pounds lmao!

cekkk · 05-10-2016, 01:20 AM

Very cool truck.

olyelr · 05-10-2016, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cekkk

Very cool truck.

Thanks man, i absolutley love it.

The payload rating was a little scarry for me at first when i started researching them years ago. But they still have a heavy duty frame, axles, brakes etc that normal 2500's have, so i am not worried about it. If i have to i will put bags in the rear, but i dont think it will even need it by the looks of it.

Rlawyo · 05-10-2016, 06:52 PM

Nice pickup! How do you like the 6.4? Mpg? I have been thinking about trading.

olyelr · 05-10-2016, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rlawyo

Nice pickup! How do you like the 6.4? Mpg? I have been thinking about trading.

The motor seems great so far. I do very minimal towing, so saw no reason or need for the cummins. Ive only pulled the tt about ten miles with this truck, so no real seat time yet but seemed to do plenty good enough. Milage for the power wagons are a joke, most guys are barely into the double digits empty. The lifetime milage for my truck so far is 13.6, but its under 700 miles yet haha.

Big1 · 05-12-2016, 01:13 AM

Congrats on your PW, it's a great looking truck.

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