New member intro - and some basic questions

[James Bean]

Just signed up here in order to research the Power Wagon. My old faithful '03 Chevy 2500HD is ready for retirement and I'm seriously looking at a Power Wagon. Do I need a Power Wagon.....absolutely not, but figure it's the same as people wanting a Corvette, except with a Power Wagon it at least can be used like any other pickup. I've been into off-roading (quads, SxS, fullsize trucks and Jeeps) all my life and why I'm interested in these.

Let me know your thoughts about differences between the 2016 to 2019 year Power Wagons. I've been looking at new 2019's down to a clean 2016 with 25k on the clock.

- 2018s - found several used ones and like the looks of those generations (blacked out grill, black decals, etc...). Did a 24 hour test drive on a very low mileage one, besides for the fact that particular truck came from Canada and therefore had no factory warranty in the US it was a nice truck

- 2019s - interested because of the new 8-speed trans, and I guess a few other odds and ends. Did a short test drive and thought the trans felt better/smoother.

- older models - rather local Ram dealer has a clean 2016 w/ 25k on it. Not as big of a fan of the polished wheels and chrome bumpers on this gen, but growing on me. Biggest thing is the $15k-$19k cheaper price tag compared to a new one. I daily drive a cheap car that gets 30 mpg to it's not a daily driver or anything.

 

[Hammer757]

I think the 2019 transmission is a big difference.

 

[Trailmaker]

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/new-power-wagon-heading-to-the-smoky-mountains.149377/

Read my review and the comments made by PW owners here.

no regrets!!

 

[Grand Mesa]

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[Grand Mesa]

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[crazy jerry]

alot of it is preference. i much prefer the blackout look with bed badges. can you get used to the dial shifter ? . aside from the new transmission and cv front driveshaft, mechanically i believe theyr pretty much same drivetrain from 14-20. high strength steel in the frame may have slightly increased but im not sure its something you would notice. interior and front clip is a bit different. winch is some kind of rope instead of cable. if your not on a budget i would probly go with new one

 

[James Bean]

So basically, difference between 2016 and 2018 is mainly cosmetic?

What I am finding is the selection of 2019's is getting slim, and the ones that are out there are higher option level ones. While they have a lot of cool gadgets I just don't need all that stuff. If I build what I want in the website the MSRP is under $60k, while almost everything within a 100 mile radius is $5k-$10k higher MSRP.

My practical side is telling me to just buy a "regular" 2500 Ram, add $5k in accessories (level kit, tires, wheels, maybe bumpers, etc...) and pocket the other $5k-$10k. I know it's not a Power Wagon in regards to capability, but would cruise the shopping malls just as well.

 

[Trailmaker]

If you have not read my thread I posted for you then I will break it down short version.
The 19 has that the 18 does not:

rope for winching. It saves weight on the front end and better/easier to work with.

LED headlights and taillights

front is leveled. So no kit needed.

big screen option for navigation and media.

easy lift tailgate with keyfob release

automatic grill louvers to control air flow.

8 speed Transmission

 

[56PW17]

So basically, difference between 2016 and 2018 is mainly cosmetic?

What I am finding is the selection of 2019's is getting slim, and the ones that are out there are higher option level ones. While they have a lot of cool gadgets I just don't need all that stuff. If I build what I want in the website the MSRP is under $60k, while almost everything within a 100 mile radius is $5k-$10k higher MSRP.

My practical side is telling me to just buy a "regular" 2500 Ram, add $5k in accessories (level kit, tires, wheels, maybe bumpers, etc...) and pocket the other $5k-$10k. I know it's not a Power Wagon in regards to capability, but would cruise the shopping malls just as well.

If I didn’t get such a good deal on my used one this is what I would have done. Now I need more towing capacity and I’m looking to upgrade to a regular 2500 and put some option after the fact on to it

 

[Maligator]

I personally love my 2017. The 2019/20 did not change enough for me to justify spending the extra coin. The 8 speed trans is the only thing that would tip the scale for me on the 19/20. All the extra trinkets and fancy stuff is just more stuff to break/go wrong IMO

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Trailmaker]

I personally love my 2017. The 2019/20 did not change enough for me to justify spending the extra coin. The 8 speed trans is the only thing that would tip the scale for me on the 19/20. All the extra trinkets and fancy stuff is just more stuff to break/go wrong IMO

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

I wish there was a dislike button. haha.

If it’s is about the coin, then Interest rate was 0.9 on new and 3.9 on used. So the difference in 10k gets eaten up in interest.
Payments were $26 more for the new 19 over the used 18 for me.
Did I mention (probably not because not many PW owners care but) the 19 is 1 second faster 0-60 over the 18 cause here in Houston, that matters! Lol

 

[Trailmaker]

If I didn’t get such a good deal on my used one this is what I would have done. Now I need more towing capacity and I’m looking to upgrade to a regular 2500 and put some option after the fact on to it

Come on man! Be the first person to put a Diesel in a PW and call it a day!

 

[Maligator]

I wish there was a dislike button. haha.

If it’s is about the coin, then Interest rate was 0.9 on new and 3.9 on used. So the difference in 10k gets eaten up in interest.
Payments were $26 more for the new 19 over the used 18 for me.
Did I mention (probably not because not many PW owners care but) the 19 is 1 second faster 0-60 over the 18 cause here in Houston, that matters! Lol

To each his own. I found my 2017 with 1500 miles on it for 40k and at 1.9% with my credit union it was way more affordable to me than a 2019. Granted I found a unicorn with that mileage and price at the time. Plus I was wanting to finance less, wasn't interested in paying 55k+ and financing it for 7+ years to get a payment that want astronomical.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Trailmaker]

To each his own. I found my 2017 with 1500 miles on it for 40k and at 1.9% with my credit union it was way more affordable to me than a 2019. Granted I found a unicorn with that mileage and price at the time. Plus I was wanting to finance less, wasn't interested in paying 55k+ and financing it for 7+ years to get a payment that want astronomical.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Definitely a better rate then what I got on used and definitely a cheaper payment as a finance $62,000
Funny thing is it was cheaper to me.
I paid 67k for my 13 Raptor then 64k for my 17 F250 so 62k for the 19 PW was a bargain. Now I can strut around like a survived turkey after thanksgiving.

 

[RoadRamblerNJ]

Definitely a better rate then what I got on used and definitely a cheaper payment as a finance $62,000
Funny thing is it was cheaper to me.
I paid 67k for my 13 Raptor then 64k for my 17 F250 so 62k for the 19 PW was a bargain. Now I can strut around like a survived turkey after thanksgiving.

I've heard the Ram 2500 rides a lot nicer than the F-250.
I don't know first hand because my ass is alergic to Ford seat material. I do know I like my '17 2500 Tradesman, CC, LB, 6.4, 4x4, 4.10s with a few options like chrome wheels & bumpers, 220 Amp alternator, class 5 hitch, aux switches for $40k out the door. Bought August 31, 2017. Always buy on the last day on the month!

To that I spent another $ 3.5k+/- on a Westin headache rack, Go Indus. Grille guard, N-Fab steps, MagnaFlow cat back, K&N CAI, PC, LED's all around, inside & out. I do my own work so, above doesn't reflect labor cost.

I'm very happy with what I made it into.
Good luck on your search!

 

[olyelr]

So basically, difference between 2016 and 2018 is mainly cosmetic?

The ‘14-‘18 pw’s are virtually the same trucks aside from the exterior changes on the ‘17 and ‘18.

 

[Trailmaker]

I've heard the Ram 2500 rides a lot nicer than the F-250.
I don't know first hand because my ass is alergic to Ford seat material. I do know I like my '17 2500 Tradesman, CC, LB, 6.4, 4x4, 4.10s with a few options like chrome wheels & bumpers, 220 Amp alternator, class 5 hitch, aux switches for $40k out the door. Bought August 31, 2017. Always buy on the last day on the month!

To that I spent another $ 3.5k+/- on a Westin headache rack, Go Indus. Grille guard, N-Fab steps, MagnaFlow cat back, K&N CAI, PC, LED's all around, inside & out. I do my own work so, above doesn't reflect labor cost.

I'm very happy with what I made it into.
Good luck on your search!

I have put 11k miles on my 19 Ram and can not agree or disagree with ride quality. In both HD trucks I found that a load of 500 lbs in the bed made the ride the best in both trucks. I took it on vacation and wrote pages on a new thread explaining the pros and cons to take a Power Wagon on vacation.
still no regrets

 

[James Bean]

I hate car shopping and the "tricks" some of these places try. As mentioned before the same dealership chain had the used Canadian model with no warranty that I looked at first, and then went to another one of their places to look at new '19 PW. Their website stated a sale price on it, but when I went there they jacked the price up by $3,500.

The 2019's I drove definitely felt quicker off the line, which makes sense with the lower gearing in the trans.

Both the 2018 and 2019 I tested out do not ride and drive as nice as my old '03 Chevy 2500HD with 155k on the odo. I know the '19 "only" had 65 psi in the tires so can't blame the ride because they were pumped up to 80 psi.

I have several other off-road toys (K5 Blazer on 40" tires and lockers f&r, winch, etc... and a SxS) so plenty of other options for me. But do admit the thoughts of unhooking the trailer and playing around a little when at an off-road park.

 

[Trailmaker]

I hate car shopping and the "tricks" some of these places try. As mentioned before the same dealership chain had the used Canadian model with no warranty that I looked at first, and then went to another one of their places to look at new '19 PW. Their website stated a sale price on it, but when I went there they jacked the price up by $3,500.

The 2019's I drove definitely felt quicker off the line, which makes sense with the lower gearing in the trans.

Both the 2018 and 2019 I tested out do not ride and drive as nice as my old '03 Chevy 2500HD with 155k on the odo. I know the '19 "only" had 65 psi in the tires so can't blame the ride because they were pumped up to 80 psi.

I have several other off-road toys (K5 Blazer on 40" tires and lockers f&r, winch, etc... and a SxS) so plenty of other options for me. But do admit the thoughts of unhooking the trailer and playing around a little when at an off-road park.

If you can get a fully optioned (all boxes checked) PW for 60k you should take the deal.

 

[EODHorn]

If you can get a fully optioned (all boxes checked) PW for 60k you should take the deal.

Currently with all boxes checked and the employee pricing going on a ‘19 costs $62K. Actually that’s without the Tonneau cover, everything else checked. Wish I was in position to buy right now, but will probably be this time next year.