Normal Power Wagon handling?

Zad23 · Mar 4, 2021

Hey all, new PW owner and have a quick, hopefully not stupid, question.

I went from a Ram 1500, which I loved, and find the PW feels sloppy on the road compared to my 1500. I'm countersteering slightly to keep it going straight. It's much worse towing a trailer. It just feels loose.

Is this normal for the PW with the off road suspension set up? Or should I have the dealer check it out

Thanks in advance

SkeeterBait · Mar 4, 2021

Zad23 said:
Hey all, new PW owner and have a quick, hopefully not stupid, question.

I went from a Ram 1500, which I loved, and find the PW feels sloppy on the road compared to my 1500. I'm countersteering slightly to keep it going straight. It's much worse towing a trailer. It just feels loose.

Is this normal for the PW with the off road suspension set up? Or should I have the dealer check it out

Thanks in advance

Sounds just like the feeling I had when trading up from my 2007 4x4 2500HD with the Cummins.
I've noticed that wind effects the PW quite a bit also. The ride overall is much better than my last truck although. But not really a fair comparison. Two completely different design philosophies.

Airmousam · Mar 4, 2021

Have not noticed that, incl towing...drives like a dream....drove both 1500 and PW, and coming from a 1/2 ton Chevy...did you notice anything on the test drive? 1500 will be more car like for sure, but the PW should not feel sloppy

Travelin Ram · Mar 4, 2021

It’s a very subjective topic. However there are significant differences in design. 1500 is IFS with rack and pinion steering. About as good a design as possible for good handling and tight steering with a very direct feel.

2500 has a solid front axle and recirculating ball steering. Lots more moving parts between the steering wheel and the tires. By comparison it will always feel as if there’s a rubber band in the system, more free play.

There’s another factor comes into play also, a taller vehicle rocks side to side more ( yes, I know, the correct technical term is roll) when uneven roads are encountered. This feels like a turn to the driver, who attempts to correct, but the wheels never changed direction to begin with. So for drivers getting out of a lower vehicle and into a tall one, it’s partly needing to retrain your reflexes not to over correct.

Pudge · Mar 4, 2021

I've been reading up on this a little too and anticipating having to deal with that feeling as well, coming from a 2019 1500 Limited (my PW is still waiting to be built). From everything I've read, swapping out the rear trackbar to a Thuren trackbar seems to settle the truck down. I've read that it is the single greatest upgrade you can do that will make a difference to the way the truck handles on the highway and even off road. So maybe someone can confirm that thought or debunk it for us.

https://www.thurenfabrication.com/14-2500-rear-trackbar-kit.html

Fitzreefer · Mar 4, 2021

What model year? Used / new? If used, number of miles? Any mods?

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

Pudge · Mar 4, 2021

Fitzreefer said:
What model year? Used / new? If used, number of miles? Any mods?

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

As per posts up, all new.

Halligan · Mar 4, 2021

Without a doubt a PW will not handle like a 1500. As already stated the steering design is an old school steering box setup and it won't be as precise as rack and pinion.

Also, I test drove a new Power Wagon today. I immediately remembered how crappy the road manners of the Goodyear Duratracs are, especially brand new Duratracs. They are a squirmy tire but will stiffen up some with time and miles. Jumping back into my 2015 after the test drive confirmed my truck with Thuren front springs, track bar, Fox shocks and Toyo At's handles and rides better than a stock 2021 PW.

Hydraplane · Mar 4, 2021

Zad23 said:
Hey all, new PW owner and have a quick, hopefully not stupid, question.

I went from a Ram 1500, which I loved, and find the PW feels sloppy on the road compared to my 1500. I'm countersteering slightly to keep it going straight. It's much worse towing a trailer. It just feels loose.

Is this normal for the PW with the off road suspension set up? Or should I have the dealer check it out

Thanks in advance

I went from a '14 RAM1500 to an '18 PW and experienced the same. kinda reminded me of my first truck, '63 Ford F-100... Same color come to think of it... Love the PW LOTS MORE POWER!!!!

Sandevino · Mar 4, 2021

Check your caster. Too little will make the truck feel loose and unstable. Too much and it feels like you’re steering through mud.

CFII · Mar 4, 2021

Coming from a nice F150, I know what you are talking about. The PW will follow grooves, jump over bumps, and requires minding on the highway pretty much all the time. However, as far as I know its the trait of straight axles and big tires, and slow steering. I dont mind, it just took a couple of drives to get used to.

MoPowered · Mar 4, 2021

My 12 is a little like a brick in the Wind, but so far as tracking, towing etc and road manners it’s like a damned 68 Caddy, big, heavy and planted.
Check your alignment specs and steering/suspension components. They will tend to wander a bit with Live axle’s front and rear but not so much that it should cause a concern. They also like to be as close to true 0.00 on alignment trust me, once I followed Thuren’s advice on that with his new track bar it made a huge difference.

crazy jerry · Mar 4, 2021

with its higher center of gravity and linked coil marshmellow springs, its probly going to feel alot more wallowy than most other vehicles. if you were expecting a sports car youve made a big mistake

retired · Mar 5, 2021

Put some better tires on and it will handle like a sports car.

crazy jerry · Mar 5, 2021

slow ass lousy sports car

SeppW · Mar 5, 2021

Zad23 said:
Hey all, new PW owner and have a quick, hopefully not stupid, question.

I went from a Ram 1500, which I loved, and find the PW feels sloppy on the road compared to my 1500. I'm countersteering slightly to keep it going straight. It's much worse towing a trailer. It just feels loose.

Is this normal for the PW with the off road suspension set up? Or should I have the dealer check it out

Thanks in advance

Apples to oranges comparisons. I think most modern 1/2 tons are designed and built to ride and handle like an automobile. 3/4 ton and up are going to ride and handle much differently (log wagon) unless suspension and steering mods are made to make it more placid. There are things that can help, some debatable, such as a steering brace or a modified steering gear box (or one with hydra assist) are a couple. Alignment adjustments may help as this tech article from a well-known Power Wagon suspension parts business describes: https://www.thurenfabrication.com/tech/alignment-and-handling.html. The Power Wagon is purpose-built and not so much for continuous hiway use or lots of heavy towing for that matter. On the other hand, it can't hurt to take it in and let the dealer check it to make sure it's at least okay and no underlying issues.

olyelr · Mar 5, 2021

I have a half ton and power wagon. The half ton definitely handles/drives a bit better. You should absolutely notice a bit more sway and a stiffer ride. That being said, the power wagon should track straight and true. Mine zips straight down the road for miles. Sounds like you may have an alignment issue...caster and/or toe may be a bit off.

RAZ175 · Mar 5, 2021

I had the same issues with my '16. The biggest change to fix this was when I added a steering brace ( https://store.dodgeoffroad.com/Dodge-Off-Road-Steering-Brace--5th-Gen-13-20_p_152.html) to the steering box. Truck tracks straight and is much tighter feeling. I also changed the drag link to get rid of the factory one with the welded nuts. From what i hear though, the drag links on the new trucks are the same one that I upgraded to, so you probably don't need to do anything there.

2003F350 · Mar 5, 2021

So I went from an F350 Powerstroke to my '17 PW...and other than the softer ride, the handling was almost spot-on to what I was expecting. It feels bumps in the road like my last truck, but it's not a bone-jarring slam like my last truck was either.

My wife's F150 rides like a damn luxury car compared to any of my trucks, but then, I've never daily driven any 1/2 ton truck, my first was a 2500 GMC and I've never looked back.

That said, the truck shouldn't wander or pull either direction on a decent stretch of road, other than a slight drift to the right (in case you fall asleep at the wheel, it's an engineering design to get you off the road). If it does, then you've got an alignment issue that needs to be addressed. Unlikely, but always possible, on a brand new vehicle.

Grand Mesa · Mar 5, 2021

The Power Wagon's OEM Load Range D tires with a 2 ply sidewall have more sidewall flex than a Load Range E with a 3 ply sidewall.

Nothing less than Load Range E with a 3 ply sidewall tire will do on my Power Wagon.

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/load-range-d-tires-on-ram-2500.140544/

Normal Power Wagon handling?

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