PW for a coast to coast to coast adventure rig?

terrible · Mar 3, 2022

Just so happens a local dealer has a 2018 with about 50K on the clock for around $50K. I was able to take it for a drive. It has a few issues, locker lights flashing is the big one, and it's missing remote start.

It is definitely a different ride than my 2014 1500 but by no means is it terrible. Just more truck-ish. It is the perfect color too so I would just have to swap my topper over and not worry about buying a new one or painting mine.

But the more research I do and soul-searching (do I really need a 3/4 ton truck) the farther away I am getting from these trucks. Is the winch cool? YES! Are the lockers nice to have? Of course! Do I need a 3/4 ton two or three times a month? No.

I'm not saying I wont get one but with the forecast for fuel being what it is, going from a truck that gets 16mpg to a truck that gets 8 isn't a smart move on my part.

Trailmaker · Mar 3, 2022

terrible said:
Just so happens a local dealer has a 2018 with about 50K on the clock for around $50K. I was able to take it for a drive. It has a few issues, locker lights flashing is the big one, and it's missing remote start.

It is definitely a different ride than my 2014 1500 but by no means is it terrible. Just more truck-ish. It is the perfect color too so I would just have to swap my topper over and not worry about buying a new one or painting mine.

But the more research I do and soul-searching (do I really need a 3/4 ton truck) the farther away I am getting from these trucks. Is the winch cool? YES! Are the lockers nice to have? Of course! Do I need a 3/4 ton two or three times a month? No.

I'm not saying I wont get one but with the forecast for fuel being what it is, going from a truck that gets 16mpg to a truck that gets 8 isn't a smart move on my part.

I have never seen 8 mpg, not even when towing. 14-16 most weeks. 18 with cruise set at 65. You have to get a 2019+ to get the 8 speed.

retired · Mar 3, 2022

I have an 8speed and have never been even remotely at 8 mpg. Mostly 15-16mpg. Sure i can get 12mpg if i romp on it and drive 80-85mph.

Docwagon1776 · Mar 3, 2022

retired said:
I have an 8speed and have never been even remotely at 8 mpg. Mostly 15-16mpg. Sure i can get 12mpg if i romp on it and drive 80-85mph.

So I'd get 12mpg.

I really wish RAM would give you the option of HIDs or at least LEDs on more trim levels. You'd think an off-road purpose built truck would have lighting as a greater concern. You can get LEDs on the *Gladiator* at very early trim levels and as a standalone option, but not the RAMs? C'mon.

Grand Mesa · Mar 3, 2022

The 40 mile long stretch of mountain grade on the rural highway that I live off of has a 10% grade, but its only for a 1/4 mile section. Otherwise, it's somewhat steep for 20 miles until the nearly 11,000 foot summit and then it's right back down the otherside. My two other pickups have axle gear ratios of 4.56-1 and 3.73-1. None of which have ideal MPG at our 80 MPH highway speed limits, but I didn't purchase them for that. If you drive across the country coast to coast on I-70 through the Rockies the Power Wagon's 4.10-1 axle gear ratio seems be a good fit for the 6.4L even with larger tires.

retired · Mar 3, 2022

Grand Mesa said:
The 40 mile long stretch of mountain grade on the rural highway that I live off of has a 10% grade, but its only for a 1/4 mile section. Otherwise, it's somewhat steep for 20 miles until the nearly 11,000 foot summit and then it's right back down the otherside. My two other pickups have axle gear ratios of 4.56-1 and 3.73-1. None of which have ideal MPG at our 80 MPH highway speed limits, but I didn't purchase them for that. If you drive across the country coast to coast on I-70 through the Rockies the Power Wagon's 4.10-1 axle gear ratio seems be a good fit for the 6.4L even with larger tires.

View attachment 487361
View attachment 487363

living in Montana where we are either going up or going down (not as extreme as your Colorado ups and downs) I can not imagine not having at least 4.10's with 35's and even with stock tires 4.10's are really nice with the 8speed. I just switched back to stocks for a while and I forgot how nice smaller tires feel. I have two sets of tires mounted so will use stock for running around and non offroad road trips.

4xdad · Mar 3, 2022

Gasoline 1.44 litre so much for road trips this year

LugsLeadOut84 · Mar 3, 2022

Grand Mesa said:
There's a lot of vast empty country out here in the Mountain States between towns of which if you're lucky there may be only one pump available within a full tank towing range. Carry extra gasoline with the Power Wagon when both towing and not.

Read the customer reviews of Randy's Service station in Emery, Utah just for laughs about saving folks from being stranded out in the middle of nowhere with no gas.

I looked them up....Pretty funny. Nothing but "thank God for Randy's" posts....
We were all over Arizona last week (and were blamed for bringing the snow) and were amazed at the stretches of nothing for hundreds of miles. I stopped at every station to top off.

Grand Mesa · Mar 3, 2022

4xdad said:
Gasoline 1.44 litre so much for road trips this year

Still better than NO GAS.

bpgt · Mar 4, 2022

terrible said:
Just so happens a local dealer has a 2018 with about 50K on the clock for around $50K. I was able to take it for a drive. It has a few issues, locker lights flashing is the big one, and it's missing remote start.

It is definitely a different ride than my 2014 1500 but by no means is it terrible. Just more truck-ish. It is the perfect color too so I would just have to swap my topper over and not worry about buying a new one or painting mine.

But the more research I do and soul-searching (do I really need a 3/4 ton truck) the farther away I am getting from these trucks. Is the winch cool? YES! Are the lockers nice to have? Of course! Do I need a 3/4 ton two or three times a month? No.

I'm not saying I wont get one but with the forecast for fuel being what it is, going from a truck that gets 16mpg to a truck that gets 8 isn't a smart move on my part.

If you can wait a few months i'll sell you my 2015 for less than $50k. The money saved can go towards fuel

Im still stationed in korea, but i dont see myself doing a lot of offroading with it when i return. PM me for details.

Grand Mesa · Mar 6, 2022

Furnace Creek, California gas prices 3/6/22. For the Power Wagon tank it's not like there's an alternative.

Michael · Mar 6, 2022

Traveling long distance in just the truck, towing your trailer or Tj you’ll be better off with a diesel pickup. You could get a pickup with a Cummins, swap the trailer for a cab over camper, and then tow the TJ for exploring. The diesel will get you better mpg‘s as fuel prices are climbing.

Islandgrl · Mar 7, 2022

We had a 2021 PW and sold it for a 2022 Laramie. The PW bounced too much going down the highway, the fuel costs were crazy high and the payload too low. We’re doing a trip CA to VA and back so, we decided on the Laramie. No regrets so far. If you’re into off road driving you’ll love the PW.

Udy2554 · Mar 7, 2022

Grand Mesa said:
Furnace Creek, California gas prices 3/6/22. For the Power Wagon tank it's not like there's an alternative. View attachment 487823

Holy cow! I thought $4.79 was bad the other day! My last 3 tanks have been over $100!

I may have to put studded snows on my WS6 and drive it as an economizer! It gets 21-24mpg depending on the skinny pedal!

Grand Mesa · Mar 7, 2022

Udy2554 said:
Holy cow! I thought $4.79 was bad the other day! My last 3 tanks have been over $100!

I may have to put studded snows on my WS6 and drive it as an economizer! It gets 21-24mpg depending on the skinny pedal!

Sign workers are going to get extremely busy replacing those $9.99 9/10th maximum per gallon signs when it hits $10.

bcbouy · Mar 8, 2022

$2.00 a liter in British Columbia right now.will it stop me from travelling this year ? not a chance.life's way too short.i bought my Powerwagon exactly for wandering across rural Canada.i would trade gas mileage for comfort/ capability any day of the week.i had a 2012 slt 2500 and it wasn't the greatest comfort wise for travelling.

4xdad · Mar 8, 2022

We were thinking about a trip to the island and the Sunshine Coast probably still will maybe I’ll tow a trailer with a slip tank from Edmonton lol

terrible · Mar 9, 2022

Gas prices day to day don't bother me too much as my commute to work is only 8 miles. But if I am truely going to use this truck to travel often, I'm thinking 6 trips a year around 500 miles, it may be painful. But airline tickets are going to increase as well.

Grand Mesa · Mar 12, 2022

A day ago the price per gallon for diesel in Furnace Creek, California was $9.999.

4xdad · Mar 12, 2022

1.59 a litre in Edmonton Alberta Canada where we have giant refineries

PW for a coast to coast to coast adventure rig?

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