New Power Wagon Heading to the Smoky Mountains

[Trailmaker]

Next fill up. Gas pump broke at 20 gallons and we had to reset it. I ran half the tank playing in the mountains and it did seem to make a difference on the mpg

 

[Trailmaker]

if you ever are in Kentucky and want to see a big Ark on land. I recommend the drive. BTW south Kentucky is beautiful. The Smokey’s and some great views make the first 100 miles enjoyable.
The transmission had to down shift on some of the climbs, and only if I was looking for it, did I notice. The shifts are so smooth.
My 5.7 would probably have spent most the day in 4th gear but this 6.4 maintained the 8th gear at 65-75 mph up some 5-6% grades. The power... wow.

 

[michael harpe]

So I had 3k on the clock an decided that I could not wait till 10k to change the oil. Back in the 90s you were to changed the oil after 500 miles and break-in was very modest driving. Well, I have not redlined, or towed yet and I changed the oil before this trip with Mobile 1 synthetic 0-40. This is the first truck that recommended synthetic. Though Royal purple would have been my first choice I could not find my weight locally.

I waited until I was almost to 0 on the oil life. A little over 7,000 miles. I checked the oil once on the dipstick to see if it was consuming any or if it was close to black. It was a slightly darker amber color and not a drop seemed used up. Very happy with the engine and its management of oil. I love that I can go 7500 miles on an oil change since its about 100 bucks a pop to change the oil. I got the 4 oil change package from the dealer for 250. Huge savings in the long run.

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[Trailmaker]

I waited until I was almost to 0 on the oil life. A little over 7,000 miles. I checked the oil once on the dipstick to see if it was consuming any or if it was close to black. It was a slightly darker amber color and not a drop seemed used up. Very happy with the engine and its management of oil. I love that I can go 7500 miles on an oil change since its about 100 bucks a pop to change the oil. I got the 4 oil change package from the dealer for 250. Huge savings in the long run.

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Yes I have 2 included, I did the first one myself. I kind of enjoy it. Yes it was $9 per quart at 7 qts.

 

[Tracy in IL]

just to compare i recently completed a round trip to Minneapolis area with lots of around town driving while I was there. Over 800 miles total, doing 75-80 on the interstates.
Averaged 25.4 mpg for the trip (Eco-Diesel). This is a '17 Ram 1500 long bed, crew cab, 4x4, ram boxes full, skid plates, locking diff, weather Tech all around, tonneau cover, towing pkg, two people and lots of luggage.

 

[Trailmaker]

just to compare i recently completed a round trip to Minneapolis area with lots of around town driving while I was there. Over 800 miles total, doing 75-80 on the interstates.
Averaged 25.4 mpg for the trip (Eco-Diesel). This is a '17 Ram 1500 long bed, crew cab, 4x4, ram boxes full, skid plates, locking diff, weather Tech all around, tonneau cover, towing pkg, two people and lots of luggage.

If “eco” is in the name one would expect good gpm. And man at 25 gpm, you were getting great gas mileage. If “power” is in the name...(I will let PW owners fill in the blank)

 

[Trailmaker]

I crushed another tank of gas playing in downtown Cincinnati and In the hill of North Kentucky and I was really enjoying the speed of traffic running 85. The truck wants to go fast. The road noise is not any louder nor does it feel like I push the truck.
I thought it would effect my distance on the tank but it didn’t. It actually stated I had 10 mi left on the tank and I rolled in to the gas station about 15 miles later and was surprised it only took 28 gallons (well 27.5 but I was determined to add more so I filled it to the brim)

 

[Trailmaker]

I budget $500 in gas for the trip at 2.80 a gal. It looks like I will go home with a few bucks left over.
So far no regrets taking the PW even though it was a family vacation and not a off-roading trip. (Still 2 days left to find something)

 

[Trailmaker]

Parthenon in Nashville Tennessee

 

[Trailmaker]

Yea, they are kinda lame compared to the pano ones. But it works well. Our last 1000 mile road trip was spent with the rear window open and the sunroof open. Makes for a good airy feel, but not too much wind/noise.

The trip has been hot for the most part but their was an hour in the mountains that opened her sunroof, and enjoyed the low speeds, views and cooler temperatures.
I tried to drive in this creek. The fishermen was not having it.

 

[Trailmaker]

If you’re talking about PWIM, I’ll see you there!

I need to find a place to mount my high lift jack, mount slides, switch out to 35s, and add a better skid plate underneath.
I feel like the bottom should be better protected before I try any class 6 or 7 Moab stuff in this PW.

 

[Trailmaker]

Have you hand calculated? Mine always shows ~1.5-2 mpg high on long runs.


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Yeah, so... when my wife drives, the little eco light comes on a little more often and the cruise gets set at 3 over, so I might see that 16-17 gpm between Nashville and Memphis

 

[Trailmaker]

For the MPG part. I actually got better MPG at elevation.

My theory is less air, less fuel needed. So the truck pulls some fuel/timing to avoid detonation. Leading to better MPGs.

I do have a 1500. But in Texas on the freeways. 17-18MPG. Up in Colorado in the mountains... I got over 20.

5.7l hemi. 3.55 rear end.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

If I reset my gauge for coming down the mountain I can see 30 mpg but 30 seconds later I’m back to 13-14 when I reached the top of the next hill. So no change for me. Plus you are in 6k plus elevation, west of Denver, where I saw 1-2000 foot elevation average. We did a couple of hill climbs to 4K.
Clingmans Dome is the highest point in TN at 6,643. All of the Smokey’s are below tree line, which makes them so beautiful.

 

[IRSmart]

I need to find a place to mount my high lift jack, mount slides, switch out to 35s, and add a better skid plate underneath.
I feel like the bottom should be better protected before I try any class 6 or 7 Moab stuff in this PW.

This was my solution to the hi lift, along with a shovel and axe.

 

[Trailmaker]

This was my solution to the hi lift, along with a shovel and axe.

View attachment 180026

That’s a good set up.
I was Contemplating connecting it to the side of my headache rack or underneath my cover as my toolbox is in the back so I have little different setup then you do.

 

[Trailmaker]

I just stopped in on the greatest Outdoors store that I have ever seen. I bought a tomahawk to add to my recovery gear. A few shots of the back during the day and a few of the front at night. Memphis Tennessee.

 

[Trailmaker]

A few more

 

[Trailmaker]

4th fill up

 

[Trailmaker]

Heading home 552 miles to go.
Started the day with a 1/2 tank so one more fill up will get us there.
We started in Texas and went through:
Louisiana
Mississippi
Alabama
Georgia
Tennessee
Kentucky
Ohio
And Arkansas.
We missed Indiana by 12 miles and North Carolina by 18 miles.

If driving through Mississippi, go through on a Sunday. We drove across the whole state and did not see one police car.
Some photos as a recap the week.

 

[Trailmaker]

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