New Power Wagon Heading to the Smoky Mountains

[Trailmaker]

Hey fellow Ram owners, I’m taking a road trip with my Family and will be going across 10 states.
I hope to give day to day updates on MPG, some off roading pics, performance. I know the round trip will be about 2,000 miles but with some day trips I plan for 3,000 extra on the OD. Probably 8 tanks of gas. Unless I can manage to get 500 mi out of a tank on the sea level runs.

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I added side boxes for more gear

 

[Trailmaker]

Got gas and it wasn’t what I had expected. With cruise set maintaining less then 80 mph but averaged 70, I had hoped to see the 16+mpg I would see at home if not better but I was hanging around 14mpg

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I on my second oil change and I can get 16-17 now. Some of it could be the cooler air.

 

[Trailmaker]

Oh, quick tip. Flip your winch hook upside down. Leaving the warn strap on the bottom like that makes it very easy to steal. If you flip the hook, the peg on the fairlead prevents the strap from being able to get to the opening of the hook. People do steal those things.

Done. You are right. Buddy “lost his”

 

[Trailmaker]

From my understanding, they still come with 285/70/17’s like they have since 2014. No? Although they are 33”, they are more like 11.5” wide.

I got just over 20k miles with mine, then sold them for cash towards new rubber. Wanna say they were probly half worn.

Yes. I never got back to you but there are a lame 31”. I still tell everyone they are 33s” better locker room talk!
New tires coming soon for sure. These load up at the deer cabin so easy in the dirt/mud roads. They suck for where I go all winter. I need to sell them as well.

 

[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.

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I still love this tranny

 

[Trailmaker]

You averaged just over 13 mpg over 979 miles? Am I understanding that correctly?


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The cooler air is making my GPMs climb. I’m hitting 16-17 (if I want to) and the HP feels like a little bump. I love winter! ( in Texas)

 

[Trailmaker]

Con-The sun roof is lame in my PW. I understood that the Ram 1/2 tons have the panoramic ones that Ford has had out since 2015. I love to open all the windows and sunroof in the 2 nice months we have in east Texas, so I opted to get one again but if you are 6’2 plus and riding in the back seat, the sunroof impends on your head room. I’m considering a roof rack too so I’m 2nd guessing my decision on the sun roof. I hope to open all the windows for the next few days so I will post again on my opinion on the sunroof.

Yeah still lame. The 1500 is much better plus is messes with the head room in the back.

 

[Trailmaker]

Unrelated to your question, but if you get a chance, check out Nemo Tunnel #24 for a fun detour in Wartburg, TN. and Hurricane Creek Trail outside of Ashville, NC. We drove up from DFW last October.





HC

Tunnel was closed because some rocks fell inside. But it had me look up how deep I could go in the water. I can go 28” on stock setup. Have you tried that yet?

 

[Trailmaker]

The stock tires are quiet and grip well but they have a super weak carcass. Many of us got puncture flats while driving dirt roads. Make sure your spare is ready to go if you go off pavement at all.


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And they load up in the mud. I don’t like them. The ones you have are on my list though.

 

[Trailmaker]

There are professional photographers set up along there. They take (and sell, of course) pics of every vehicle that comes along. Sometimes they even catch pics of guys on motorcycles as they crash. You should get a "glamor shot" of the PW carving the corners of the dragon. Haha!!

So the bakes on this truck are sub par. Need new ones before I try it out. But I looked it up and a hellcat would be the way to go, to take those corners.

 

[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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Did you know that the first 4 oil changes are free? I brought mine in and got it done last week with 8200 on the clock.

 

[michael harpe]

I've not heard this, and if it's free from the dealer you bought it only than I'm sol. Truck was at a miami dealer and I'm In south georgia.

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[Trailmaker]

Con- the truck pulls to the right.

I know all vehicles should pull slightly to the right and I knew mine seemed a little aggressive but 400 hundred miles behind the wheel today, it seems a little much and tiring.

Tires rotated and fixed the issue I had for 8000 mi. Lesson learned.

 

[Trailmaker]

I've not heard this, and if it's free from the dealer you bought it only than I'm sol. Truck was at a miami dealer and I'm In south georgia.

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Ram Cares called me a few weeks ago and told me I have them and it came with the truck.

 

[Trailmaker]

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

The site is still down and no date yet.

 

[michael harpe]

Ram Cares called me a few weeks ago and told me I have them and it came with the truck.

I paid for the 4 oil changes for 250 deal my dealer had. Have 2 years to use the other 3. They will get used in that time without worry.

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[Trailmaker]

New con- steering wheel has some small nicks in it that is starting the peel. Might be a warranty issue by the end of this trip. If they cover hood graphics then they might cover this?

Ok so about 6” of the ste

The leather wrapped wheel in my Outdoorsman started peeling when it was covered bumper to bumper. They warrantied it without hesitation.

Beautiful pics you posted!

Oh, watch those corners on the dragon, some of them are doosies. Drive safe, you wouldn't want to have to put any PW parts on the tree of shame. Lol

yes sir it got covered. But they have to replace the whole steering wheel. Btw it is not leather. I’m disappointed. But I guess I just assume it was leather.

 

[michael harpe]

Ok so about 6” of the ste

yes sir it got covered. But they have to replace the whole steering wheel. Btw it is not leather. I’m disappointed. But I guess I just assume it was leather.

Ste? And boo maybe look for leather one with the heated option and add it later on?

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[Trailmaker]

Ste? And boo maybe look for leather one with the heated option and add it later on?

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6” of the steering wheel

 

[michael harpe]

6” of the steering wheel

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Pic wont show. And I even tried viewing with firefox.

Edit.
But it shows in here.. [emoji2369]
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