Tradesman with Powerwagon Package vs Powerwagon

[tron67j]

I love basic Rams, I bought the Tradesman 2500 in 2019, spent a heck of a lot less than even the next higher trim, then added all the factory options I wanted and still thousands less. Last I knew, PW really eats into payload. On my 3rd Ram and generally just maintenance and a front bearing and a couple header bolts over a couple decades. Simple rules for me. Good luck.

 

[Tom6363]

My 2014 HD Tradesman has a weight rating of 3250, Way more than the powerwagon. The Tradesman is for work, the powerwagon is for FUN. The powerwagon will do the JOB, the Tradesman does is better. Get what your heart is telling you or you'll resent your choice. Use the Ram truck website to find out the exact weight ratings for your truck by VIN #.

 

[Timmerduder]

I am looking to buy a Powerwagon to replace my 2014 Lariat F150. I went through the build and price on the Ram website and it seems like the Tradesman + Powerwagon package with a couple of options thrown in puts you within spitting distance of a lightly optioned Powerwagon. Am I wrong? Is their any reason to go with the Tradesman trim?

Are the Tradesmans much lighter(IE higher payload capacity) than a lightly optioned Powerwagon trim?

How does the powerwagon tow? I have a 5500 lb travel trailer that I tow around UT, WY, MT, ID and CO, so high elevations and lots of big grades. Will the 6.4L do well? My current F150 is an Ecoboost and pulls really hard but has trouble with cooling once the temperatures get hotter in the summer.

I got my 21 power wagon tradesman nicely optioned with the automatic cruise control automatic wipers ram boxes line of bed the eight and a half inch or whatever touch screen fog lights etc for 57k when I looked at the 75th anniversary they wouldn't sell it to me for 75k. I thought that was a pretty good deal 57k... It's a heck of a truck, nice driving nice handling. It's a little squirrely with the 410 rear end, very quick. Gas mileage not so great if you keep your foot in it I get about 12 but if I am on the highway doing 65 or less I can get almost 16. Totally stock.

 

[Timmerduder]

I have a 2021 Power Wagon lightly optioned as follows (1450lb payload):

-Level 1 (LED headlights thank God)
-Towing Tech (360 cameras, etc.)
-Vinyl Floor
-Trailer TPMS
-Bed Utility
-Dual Alternators

I tow a 21’ travel trailer that weighs 6,100lbs wet. I’ve spent a lot of time towing through CO/NM/UT (high mountain passes and/or summer heat) and am always impressed by the truck. The ZF trans, 4.10 gears, and cooling will surprise you. On steep grades the truck is happy around 4k RPM, converter locked. It’s not 6.7 PowerStroke fast but I’ve never felt that I didn’t have enough power/torque.

Gas mileage towing is ~9mpg average with my 285/75R17 (34”) Cooper ST Maxx E load tires.

The same drivetrain in a non-Power Wagon is rated to tow a lot more than 10k lbs, so the cooling system is never a concern. Trans stays at ~170* and oil is ~220* with or without a trailer. It really feels like the PW drivetrain would pull 15k without complaining, suspension aside.

Note: I did replace the rear bump stops with SumoSprings SSR-312-47 which made a huge difference in the inherent instability when towing with a big squishy off-road truck.

I have a 21 as well, I regularly tow my travel trailer that's about 6,000 with no problem at all. One time I did tow my 12,000 lb 4x4 dump truck and I hardly knew it was behind me. I towed it several miles on windy roads without an issue.

 

[NikNak]

I built the 2022 2500 4X4 Tradesman because the special PW offroad package severely derated the payload capacity.
2500 4x4 4Dr Tradesman 6.4Hemi 3,300 pound payload
2500 Powerwagon 6.4Hemi
<1900 pound payload
2500 4X4 Tradesman Cummins Diesel
<1900 pound payload

If you look at putting 3 x 225pound people plus 50pounds tools each… the Powerwagon & Cummins only leaves you with ~1,000 pounds for other stuff…including hitch weight.

If you need a real workhorse, get the 3500. My 6.4L 2500 Tradesman can carry more than I need but otherwise the PW & Cummins are pointless due to the weight/suspension issues.

 

[Bandit1859]

MASS-HOLE: LED'S are night and day. I have an early build Bighorn (2018) and have LED lighting. Now, mine are fixed, standard reflector, not move like on higher trims but they R great. I will never buy another vehicle with Halogen lighting. Just a BOIRD's view.

I have a 2019 bighorn with them. Hated now you have to go larime or limited to get them now

 

[turkeybird56]

I have a 2019 bighorn with them. Hated now you have to go larime or limited to get them now

YUP, do like my LED's. Now, I may drive after dark 2 days a month, but nothing better IMHO..

 

[62Blazer]

My 2014 HD Tradesman has a weight rating of 3250, Way more than the powerwagon. The Tradesman is for work, the powerwagon is for FUN. The powerwagon will do the JOB, the Tradesman does is better. Get what your heart is telling you or you'll resent your choice. Use the Ram truck website to find out the exact weight ratings for your truck by VIN #.

Yes, you are correct that a Tradesman has a higher weight rating (payload and trailer weight) than a Power Wagon. However just to clarify the original post is asking about a Tradesman WITH the Power Wagon option package which effectively reduces the weight ratings to the same level as a Power Wagon. The only reason I am posting this is to make sure somebody doesn't think you can do a Tradesman with the PW package and somehow skirt the lower payload and trailer towing capacity associated with the Power Wagon. It is the lower rated tires, taller and softer suspension, etc... that comes with either a Power Wagon or the Power Wagon option package on the Tradesman that reduces the capacities.
These next comments are not specific to the post quoted above. If you really need higher payload and towing capacities and the off-road capabilities of the PW you can always modify the truck with aftermarket parts. Obviously you lose the factory warranty on those parts and the ability to role the expenses up in monthly payments, but if you need it then you need it. The first option is to start with a Power Wagon and modify the suspension and tires....though the payload will police will jump on here and comment that "legally" it doesn't change the rated numbers on the door sticker, which is true. The other option is to buy a Tradesman, or even one with a Cummins in which there is no PW package available, and modify the drivetrain with front and rear lockers, aftermarket suspension, etc... Just have to review your needs and punch some numbers to see which makes more sense cost wise. Considering the PW option package is $8k you would have some money to play with in regards to modifying a truck.

 

[mass-hole]

My 2014 HD Tradesman has a weight rating of 3250, Way more than the powerwagon. The Tradesman is for work, the powerwagon is for FUN. The powerwagon will do the JOB, the Tradesman does is better. Get what your heart is telling you or you'll resent your choice. Use the Ram truck website to find out the exact weight ratings for your truck by VIN #.

There is a Powerwagon package available with the Tradesman trim. It effectively makes it a Powerwagon without the appearance package and some options. But it still reduces the GVWR to 8575 or whatever it is.

 

[tron67j]

Yes, you are correct that a Tradesman has a higher weight rating (payload and trailer weight) than a Power Wagon. However just to clarify the original post is asking about a Tradesman WITH the Power Wagon option package which effectively reduces the weight ratings to the same level as a Power Wagon. The only reason I am posting this is to make sure somebody doesn't think you can do a Tradesman with the PW package and somehow skirt the lower payload and trailer towing capacity associated with the Power Wagon. It is the lower rated tires, taller and softer suspension, etc... that comes with either a Power Wagon or the Power Wagon option package on the Tradesman that reduces the capacities.
These next comments are not specific to the post quoted above. If you really need higher payload and towing capacities and the off-road capabilities of the PW you can always modify the truck with aftermarket parts. Obviously you lose the factory warranty on those parts and the ability to role the expenses up in monthly payments, but if you need it then you need it. The first option is to start with a Power Wagon and modify the suspension and tires....though the payload will police will jump on here and comment that "legally" it doesn't change the rated numbers on the door sticker, which is true. The other option is to buy a Tradesman, or even one with a Cummins in which there is no PW package available, and modify the drivetrain with front and rear lockers, aftermarket suspension, etc... Just have to review your needs and punch some numbers to see which makes more sense cost wise. Considering the PW option package is $8k you would have some money to play with in regards to modifying a truck.

Making a statement that one can buy a truck with the PW package and then upgrade the vehicle to increase the payload really, at best, begs the question of why someone would buy a power wagon package only to remove just about everything (but the winch and some graphics) that makes it a power wagon. At worst, someone thinks all they have to do is put new shocks on it and, voila, it has tons of capacity. The sum of its parts designs it for a purpose not commensurate with heaving towing.

It isn't just about the numbers printed on the door, it is heading off into the unknown with more mass than originally intended and then moment arrives where an unexpected event occurs because some part, either original or non-specified replacement part fails due to the mismatched combination. The hope is that this event only impacts the driver, but sometimes it ends up impacting others and all arises from a "hey y'all, watch this" moment where someone knows they put the right parts on and the numbers are just made up.

And using the truck not as designed voids the whole warranty and any extended warranty, plus adds potential liability problems elsewhere. Losing warranty on the aftermarket parts pales in comparison. Read Ram's warranty policy, specifically why it will void a warranty.

If one wants to tow large, one buys the right truck and tows their fun-vee to the trail.