Tradesman with Powerwagon Package vs Powerwagon

[Airmousam]

If its a straight up tradesman...no thanks...test drove one before I bought my 21 75th anniversary PW (61.5k otd)...if I had dentures they would have shattered...what a jarring ride compared to the PW....like night and day...wife said on the test drive...we're done, pls take this back to dealer stat. ..we tow a 4 position enclosed sled trailer 5 hrs each wayq....loaded with gear for 4 days and 4 not small guys..barely feel the trailer and rides like a dream for an HD...

 

[Fatbob Frank]

No leather option on a tradesman plus chrome bumpers is a no-go for me...

 

[62Blazer]

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.

I understand what you are saying, but never made any statement about removing all of the PW specific options.......and absolutely no reason to remove the vast majority of them. Slap a set of air bags on the back and maybe upgrade the tires, though the factory D rated tires I think are rated at almost 3,000 lbs. each at max pressure. Really don't think upgrading to a higher capacity tire really qualifies as "replacing everything on a PW package".
In regards to comments about heading into the unknown and parts failing that is getting into kinda' of a radical statement. I stated that if you need the off-road capabilities of the PW but needed higher load and towing capacity you could modify a regular 2500 or 3500 truck, and adding lockers, swaybar disconnect, custom suspension, etc... is way more modifications versus adding air bags and maybe tires to a PW. And really, it's pretty common for people that are going into the serious "unknown" regions most likely have done some sort of modifications to their vehicles anyway. Not like Thuren or Carli suspensions and bigger tires is some crazy and unusual modification!
Yes, the warranty issue is a concern as I mentioned in my post also and something that needs considered. Again, you need to think about what you really need versus want (or just think it's cool) in a truck when you decide what model to buy or what modifications to make. I'm sure there are people out there that have a single vehicle that they need to haul a trailer during the week for work, maybe haul a camper on the weekend, but have decent off-road abilities or simply better capability to get to their remote cabin or campsite, etc....

 

[bcbouy]

if you have the storage space/funds,i highly recommend a power wagon and a couple of utility trailers for the heavy hauling stuff,unless you need to carry a slide in truck camper.i tow a 26' travel trailer,my side by side or several different boats,the biggest being my 21' deck boat and my p/w does it with no drama at all and i don't have to sacrifice the comfort you get in the powerwagon.i personally would rather beat up one of my utility trailers than the truck box.contrary to what the cummins fanboys say,the powerwagon can tow and with a utility trailer it can carry.if you need to tow a big ass trailer with a crazy tongue weight then neither truck is what you're looking for.if it's all about $$,then never mind.

 

[ramffml]

No leather option on a tradesman plus chrome bumpers is a no-go for me...

Don't tradesman come by default with black bumpers? Don't think you need to get chrome.

Can't help on the "no leather", but that's a plus for me anyway, I prefer the cloth. Actually you can probably do katzkin and get higher quality leather than OEM anyway.

 

[retired]

Don't tradesman come by default with black bumpers? Don't think you need to get chrome.

Can't help on the "no leather", but that's a plus for me anyway, I prefer the cloth. Actually you can probably do katzkin and get higher quality leather than OEM anyway.

The tradesman with pw package comes with chrome bumper

 

[62Blazer]

if you have the storage space/funds,i highly recommend a power wagon and a couple of utility trailers for the heavy hauling stuff,unless you need to carry a slide in truck camper.i tow a 26' travel trailer,my side by side or several different boats,the biggest being my 21' deck boat and my p/w does it with no drama at all and i don't have to sacrifice the comfort you get in the powerwagon.i personally would rather beat up one of my utility trailers than the truck box.contrary to what the cummins fanboys say,the powerwagon can tow and with a utility trailer it can carry.if you need to tow a big ass trailer with a crazy tongue weight then neither truck is what you're looking for.if it's all about $$,then never mind.

Agree with that. I use a trailer all the time to haul bigger items. Even one of those smaller 7x12 single axle flatbed trailers comes in really handy. With a fold down rear gate/ramp and the deck height it is WAY easier to load and unload items on versus getting them in the bed of the PW. They are also pretty cheap when compared to the price of any newer truck! The only downside is that in some situations simply having a trailer makes it a little inconvenient in getting around tight spots, but with that small single axle those times are few and far between.

 

[ramffml]

The tradesman with pw package comes with chrome bumper

Are you sure about that though? When I use build and price and select the tradesman option it says this:

• Black powder-coated front bumper
• Black wheel centre hub
• Black wheel flares

 

[retired]

Are you sure about that though? When I use build and price and select the tradesman option it says this:

• Black powder-coated front bumper
• Black wheel centre hub
• Black wheel flares

looks chrome to me but I suppose it could be identifying as black never know these days.

 

[olyelr]

Are you sure about that though? When I use build and price and select the tradesman option it says this:

• Black powder-coated front bumper
• Black wheel centre hub
• Black wheel flares

Yep, unless they changed stuff in 2023, they come with chrome bumpers.