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03-10-2011, 06:38 PM
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#1
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Lost in America
2015 27' FB International
2006 25' Safari FB SE
2004 19' International CCD
Santa Fe
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,151
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Dodge Power Wagon
Okay you Ram heads, I am considering a Dodge Ram 2500 Power Wagon as a tow vehicle for my 25FB. I have been towing with a Touareg V8 and I like being able to unhook and go 4 wheeling in to the back country. But sometimes I would like to take more stuff along. The Power Wagon has locking front and rear differentials and sway bar disconnect. But I am wondering about the stiffness of the ride when towing. Anyone out there towing with a PW? Give me some feedback...
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03-10-2011, 07:14 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1979 23' Safari
1954 29' Liner
Orange
, California
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,849
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I don't know if anyone on this forum tows with a new PowerWagon, but Paul Cook, owner of the Kempner Power Wagon Museum in Texas, has a 2005 and his article on the truck is here: My 2005 POWER WAGON
Bill
Quote:
Originally Posted by mojo
Okay you Ram heads, I am considering a Dodge Ram 2500 Power Wagon as a tow vehicle for my 25FB. I have been towing with a Touareg V8 and I like being able to unhook and go 4 wheeling in to the back country. But sometimes I would like to take more stuff along. The Power Wagon has locking front and rear differentials and sway bar disconnect. But I am wondering about the stiffness of the ride when towing. Anyone out there towing with a PW? Give me some feedback...
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__________________
Bill Kerfoot, WBCCI/VAC/CAC/El Camino Real Unit #5223
Just my personal opinion
1973 Dodge W200 PowerWagon, 1977 Lincoln Continental, 2014 Dodge Durango
1979 23' Safari, and 1954 29' Double Door Liner Orange, CA
https://billbethsblog.blogspot.com/
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03-10-2011, 07:47 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2020 30' Classic
Derwood
, Maryland
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,515
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Mojo - Ford Super Duty diesel - hands down favorite with FX4 package...
__________________
John "JFScheck" Scheck
2020 30’ Airstream Classic
**I Love U.S.A.**
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03-11-2011, 05:32 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1994 30' Excella
alexandria
, Kentucky
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,314
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Mojo,
I tow with a Dodge 2500 . No problems with the suspension - not too harsh. Take some time to dial in the your hitch and the ride will be good in the driver seat and for the trailer. I would recommend light duty weight distribution bars unless you have the HAHA or Propride.
Pay not attention to JFSheck - he's still excited about his new truck
__________________
Steve, Christy, Anna and Phoebe (Border Collie)
1994 Classic 30'11" Excella - rear twin
2009 Dodge 2500, 6 Speed Auto, CTD, Quad Cab, Short Bed
Hensley Arrow hitch with adjustable stinger
WBCCI # 3072
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03-11-2011, 07:31 AM
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#5
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Lost in America
2015 27' FB International
2006 25' Safari FB SE
2004 19' International CCD
Santa Fe
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,151
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I understand that the Power Wagon is built on a different frame than the 2500 with different suspension. So is it comparably more harsh?
Scheck, you're just a super duty maniac now...you need a 32 Classic to tow around.
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03-11-2011, 09:10 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1994 30' Excella
alexandria
, Kentucky
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,314
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I don't know what the exact changes would be but common sense would tell me that purpose built off road vehicle will have more articulation built into the spring rates. I would reason that the truck could potentially have softer springs than a convention 3/4 ton (consider it a light 3/4 ton). Maybe look at the GVW ratings would tell the difference. Also I believe the sway bars disconnect on this vehicle which also give it the needed off road articulation.
check out this thread on pw's.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...-38681-15.html
__________________
Steve, Christy, Anna and Phoebe (Border Collie)
1994 Classic 30'11" Excella - rear twin
2009 Dodge 2500, 6 Speed Auto, CTD, Quad Cab, Short Bed
Hensley Arrow hitch with adjustable stinger
WBCCI # 3072
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03-11-2011, 01:02 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2020 30' Classic
Derwood
, Maryland
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,515
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mojo
I understand that the Power Wagon is built on a different frame than the 2500 with different suspension. So is it comparably more harsh?
Scheck, you're just a super duty maniac now...you need a 32 Classic to tow around.
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Yea - but my "T-Rex" is still loved, more so then my "Pepper ever was"....
Power Wagon (like the F-150 Raptor) does have a different suspension setup for off-road adventures - I would think it would be a bit more pushing on the ole' Airstream.
BUT - for us "T-Rex" folks used to the Sport Suspension of our SUV's - my Super Duty rides the same (granted 200lbs of A.R.E topper help)...
__________________
John "JFScheck" Scheck
2020 30’ Airstream Classic
**I Love U.S.A.**
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03-11-2011, 02:07 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1994 30' Excella
alexandria
, Kentucky
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,314
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I found a little info on a 2005 model.
New Dodge Power Wagon - Off-Road Adventures Magazine
Copied from an off road thread on another website.
"What, you ask, is the difference between a Dodge Ram and a PowerWagon ??
About 2" taller, 12,000lb winch w/mounting brace between framerails,electronic disconnecting swaybar(for awsome articulation),electronic locking axles front & rear(for true 4-wheel drive),tow pkg, fully skidplated,forged one piece Alcoa rims w/internal beadlock lips,larger diameter(one ton) axleshaft in rear,160 amp alt,HD battery,4.56 gears,low range electronic recalibration of gas pedal sensitivity,more but thinner leafs in rear spring pack(for better articulation), 33" BFG All-Terrain tires. 78.016:1 crawl ratio. All for $6100.00 more! Oh yeah, almost forgot-Bilstein shocks. Gear ratios: 1st 6.29:1 2nd 3.48:1 3rd 2.10:1 4th 1.38:1 5th 1.0:1 6th .79:1.. Rev 5.74:1. "
__________________
Steve, Christy, Anna and Phoebe (Border Collie)
1994 Classic 30'11" Excella - rear twin
2009 Dodge 2500, 6 Speed Auto, CTD, Quad Cab, Short Bed
Hensley Arrow hitch with adjustable stinger
WBCCI # 3072
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03-11-2011, 06:48 PM
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#9
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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I have a 2WD 3/4T [2004]. IFS, rack & pinion steering, manual transmission, highway rib tires. Diesel engine. A different beast. But what I read elsewhere about the gasoline engine in a 3/4T is encouraging. Taller, offroad tires, etc, make for being more careful on the highway. That said, the rear springs may not be so different. In fact The Dodge Towing Guide makes it look as if the rear axle and spring capacity are the same on a 2009 model Po-W as the diesel.
If so, yes, it is a stiff combination. I towed a trailer with a real frame (Silver Streak) and the question didn't concern me about flex and such. The one that did (relatively) was that I was quickly against my payload "limit" with the heavy TW of an 8k GVWR trailer.
I towed that about 100 miles one day w/o a WDH to see how it felt and the truck was as stable as could be. Once I had my Hensley installed I was never able to get the weight distribution correct (lousy "stinger"; no tilt feature to induce extra leverage) but the anti-sway was, of course, perfect.
My concern would be getting the hitch rigging just right. Each vehicle level. Proper leverage via weight scale readings. After that I would think that tire pressures according to load (and manufacturer) would allay the worst of it.
There are others around here towing with 3rd and 4th Generation Dodge diesel trucks; might do a search. I think the rear axle (if the above proves correct) will cross-reference your search adequately for comparison. (The axle is an AAM 11.5").
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03-11-2011, 07:23 PM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
Valrico
, Florida
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 38
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The Power Wagon is an incredible 3/4 ton 4x4 Ram. With 4.56 gears, 5.7 Hemi, Locking Ft & Rear Diff's, Factory Warn Winch, Electronic Disconnect Sway Bar, Bilstein Shocks, 33" BFG All Terrain Tires on Forged Aluminum 8 Lug Wheels. The Springs are set on the Softer Side for better Articulation resulting in a superior Hwy Ride compared to the Regular Ram 2500. The Tow rating is less the the standard Ram 2500 4x4 because of the softer sprung Rear Leaf Springs. A set of Airbags will assist in any Drop in the Rear when Hitched..Towing up to 10,000 lbs would be very comfortable.
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03-11-2011, 08:03 PM
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#11
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3 Rivet Member
1972 29' Ambassador
Weatherford
, Texas
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 153
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I am...I am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mojo
Okay you Ram heads, I am considering a Dodge Ram 2500 Power Wagon as a tow vehicle for my 25FB. I have been towing with a Touareg V8 and I like being able to unhook and go 4 wheeling in to the back country. But sometimes I would like to take more stuff along. The Power Wagon has locking front and rear differentials and sway bar disconnect. But I am wondering about the stiffness of the ride when towing. Anyone out there towing with a PW? Give me some feedback...
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My 1973 Powerwagon does great!!! So the new ones have got to be good?!
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03-11-2011, 10:27 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1979 23' Safari
1954 29' Liner
Orange
, California
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,849
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So does my 1973 W200.
Bill
Quote:
Originally Posted by mopariac
My 1973 Powerwagon does great!!! So the new ones have got to be good?!
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__________________
Bill Kerfoot, WBCCI/VAC/CAC/El Camino Real Unit #5223
Just my personal opinion
1973 Dodge W200 PowerWagon, 1977 Lincoln Continental, 2014 Dodge Durango
1979 23' Safari, and 1954 29' Double Door Liner Orange, CA
https://billbethsblog.blogspot.com/
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10-09-2011, 01:11 PM
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#13
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3 Rivet Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 153
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just starting to tow here with a '66 WM300 power wagon, has plenty of power but brakes are scary until I do s disk conversion. Towing my 72 overlander just for vintage meets close to home!
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10-09-2011, 06:44 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1979 23' Safari
1954 29' Liner
Orange
, California
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,849
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We need some pictures.
Bill
Quote:
Originally Posted by AirConditioner
just starting to tow here with a '66 WM300 power wagon, has plenty of power but brakes are scary until I do s disk conversion. Towing my 72 overlander just for vintage meets close to home!
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__________________
Bill Kerfoot, WBCCI/VAC/CAC/El Camino Real Unit #5223
Just my personal opinion
1973 Dodge W200 PowerWagon, 1977 Lincoln Continental, 2014 Dodge Durango
1979 23' Safari, and 1954 29' Double Door Liner Orange, CA
https://billbethsblog.blogspot.com/
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10-10-2011, 06:34 PM
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#15
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3 Rivet Member
2009 27' FB International
_
, North Carolina
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 151
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For the $6100 price premium of a PowerWagon I could make my 2005 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab 4x4 diesel into an amazing off road vehicle. I'd skip the powerwagon, which will be at a premium price. Instead I'd get a Dodge Diesel, put 3-4k into tires, suspension, and lockers to make a very capable off-road vehicle.
Take a look at Carlise suspension products, a locker, a winch, and some tires. That should get you to plenty of places that you would want to go.
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10-11-2011, 05:43 AM
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#16
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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The diesel engine is waaay too heavy to ever make a good offroader.
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