Power Wagon as a family Exploration Vehicle

[COAKXterra]

When you were doing the passes in CO, did you find that the size of the truck was almost too big for the shelf roads or were you comfortable with it? Did you run Mineral Creek after Engineer Pass?

I used to drive a different ram 2500 ctd for work all over the CO Rockies. There were only a handful of roads/trails I wouldn’t take it on, again with no suspension mods and 35s. But nearly everything on the Alpine Loop (minus Black Bear) was no issue.

I haven’t done the Alpine in our PW, but I would in a heartbeat.

 

[Tex68w]

I ran the loop in my PW including Black Bear. It required a few 17-point turns just north of Bridal Veil Falls but it got it done with some patience.

 

[TommyG]

When you were doing the passes in CO, did you find that the size of the truck was almost too big for the shelf roads or were you comfortable with it? Did you run Mineral Creek after Engineer Pass?

I was not uncomfortable anywhere in CO or Moab with it. We just took our time and soaked it in. We pulled to the side a lot to let Jeeps, Toyotas, side x sides, etc. pass us since they were moving faster going up Engineer. About the worst we had to do was back up on the switchbacks like Tex mentioned. It was a relaxing, fun time. No white knuckles.

We ran out of time and did not get to Mineral Springs. This was my son's first road trip so I was trying to show him a lot in a short time just in case he never wanted to get into the truck again after we got home.

Glad Tex chimed in. He can tell you all you want to know about Power Wagon vs Tremor.

 

[jadmt]

as a long time jeep wrangler owner I loved what the jeep could do but started looking at the Power Wagon thinking it was going to just be a bigger version. In 2020 when covid was rearing its ugly head and dealers were afraid they were going to be stuck with them I got a screaming deal on a new Power wagon and was able to sell my JKURR for top dollar. I took the power wagon to Moad 3X's and while it could do some stuff it could not do the stuff we were used to doing at least not easily. in early 2024 my wife actually point blank we need another jeep.....we have been married for 36 years and she never gets excited about vehicles...I was like really and she was yes I miss doing jeep things....so 4 years later I got what I paid for the Power Wagon new on a trade and have not had a day where I missed it...after getting the power wagon there were plenty of days I regretted my decision...that said I really did like the pw just not as much as the wranglers...

 

[phsycle]

I ran the loop in my PW including Black Bear. It required a few 17-point turns just north of Bridal Veil Falls but it got it done with some patience.

Brass 🏀 🏀
It’s nerve-wracking enough in a midsize!

 

[Tex68w]

Brass 🏀 🏀
It’s nerve-wracking enough in a midsize!

Maybe some of that but most sheer stubbornness and a mildly concerning lack of fear for sketchy situations lol. I'd do it again if the opportunity presents itself but my current truck has a horrid turning radius compared to the PW and that would make things even more sketchy lol.

 

[Pzary3233]

Would you want a full size truck for those tight trails? It’s tight enough out here. Can’t imagine driving a HD through anything tighter.

By the way, in the San Juans, big trucks do ok. Definitely have to watch some parts but Engineer, Imogene, etc, I’ve seen full-size trucks on them several times. Wouldn’t recommend Black Bear, though.
Not my cup of tea, though. In my Jeep is fun. Don’t want to take anything bigger.

Full size rigs go where we go in the jeeps, I just want to go there if I so choose, I am not getting rid of the JLU which is locked on 37s and all the axle upgrades etc. That is the main wheeling rig. This is for when I go out west I want to go to the San Juans and enjoy it with a more comfortable drive out there, etc. the 19 hours one way to Moab and back last week is what brought this all front and center. I don't think my wife or I was happy about the drive, but we loved the trip. Just need a different vehicle for those long drives, OR buy a 1 ton and just trailer the jeep and be done with this conversation. But then you have to find a place to park a truck and trailer, etc. and some trips are not conducive to that.

If you want a Jeep Rubicon Gladiator on a 3/4-ton chassis with a V8 get a Power Wagon. If you want the better overall truck that's an actual 3/4-ton in every aspect get the Ford Super Duty Tremor, if you want a diesel get the Tremor, and if you want a bigger cabin get the Tremor.

If you simply want a true off-roader in a full-size truck platform first and foremost with everything else being secondary then you should buy the Power Wagon. The one perk to the RAM at the moment is how much they are discounting on the lot trucks. It's not unusual at the moment to see them marked down some $15K or more.

Those two sentiments are exactly what I am looking for, I want a heavier duty gladiator with a V8, lockers, and swaybar disconnect and I want the best offroad capability I can get from the segment. My biggest gripe about the Gladiator is that I cannot imagine doing 1/2 ton truck things with it as my Wrangler has enough issues with power/ milage with a 5.13 gears and 37s in a strong wind. I didn't even see 8th gear for hundreds of miles between Moab and Amarillo last Saturday. (which made me think about all those people who say you don't have to regear for larger tires on the JL platform)

 

[Pzary3233]

Brass 🏀 🏀
It’s nerve-wracking enough in a midsize!

Duuuuude, I cannot imagine that! It wasn't the switchbacks down that would have gotten me it would have been rollover hill/4Runner hill that would have made me pucker in that big thing! My wife says we have done Black Bear no need to do it again. Though Scholfield pass is on the list for the next trip out there....

 

[Pzary3233]

as a long time jeep wrangler owner I loved what the jeep could do but started looking at the Power Wagon thinking it was going to just be a bigger version. In 2020 when covid was rearing its ugly head and dealers were afraid they were going to be stuck with them I got a screaming deal on a new Power wagon and was able to sell my JKURR for top dollar. I took the power wagon to Moad 3X's and while it could do some stuff it could not do the stuff we were used to doing at least not easily. in early 2024 my wife actually point blank we need another jeep.....we have been married for 36 years and she never gets excited about vehicles...I was like really and she was yes I miss doing jeep things....so 4 years later I got what I paid for the Power Wagon new on a trade and have not had a day where I missed it...after getting the power wagon there were plenty of days I regretted my decision...that said I really did like the pw just not as much as the wranglers...

And that is why I am keeping the Wrangler, I LOVE IT and enjoy it, just it's just not a cross country cruiser. It's a wheeler.

 

[phsycle]

Maybe some of that but most sheer stubbornness and a mildly concerning lack of fear for sketchy situations lol. I'd do it again if the opportunity presents itself but my current truck has a horrid turning radius compared to the PW and that would make things even more sketchy lol.

No, “mildly” is not the word I’d use 😂
I’ve seen videos of full-size trucks with half of their wheel hanging off of the ledge driving down BB. Nope, not for me! Gladly take my jeep down, though.

 

[paroxysym]

have you taken a closer look at the 6.6 gas HD and the 10spd GM has? they seem alot more problem free than the ford 7.3 with the lifter issues. the ZR2 or AT4X both have the elec rear locker, but youre right not seeing much in the way of options for the front. stellantis reliability always has me second guessing the RAMs, plus the exterior and interior of the gmc/chevy just looks better IMO.

 

[phsycle]

have you taken a closer look at the 6.6 gas HD and the 10spd GM has? they seem alot more problem free than the ford 7.3 with the lifter issues. the ZR2 or AT4X both have the elec rear locker, but youre right not seeing much in the way of options for the front. stellantis reliability always has me second guessing the RAMs, plus the exterior and interior of the gmc/chevy just looks better IMO.

The ZR2 comes with both front and rear lockers.

Edit: my mistake. I had half tons in my head as I’m looking at Sierra 1500’s.

 

[PeteEinMT]

ZR2 only has rear locker in the 2500. I haven heard of many of the 7.3 lifter issues? The one advantage GM has is the Auto 4wd in the HD (assuming you live in snow country)

I'd be more tempted to tow the Jeep personally than try and make a HD work. I've been in Moab with full size rigs and It is just so much slower due to the size, etc.

 

[Tex68w]

GM junk, yuck.

 

[PeteEinMT]

Hard to argue that. I just wish Ford or Ram would do auto 4wd! Would be nice for running around when you don't really need 4h in the winter but want some extra traction as needed.

Right now I have my eye the new tremor expedition just hoping the steering wheel controls are easy to use. Id rather have more buttons than screens