Pzary3233
New member
That's a nice setup! That's more weight than I will have. What is your fuel range? Do you feel like you are inhibited by it?
Power Wagon as a family Exploration Vehicle
- Thread starter Pzary3233
- Start date
Thanks, I recently picked this up from Sean at Go-Anywhere FWC in Wisconsin, driving home with the camper empty going at or below 65 mph I saw 14 mpg on the computer. I could not tell you the exact range but I thought it was a 300 miles. Around town the computer is showing 10 mpg, I am not really all that concerned about it. Like I said I do not rock crawl or mud bog but the only other thing would be tight trails with lots of trees/brush that would prevent me from traveling to those places. We are planning to go to the Arctic Ocean this summer and I will have at least another 10 gallons of fuel with me.
COAKXterra
Well-known member
The only time I EVER get a consistent 13-15mpg in our PW is staying around the 55-65mph mark. We drove to Homer from Anchorage and back (230ish mi each way) last weekend with little wind and the couple passes you go through and I think it showed around 13.5 for each direction (uncorrected on 35s). 4 adults, a tiny human, and stuff for a weekend of fun and fishing under the fiberglass canopy. Certainly could feel the softer suspension with that load, but it’s not our norm.
Most of the time with some higher speeds, or city involved… my daily mileage is certainly closer towards 10ish.
But I didn’t buy a PW for mileage or heavy towing, so I just accept it as a given truth. But even here in Alaska, unless I’m going out the Denali hwy or up the dalton, I rarely ever carry extra fuel… just know where my closest/last is and plan accordingly. For that matter, taking the PW to/from the lower48 several times, I only carry extra in winter (I would though going up through Dawson regardless of season).
All that to say… The range sucks, but it isn’t an enough for me to get a different vehicle, when it checks so many of our other boxes.
Most of the time with some higher speeds, or city involved… my daily mileage is certainly closer towards 10ish.
But I didn’t buy a PW for mileage or heavy towing, so I just accept it as a given truth. But even here in Alaska, unless I’m going out the Denali hwy or up the dalton, I rarely ever carry extra fuel… just know where my closest/last is and plan accordingly. For that matter, taking the PW to/from the lower48 several times, I only carry extra in winter (I would though going up through Dawson regardless of season).
All that to say… The range sucks, but it isn’t an enough for me to get a different vehicle, when it checks so many of our other boxes.
Tex68w
Beach Bum
That's a great way to look at it. Accept the less than stellar range in favor of it being a utility knife type platform. I still love the PW, it just doesn't fit into my needs/use-case scenario at the moment.
rruff
Explorer
Can you tell me the precise size/model/spec tires you are comparing? Large tires do not necessarily mean less MPG even on the highway, and there are massive differences in the rolling resistance between brands, models, etc.
My Hankook ATMs (325/65r18 so basically fat, heavy, 35s) are phenomenal for MPG, but they not longer make them... and I'd like to get 37s next and there aren't a lot of options in 18".
I'd guess the sway issue people have with the PW is a feature, not a bug. The suspension is designed for offroad suppleness with a light load. Stiffer springs and shocks should fix that if you carry a heavy load.
Transit720
Member
When you say "visbility" are you talking about ability to see over the hood (ability to see the road/trail immediately in front of the vehicle) from the drivers' seat? I've heard people say that the RAM 2500/3500 has a "longer hood" compared with the F250/350, but I'm not sure if this is acutally the case. Would love to hear thoughts from those who have spent time behind the wheel of each. I couldn't locate any data on hood length from the OEMs.
Yup, as far as total vehicle length, the CCSB HD-Ford is about 11 inches longer than the CCSB HD-Ram. Ram has a better turning diamater as well, due to shorter wheelbase. (48' for the HD-RAM, 53' for the HD-Ford).
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tacollie
Glamper
It has to do with the way the rear suspension is designed on the RAM 2500. Even the non PW 2500 isn't great for hauling a camper. The coils are to close together. Most people end up with a heavier sway bar. I really wanted one for the coil suspension but the few people I talked to convinced me not to get one.
neilsonwheels
Member
Our family of 5 does great so far with our 22 PW towing a Conqueror. Only really tested our rig's capability a time or 2 but it's nice to know we can go far off the beaten path. I honestly love the truck, but it is a LOT of truck. Gas mileage SUUUUCKS. Also the android auto just doesn't work right and the RAM dealer said flatly "we will not fix it" despite being under warranty and multiple visits.
Attachments
I think it is more of a subjective feeling. Was just in another RAM 2500 rental for 4 days and the height of the dash relative to the seating position feels taller/more intrusive. I'm not sure that the hood is meaningfully longer, but looking out does feel more cramped to me, and slightly harder to gauge where the front of the truck is.
Transit720
Member
Yeah, gauging where the front of the truck is can be a challenge, especially on a trail with large rocks to navigate around.
TommyG
Adventurer
It is tough to see with any of them. A good co-pilot/spotter is a big help when you are off the beaten path for sure.
Agree with this. Not like a Super Duty is going to feel like a Tacoma by comparison. The one option I wish I fitted when ordering was the 360-degree cameras. That would be a welcome addition