Power Wagon as a family Exploration Vehicle

[TommyG]

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

They are helpful for sure.

 

[neilsonwheels]

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

I made sure my PW had 360 and forward facing camera option - it's enormously helpful

 

[rruff]

The one option I wish I fitted when ordering was the 360-degree cameras. That would be a welcome addition

A "backup" camera mounted to the front with a display would take care of the frontal view at least.

 

[TexasSixSeven]

A "backup" camera mounted to the front with a display would take care of the frontal view at least.

I’ve got a WiFi “backup” camera mounted to my front bumper. I just connect it to my dash mounted IPad when I need to see forward. The best part is I can adjust the camera angle easily to best suit my needs at that time.

 

[Tex68w]

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).

It's not so much the length of the hood, it's the shape and the height of the dash and the angle of the windshield. I always felt like the cab of the RAM was more cramped than that of the Ford.

 

[Roam.Wild]

A "backup" camera mounted to the front with a display would take care of the frontal view at least.

They make front bumper cameras, we had one on our PW. Put it on right before we did our Ouray trip, it was a massive help going up some of those inclines and instead of staring straight into the sky I was able to see right at the ground!

 

[SnowedIn]

You mentioned that you’ll be towing 8-10k, which is why I brought up towing. Now I’m questioning why you’re looking at HD’s. Just for the SFA? Seems a bit silly to me.
Unless you’re going on a Full-size Invasion run, I’d Just get a half ton and put a nice suspension kit on it and enjoy the same offroad capability and much better fuel economy. Or just buy a Raptor.

Towing 8-10k on a 3/4 ton, even the Power Wagon with the squishy suspension, is a very different experience than doing it with a half ton. Given a choice on the spot with no other considerations I'd take the HD every time.

More than ~4.5k on most midsizes and more than 7-8k on most half tons just isn't all that comfortable for a number of reasons if wind and mountains factor in. Will they do it - yes, but you're not going to just be setting cruise control and pointing the truck in the right general direction. You also in many cases may be getting less truck per dollar with smaller trucks on account of demand and pricing.

I have a tradesman w/ the Power Wagon package primarily because F-250's in a trim we wanted would have taken several months. I'd rather have the 7.3L than deal with all sorts of Stellantis engine and build quality BS (though I know all about Ford electrical), but the 6.4 is a very capable engine. You have to think of the Power Wagon as being kind of like a solid axle swapped half ton with a bigger engine and brakes, rather than a real HD truck in certain ways.

re: hood visibility: I love how they mandate that hoods get taller to allow space for pedestrians to crumple into when going over the hood, and now they complain that you can't see pedestrians over the higher hoods that have been mandated. Talk about creating a problem. Here is a wild concept: look both ways before crossing the street, and stay out of the road if you have no business being it it.