In a world of plush SUVs that float down the highway on what feels like a cushion of clouds, and insulate their drivers with layers and layers of excess luxury, electronics and false promises of off-roading prowess, it’s nice to know that there is still a truck available today that has the guts to just be a good ole fashioned butt-kicking truck. The Ram Power Wagon is nothing short of an unstoppable force especially off-road.
This monster Dodge walks the walk starting with factory blacked-out headlights and a mean looking Power Wagon exclusive front grill that seemingly moves cars out of its way with sheer force of will. The massive all-terrain 33” Goodyear tires and the 12,000-pound front mounted winch also convey the legitimacy of this truck’s purpose-built philosophy.
The powertrain of Power Wagon is where the Dodge derives its name. Starting with a very serious iron block aluminum heads pushrod 6.4-liter Heavy Duty Hemi V8 with port fuel injection, making a monstrous 410-horsepower and equally impressive 429 lb-ft of torque. Backing up that big engine is an equally tough 6-speed automatic 66RFE transmission and a 4.10 axle ratio rear end to help the Power Wagon dig deep when it is at it’s max payload capacity of 1,510 pounds or towing its max capacity of 10,030 pounds.
If you want something more off-road than on, the Power Wagon has you covered there too. Aside from the aforementioned winch, this monster sports tow hooks of its own, front and rear locking differentials, an electronically disconnecting front sway bar, multiple skid plates, Hill Descent Control and Bilstein mono tub shocks.
Utilitarian options help the Ram Power Wagon stand out as a tried and true truck. Things like optional due 380-amp alternators help power those extra work tools, an engine block heater to make sure you get where you need to be in the dead of winter, and a VSIM Upfitter Electronic Module to integrate outside systems and components for things like plows and salt spreaders to make them secure and a true ‘plug n play’ connection.
Inside, the Power Wagon isn’t quite as Spartan as a military Jeep from WWII, but you won’t confuse it for a Porsche Cayenne either, and that’s sort of the point. Two big gauges dominate the dash board with a basic driver info digital screen dead center, with basic monitoring gauges flanking them on either side. The center console stack is new, as is the steering wheel. You get your choice of two interiors, either black leather or a more unique “tire-tread” pattern that comes with the Power Wagon namesake embossed on it. The seats are supportive and comfortable enough to not complain about, especially if you happen to be scaling a 45-degree hill or fording a river.
The Power Wagon doesn’t wow anyone at the track, but who the heck is racing a truck like this in the first place? Just in case a pesky Ford F-350 throws you a rev at a traffic light, it couldn’t hurt to know what your Dodge can do. 0-60 mph comes up in 8.4 seconds, while the quarter mile takes just about double that at 16.5 seconds, with a top speed of 99 mph. Not bad for a truck that weighs in at a mountainous 7,300 pounds.
The big Wagon does come with a big price tag though. With a base price of $53,015, the Power Wagon doesn’t come cheap. But then, considering you are getting a full-blown work truck that can do just about anything, in any weather condition, on or off-road, and carry six people, while towing a boat, uphill, maybe that price isn’t quite so loft after all, because it’s nice to have a truck that is actually, a truck.
