Why do people complain about these trucks so much?

[trmat79]

I've been on other forums and people are constantly complaining about all the things they hate about the truck. Why buy it then is my opinion. There are tons of trucks on the market and the Ram is just one. So my question (for a little Sunday morning discussion) is why do people complain so much in your opinion? My guess is they all wanted power wagons and fell a little short in their purchase

Todd

[cruz]

As far as I'm concerned, after 7years I love my truck and have no compaints.

[AceMan]

Everyone has complaints about something, no matter what car or truck.

I've had some minor issues, but nothing that warranty or an aftermarket part couldn't handle.

[SilverWagon05]

Just about to hit 7 years here too. I love my truck and I too have zero complaints. Is it perfect in every which way, like a.....uuummmm, a......uuummmmm, I guess I'm at a loss here.

But, I guess you could say that I'm the type of person who knows not to order Italian food at a Mexican restaurant, Mexican food at a Bistro and Chinese food at an American restaurant. If you understand what I'm getting at, then you probably have zero to very few real complaints. If you don't understand, then you're probably complaining right now.

[chromehound]

My complaints are based on the fact I got my truck used and the PO didn't know a lugnut from a dipstick so I'm finding issues here and there that just piss me off because they are, for the most part, simple fixes that just got ignored.

Oh and I hate Dodges cup holders being on the floor.

[cruz]

As far as I'm concerned, after 7years I love my truck and have no compaints.

Everyone has complaints about something, no matter what car or truck.

OK Ace, I wish it had 650 HP, 700 ft. lbs. torque and 74 MPG.

[TwinStick]

It's simple for me. I ordered mine new. I had to replace the entire front end at 18,500 miles. Dealer sucked & said there was nothing wrong with it. 21 yo kid diagnosed my truck while leaning up against the wall-smoking a cigaret. Still not done. Need upgraded steering gearbox &/or new pump. Hope it will last me a while longer before it goes completely. This is just unacceptable on a $50,000 truck. My truck still has less than 30,000 miles on it. I mean really, trucks are meant to work & haul, but an entire rebuild at 18,500 miles. They used shit parts for future business. Bad business decision IMHO.

BUT-----They ALL have issues. We have 6 people where i work & 7 at the place next door, that have GM 5.3L trucks. They are all using 1qt of oil every 1000 miles. GM says that is acceptable & doing nothing for them---except blaming the owners for "not letting the dealer change the oil." Some use Mobil 1, one uses Amsoil, some actually HAVE let the dealer do all the oil changes. Always an excuse. One is contacting the Attorney General & has a folder 2" thick. He has already been denied through the Lemon Law.

I knew going in that i would have to rebuild the front end---just not at 18,500 miles. I love my truck. Best truck i have ever owned---once all the shit stock parts are replaced.

[AceMan]

As far as I'm concerned, after 7years I love my truck and have no compaints.

Everyone has complaints about something, no matter what car or truck.

OK Ace, I wish it had 650 HP, 700 ft. lbs. torque and 74 MPG.

You'll need a P-238 Earth Space Modulator to get that.

[AceMan]

It's simple for me. I ordered mine new. I had to replace the entire front end at 18,500 miles. Dealer sucked & said there was nothing wrong with it. 21 yo kid diagnosed my truck while leaning up against the wall-smoking a cigaret. Still not done. Need upgraded steering gearbox &/or new pump. Hope it will last me a while longer before it goes completely. This is just unacceptable on a $50,000 truck. My truck still has less than 30,000 miles on it. I mean really, trucks are meant to work & haul, but an entire rebuild at 18,500 miles. They used shit parts for future business. Bad business decision IMHO.

BUT-----They ALL have issues. We have 6 people where i work & 7 at the place next door, that have GM 5.3L trucks. They are all using 1qt of oil every 1000 miles. GM says that is acceptable & doing nothing for them---except blaming the owners for "not letting the dealer change the oil." Some use Mobil 1, one uses Amsoil, some actually HAVE let the dealer do all the oil changes. Always an excuse. One is contacting the Attorney General & has a folder 2" thick. He has already been denied through the Lemon Law.

I knew going in that i would have to rebuild the front end---just not at 18,500 miles. I love my truck. Best truck i have ever owned---once all the shit stock parts are replaced.

I remember your thread at the other place with all these problems. I'm glad you got it to the point where it's ok now.

[fbenross]

This topic isn't new...And as I said before, people seek out help on forums when they have a problem...My PW has been one of the best trucks I've owned. But I don't go around posting that on forums. Thousands of power wagons have been sold, and to base an opinion on there reliability based on the posts on a forum would be wrong.

[GunniPWguy]

Took alot of replacement parts to the front end and locker/smartbar when I first bought it 2 years ago.. Guy before me drove it like he stole it. But now that it is all but new at 105,000 the PW is still running strong to places like this today with the fam. Nicest truck I've ever owned

[AceMan]

Took alot of replacement parts to the front end and locker/smartbar when I first bought it 2 years ago.. Guy before me drove it like he stole it. But now that it is all but new at 105,000 the PW is still running strong to places like this today with the fam. Nicest truck I've ever owned

Air a little thin at 12,000 feet?

[Hemi46]

I love my truck. The only complaint that I have is that I don't have a lot of places to go offroading.

[whitey]

I'll say the same thing all over again. I bought my truck new, planned on wheeling it for years and keeping for years. I knew since I was wheeling a 2006 PW back in late 2005 that I would be finding weak points with no support from power wagon owners or from Dodge. By the time I found the other site I was already in the process of putting together my 3rd hydro assist steering system as well as other personal fixes. At no time did I ever assume "no parts would break or wear down". We drive a heavy truck that is hard on parts period! Sure the steering system is not what it should be but IT IS THE BEST OFFROAD PICKUP TRUCK PERIOD. As far as I am concerned there is no substitute! When buying a new truck It is by far the best platform to start a build.

[AceMan]

I'll say the same thing all over again. I bought my truck new, planned on wheeling it for years and keeping for years. I knew since I was wheeling a 2006 PW back in late 2005 that I would be finding weak points with no support from power wagon owners or from Dodge. By the time I found the other site I was already in the process of putting together my 3rd hydro assist steering system as well as other personal fixes. At no time did I ever assume "no parts would break or wear down". We drive a heavy truck that is hard on parts period! Sure the steering system is not what it should be but IT IS THE BEST OFFROAD PICKUP TRUCK PERIOD. As far as I am concerned there is no substitute! When buying a new truck It is by far the best platform to start a build.

Well said!

[coder]

I have not heard any complaints, do you have an example?

[trmat79]

Oh nothing about the power wagon exactly. Mostly guys with 1500 etc. but hey I love my truck period

[RustyPW]

I will be buried in my PW. It's one of the best vehicles I ever owned. ........................If I can just get rid of the mod bug. My wallet and credit card would be happy.

[04Ram2500Hemi]

I'll be honest, I was a little worried about the lockers/sway bar when I bought this truck because of some of the things I've heard, but after figuring out how they work I've been nothing but happy with this truck. Granted I have less than 8,000 miles on my truck so far, but as of now it's been a great truck. Understanding how to engage the lockers and the sway bar was the biggest learning curve, but now that I’ve actually gotten to use them they are great. You’ll never see me own anything less than a Power Wagon ever again.

[trmat79]

so with that said is there anything i should know as a newbie power wagon guy?

[RustyPW]

so with that said is there anything i should know as a newbie power wagon guy?

Watching your bank acount go empty because of the mods you want to do.

[trmat79]

so with that said is there anything i should know as a newbie power wagon guy?

Watching your bank acount go empty because of the mods you want to do.

haha I have a harley too so trust me I know that feeling. Was curious about steering stabilizers etc. Prob gonna switch over to Amsoil or Mobil 1 at 4000 miles. Also want to do either a drop in K&N or some sort of CAI just trying to figure out whats best

[Ramicon]

I love my truck !! I had a RAM 2010 Diesel 4x4 cumming's and traded it for a RAM 2011 Diesel 4x4 and put a leveling kit on it and had a night mare with it,,Death wobble.....and guys if you have not experience that well...its worst than any earth quake !! the damage that does too a truck must be incredible...anyway compare to a 2011 Laramie 4x4 diesel RAM this 2012 PW is like driving a LEXUS !! I mean it ! the shocks and springs are so soft it feels like Im floating on air.... I can not say enough good things about this truck...and I hope to take it off road....but if I do not..at least I have the peace of mind, knowing that it I need it..I have the most capable off road truck sold...anyway all trucks need to be take care of....so far I have put 60K on all of my trucks combined...zero problems

[GunniPWguy]

Anyone found a plug and play locker bypass being made for these newer rigs? Just curious. If you don't know, it is a mod that allows you to trick the computer into thinking you are in 4 lo when you are actually in 4 hi or 2 hi and want to use the lockers. There are all kinds of rants about it elsewhere. I love the fact that I can lock em up in 4 hi.

[whitey]

so with that said is there anything i should know as a newbie power wagon guy?

That is a huge question that can go in any direction. But If you watch the threads you will learn the weaknesses of the truck and some of the maintenance done that doesn't occur on other trucks. Bottom line is there is a ton to learn about your truck but you don't have to know it all. When you run into a problem you just get on here and ask. And searching on the other site doesn't hurt either. There are quite a few threads we haven't covered on this site yet but things tend to make a full circle. Before you know it you'll be able to rap off specs only a power wagon owner knows. That does bring up one unfortunate point. I hate to say it but don't assume the dodge dealer knows your truck. My experience has been they over assume it's like a ram 2500.