Question for the 2014 Guys (and girls?)

[Big Blue]

Considering buying a new Power Wagon but I need to be able to tow a loaded trailer, with a loaded truck, through the mountains of PA and WV. Trailer is 7000 # GW. My 2007 PW does not have the stuff. It'll do it but it's painful. Honestly my 2010 1500 pulls better. I do take my truck off road but I'm not a hardcore off roader. Still, I love the PW and would like another one, but maybe a diesel makes sense??
My question is about the power of the new 6.4 hemi and towing ability in general of the 2014 PW. Anyone have any experience towing with the new setup?

[adeluca73]

Considering buying a new Power Wagon but I need to be able to tow a loaded trailer, with a loaded truck, through the mountains of PA and WV. Trailer is 7000 # GW. My 2007 PW does not have the stuff. It'll do it but it's painful. Honestly my 2010 1500 pulls better. I do take my truck off road but I'm not a hardcore off roader. Still, I love the PW and would like another one, but maybe a diesel makes sense??
My question is about the power of the new 6.4 hemi and towing ability in general of the 2014 PW. Anyone have any experience towing with the new setup?

I towed w/ it this weekend...5K lbs + 700-800lbs trailer...did great. Drove it quite a bit down some rough dirt trails w/ no issues.

[Big Blue]

Thanks!

[vanished]

I tow the mountains of PA on a regular basis (5k-10k) and admit a few more HP would be nice as well... Really gotta let the 5.7l sing to get up the hills at speed - just can't be afraid. My biggest concern is the reduced payload on the newer ones as I push limits of my 3g's...

[Big Blue]

That's a good point. Gotta look at the payload numbers a little closer. Thanks.

[FirerescuePW]

[quote="vanished"]I tow the mountains of PA on a regular basis (5k-10k) and admit a few more HP would be nice as well... Really gotta let the 5.7l sing to get up the hills at speed - just can't be afraid.

Me too. Don't be afraid of 5000 RPMs. My '05 does it all the time.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

[coder]

Considering buying a new Power Wagon but I need to be able to tow a loaded trailer, with a loaded truck, through the mountains of PA and WV. Trailer is 7000 # GW. My 2007 PW does not have the stuff. It'll do it but it's painful.

Hello Big Blue,

When was the last time you did a tune-up (plugs, PCV valve, clean throttle body, air filter, oil) on your 07, the plugs really need to be changed every 30k for optimal performance?

A new 2014 would be great, but the 07 should do the job.

Capacity Ratings for comparison purposes:

06-08 PW
Max Payload: 2,260
Max Towing: 10,600
#####################
2014 PW:
Max Payload: 1,380
Max Towing: 10,700

[Big Blue]

Bought the truck used so not sure when the last tune up happened. Was definitely a well maintained truck though. Idles very smooth and doesn't have any hesitation or anything. Just wants to run in a low gear at high RPM. Maybe that's by design? Lots of shifting down and up. Gonna pull a plug and check it out. Thanks.

[coder]

Just wants to run in a low gear at high RPM. Maybe that's by design?

The Hemi 5.7 was designed to be a moderately high revving motor. It provides 345 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 375 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpms and likes higher rpms while towing uphill (the transmission shift points are tuned to match this) so don't be afraid to rev it up.

[joeschmidt]

I don't pull in the mountains, but the trailer I have ways 3200lbs empty and loaded about 7000lbs... And my wagon pulls it WAY better than the f250 I used to have

[HammerTime]

I don't pull in the mountains, but the trailer I have ways 3200lbs empty and loaded about 7000lbs... And my wagon pulls it WAY better than the f250 I used to have

Yeah, the PW is actually a fine tow rig, you just have to let it growl a little on the hills. As mentioned previously, the Hemi likes to turn a few RPMs. I test drove an 2014 2500 Outdoorsman configured with 4.10 gears and the 6.4L and wasn't really all that impressed to be honest. The extra tq/hp were lost with the taller gearing. On the other hand, now that I've got about 1200 miles logged now on an 2012 SRT Challenger 6.4L (392 for us old Mopar guys) I picked up a few weeks ago... (Only 5711 miles on her!) Man, I have to say that engine would be perfect for the Power Wagon! It makes 470 ft/lbs torque, along with 470 HP. It actually makes pretty good torque numbers lower in the RPM range than the 5.7L. The PW would be a hauling, towing beast with that engine.

Hmmmm, maybe get a 426 crate Hemi for the Challenger and put the 392 in my Power Wagon, and put the 5.7 in my Jeep Rubicon. Now that IS a plan! (Not going to happen anytime soon, but a feller can dream though!)

[azracer]

I test drove a 2014 yesterday. I was impressed with a fit and finish as well as the overall look and ride. Power on the other hand was sorely lacking (noticeably so). I suspect the gearing change to 410's is the major culprit. The transmission was great however. Shifting was imperceptible yet firm with a noticeable delay in up-shift on deceleration providing a nice engine braking feeling in traffic.

I did notice the ride was very controlled and smooth, likely from the 5link and coils in the back and radius arms on the front. The steering felt a bit heavy and it felt like the truck resisted any steering input changes. It felt as though the truck only wanted to remain on it's current trajectory. Turning while heavy felt very deliberate and stable, any hint of wander was noticeably missing. I suspect the radius arms were a major factor in this very different steering on center feeling.

The dealer experience was miserable as expected! The salesman went on about best in class towing, air ride providing maximum payload and hauling capacity with the best ride of any 2500 truck out there. He even went on to describe how the air bags lowered the truck at speed to improve fuel economy and ride. When I asked what this is for... he said he did not know, so I proceeded to explain it to him (lockers and smart bar). Then once the test drive and his reeducation was done it was time to retrieve my $25 gas card. I had to demand to see the manager after the finance guy refused to honor their $25 test drive e-mail ad, but that didn't get me anywhere. I asked to see his boss and he told me that if I had made an appointment for the test drive they would honor it. I said okay lets make that appointment then and I will try the truck on the highway and off road to be sure I don't like it. Now I have my $25 gas card LOL.

Dear Kenneth-

I have a $25 Gas Card certificate for you!

Because you already know how great Ram Trucks are, I wanted to invite you to come Drive the All New 2014 Ram Truck. It is Ram Truck Month here at Larry H. Miller Dodge Tucson, and we are sale pricing every Ram Truck in stock. Also, because your current truck is in high demand, I am sure that we will be offering you more than ever for your 2009 Dodge Ram.

Most Ram Truck Owners immediately go to http://www.WhatsMyTradeValue.com or email me at a james.baughman@lhm-dodge.com to find out just how much we will give them for their current truck. If you are interested in selling us your truck, you could also call me Now at 520-447-2221.

The $25 Gas Card Certificate is YOURS when you test drive any new 2014 Ram Pickup before August 30. Just Click Here to schedule your test drive and validate your $25 Gas Card certificate.

Print this letter or show it on your mobile device when you arrive at the dealership.

If you have been waiting for the Right Time to check out Ram Trucks - This is it!

Thanks,

James Baughman


General Sales Manager
Larry H. Miller Dodge Ram Tucson
james.baughman@lhm-dodge.com

4220 E. 22nd St.
Tucson, AZ 85711
Main: 520-447-3615
http://www.TucsonDodge.com

[attachment=-1]uploadfromtaptalk1408533374870.jpg[/attachment]



Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

PS: I had to put it in 4hi to get out of the lot for a test drive!


.

[JBM Power Wagon]

I tow a 26 ft travel trailer that weighs in around 7500lbs loaded. I have been thinking I should try to convince a dealer to let me take a 2014 PW and do a quick test drive with the trailer hooked up. Then I could compare it to my 2011 and give some feedback to the forum. From the quick city/highway test drive I did on a 2014 the other day and all of the stuff I am reading online about the new 6.4 engine most (including me) won't feel much of a difference when driving around unloaded between the 6.4 and the 5.7. The 6.4 was entirely built as a hard working engine with more usable torque and power when towing and carrying loads along with generating slightly better mpg. Based on this I don't think anybody should expect to feel a huge difference when stepping into the 6.4 and driving an unloaded truck.

I will also add to the others in agreeing that you can be afraid to let the 5.7 hemi rev up when towing. When towing my trailer up mountain passes I have no hesitation in letting in drop gears and spin up to 5000rpm to maintain speed up the grade.

[JBM Power Wagon]

I tow a 26 ft travel trailer that weighs in around 7500lbs loaded. I have been thinking I should try to convince a dealer to let me take a 2014 PW and do a quick test drive with the trailer hooked up. Then I could compare it to my 2011 and give some feedback to the forum. From the quick city/highway test drive I did on a 2014 the other day and all of the stuff I am reading online about the new 6.4 engine most (including me) won't feel much of a difference when driving around unloaded between the 6.4 and the 5.7. The 6.4 was entirely built as a hard working engine with more usable torque and power when towing and carrying loads along with generating slightly better mpg. Based on this I don't think anybody should expect to feel a huge difference when stepping into the 6.4 and driving an unloaded truck.

I will also add to the others in agreeing that you can be afraid to let the 5.7 hemi rev up when towing. When towing my trailer up mountain passes I have no hesitation in letting in drop gears and spin up to 5000rpm to maintain speed up the grade.

Just an update, I am getting my 2014 in a few days, and in October I will be heading out hunting with my travel trailer in tow and ATV and other gear in the bed. I will have the Airlift Loadlifter 5000 air bags and Daystar air bag cradles installed by then to help with the load. Once the trip is done I will post up my thoughts on the 6.4 towing/hauling ability vs the 5.7.

[Kscardsfan]

Haven't towed anything. But I can safely say I do love my '14 Laramie. Based on my experience so far, I can safely say I wouldn't hesitate to tow with this truck.

[vanished]

Oh man - the ATV in the bed will have you legally overloaded alone! Lol.

Seriously - let us know how the bags work and the trip goes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk