2014 Power Wagon Payload Capacity

[JBM Power Wagon]

Airlift part number 88289. I ended up using a drill and tap to both through the center of the Daystar cradles direct to the bump stop contact plates on the axle.

So do they replace the bumpstops?

Got any pics?

I have a thread titled "Traded in my 2011 for a 2014" where I have all the details. Sorry, I don't know how to put a direct link to the thread via Tapatalk.

[Snowsled]

And you took that last line out of context, that is why it is confusing...

[Snowsled]

Payload capacity isn't solely dependent on the suspension. The total gross vehicle weight listed on your driver's door takes into account a myriad of other factors such as braking distance, tires, tire air pressure, mass of the vehicle during an impact, and other such factors. There are many safety factors that go into the calculation. The 2014+ PW's have a lighter payload than the 2005-2013 PW's mainly because of the rear coil suspension. My 2013 PW has a payload capacity of 1900 lbs.


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Well, most of that is just completely untrue.... I don't know how else to call BS. The only thing you are even close on is tires, they have to account for the load capacity of the tires. The tires fitted stock to the PW have nearly 6400 lbs capacity, they are NOT a limiting factor. If it is the coil springs can you explain to me how the standard 2500 series truck, which is nearly identical to the PW version, can carry ~3200 lbs? That model uses coil springs and is rated to carry over double what a PW is. Yet the PW has the same frame, axles, suspension layout, brakes, etc, etc.

The PW uses softer rear springs for off road use. It also has a raised suspension. These two things are surely the cause for the 8510 GVWR instead of the 10,000 of the standard 2500. They were both designed with the factors you mentioned in mind but, those do not constitute any actual differences between models that would account for the payload differences.

Get some airbags, as mentioned right off.

Well, it's not BS. I have degrees in automotive technology and mechanical engineering, and worked for Mazda NAO as a technical specialist and consultant. The items I listed are some of the factors that can go into the calculation, but not all of them. By some of your statements, it seems as if you have very little knowledge of how vehicles are engineered, nevertheless what makes the Power Wagon different from a stock Ram 2500. I suggest you do more research before calling BS.


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Please explain to me the exact PW differences then Mr Mazda LOL. The difference in payload is attributed to the softer springs and raised suspension. The things you listed go way back into the original design of the whole line of HD trucks. They do not explain why the PW is rated at half the capacity of the almost identical 2500HD trucks. Unless you are suggesting that the PW model was completely re-engineered when compared to the rest of the line, clean sheet of paper right? The factors you mentioned where used to design all of the trucks, they do not explain why two essentially identical truck designs end up with such different payloads.

If it isn't just BS, it certainly doesn't explain why we are at 8510 instead of 10,000. Unless of course the contention is the PW is a clean sheet, completely different than the rest of the line. Looking at them side by side would lead me to believe they are in fact substantially similar.

[Will]

A degree I have a degree in Spanish but that's because I bent Spanish teacher over and she gave me an "A", the only Spanish I know is what's on the local Mexican's restaurants menu...

[vanished]

I think the biggest question is 'legal' (by door sticker) vs 'safe' by knowledge of components and configurations... The Cummins 2500 guys do the same thing and swear it's a 3500 when you add bags to them... I'm also an Engineer and agree they are 'safe' but I like being 'legal' as well. Lol


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[SheepdogOutdoorsman]

Yes Vanished. Thank you. The sticker on the door containing the gross vehicle weight rating is the legal limit your vehicle can weigh, with a load in the bed, based on several safety factors. As for the Power Wagon, it is a "clean sheet" as you referenced in your post SnowSled. It starts as a Power Wagon right from the beginning, starting with the frame. There are too many differences to list, but with research you can find what I'm talking about. It's been discussed on this forum in length. You can't just take a Hemi Ram 2500 and turn it into a Power Wagon. The frame, the axles, the suspension, and several other build factors differ greatly from a standard Hemi Ram 2500. Don't get me wrong, while the other factors I've listed do go into the calculation of payload capacity, the main reason is the raised and softer suspension. In this you are correct. My point was to add the fact that other factors are incorporated into the calculation as well. For instance, while the braking system is more than likely the same, the raised and softer suspension affects braking distance as the nose of the truck will take longer to dip to its braking low point, while also lifting up the rear of the truck, thus negatively affecting braking distance as it takes longer for brake force to make contact with road in the front of the vehicle, while also reducing brake force in the rear as it will lift higher and lower brake force in the rear. Automotive engineers do a lot of testing, most of which in an effort to meet or exceed federal standards. By no means do I propose to say you're wrong, but to merely fill you in on the fact that many other factors need to be considered as well. The Power Wagon is its own truck. It's not a standard Hemi Ram 2500 with goodies. It starts from the frame up as a PW. That's why I recommended you do some more research before calling BS. Like Vanished said, I'm sure it's perfectly safe to haul a higher load, but it's neither legal or safe to do so in the eyes of the law. If you get into an accident because you couldn't stop in time, and they discover you're overweight, you're liable. It's your decision to do so if you wish. I'm not trying to be your nanny, but don't think you're going to outsmart the engineers that built and tested your vehicle. I've modified my PW quite extensively, but I assume all risk for doing so.


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[old sole mopar]

I'm not an engineer. I am a Canadian red seal heavy equipment technician so I will explain it as such. There a shit load difference between the power wagon and the regular 2500! Hope this helps.lol!

[Z's2016PW]

I agree with Bill2014 that these trucks are under rated. That link was informative. Everything that I have researched on the internet says the 2014 and up PW's and 2500HD's have the same frame. The earlier models may have had different frames. So, in my opinion, the soft suspension must not be that soft. The bigger question is why are they advertised so low in the payload and towing department when real world observations state otherwise? Just doesn't make sense to me.

Zane

[loveracing1988]

I agree with Bill2014 that these trucks are under rated. That link was informative. Everything that I have researched on the internet says the 2014 and up PW's and 2500HD's have the same frame. The earlier models may have had different frames. So, in my opinion, the soft suspension must not be that soft. The bigger question is why are they advertised so low in the payload and towing department when real world observations state otherwise? Just doesn't make sense to me.

Zane

I ask the same question to the geniuses who buy a 1500 with a payload of 1300 pounds to tow a 30' 5th wheel that weighs 12k. If the manufacturer thought it could tow/haul more why wouldn't they rate it as such? Bottom line is the truck is rated for xxxx amount of payload, that is what it can legally carry. If you want to go above and beyond that weight go for it, but don't be one of the people complaining about excessive body roll and crappy handling when you go and do it.

[Z's2016PW]

I have no intention of overloading the truck. So, that is a non issue for me. Back in the day I put 500 pounds of sand in the bed of 1500 and the back end came down quite a bit. The other day I had 75 percent of the payload on the truck and there was no movement what-so-ever. That just tells me the truck is way under rated. We can go back and forth on this forever, but we will never know the real reason why the engineers under rated this truck. You could say this is an unsolved mystery!

Zane

[SheepdogOutdoorsman]

I have no intention of overloading the truck. So, that is a non issue for me. Back in the day I put 500 pounds of sand in the bed of 1500 and the back end came down quite a bit. The other day I had 75 percent of the payload on the truck and there was no movement what-so-ever. That just tells me the truck is way under rated. We can go back and forth on this forever, but we will never know the real reason why the engineers under rated this truck. You could say this is an unsolved mystery!

Zane

Well put. I'd say that's a good point to pin a tail.


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[Z's2016PW]

I agree with you!

Zane

[adeluca73]

Ok, so I've been reading this thread for a while now, and there's a lot of speculation about "engineers" & why they do or don't do certain things. I can say unequivocally that engineers at Ram didn't artificially degrade the capacity, any of them, on the PW, or over rate the capacity of any other HD Ram either. There's also not just "engineers" running around either---there's vehicle system teams (drivetrain, body & sheet metal, engine, suspension, brakes etc) that are comprised of engineers (production, manufacturing, mechanical, electrical, systems, structural, materials, etc), architecture, design, fab, test, etc. The payload is a derived quantity based on a number of interrelated factors, all of which have to meet specific factors of safety with spare margin, those factors are set by ASME, NTSHA, industry standards, company liability thresholds, and others.

It's a complicated process, it evolves from design to prototype, to test to production, and is highly dependent on many factors---relegating it to "engineers" making shit up grossly misrepresents the pain staking amount of intellectual capital expended to create these vehicles.

[Graveltravels]

I can say this, my PW will flex like a rubicon. My buddies diesel 2500 flexes like a 90 year old burn victim. There's a reason for the load ratings. You can argue all you want against them, in the end, what you're legal to tow and carry is what you're legal to tow and carry. No matter what mods you make to it, legally, it doesn't change it. If it's not good enough, but an older one. Or buy a 3500. But for crying out loud, all the arguing and "logic" won't change the facts. It is what it is.


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[adeluca73]

I can say this, my PW will flex like a rubicon. My buddies diesel 2500 flexes like a 90 year old burn victim. There's a reason for the load ratings. You can argue all you want against them, in the end, what you're legal to tow and carry is what you're legal to tow and carry. No matter what mods you make to it, legally, it doesn't change it. If it's not good enough, but an older one. Or buy a 3500. But for crying out loud, all the arguing and "logic" won't change the facts. It is what it is.


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Yes it is...

[Will]

Yall still throwing this around? Go get a 5500 if you want 12,480 LBS+ payload.

[azracer]

Not to beat a dead horse but their company lawyers likely played a huge role in the rating on that sticker. Possibly even more so than the engineers did. With this truck lifted, equipped with softer springs and the associated increased rollover risks... I'm sure the lawyers were fighting against the higher weight ratings because of not only the above but also that folks would claim it has thus and such weight rating but when I went off road with that load it killed my **** when it rolled over and now I want millions! So to each his own. Know the law and your limitations. Also be aware if you do overload it the Dodge lawyers have covered their proverbial ass by assigning a much lower and safer weight rating to the PW.