Couple of technical questions from a potential PW owner

[Ed1774]

My truck had the stickers and the dealer removed them prior to taking delivery.

Snowsled, Your obviously not happy with your PW. I get it, your old school and want a throttle cable to the carburetor. Now you've stated that once your PW sells you'll no longer be coming around here. Do us a favor and leave now since your only mission seems to be to discourage other from buying a Power Wagon because in your eye's they are a death machine so they must be junk for everyone else.

Overall, I'm happy with my truck minus a couple of little odd's and ends that have nothing to do with it being a Power Wagon specifically.

[Bill2014]

...

Snowsled, Your obviously not happy with your PW. I get it, your old school and want a throttle cable to the carburetor. Now you've stated that once your PW sells you'll no longer be coming around here. Do us a favor and leave now since your only mission seems to be to discourage other from buying a Power Wagon because in your eye's they are a death machine so they must be junk for everyone else.

Overall, I'm happy with my truck minus a couple of little odd's and ends that have nothing to do with it being a Power Wagon specifically.

I think it's important to hear the full range of perspectives. (Although I knew where Snowsled stood after just a few nearly identical posts). We all learned a lot more about the nanny features because of these discussions. Don't leave - but say your piece once or twice and then move onto something else.

[RustyPW]

Snowsled brought up some important points that some of us took for granted. Specially for us guys with the older 3G's. We for the most part, didn't think how much of the nannies was added on.

[Ed1774]

Agreed, Snowsled brought up the shortcoming of all new trucks and cars produced today. I'm not a huge fan of the input a vehicle has these day's myself. With that said, when I recently joined this forum I marveled at the pictures that Snowsled posted of his Wagon in the wild wishing I had country like that near me to explore. Now I see his post's and they seem to have the same negative theme. Speak your mind once or twice in a logical, informative way. Not piss and moan about how your truck is this colossal pile of steaming crap because it's doing what it was programmed to do and then inform us that when it's sold you will no longer visit this site. He sound's like your typical Troll except for the fact he actually own's the truck.

[olyelr]

He sound's like your typical Troll except for the fact he actually own's the truck.

Im just a troll! But I do want the truck... even with the nannies!

I like to hear the good AND the bad. I dont want to just read about how badass everybodys power wagon is and how it can do no wrong. I am glad snowsled speaks up. Gives me the other side of the story. A bit of it is on the verge of opinion, but a lot of it is just pure simple factual information. Good to know stuff. If you guys are sick of reading about his opinions and experiences with his truck, then why are you reading them? Scroll down to the next post and move on.

[loveracing1988]

He sound's like your typical Troll except for the fact he actually own's the truck.

Im just a troll! But I do want the truck... even with the nannies!

I like to hear the good AND the bad. I dont want to just read about how badass everybodys power wagon is and how it can do no wrong. I am glad snowsled speaks up. Gives me the other side of the story. A bit of it is on the verge of opinion, but a lot of it is just pure simple factual information. Good to know stuff. If you guys are sick of reading about his opinions and experiences with his truck, then why are you reading them? Scroll down to the next post and move on.

The problem to me is there actually seems to be something wrong with his truck but he isn't trying to have it fixed. There have been a couple people on here who have tried to replicate some of the problems he has had without being able to get their trucks to act up, telling me there is a problem with his truck but instead of taking it to a dealer to have it looked at he just continues to complain about it in multiple threads.

[Snowsled]

He sound's like your typical Troll except for the fact he actually own's the truck.

Im just a troll! But I do want the truck... even with the nannies!

I like to hear the good AND the bad. I dont want to just read about how badass everybodys power wagon is and how it can do no wrong. I am glad snowsled speaks up. Gives me the other side of the story. A bit of it is on the verge of opinion, but a lot of it is just pure simple factual information. Good to know stuff. If you guys are sick of reading about his opinions and experiences with his truck, then why are you reading them? Scroll down to the next post and move on.

The problem to me is there actually seems to be something wrong with his truck but he isn't trying to have it fixed. There have been a couple people on here who have tried to replicate some of the problems he has had without being able to get their trucks to act up, telling me there is a problem with his truck but instead of taking it to a dealer to have it looked at he just continues to complain about it in multiple threads.

There is nothing wrong with it. Works exactly as it should, just doesn't work for me, that's all. I think it is important to get over the glossy veneer of PW ownership and be honest about the issues built into the truck these days. I WISH SOMEBODY WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAME BEFORE I BOUYGHT THE TRUCK... You wouldn't have me here at all had that been the case. Consider it public service for those who really want a truck they can use/work daily as intended. Sadly it falls way short for my needs. I am PO'ed. I am now stuck with it for a while unless I want to take a massive financial hit, so you probably haven't heard the end of it.

For you sensitive types I will make a better effort not to pollute the forum but only respond when someone asks for experiences or opinions on a new purchase.

[FirerescuePW]

Thank you.

[Bill2014]

Alrighty then!

[loveracing1988]

Im just a troll! But I do want the truck... even with the nannies!

I like to hear the good AND the bad. I dont want to just read about how badass everybodys power wagon is and how it can do no wrong. I am glad snowsled speaks up. Gives me the other side of the story. A bit of it is on the verge of opinion, but a lot of it is just pure simple factual information. Good to know stuff. If you guys are sick of reading about his opinions and experiences with his truck, then why are you reading them? Scroll down to the next post and move on.

The problem to me is there actually seems to be something wrong with his truck but he isn't trying to have it fixed. There have been a couple people on here who have tried to replicate some of the problems he has had without being able to get their trucks to act up, telling me there is a problem with his truck but instead of taking it to a dealer to have it looked at he just continues to complain about it in multiple threads.

There is nothing wrong with it. Works exactly as it should, just doesn't work for me, that's all. I think it is important to get over the glossy veneer of PW ownership and be honest about the issues built into the truck these days. I WISH SOMEBODY WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAME BEFORE I BOUYGHT THE TRUCK... You wouldn't have me here at all had that been the case. Consider it public service for those who really want a truck they can use/work daily as intended. Sadly it falls way short for my needs. I am PO'ed. I am now stuck with it for a while unless I want to take a massive financial hit, so you probably haven't heard the end of it.

For you sensitive types I will make a better effort not to pollute the forum but only respond when someone asks for experiences or opinions on a new purchase.

You keep saying the traction control is trying to kill you, no one else on any forum I'm on says anything like that. Either you are the only person who hates the traction control, or your truck is doing something weird with the TCS system. I know I tried to use the brake and gas at the same time in 4 low to climb a rock in my yard and at no time did it shut down my throttle but yet yours did. I know my TCS and stability control are both 100% off in 4 low yet you say yours stays on.
Something is wrong with your truck causing these problems. You are still going to hate the idea of the electronics but it shouldn't act like it does.

[Snowsled]

I think you just need to try harder. I am not the only one with intervention happening in 4lo, read the threads more closely. Maybe I will take it to the dealer to humor you. Huge waste of my time and that is why it hasn't happened. When it comes back with a clean bill of health, like I know it will, what will your response be then?

Must just be me then I guess. I can live with that. Find someone that will give me $40k for it and I will be gone like the wind....

[MOPARManiac]

Meh, some people just can't be happy and have to have a reason to bitch. This isn't just a Ram/Powerwagon specific problem. GM, Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Jeep, etc. all have to manufacturer the vehicles to the same safety standards. Though if one vehicle is having some issues, where others of the same year are not, I think I would get it checked out. That is just common sense.

Maybe find a 75 Ford and drive it. It won't have all of those electrical nannies, but be forewarned you'll have to get out and lock in the hubs.

[waldo]

There's no reason they can't give you two modes, street and an off road mode that truly kills all of that stuff and even gives you lockers in 4H. They do it with performance cars like the Hellcat and Corvette (street/track). Shouldn't be any different with this truck.

[Reloaderguy]

Snowsled had me talked out of buying a new Poser Wagon. Realistically I can build an equivalent but it would cost more (roughly $5k more) using aftermarket suspension, ARB's, and a Warn winch/bumper combo. I bought the Poser Wagon though because I really don't plan to use the truck the way some of you guys do. I don't have a ton of miles yet but last night I did a two-pedal brake stand in 2hi to see if the computer would kick in, it didn't. I don't have any lag in any of the functions thus far (400 miles) but admittedly I haven't left the pavement yet.

Speaking of computer nannies: I had to drive the truck six hours home from the dealer and the ride was god awful; wandering steering, rough bouncy ride, etc. The dealer put 70psi in the D rated Duratracs. Yesterday I aired down to 50psi which should be right (or still a little high) for a 65psi max D rated tire. Ride is still stiff but not harsh like it was and the wandering is gone. However, the nanny is now warning me my truck is unsafe and I should have the dealer fix it. U-Connect has sent me two separate email also reminding me that I should get it serviced and why. As soon as the new tires get here I'll have the TPMS threshold reset but I think it is funny that I receive email about the status of my truck.

Skynet is becoming self aware!

[waldo]

Snowsled had me talked out of buying a new Poser Wagon. Realistically I can build an equivalent but it would cost more (roughly $5k more) using aftermarket suspension, ARB's, and a Warn winch/bumper combo. I bought the Poser Wagon though because I really don't plan to use the truck the way some of you guys do. I don't have a ton of miles yet but last night I did a two-pedal brake stand in 2hi to see if the computer would kick in, it didn't. I don't have any lag in any of the functions thus far (400 miles) but admittedly I haven't left the pavement yet.

Speaking of computer nannies: I had to drive the truck six hours home from the dealer and the ride was god awful; wandering steering, rough bouncy ride, etc. The dealer put 70psi in the D rated Duratracs. Yesterday I aired down to 50psi which should be right (or still a little high) for a 65psi max D rated tire. Ride is still stiff but not harsh like it was and the wandering is gone. However, the nanny is now warning me my truck is unsafe and I should have the dealer fix it. U-Connect has sent me two separate email also reminding me that I should get it serviced and why. As soon as the new tires get here I'll have the TPMS threshold reset but I think it is funny that I receive email about the status of my truck.

Skynet is becoming self aware!

My 16 came with 70+ lbs in the tires too. I dropped them to 60 until I can get it back to have them reset it. I hate having to pay for it though.

[Reloaderguy]

My 16 came with 70+ lbs in the tires too. I dropped them to 60 until I can get it back to have them reset it. I hate having to pay for it though.

That's the part I really have a problem with. I'm sure they're going to want a full hour too.

[RustyPW]

Crap, the only time I run those air pressures is when I have a load in the bed. Otherwise I run 45 psi front, and 35 psi rear for a great ride. I don't feel like a basketball bouncing down the highway.

[Bill2014]

I won't run less than 60psi unless I'm on loose sand off-road and have no choice for traction. On the road, I like the steering response to be tight - the lower pressures make my truck feel unresponsive to me. BUT TO EACH THEIR OWN.

Power Wagons already have a relatively soft suspension and ride for a Heavy Duty truck. Standard 2500's and 3500's have the rough jaw smacking ride.

[RustyPW]

If I run higher pressures when empty. The centers of the tires wear out. Chalk your tires and see how much tread is on the ground. My PW handles great at my pressures. Maybe it's a 3G/4G difference thing.

[Reloaderguy]

I don't know what is on other trucks but the Duratracs that came with my truck have a max PSI of 65. 60psi is over inflated for an unloaded truck. I have them at 50 but realistically 40 to 45 is probably better. I left them at 50 hoping the TPMS wouldn't complain but since I'm getting an error message I'll let more air out. They're coming off in a few weeks so it probably doesn't matter anyway.

[Bill2014]

I don't know what is on other trucks but the Duratracs that came with my truck have a max PSI of 65. 60psi is over inflated for an unloaded truck. I have them at 50 but realistically 40 to 45 is probably better. I left them at 50 hoping the TPMS wouldn't complain but since I'm getting an error message I'll let more air out. Their coming off in a few weeks so it probably doesn't matter anyway.

The 4.5 gen Power Wagons are all over 7000 pounds empty (mine is 7500 with the sliders) - can't be considered unloaded at that weight.

[Reloaderguy]

285/70R17 Duratrac has a max weight rating of 3195lb at 65psi per tire. Assuming a 55/45 bias front to rear with 7500lb total weight, you're less that 1700lb over each back tire and less than 2200lb over each front tire. If you're running Duratracs your tires are over inflated with 60psi unloaded.

[Bill2014]

285/70R17 Duratrac has a max weight rating of 3195lb at 65psi per tire. Assuming a 55/45 bias front to rear with 7500lb total weight, you're less that 1700lb over each back tire and less than 2200lb over each front tire. If you're running Duratracs your tires are over inflated with 60psi unloaded.

I guess that's why we have schrader valves so that we can set our pressures where they work best for our conditions. (Assuming we keep the pressures in a safe range)
In two years, I've never seen the low tire pressure safety warning - at what pressure does it trigger?

[Reloaderguy]

Very true. I'm not sure what the threshold is. I set my tires at 50.5 heated and the computer was ok. When the tires cooled they dropped to 49psi and the messages started. I think the threshold is 50 but you have to air back up into the 60+ range to reset the computer. I have to do more research to be sure. I'm going to have the threshold reset in a couple of weeks.

[Low_Sky]

Has anyone had luck getting a dealer to reprogram the TPMS threshold on their dime? The factory threshold is not appropriate for the original tires. I'm going to get my TPMS set lower, and I'm going to try hard to stick the cost back on Ram.


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