Power Wagon
Typically the Power Wagon is a trim level all on its own, but there is also an option to purchase a base level trim (a Tradesman) and add a Power Wagon package: RAM 2500 Tradesman Power Wagon.
This makes the heavy-duty Power Wagon a little more reachable to get all those extreme off-road features without having to break the bank….too much. If you can live without the luxury details and interior swankiness but still want the off-road capability, and Tradesman design, it cuts the price down by around $5k.
For 2019, RAM heavy-duty pickups are almost a completely new truck. New exterior panels and a revamped interior give the truck a refreshed look.
New for the Power Wagon part in 2019 model years is a change in the winch material and setup. It goes from a steel winch cable to a synthetic cable and a new fairlead design. This reduces weight by 28lbs and synthetic cable cannot kink.
Features on the Power Wagon package include;
- Articulink Suspension
- Front/Rear Bilstein Shocks (Power Wagon tuned)
- Hill-descent Control
- Tru-Lok front & rear axles
- 4.10 axle ratio
- Tow hooks
- Fuel Tank Skid Plate
- Transfer Case
- Skid Plate
- Front electric 12,000-lb. winch
- Black wheel flares,
- Power Wagon design
- Fog lamps
- Bright chrome front and rear bumper
- Front disconnecting stabilizer bar
- 17-in. X 8.0-in. cast-aluminum Power Wagon Wheel LT285/70R17D OWL Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac All-terrain Tires
- Wheel well liners, rear
- Factory lift
An 8-Speed rotary dial transmission is also new for 2019, allowing more freedom around the steering wheel.
2019 RAM 2500 Tradesman Power Wagon Review
Off-Road
You’re probably not reading this unless you’re interested in the off-road part, so I’ll to cut straight to it.
Approach and departure angles ( 29.4/26 degrees) on this truck along with 14.2″ of ground clearance make climbing and descending steep slopes a breeze.
With a disconnecting sway bar, traversing over rocks or uneven surfaces doesn’t seem to phase the truck. See previous Power Wagon review for examples.
Front and rear lockers are there for slippery conditions, hill descent control for engine braking and if your buddy gets stuck, winch them out.
There isn’t much that can stop a Power Wagon when it comes to off-road except maybe a gas station. I know this from having put 20k miles on a 2017 Power Wagon including some extreme back county in Wyoming.
I’ll tell you exactly what it took to get stuck…5′ of snow with nothing to winch to. I’d have been very surprised if any other factory vehicle would have even made that far in the first place, but I like to test the limits.
The Goodyear Duratrac tires are good in most conditions, although they do make a droning noise on the highway as like most off-road tires.
RAM 2500 Tradesman Power Wagon Interior
Because the Tradesman is the base model, they are about as basic as they come, although the test model I had did have a few upgrades.
Typically a Tradesman trim level is a work truck that comes with vinyl flooring and seat coverings. For an off-road truck, vinyl flooring isn’t quite such a bad idea.
My test vehicle did have the upgrade to carpet and cloth seats as part of the Tradesman Level 2 Equipment Group. (Also in that group is floor mats, power sliding rear window, rear window defroster, chrome interior door handles and a Sirius XM 1 year subscription).
Talking of seats, this is probably my one biggest complaint, which you won’t have to worry about if you’re over 5’3″. With no power seats or height adjustment, I couldn’t see over the hood. Perhaps next time I’ll use a booster seat.
Stop laughing, yeh I know. It’s still nice to be a little higher than the rest of the traffic though.
Equipped with 3 USB ports, one in the center console and 2 up front, you can plug your phone in to charge and/or listen to music through the decent 6-speaker sound system. Bluetooth is also standard.
“Meep meep, move out of my way, big red truck coming through”
Fuel economy
Not the Power Wagons strongest trait and it’s not the reason you’d buy this truck for. A 6.4L HEMI combined with a heavy truck and 4.10 rear axle ratio is not the formula for fuel economy. From the 20k miles on the 2017 Power Wagon, it would get up to 14 mpg on the highway. 2019 models with the new transmission returned 15 mpg combined city and highway driving for me, so it is a little better.
Can you use a RAM 2500 Tradesman Power Wagon as a family vehicle?
Yes.
The tricky part here is that because the truck is 1-already higher being it’s a 3/4 ton, 2- it also has a 1″ factory lift. It’s high of the ground, which is what you want, having that extra ground clearance for off-road. Getting kids in and out of the cab requires a little extra muscle/reach. As I explained before I’m 5’3″ and I can manage this no problem with younger children. With babies in a car seat that has to be lifted into a base this may present more a challenge, but for toddlers and older it’s easier.
The toddler loves it because he can see out the windows, he thinks he’s in a monster truck and the 1st grader likes the challenge of climbing in and jumping out.
2019 RAM 2500 Tradesman Power Wagon Overview
The most capable off-road heavy-duty truck on the market. A Tradesman with the Power Wagon package doesn’t change that, it’s a no-frills truck that’s a serious off-roader.
Prices start around the $50k mark at MSRP. before rebates on the Tradesman 2500 Power Wagon.
Contact your local RAM Trucks dealer for more info or take one for a drive.
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