2019 RAM 2500 Tradesman Power Wagon, Lander, Wyoming. Photo: L Baures
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.
2019 RAM 2500 Tradesman Power Wagon has a new winch design. Lander, WY. Photo: L Baures.
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.
2019 RAM 2500 Tradesman Power Wagon. Photo: L Baures
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.
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.
Earlier this year, Chevy confirmed the mid-engine Corvette is happening. They paraded a camouflaged version of the car through the streets of New York with hidden ‘easter eggs’ on the car giving us clues to figure out more about the car.
2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
The very first Mid-Engine Corvette has been a dream for many for a long time. It’s finally here!
2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
We guessed the numbers on the license plate were perhaps a clue about the power the new mid-engine Corvette would have. Numbers the license plate were ‘063 490’ making us think maybe it would be a 6.3L with 490hp.
2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
The official reveal happened and we weren’t too far off on our guesses. The engine will in fact produce 495 horsepower, and the engine is an all-new 6.2L V-8 called the LT2.
2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
Chevy says, this car is the fastest ever Corvette Stingray.
This supercar can achieve 0-60mph in under 3 seconds.
The Reveal
2020 Chevy Mid-Engine Corvette Stingray features include;
8-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Magnetic Ride Control dampening system.
Targa roof option (available in body color, transparent or carbon fiber).
Driver mode Selector with 12 performance variables (including MyMode and ZMode for personalizations).
Engine visible through the rear hatch window.
Fighter-jet inspired interior.
Performance data recorder.
Color Heads-Up Display.
Available Front-Lift.
Remote door open from the key fob.
Customizable engine sound.
Corvette Concierge
Chevy says, “A dedicated Corvette Concierge team will provide 2020 Corvette customers with answers to every question about the vehicle discovery, buying and ownership process. Specially trained Corvette Concierges also have access to the executives and engineers who helped develop the vehicle. When appropriate, the Concierge team can connect customers directly with their preferred dealership to facilitate vehicle ordering.”
Front Lift
Driver Mode Selector
Electronic Shifter
The Chevy Mid-Engine Corvette will be available starting at under $60k.
It’s a big day for the kids of 4H/FFA as they’ve spent most of the year preparing their animals for this day at the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds in Casper.
A rollercoaster of a day for most of the kids (and parents) as they hope to bring in good money for their animals at the 2019 Natrona Country Junior Livestock Auction.
Even if the animal has qualified to show at the state fair (the last show of the year). The sale signifies the end of a year-long achievement as the kids know there’s no going back now.
A final goodbye is said to the animals that they’ve spent all year feeding, grooming, and training.
There are a couple of exceptions though. Some of the kids who put rabbits or chickens up for sale, end up getting to keep the animals. Buyers will still bid and pay for the animals, however, end up donating them back to the kids. These animals have to be taken alive, so sometimes that can be a tricky prospect for the buyers.
Talking of buyers, representatives from businesses all around Natrona County turn up to bid on the livestock.
Top grade beef, lamb, pork and chevon are purchased, with a lot of the meat being donated back to the local community.
Not only do the purchases benefit the 4H/FFA kids themselves as they learn the agriculture trade, but according to the Natrona County 4H/FFA Jr. Livestock Sale page, $404,431.75 of livestock is donated back to the local community.
Organizations that receive donated meat from the 2019 Natrona County Jnr Livestock Auction include;
12-24 Club Converse County School District Holy Cross I Reach to Lifestyles Meals on Wheels Central Wyoming Rescue Mission Self Help Center Central Wyoming Senior Services Seton House Saint Anthony’s Tri-Parrish School Youth Crisis Center
Sydney Burgess
4H participant Sydney Burgess from Casper brought her two Hampshire Suffolk cross sheep to this years Natrona County Jnr Livestock Auction.
A member of the Barnyard Rebels 4H Club, Sydney has always wanted to join 4H, and this year her family had space for her to have some. She says she chose to have sheep because a friend recommended them to her.
Sydney Burgess in the auction ring with her reserve champion sheep.
Sydney says the hardest part of having sheep is training them to walk and stand still. “Shearing the sheep is really fun when you get good at it”, says Syndey. Shearing the sheep makes it easier for judges and buyer to see the quality of the sheep and the meat.
Meals on Wheels deliver food to seniors in the community who are homebound or unable to prepare food for themselves.
She says the proceeds from her sheep sales will go into her savings account to buy a sheep for next year, feed and to also buy Christmas presents. Syndey hopes that she will be able to come back next year and potentially bring a market beef too.
2019 Natrona Country Jnr Livestock Auction Photos
2019 Natrona Country Junior Livestock Auction
Here is a short video of how a goat auction goes at the sale. A years worth of hard work to be auctioned off in less than 30 seconds.
As part of Volkswagen’s Drive Bigger summer event. VW in partnership with local dealers is donating up to $1 million in total donations to support schools.
You can help!
Donations are to fund local classroom supplies and projects in public schools throughout America.
According to Volkswagen, “The average public school teacher spends $479 on school supplies.”
This coming year, Natrona County Schools should no longer require students or teachers to purchase supplies. The school district is supplying extra funding, although teachers believe this could still prove problematic.
The district is allocating $45/student. In an Oil City News interview with teacher Chris Newman, it’s suggested this may not be enough for some classes that require more materials.
Donate more with Volkswagen
Volkswagen dealers invite customers to participate in the Drive Bigger Event.
$20 donation cards are available at VW dealerships for customers to donate to a school project listed on DonorsChoose.org.
46 projects are currently listed for schools in Wyoming requesting donations for supplies or projects.
Customers who receive a donation card can use it online to donate their $20 to a school project of their choosing.
“Education in our public schools is a fundamental foundation for every student in this country, and DonorsChoose.org is able to support thousands of teachers and students each year,” said Jim Zabel, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Volkswagen of America. “The Drive Bigger Event will allow us to turn our words into action. We think our role as a car company can be much bigger than just building vehicles that take students to and from school. With a focus to support teachers and classroom projects across America, we hope to encourage our Volkswagen dealers and customers to drive something bigger than ourselves.”
Once the projects are fully funded, supplies ship directly to the school.
Vehicle warning indicators, better known as dashboard warning lights, can be a vehicle owner’s worst nightmare. From the dreaded ‘check engine light’ to the ‘low tire pressure’ indicator, these symbols let you know that something is amiss with your vehicle. Although many of us know what each of the lights looks like, we might not know what causes them, or more importantly, what we should do next.
Reader Question from Lo in OK: ” Here is my dilemma, my spouse and I are looking at travel trailers. We currently own a 2009 F150 2WD Super Cab 133” STX truck. It cannot haul easily for some of the travel trailers we are looking at. What trucks do you feel would suit to easily pull anything over a GVWR of 9500 lbs up to 11,000 lbs? “
Ford F-150. Photo: Ford.
Choosing a pickup truck for towing 9,000 lbs – 11,000 lbs
There are quite a few choices of 2019 model year half-ton trucks that will pull the weight Lo needs. It does depend on the pickup truck configuration though and ultimately a heavy-duty truck may be more suited.
Both light duty and heavy trucks are included below with the exception of 3500’s/F-350’s and above, as that may be a slight overkill for Lo’s requirements.
Here is some of the base leg work, however, more will need to be done at the dealership.
Towing capacity numbers highlighted in peach show the truck configurations with most towing capacity.
Note that these numbers are taken from the manufacturers towing charts for conventional towing (bumper pull). Exact towing capacity will depend on the trim level of the truck and requires the correct tow package and hitch.
Other cargo and people loaded in the truck will also affect the overall gross combined weight rating (GCWR). This, in turn, will affect the towing capacity. Check out this article to find out how to calculate your towing capacity.
Light Duty or Heavy Duty
When it comes to choosing a pickup for towing, it’s important to consider how often the truck will be towing. Also, take into account the conditions. Will it be all flat highway or over mountain passes. Will the truck be under strain often or rarely?
These are half-ton (1500) pickup trucks, which meet the criteria (or close). For some of the trucks, this is the absolute maximum capacity. This is fine for occasional towing.
For long trips or frequent towing at or more than 8,000 lbs, a heavy duty (2500) pickup truck is recommended.
Another factor to consider is the weight of the trucks themselves. Light-duty trucks inherently weigh less than a heavy-duty truck.
Consider the weight of the truck itself and the weight of what is being pulled. Even if the manufacturer states it can pull a certain weight.
4×4 or 4×2
4×2 pickup trucks usually have more towing capability than a 4×4. Consider whether extra grip from a 4×4 is needed for gravel roads, a slippery boat ramp or driving in adverse weather.
Light Duty Trucks For Towing
Ford F-150
2019 Ford F-150. Photo: Ford.
Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost V6 4X2 157″ WB (SuperCrew with 6.5″ box) with 3.73 axle ratio has up to 13,200 lbs of max trailering capacity for conventional towing. This will require the Max Trailer Tow Package and 20″ wheels and tires.
The same truck but in 4X4 is capable of 12,900 lbs.
As written in the towing chart below, the towing capacity will be reduced based on trim series. (Typically, higher trim levels have less towing capability).
There are several other truck configurations that would meet the 11,000 lb towing capacity, see the chart below.
The RAM 1500 truck with the most towing capability is a Quad Cab with 5.7L HEMI eTorque, 4X2 with 6’4″ box and 3.92 axle ratio comes in at 12,750 lbs max towing.
There are a few options from RAM Trucks in the 1500 segment when choosing a pickup for towing.
A RAM 1500 Crew Cab 4X4 with 5.7L HEMI V8, 6’4″ Box and 3.92 axle ratio has a max towing capacity of 11,320 lbs.
Chevrolet Silverado
2019 Chevrolet Silverado High Country. Photo: Chevrolet.
From the Chevy Silverado line-up, a 1500 with the 6.2L V8, Double Cab, 4X4 with standard box (6.58′ box) and 3.42 axle ratio. Conventional towing capacity is up to 12,200 lbs.
Having the same truck but in a Crew Cab configuration reduces towing by 200 lbs. It still has a 12,000 lbs max towing capability.
Check out our previous article if you’re not sure whether to choose a Gas or Diesel?
Ford F-250 Super Duty
Ford F-250 Super Duty Towing. Photo: Ford.
Most of the Ford F-250 Super Duty pick up trucks will be able to pull 9,000 lbs-11,000 lbs. Either the 6.2L V8 gas or the 6.7L V8 diesel. Diesel’s are able to pull more than the equivalent gas engine truck.
For occasional towing a gas truck is suffice. Most of the F-250’s with the 6.2L V8 gas and 4.30 axle ratio will pull between 13,000-15,000 lbs.
On the diesel side, the crew cabs with the highest GCWR, 4X2 have an 18,000 lb max tow rating. Equivalent 4X4’s are at 17,500 lbs.
Ram trucks have a great website for choosing a pickup for towing. Using the sliders lets you see exactly how the wheelbase, engine, axle ratio and cab configurations affect the towing capacity.
A RAM 2500 4×2 Crew Cab,6.7L Cummins turbo diesel, 68RFE transmission, 3.73 axle ratio and 6’4″ box max trailer weight rating is 19,370 lbs.
All of the RAM 2500s are capable of meeting Lo’s requirements for towing except the Power Wagon (max towing is around 10,000 lbs because it’s more geared towards being an off-road truck).
2019 RAM Trucks Heavy Duty Towing
RAM 2500 4X4 Mega Cab’s in gas or diesel also meet the criteria. According to RAM’s chart, the 6.4L HEMI gas engine with a 4.10 axle ratio is only 20 lbs less than what the diesel can pull which is 16,520 lbs.
4X4 Crew Cab in the RAM 2500 with Cummins diesel and 3.73 rear axle, 6’4″ box max trailering weight rating is 19,040 lbs.
A RAM 2500 4×4 Crew Cab with the 6.4L HEMI gas engine, 4.10 rear axle and 6’4″ box max trailer weight rating is 16,910 lbs.
Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
Chevy requires the truck to be a crew cab long box in either 4×2 or 4×4 to maximize the 14,500 lb max towing capacity with the 6.6L Duramax diesel engine.
2018 Silverado 2500 HD Midnight LTZ Crew Cab towing John Deere Compact Track Loader with a Big Tex Trailer. Towing 11,485 pounds (total weight of trailer and equipment combined). Photo: Chevy.
For the gas engine truck to reach 14,500 lbs of conventional towing, it has to be a regular cab long box 4×4.
When it comes to choosing a pickup for towing, it really comes down to your own situation when answering these questions;
How much weight do you need to pull?
How often will you be pulling that weight?
Can you justify the cost of a diesel for how often you’ll be towing?
How safe do you want to be when towing?
Do you need 4×4?
Almost all brands will have a truck configuration that meets our reader Lo’s requirements for towing.
A heavy-duty truck will provide more stability for her weight requirements. Then it comes down to choosing between which brand, features and of course price.
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