Thinking about switching to the Power Wegon

[Steel City]

I traded my 2022 Power Wagon in on a 2024 Mojave X in August. That PW was a whale! It is roomier inside, I'll give you that but I was riding around all by myself and really was wondering if I needed all of that room. Couldn't fit it in any parking garages, a 2 point turn turned into a 10 point turn, even parking on the street was a chore. Taking the PW on the fire roads in the forest was scary. If anyone was coming the other way it was a struggle to fit both vehicles in the dirt road. Just TOO big. Here in Pennsylvania the emissions inspection was a royal pain in the ass! Something with the weight of the truck. it was 50 lbs. over the regular obd port emissions test so they had to to a tail pipe emissions test and only one place in my county had the machine and it was always breaking down and no parts were available. It was just WAY too big!
More than happy with the Gladiator. More power would be nice but Christ, how fast do you want to go?! I got a Corvette for that, lol.

Sponsored

 

[Steel City]

This is pretty hard to beat!

 

[Jefe1018]

What made you decide on the Power Wagon? Versus all the other fullsize & midsize trucks? My previously owned GMC Canyon was a bit more spacious and was easier to get in & out of versus the Gladiator. Most fullsize & midsize trucks have options with front & rear lockers.

Funny…back in 2001 or so … We were guiding a *Wheelin 101* group at Rausch Creek. We had a bran new Power Wagon in the group. The guy was green as they come. We always have a drivers meeting and talk safety, etc. The guy was an idiot……He didn’t listen to our instructions and spotters. He wasn’t paying attention….. He got himself in an extremely tight situation between trees - got pissed off (again, didn’t listen to spotters). He decided to just drive the truck and literally dented & scratched almost the entire passenger side of the truck.

For the most part - I think the front & rear lockers are great for (say) hunters who get to/from their hunting spots and need the lockers so they don’t get stuck.
But…to use a Power Wagon as a dedicated offroad rig….. Not so much.
YOu’re better off buying a regular fullsize truck, an old built TJ, a trailer…. and have fun without worry.

It’s still a 3/4 ton at heart. Your payload and tow rating may be limited to that of a 1/2 ton, but load and/or tow with both at the max and tell me which one is more comfortable. It will also out wheel any 1/2 ton out of the box.

It’s a whale off-road on tight trails, but I live in the desert, not very many tight spots. I’ve also been towing trailers and wheeling since licensed, if you’re green like that guy… well you just have more money than sense.

If you can have one vehicle, a 3/4 ton truck is never a bad one to have. Every tool has a place, by that logic we should all drive half tons and have a TJ for play and the JT wouldn’t have a place.

 

[RubiNewbCB]

I'm not thinking about moving away from my JTRD, that's my personal camping rig. I have plans for a Frankenlift (AEV/MC) for Canopy/RTT camping.

But, I'm seriously considering the PW or 2500 Rebel with Diesel to pull my TT and put a Golf cart in the bed. Probably pull the Trigger late 2025 for all the discounts. I just wish the Rebel 2500 got the H.O. vs the standard output Cummins.

 

[Janster]

I like that the PW has the same basic mechanical features as the Gladiator. Since I have a Mojave currently I'd actually be gaining front locker and sway bar disconnect. We do a lot of snow wheeling where I live and the PW would be great for that on 37s. The TJ does awesome of course but if I want to throw my grandsons and grandma in there it gets tight. Both grandsons are still in carseats. I feel like most other trucks lack true offroad abilities. Also, I do not want IFS.

Good point about the Solid front axle…..

With your knee concerns - will that create a problem climbing up into the cab with 37’s? I’m sure you’d need a good lift to fit them. Just something else to think about….. Gonna be much much taller than the Gladiator.

 

[ScottBeach]

Having just thought about this. And buying a JT again I will share my thoughts

1. PW is just too large for me. Wont fit in the garage. Spent a day with a loaner 2500 (not PW) (thank you deland ram) just way to big. I live 45 min from ocala trails but it isn't rural. Tight streets and parking. Every daily errand was just more work.
2. A JT Mojave with leather/power seats gave me a lot more room. I have a bad left leg from a motorcycle accident many years ago. The JT sport i had before was OK but not nearly as comfortable. After a test drive the Mojave was an easy sell.

I dont tow much. So that wasn't a major concern

 

[Tuggernuts]

The particular truck

Good point about the Solid front axle…..

With your knee concerns - will that create a problem climbing up into the cab with 37’s? I’m sure you’d need a good lift to fit them. Just something else to think about….. Gonna be much much taller than the Gladiator.

The particular truck I'm looking at has sliders that act as steps. Climbing is not as much an issue as just keeping the knee bent for extended periods.

 

[en2dirt]

I traded my 2018 Power Wagon for my 2021 Gladiator Rubicon. I really loved that Power Wagon and it was the toughest decision I had ever had getting into another vehicle. It was a beast to drive around as a daily not to mention the MPG was around 9. I am really enjoying the Gladiator though glad I made the switch. I just really miss that power the Power Wagon had.

Either one of them is a good choice.

Good luck in your decision.

 

[AmosMoses]

I traded my 2022 Power Wagon in on a 2024 Mojave X in August. That PW was a whale! It is roomier inside, I'll give you that but I was riding around all by myself and really was wondering if I needed all of that room. Couldn't fit it in any parking garages, a 2 point turn turned into a 10 point turn, even parking on the street was a chore. Taking the PW on the fire roads in the forest was scary. If anyone was coming the other way it was a struggle to fit both vehicles in the dirt road. Just TOO big. Here in Pennsylvania the emissions inspection was a royal pain in the ass! Something with the weight of the truck. it was 50 lbs. over the regular obd port emissions test so they had to to a tail pipe emissions test and only one place in my county had the machine and it was always breaking down and no parts were available. It was just WAY too big!
More than happy with the Gladiator. More power would be nice but Christ, how fast do you want to go?! I got a Corvette for that, lol.

Why do you guys check emissions on newer vehicles that are made to meet emissions standards? Seems redundant and wasteful of resources.

 

[Tuggernuts]

I traded my 2022 Power Wagon in on a 2024 Mojave X in August. That PW was a whale! It is roomier inside, I'll give you that but I was riding around all by myself and really was wondering if I needed all of that room. Couldn't fit it in any parking garages, a 2 point turn turned into a 10 point turn, even parking on the street was a chore. Taking the PW on the fire roads in the forest was scary. If anyone was coming the other way it was a struggle to fit both vehicles in the dirt road. Just TOO big. Here in Pennsylvania the emissions inspection was a royal pain in the ass! Something with the weight of the truck. it was 50 lbs. over the regular obd port emissions test so they had to to a tail pipe emissions test and only one place in my county had the machine and it was always breaking down and no parts were available. It was just WAY too big!
More than happy with the Gladiator. More power would be nice but Christ, how fast do you want to go?! I got a Corvette for that, lol.

Good info. Definitely something to think about. I have a rv carport that I would be parking it in so no garage. As for speed I have other avenues as well.

 

[antwon412]

I had a full-size ram rebel for a couple years. Beautiful truck. Interior was on par with current luxury cars.

But it was way too big for trails. Too long. Too wide mostly. The power wagon is even bigger.


The deciding factor really is going to be how you use your truck and the kind of trails you use it on.

 

[Janster]

The particular truck

The particular truck I'm looking at has sliders that act as steps. Climbing is not as much an issue as just keeping the knee bent for extended periods.

It sounds like you are ‘financially stable’ to afford things without car payments….
That’s awesome!! Get the PW…. If you don’t like it, you can always get something else. That’s the beauty of having a cushion.

 

[Tuggernuts]

It sounds like you are ‘financially stable’ to afford things without car payments….
That’s awesome!! Get the PW…. If you don’t like it, you can always get something else. That’s the beauty of having a cushion.

35 years of busting my ass. I'm at the point of if I need to finance it I can't afford it. I learned the hard way that debt is bad. I wish is was " Financially stable" enough to just have all the toys. Lol.

 

[Gizmo]

My last half dozen trucks were Rams, short bed, reg cabs lifted and so on . My first was a 99 and last was a 19 . They looked too nice to take it where I wanted to go fishing because of the size of the roads and width of the truck. I always also had a Wrangler for actual fishing . Since I retired 7 years ago I found I hardly ever used the Ram so I traded it in for the JT and eventually sold the TJ . Now I fit down the same roads and the JT still looks like new because of the width. I would prefer my knee not be against the transfer case shifter but I can live with the one annoyance. PW is a nice truck but depends on your wants/needs

 

[Tuggernuts]

My last half dozen trucks were Rams, short bed, reg cabs lifted and so on . My first was a 99 and last was a 19 . They looked too nice to take it where I wanted to go fishing because of the size of the roads and width of the truck. I always also had a Wrangler for actual fishing . Since I retired 7 years ago I found I hardly ever used the Ram so I traded it in for the JT and eventually sold the TJ . Now I fit down the same roads and the JT still looks like new because of the width. I would prefer my knee not be against the transfer case shifter but I can live with the one annoyance. PW is a nice truck but depends on your wants/needs

I spend the summer fly fishing and I appreciate the JT so much on these trips unless I want to camp. I hate sleeping on the ground and the bed is too small to stretch out in. I guess I could splurge on a rtt but I've never really liked those either. I sound as indecisive as my wife. My apologies.

Sponsored