Fast Lane Truck Inspects Redesigned 2019 Ram 2500 Power Wagon
Badass-looking Power Wagon offers a lot more than what you see on the surface.
One of the hottest tickets at the 2019 North American International Auto Show in Detroit is the Dodge Ram. The Dodge Ram 1500 was a hit. And Ram took home the win for “North American Truck of the Year.” In keeping with this winning streak, the 2019 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Power Wagon has also made quite an impression.
The new 2500 has perfectly blended new features to a winning formula. In this video by The Fast Lane Truck, host Andre Smirnov is at the NAIAS Show, and he goes through the new Power Wagon in depth.
One of the first things we notice is the new front end. It is very sharp, and, as it turns out, was smartly designed to fit some new features. The new front end includes new lights, updated grille, a brand new bumper, and new winch.
The back end also features new LED lights. The bed and cab remain the same. Hey, if it ain’t broke….
Smirnov gives us the low down on the new winch. “Hiding inside this bumper is a brand new winch,” he says. “A Zeon 12 from WARN. It is still a 12,000-lb. capacity winch, but it now has synthetic line. And a new way to wrap up the rope so it is out of the way of parking sensors.” This is a smart update, and the winch refresh also have improved access to the controller, making it easier to use.
The new fender flares are a nice touch, very eye-catching. Unchanged are the axles, Wrangler Duratrac tires, and disconnecting front sway bar.
But the Power Wagon has gotten a lift. Raising the 2500 increases the RTI (Ramp Travel Index) score. A minor change that reaps some solid rewards.
The big story here though is the increased payload and towing capacity. Maximum payload on a base Power Wagon has been increased to 1,660 pounds, with a max tow rating of 10,620 pounds. Yeah, that is pretty damn awesome.
If you’re planning on going off-road in the 2500, good news. The crawl ratio has been increased from 35:1 to 55:1. “The big reason for that is the transmission,” explains Smirnov. “This 6.4L Hemi is hooked up to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. And that first gear ratio combined with the low range and the 410 gearing in the differential get you that crawling power.”
Another great feature is the front mounted camera with a 360-degree camera view. This goes to the 12-inch screen inside. The screen also access the cargo camera and hitch as well. That surround camera is definitely a great option. The tech on-board is user friendly, and very useful.
Interior amenities are outstanding. There are a number of interior options, and all look pretty slick. In addition to heated and cooled seats and Uconnect infotainment system, the interior is roomy and has loads of useful storage.
The video gives you a lot of interesting information about the Power Wagon, and it is an amazing truck. This new 2019 Ram was definitely built for truck fans, and it is a herculean beaut. The Fast Lane Truck will soon be testing the 2019 Ram 2500 Power Wagon on- and off-road, so we will be looking forward to that.