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Power Wagon pulling a 5th wheel

10527 Views 9 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  moparguy62
I picked up a 2012 PW the week befor christmas. I traded by 2008 F 250 Diesel. Loved the Ford but the upkeep as a daily driver was taking a good bit of money. I had a 2003 ram 1500 befor that and loved the truck. I pull a 5th wheel camper 4 times a year and loved the way the diesel pulled. So my question is has anyone pulled with their new Power Wagon yet? And how did it do and what did you pull. I will say that I love the new Power Wagon and hope it will pull well. I know it will not be the same as my diesel but hope it will be at least as stable with the camper hook up.
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What's the loaded real weight of your trailer? That might help in assessing how well your truck will pull it. On another note, I haven't researched this, but I thought I saw somewhere that the PW has heavier powertrain and chassis components than most of the 1/2 tons in the Dodge lineup. While that will add some weight if it's true, it should also help in its capability in towing.
I am runnung at 9 to 10,000 Lbs.
Stability wise, you will probably not notice much difference, only the subtle nuances between a Dodge and a Ford. Power wise, depending on where you intend to pull, it could be dramatic. In the mountains and very hilly areas the diesel will pull and pull hard and fast. The gasser is going to struggle some with the hills, downshifting and you will only be able to achieve 45-50 mph pulling steep grades where the diesel wouldn't even flinch. Fuel mileage while pulling may have been a little better with the 6.4 PSD, but the price differential will probably make up for the decrease in mileage.

But, you can rest assured knowing gas is so much cheaper, oil changes cost less, and the PW is one fine vehicle.

Just go into it knowing that you will get there, albeit a little slower.
With the 4:56 in the PW it shouldn't be much of a struggle for the hemi
Given the PW is a 2500 you should have little problems if you are not towing too far. If you are going much over 100 miles, Even though you state you won't tow more than a couple of times a year, you may not be happy.

I had a 2005 2500 Hemi HD QC 4x4 w/ 4.10 gear. Of course, you have the 4.56 and the newer more powerful Hemi. In either case moderate hills will be a 4500 - 5000 RPM affair. This won't hurt the Hemi as it actually likes to run in that range. It just gets a little annoying. At the time, I was towing a 9,000lb+ fifth wheel

Where I take my travel trailer there is a person with a current generation 1500 QC 4x4 Hemi towing a fifthwheel that looks to be about 9000lb range. I'm sure he beefed up the suspension, (at least I hope he did!).

And....then there is the guy with the Toyota Tacoma w/ 4.7 towing a fifth wheel. It works for him because he only tows from the storage facility to the campground. A distance of less than 10 miles. :SHOCKED:
Congrats on the PW. You may want to get some airbags for the rear. The PW have a softer spring rate in the rear to allow for better articulation compared to the 2500 springs. As for gearing you should be fine you have the new 6 speed transmission.
Thanks for the info all, will let you know when I make the frist tow
I would think it should do well, albeit probably not a well as a 650 pound feet Powerstroke. I've pulled 5,000 pounds with mine twice now (RT, 4.10s) and was actually impressed at how well it did, pretty close to my mom's 03 Cummins. You also have the better tranny ratios with the 66rfe. Throw it in drive, hit tow/haul, and ride. Oh, and like whatroads said, don't be afraid to rev it. Newer gas engines thrive on rpms and it won't hurt a thing.
Hemi

Here is the scoop on the 09 Hemi pulling hills! I tow from CT to FL and back up interstate 81 yes all those hills. Trailer weight 8700 lbs or better, up any hill in 3rd gear as fast as I want. Taken it easy in 4th I'll maintain 65. Hope this puts to rest the power of the "gaser" and I had a cummins.



Stability wise, you will probably not notice much difference, only the subtle nuances between a Dodge and a Ford. Power wise, depending on where you intend to pull, it could be dramatic. In the mountains and very hilly areas the diesel will pull and pull hard and fast. The gasser is going to struggle some with the hills, downshifting and you will only be able to achieve 45-50 mph pulling steep grades where the diesel wouldn't even flinch. Fuel mileage while pulling may have been a little better with the 6.4 PSD, but the price differential will probably make up for the decrease in mileage.

But, you can rest assured knowing gas is so much cheaper, oil changes cost less, and the PW is one fine vehicle.

Just go into it knowing that you will get there, albeit a little slower.
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