What's new
By:
Filters

Softcore wheeling tow rig

SteerAndStuff

SteerAndStuff

Red Skull Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2020
Member Number
3204
Messages
199
Loc
Wyoming
Thinking of changing to a tow rig that can do some mild offroading. Mostly stuff like mountain roads and camping. Thinking Ram Power Wagon or maybe a diesel option with a Carli type suspension. Maybe 37s that can tow (light buggy, maybe 6000-7000 lbs total with gear and stuff) decent enough. Am thinking a 2014+ ram truck for the coil rear suspension. Does anyone have any experience with 2014+ Rams, is the suspension soft enough for some rough roads and still do some towing? Any other input? Installing gears and lockers isn't a huge deal but if pre-installed is that much mo-betta.
 
Yes but, it's a $lippery $lope

I have 2012 diesel Ram with Thuren's 2.5" Kings, 3" coils, boogie bumps and sway bar, Carli rear leafs, Synergy steering and short arms. I don't do any serious off roading but I was sick of beating my brains out on frost heaved pot hole ridden northern roads. If/when I move into a newer truck I'll step up to 3" shocks and buy everything at the same time instead of piece by piece. For a heavy ass truck it feels so planted it's crazy, the faster I go the smoother it gets. I ended up re valving the shocks 3x because of the increased speed blowing through the valving:grinpimp:

The Carli stuff is nice but Thuren will tailor a setup for your needs.
 
SteerAndStuff said:
Thinking of changing to a tow rig that can do some mild offroading. Mostly stuff like mountain roads and camping. Thinking Ram Power Wagon or maybe a diesel option with a Carli type suspension. Maybe 37s that can tow (light buggy, maybe 6000-7000 lbs total with gear and stuff) decent enough. Am thinking a 2014+ ram truck for the coil rear suspension. Does anyone have any experience with 2014+ Rams, is the suspension soft enough for some rough roads and still do some towing? Any other input? Installing gears and lockers isn't a huge deal but if pre-installed is that much mo-betta.
Click to expand...

I'm not a fan of those coil sprung rams. They don't ride any better than a similar year F250, probably worse. Obviously you can change the coils, but you can change the leafs too. The big problem is they put the coils inside the frame, so they get a lot of sway. The ram rebel I drove (1500, I know, but same suspension) had ridiculous body roll for being stock.

I'd rather have some nice deavers or similar with those drop away airbag cups. For what you're talking about.

On a another note, if you're that concerned about ride, a newer 1/2 ton could be an option too.
 
I have a 15 Ram 2500 CTD with coils and factory air ride in the rear. I have a 2.5 leveling spacer in the front and 37s on stock wheels clear the fenders but rub the sway bar and radius arm. I wouldn't say it drives like a sports car, but it does 80+ comfortably and doesn't have noticeable body roll, which may be because of the factory air ride. I've had it on some forest service roads with no issues but I don't think a prius would have a problem on them either lol. I have a set of 2.75 Thuren springs and shocks and a set of BDS radius arms waiting to go on it to help it ride better and hopefully stop the rubbing. If you don't need a diesel, a long bed, or anything other than a crew cab, then the Power Wagon can be a good option, but I think a regular truck with aftermarket options would be cheaper.

Duane
 
For what you're wanting to do. I would definitely go 2014+ Power Wagon all day long. But you still might wanna swap out the coils and shocks for some nice aftermarket ones that ride a little better at some point.
 
Keep in mind the Power Wagon doesn't have the weight carrying ability that the normal 2500s do, so some airbags might be needed to prevent squat if you have a heavy tongue load.
 
CLRracer said:
I have a 15 Ram 2500 CTD with coils and factory air ride in the rear. I have a 2.5 leveling spacer in the front and 37s on stock wheels clear the fenders but rub the sway bar and radius arm. I wouldn't say it drives like a sports car, but it does 80+ comfortably and doesn't have noticeable body roll, which may be because of the factory air ride. I've had it on some forest service roads with no issues but I don't think a prius would have a problem on them either lol. I have a set of 2.75 Thuren springs and shocks and a set of BDS radius arms waiting to go on it to help it ride better and hopefully stop the rubbing. If you don't need a diesel, a long bed, or anything other than a crew cab, then the Power Wagon can be a good option, but I think a regular truck with aftermarket options would be cheaper.

Duane
Click to expand...

I knew they were doing the air bags on the 3500s but not the 2500s. Do the sit basically between the frame and axle? Does it have softer coils than a normal 2500?




Does the power wagon really have anything besides lockers, lower gears and a winch? I mean they're sweet, but seems like, depending on price difference, you could ha e something as good or better suited by upgrading a normal pickup.
 
YotaAtieToo said:
The ram rebel I drove (1500, I know, but same suspension) had ridiculous body roll for being stock.
Click to expand...

Rear suspension is the basically the same (minus the kicker shock), but the 1500 is IFS. My 2500 feels pretty stable, the little unsure feeling I get out of the front I believe is more due to the skinny stock Firestone tires which seem to want to roll in.
 
YotaAtieToo said:
Does the power wagon really have anything besides lockers, lower gears and a winch? I mean they're sweet, but seems like, depending on price difference, you could ha e something as good or better suited by upgrading a normal pickup.
Click to expand...

Basically like a Rubicon. Lockers front and rear, swaybar disconnect up front, softer "off road" suspension and the usual tow hooks and skidplates. You get a few other things like the graphics (if desired) and the optional tire tread pattern seats, but overall a 2500 with lighter suspension, lockers and winch.
 
A power wagon is intriguing to me as I currently use a 2015 Silverado 2500 6.0 gas truck. From looking around a Power Wagon definitely brings a premium but in reality it would do almost everything I want out of the box. Sounds like the 2018+ might be better with the 8 speed transmission and lower 1st gear. Weight capacity is not a concern for my use. I'm not really looking at 1/2 ton trucks.
 
SteerAndStuff said:
A power wagon is intriguing to me as I currently use a 2015 Silverado 2500 6.0 gas truck. From looking around a Power Wagon definitely brings a premium but in reality it would do almost everything I want out of the box. Sounds like the 2018+ might be better with the 8 speed transmission and lower 1st gear. Weight capacity is not a concern for my use. I'm not really looking at 1/2 ton trucks.
Click to expand...


Yes, the 8 speed would definitely be a good idea. If you're wanting to spend that kinda $, I'd say go for it.
 
SteerAndStuff said:
A power wagon is intriguing to me as I currently use a 2015 Silverado 2500 6.0 gas truck. From looking around a Power Wagon definitely brings a premium but in reality it would do almost everything I want out of the box. Sounds like the 2018+ might be better with the 8 speed transmission and lower 1st gear. Weight capacity is not a concern for my use. I'm not really looking at 1/2 ton trucks.
Click to expand...

For those not wanting all the glitz of the Power Wagon but want the axles and winch and stuff, you can still option certain Tradesman 2500s with the Power Wagon package. Basically you get all the PW stuff without the higher Laramie options, two tone paint and decals. Still can't get the PW with the chrome package though, I's almost do that, but I hate that black grille shit.
 
Also, my buddy's Power Wagon he traded in is sitting on the lot, '19 Power Wagon with 4k miles, $53k. :D
 
SteerAndStuff said:
Any certain reason he got rid of it so quickly?
Click to expand...

Trade-in value was up and he missed the Cummins more than he thought he would. He had a Power Wagon once before, but a smaller RV. The big one he has now squatted the PW more than he was expecting and while the 6.4L with 4.10s has the power to pull it, it's pretty loud pulling hills. I told him to just add airbags like everyone else but he made an off hand comment to one of the salesmen about a Cummins 2500 on the lot and they made a deal "he couldn't refuse."

https://www.magiccityautogroup.com/..._crew_cab_6_4_box-used-3c6tr5ej4kg712003.html
 
That is one thing about the Power Wagon, your not much more for a comparable year/mileage diesel pickup. Granted will have to add lockers, winch, and the such to be comparable. Need to go test drive one sometime and see how the ride feels.
 
YotaAtieToo said:
I knew they were doing the air bags on the 3500s but not the 2500s. Do the sit basically between the frame and axle? Does it have softer coils than a normal 2500?
Click to expand...

They sit inboard of the frame, and thinking back to when I did the brakes I'm pretty sure it's a not coil and bag setup, it's just a bag.

Duane
 
Father in law has a ‘18, 2500, Cummins, 4x4.

Unloaded it rides as good as my ‘08 explorer. Tows a 29’ fifth wheel, seems to settle about the same as the ‘12 leaf sprung version he had prior. Haven’t noticed any more body roll, towing or unloaded, than the ‘12.

Bone stock with one size larger tires. Doesn’t get crazy with it off road, but rides well enough on the rutted and washboard forest service roads that your not getting beat up, and can spend a few hours riding around in it.
 
Firstram said:
Yes but, it's a $lippery $lope

I have 2012 diesel Ram with Thuren's 2.5" Kings, 3" coils, boogie bumps and sway bar, Carli rear leafs, Synergy steering and short arms. I don't do any serious off roading but I was sick of beating my brains out on frost heaved pot hole ridden northern roads. If/when I move into a newer truck I'll step up to 3" shocks and buy everything at the same time instead of piece by piece. For a heavy ass truck it feels so planted it's crazy, the faster I go the smoother it gets. I ended up re valving the shocks 3x because of the increased speed blowing through the valving:grinpimp:

The Carli stuff is nice but Thuren will tailor a setup for your needs.
Click to expand...

Did you do the full leave replacement or their add a pack? Was the ride change noticeable? I see that Carli and Thuren have a rear spring, don’t see any reviews as to why one is better than the other.
 
Hooligan said:
Did you do the full leave replacement or their add a pack? Was the ride change noticeable? I see that Carli and Thuren have a rear spring, don’t see any reviews as to why one is better than the other.
Click to expand...

Full leafs, yes it's noticeable, no more donkey punch rebound and tire hop. Carli rears will cost you 25% in weight capacity and Thuren's aren't designed for towing, long travel only. I only tow my 10k trailer infrequently but I do need to run Goodyear bags and Daystar cradles to keep the headlights down when loaded. I don't like giving up the uptravel when i'm not towing, but I'm too lazy to swap Timbrens in and out.
 
I have a '19 Power Wagon. The suspension is only mildly stiffer than my old 1500. It does tow my kubota much better than my old truck. Not sure where you're located, but watch Blue Knob Auto in Altoona, PA, they get great deals on mildly used PW's occasionally; mine had 150 miles on it when I bought it for $46k and it actually has a few options above the base model.
 
Im looking at doing something similar, but a little more wheeling and less towing, as I don't have anything to tow at the time. Was looking at F250/350 trucks, and doing a bit more of a chase truck inspiration type thing. Following with intrigue.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Back Refresh