First Off-Road Drive in the 2017 Ram Power Wagon – Is It As Beastly As Ever?

2017 ram power wagon texas first drive review off-road
2017 Ram Power Wagon

You know the Ram Power Wagon as a no nonsense off-road heavy duty pickup truck. This truck is not afraid to tackle the toughest off-road trail.

Ram did not mess with the successful formula of the Power Wagon. The 2017 truck is a mid-cycle refresh. The sole powertrain choice remains the 6.4L HEMI V8 and the 6-speed 66RFE automatic transmission. The big motor still makes 410 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm and 429 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm. It features Ram’s Multi Displacement System (MDS), which can shut down four cylinders under light load to get better highway efficiency. What MPGs does the Power Wagon get in the real world? Check out my Power Wagon road trip from Detroit to Denver for more details on the highway efficiency.

2017 ram power wagon hemi v8 engine transmission

The 4×4 system is composed of AAM 9.25 inch (front) and AAM 11.5 inch (rear) axles front and rear with 4.10 gear ratios and electrically actuated lockers. The front sway bar disconnect is still there to provide for additional suspension articulation off-road. Check out this Power Wagon vs. Ford Raptor suspension flex battle. Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires continue their duty.

The 2017 Power Wagon gets a fresh look with a new Ram truck family grille, a design shared with the Ram Rebel. The truck gets a new graphics package a 1970s flair. The tail gate boldly displays the Power Wagon font. The interior gets an upgrade with an option for the Wrangler DuraTrac tire pattern imprint or a full leather outfit. The truck retains its six-person crew can configuration.

A notable tweak is bed liner spray on the winch cable outlet surround. It helps protect against scratches and dings for those who winch. The powder coated bumpers are another premium touch.

The updated Power Wagon is still a beast of a truck. The base configuration has a curb weight of 6,996 lbs. The truck’s GVWR is 8,510 lbs and GCWR is 17,500 lbs.

How does the 2017 Power Wagon handle off-road? I had a chance to drive the truck on the most difficult trail set up at the 2016 Texas Truck Rodeo, organized by the Texas Auto Writers (TAWA). This is an event which allows journalists to compare trucks, crossovers, and SUVs of all makes. The event was hosted by the Longhorn River Ranch, near Austin Texas. Granted the truck was not truly challenged by this trail. The 33.6 degrees of approach, 26.3 degrees of departure angles, and 14.3 inches of round clearance instilled complete confidence. The truck never touched a bumper or bottomed out, unlike some other half-ton and midsize pickup trucks. I tried several different modes to tackle the climb, starting in 4WD Hi and switching to 4WD Lo with lockers and the sway bar disconnected. With no loss of traction, I switched back to 4WD hi for the remainder of the loop.

Although the truck tackled this Texas trail with ease, the Power Wagon reminded me of its unstoppable trail conquering nature. I am looking forward to more off-road adventures in the Power Wagon.

The 2017 model goes on sale in the first quarter of 2017. Complete pricing will be available closer to launch.

Our first off-road drive video of the 2017 Power Wagon is here.

 

Andre Smirnov
Andre Smirnov is an Automotive Enthusiast, Producer, Reviewer, Videographer, Writer, Software Engineer, Husband, Father, and Friend.