PW vs LTD

[A4Owner]

I want a Power Wagon. I just cannot stop thinking about owning one. It's just not the right truck for a city guy. LTD is in many ways a superior truck: better interior, better ride quality, I honestly think the 5.7 is a killer motor, a/s means I can lift it to hit light off roading and it can drop to make loading or hooking up a trailer easy especially with all the cams, LTD is probably twice as quiet. The Power Wagon's sole advantage to someone like myself who manages money professionally is re sale potential. PWs have entire Overlanding and Outdoorsman Forums dedicated to them not just pure truck sites. But I also have to be real with myself: the moment I'd sign the LTDs paperwork I'd feel like I was making a mistake.

 

[Brutal_HO]

Well the PW is a 3/4T HD truck and still the 4th gen cab (new-ish frame, etc.) so we refer to them as 4.5 gen.

FWIW, The Limited trim is also available in the HD lineup and the 360° cameras and other tech is (mostly) available ala carte in most trims.

 

[Ramroo]

Only Ram with resale potential is the TRX.
Go buy some and put them in a barn.

Better sit and drive the PW, like Brutal said, not the same.

 

[Darksteel165]

No HUD on the 2500s
You need to test drive both before doing anything completely different feels.
You also talk about hooking up a trailer, an 1500 Limited is going to have like no Payload, not sure if a PW fares any better with all of its OEM stuff pre-loaded

 

[Ramroo]

Didn’t used to have telescoping steering wheel. Not sure about now.
I could not get comfortable in 4.5 gen.

 

[6of36]

All 3/4 ton trucks have higher resale than 1/2 tons. Doesn't matter the brand. I agree with Darksteel, not everything is available the same on either. Things like HUD are not available on 2500s, but 2500s have power extending tow mirrors, instead of the moose antler ones. I went 1500, for the luxury. I don't tow more than 6,000 lbs.

 

[mikeru82]

I want a Power Wagon. I just cannot stop thinking about owning one. It's just not the right truck for a city guy. LTD is in many ways a superior truck: better interior, better ride quality, I honestly think the 5.7 is a killer motor, a/s means I can lift it to hit light off roading and it can drop to make loading or hooking up a trailer easy especially with all the cams, LTD is probably twice as quiet. The Power Wagon's sole advantage to someone like myself who manages money professionally is re sale potential. PWs have entire Overlanding and Outdoorsman Forums dedicated to them not just pure truck sites. But I also have to be real with myself: the moment I'd sign the LTDs paperwork I'd feel like I was making a mistake.

Based on your stated needs, a 1500 would suit your needs the best. But it sounds like you have a crush on Power Wagons so my recommendation is to rent a PW for a week and see how it works for you. I suspect you'll either get over your infatuation with them or decide it'll work for you and buy one.

 

[Darksteel165]

I agree with Darksteel

Woah, are you ok?
No one is allowed to agree with me ever on the forums.

 

[A4Owner]

I feel so torn about this...these are two very different but equivalently amazing rigs.

 

[Darksteel165]

I feel so torn about this...these are two very different but equivalently amazing rigs.

IMO they are not even close.

When buying anything vehicle make a list of needs, wants, and would be nice.

I'm sure your list of needs will place you into 1 or the other.
Neither of them would drive similar.

Since you are not using it mainly for off-roading a PW is likely a waste, and could could do better on an 1500, or even an 2500 that is not an PW.

 

[boogielander]

PW holds their value relatively well. I was looking for one and was comparing prices between new and preowned and percentage wise don't make sense.
TRX currently don't hold their values that well percentage wise but slowly creep up since the real TRX is no more after 2024.
LTD is just luxury but for sure more restricted for offroad capability. And for someone who wrenches and get paid to wrench on vehicles, I still prefer less gizmo because more gizmos usually mean more likely for things to go wrong, which means more expensive to fix/ repair/ replace.

Now, if you're looking for maximizing your resale, go with TRX and drain all fluid remove the tires and wrap it in a vacuum bag and put it in a barn somewhere. Don't drive it, don't do anything.

I started out buying vehicles for resale, but then I realize what's the point if you want resale over actual enjoyment. I came to the conclusion that at the end of the day, if you can recoup your money spent when you sell, then that means you get to enjoy the vehicle for free and that's the best outcome. Even if you can't 100% fully recoup the money spent, it's just money. Any problem or issue that can be solved with money is no issue; you can always make the money back but not get the experience back.

So that said, get whatever you FEEL is the right choice. Don't worry about resale that much.

 

[6of36]

PW holds their value relatively well. I was looking for one and was comparing prices between new and preowned and percentage wise don't make sense.
TRX currently don't hold their values that well percentage wise but slowly creep up since the real TRX is no more after 2024.
LTD is just luxury but for sure more restricted for offroad capability. And for someone who wrenches and get paid to wrench on vehicles, I still prefer less gizmo because more gizmos usually mean more likely for things to go wrong, which means more expensive to fix/ repair/ replace.

Now, if you're looking for maximizing your resale, go with TRX and drain all fluid remove the tires and wrap it in a vacuum bag and put it in a barn somewhere. Don't drive it, don't do anything.

I started out buying vehicles for resale, but then I realize what's the point if you want resale over actual enjoyment. I came to the conclusion that at the end of the day, if you can recoup your money spent when you sell, then that means you get to enjoy the vehicle for free and that's the best outcome. Even if you can't 100% fully recoup the money spent, it's just money. Any problem or issue that can be solved with money is no issue; you can always make the money back but not get the experience back.

So that said, get whatever you FEEL is the right choice. Don't worry about resale that much.

25 TRX will have the 525HP 6, but it will live on.

 

[mrclortho]

I owned a '21 PW and overall, it was fairly disappointing. It didn't tow my travel trailer as good as my 1500 with the e-torque 5.7L, drove like a tank, ride quality was poor, got abysmal fuel economy, and I buried it twice with the lockers engaged in places it should not have gotten stuck. But it looked awesome and there was something to be said about owning a real Power Wagon.



Now I am in a 1500 and overall, I enjoy it more. It tows better, gets 50% better fuel economy, rides better, feels like it has more low end torque, drives better and is more comfortable.

 

[mikeru82]

I owned a '21 PW and overall, it was fairly disappointing. It didn't tow my travel trailer as good as my 1500 with the e-torque 5.7L, drove like a tank, ride quality was poor, got abysmal fuel economy, and I buried it twice with the lockers engaged in places it should not have gotten stuck. But it looked awesome and there was something to be said about owning a real Power Wagon.

View attachment 170267

That's a Tradesman with the Power Wagon option, not an actual Power Wagon. The grille, headlights, and bumper give it away...

 

[mrclortho]

That's a Tradesman with the Power Wagon option, not an actual Power Wagon. The grille, headlights, and bumper give it away...
View attachment 170274

By an "actual" Power Wagon you mean fancy graphics and appearance features like the grill, LEDs, logos and such that cost $10K plus extra. Mechanically it was identical. It had Katskin leather, the upgraded screens, audio system, etc (I customer ordered it) out the door for $50k when they were $70k+ on the lot.

 

[boogielander]

25 TRX will have the 525HP 6, but it will live on.

oh yeah but not 6.2 hemi.
not gonna be a collectable

 

[boogielander]

That's a Tradesman with the Power Wagon option, not an actual Power Wagon. The grille, headlights, and bumper give it away...
View attachment 170274

that 2500 PW is the next truck I'm gonna get...
That plus Carli Dominator Kit with 37s will turn it into a true all-around truck for overlanding and desert playing.

 

[mikeru82]

By an "actual" Power Wagon you mean fancy graphics and appearance features like the grill, LEDs, logos and such that cost $10K plus extra. Mechanically it was identical. It had Katskin leather, the upgraded screens, audio system, etc (I customer ordered it) out the door for $50k when they were $70k+ on the lot.

By actual Power Wagon I mean just that. Tradesman with Power Wagon option is not equal to a Power Wagon. What you call fancy graphics and appearance features are what appeals to a lot of Power Wagon buyers. I'd be surprised if even half of them even take it off-road much. I'm not saying it's better or worse, no judgement, I'm just saying the pic you posted isn't a Power Wagon.

 

[Darksteel165]

By an "actual" Power Wagon you mean fancy graphics and appearance features like the grill, LEDs, logos and such that cost $10K plus extra. Mechanically it was identical. It had Katskin leather, the upgraded screens, audio system, etc (I customer ordered it) out the door for $50k when they were $70k+ on the lot.

Doesn't it come with extras like a winch in the front bumper for example?
I didn't see that standard or option on any other 2500 when I was looking I don't think.

 

[jimothy]

Doesn't it come with extras like a winch in the front bumper for example?
I didn't see that standard or option on any other 2500 when I was looking I don't think.

A winch is optional on the 2500 Rebel with the 6.4L gas engine. The winch isn’t available with the Cummins, presumably because the intercooler doesn’t leave room.