Ford Launches A Truck Aimed At The Power Wagon, But Is It Enough?
Yesterday, Ford surprised everyone by announcing a new off-road package for the F-250 and F-350 pickups aimed squarely at Rams Power Wagon. The new "Tremor" off-road package gives buyers the choice of Fords new 7.3 liter overhead valve V8 gas engine or the 6.7 liter Powerstroke diesel both backed up by Fords 10 speed automatic. Horsepower and torque ratings for both engines are currently unreleased by Ford although they do say the 7.3 will have best in class gasoline engine performance.
2020 Ford Super Duty Tremor (Ford)
The Ram Power Wagon gets by with the tried and true 6.4 liter Hemi V8 developing 410 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque backed up by the new to the Ram HD for 2019 TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission. While a lot of people criticized the power delivery of the 6.4 in the Ram Heavy Duty in previous years almost all of that was to blame on the transmission gear ratios, the 6.4 with the eight-speed feels like a completely different truck. Unfortunately, the Cummins is still unavailable in the Power Wagon due to a variety of reasons. One being Ram can't fit the big inline six Cummins powertrain under the hood of the Power Wagon while retaining the winch which has long been a Power Wagon staple. Another reason it is would require a stiffer suspension that would inhibit articulation. It is worth noting that while the Tremor has a diesel option, it does not have a winch as the Power Wagon does.
2019 Ram Power Wagon (Ram)
Both trucks only come as crew cab 4x4 short beds. Ford is offering the Tremor package on XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum trim levels, while the Power Wagon is available as an option on the Tradesman trim as a more bare-bones off-roader or the more luxurious standalone Power Wagon trim.
The Super Duty Tremors off-road kit includes:
- Tremor specific 18-inch wheels wrapped in 35 inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires
- 2-inch front suspension lift
- Larger Tremor specific shocks
- Shorter Tremor specific front air dam
- A new rock crawling drive mode and Fords trail control system
- Skid plates from the FX4
- Unique running boards that sit tight against the body to help with ground clearance
2019 Ram 2500 Power Wagon. (HDRams)
The Ram Power Wagons off-road kit consists of:
- Articulink Suspension
- Front/Rear Bilstein Shocks (Power Wagon Tuned)
- Hill Descent Control
- Tru-Lok Front & Rear Axles
- 4.10 Axle Ratio
- Tow Hooks
- Fuel Tank Skid Plate
- Transfer Case Skid Plate
- Warn Zeon 12,000-lb. Winch with a synthetic winch cable
- Front Disconnecting Stabilizer Bar
- 17-In. X 8.0-In. Cast Aluminum Power Wagon Wheel
- LT285/70R17D OWL Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac All-Terrain Tires
2020 Ford Super Duty Tremor (Ford)
Comparing approach and departure angles the Ford has a slight advantage in approach angle at 31.65 degrees compared to the Power Wagons 29.4 degrees, but the Power Wagon bests the Tremor on departure angle with 26 degrees compared to the Fords 24.5.
Ford says that the Tremor will tow and haul more than Rams Power Wagon and that payload and towing numbers will come in just slightly below a regular Super Duty. Max payload on the Power Wagon is 1,660 lbs while max towing comes in at 10,620 lbs. Pricing is currently unknown for the Tremor while the Tradesman with Power Wagon Package starts at USD 50,085 after destination and the standalone Power Wagon trim starts at USD 55,045 after destination.