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Unpopular Opinion: Power Wagons Are 1/2-Ton Trucks

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el_barto

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So obviously, Power Wagons are not half ton trucks. They are marketed, legally categorized as, and share most of their components with 3/4 ton trucks.
But everyone gets all sad about their low payload rating (because they have reduced GVWR) and how they can’t work like a 3/4 ton truck. Maybe, we shouldn’t be looking at it like a 3/4 ton class truck, but as a 1/2 ton class truck that has been sauced up with all the heavy duty components you would want for an off-road rig ...strong frame, HD solid axles, strong transmission, beefy transfer case, big v8 engine.

Sure, you can get half tons with more payload still, but it falls right in the middle of the pack of “common” half tons for payload. (Max payload on a ram 1500 is 2300lbs but that’s a 2wd V6, the 4WD hemis are about 1700lbs...pretty on par with a Power Wagon)

I didn’t buy my truck for max payload or towing, the power wagon fits my needs well.

Just food for thought.
 
btsbarton said:
So obviously, Power Wagons are not half ton trucks. They are marketed, legally categorized as, and share most of their components with 3/4 ton trucks.
But everyone gets all sad about their low payload rating (because they have reduced GVWR) and how they can’t work like a 3/4 ton truck. Maybe, we shouldn’t be looking at it like a 3/4 ton class truck, but as a 1/2 ton class truck that has been sauced up with all the heavy duty components you would want for an off-road rig ...strong frame, HD solid axles, strong transmission, beefy transfer case, big v8 engine.

Sure, you can get half tons with more payload still, but it falls right in the middle of the pack of “common” half tons for payload. (Max payload on a ram 1500 is 2300lbs but that’s a 2wd V6, the 4WD hemis are about 1700lbs...pretty on par with a Power Wagon)

I didn’t buy my truck for max payload or towing, the power wagon fits my needs well.

Just food for thought.
Click to expand...
For what its worth there are a few contractors running PW’s around here and are clearly way over the 1500lbs payload rating... they handle the weight just fine
 
btsbarton said:
So obviously, Power Wagons are not half ton trucks. They are marketed, legally categorized as, and share most of their components with 3/4 ton trucks.
But everyone gets all sad about their low payload rating (because they have reduced GVWR) and how they can’t work like a 3/4 ton truck. Maybe, we shouldn’t be looking at it like a 3/4 ton class truck, but as a 1/2 ton class truck that has been sauced up with all the heavy duty components you would want for an off-road rig ...strong frame, HD solid axles, strong transmission, beefy transfer case, big v8 engine.

Sure, you can get half tons with more payload still, but it falls right in the middle of the pack of “common” half tons for payload. (Max payload on a ram 1500 is 2300lbs but that’s a 2wd V6, the 4WD hemis are about 1700lbs...pretty on par with a Power Wagon)

I didn’t buy my truck for max payload or towing, the power wagon fits my needs well.

Just food for thought.
Click to expand...
Based on the frame alone, they are a 3/4 ton truck. It's the softer suspension for off roading that reduces payload. Basic physics, you can get payload but only at the expensive of a jarring ride when off roading. If you are a serious off roader the PW's have plenty of payload for what you are probably bringing plus a much better ride. All comes down to what your needs/wants are.
 
btsbarton said:
So obviously, Power Wagons are not half ton trucks. They are marketed, legally categorized as, and share most of their components with 3/4 ton trucks.
But everyone gets all sad about their low payload rating (because they have reduced GVWR) and how they can’t work like a 3/4 ton truck. Maybe, we shouldn’t be looking at it like a 3/4 ton class truck, but as a 1/2 ton class truck that has been sauced up with all the heavy duty components you would want for an off-road rig ...strong frame, HD solid axles, strong transmission, beefy transfer case, big v8 engine.

Sure, you can get half tons with more payload still, but it falls right in the middle of the pack of “common” half tons for payload. (Max payload on a ram 1500 is 2300lbs but that’s a 2wd V6, the 4WD hemis are about 1700lbs...pretty on par with a Power Wagon)

I didn’t buy my truck for max payload or towing, the power wagon fits my needs well.

Just food for thought.
Click to expand...
I get it, and agree. It's an extremely overbuilt half ton, classification or not.
 
The payload of a PW is roughly as high as 1500 lb. 1500 lb = 3/4 of 2000 lb = 3/4 of a ton = a 3/4 ton truck. So, by simple math they are 3/4 ton trucks.
 
The argument/topic is nonsensical. While comparing the PW's payload capacity to a 1/2 ton may make you feel better about your PW, it doesn't change what the truck is. Similarly, characterizing the PW as a 1/2 ton won't change people's desire to have greater payload capacity in the PW. As you mention in your post, the PW is designed for off-roading, not maximum payload. What does that have to do with a 1/2 ton truck? Also the payload can be increased with aftermarket suspension changes. At the end of the day, the PW is a 3/4 ton truck. So if your opinion is that it's a 1/2 ton, then your opinion is wrong.
 
Dingo said:
The argument/topic is nonsensical. While comparing the PW's payload capacity to a 1/2 ton may make you feel better about your PW, it doesn't change what the truck is. Similarly, characterizing the PW as a 1/2 ton won't change people's desire to have greater payload capacity in the PW. As you mention in your post, the PW is designed for off-roading, not maximum payload. What does that have to do with a 1/2 ton truck? Also the payload can be increased with aftermarket suspension changes. At the end of the day, the PW is a 3/4 ton truck. So if your opinion is that it's a 1/2 ton, then your opinion is wrong.
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payload/GVWR has everything to do with it.

In the mid 2000s dodge made the ram mega cab as a 1500... it used the same frame and axles as 2500 mega cab but had lower spring rates and lower GVWR.
 
Dingo said:
The argument/topic is nonsensical. While comparing the PW's payload capacity to a 1/2 ton may make you feel better about your PW, it doesn't change what the truck is. Similarly, characterizing the PW as a 1/2 ton won't change people's desire to have greater payload capacity in the PW. As you mention in your post, the PW is designed for off-roading, not maximum payload. What does that have to do with a 1/2 ton truck? Also the payload can be increased with aftermarket suspension changes. At the end of the day, the PW is a 3/4 ton truck. So if your opinion is that it's a 1/2 ton, then your opinion is wrong.
Click to expand...
Without touching on anything else here...you can't increase your payload.
 
jadmt said:
He still has not increased his legal payload, he just increased his truck's ability to be over loaded too different things
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"legal" is the key word, legally based on the trucks "stock" configuration. Now for capability, I can setup my pw to be capable of handling 2x the load.(however I have zero need to as of yet)
 
Is this another thread where we argue over the fee based artificial 10,000lb GVWR cap, hence payload, of the 2500 series?

I suppose this is the part where I mention GAWR then...

Maybe they should allow you to buy a magic sticker like the new GM twins do. ALACAZAM! Instant payload when that sticker is applied with no structural changes.
 
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