POWER WAGON VS. RAPTOR

[throttlecable]

Any opinions on which of these is the most capable off road truck? The Raptor seems more suitable for recreational high speed desert play, and the Power Wagon would be a better rock crawler with more towing/ utility type features.

 

[Johnny]

Two totally different trucks.

 

[Highmarker]

exactly....two totaly different trucks. One is built for a desert runner and one is built for a mountain goat. The ram has lockers, sway bar dis-connects and a winch from the factory. Great for crusing aroung the mountains. That Raptor would sure be fun to drive too. Just get them both! They both have their place

 

[throttlecable]

pulled the trigger

Had to go with the Ram based on it's ability to work AND play...

 

[Superdutytd]

The Ram is def more practical with the towing and whatnot, but the Raptor really kicks *** at high speed stuff.

 

[snokaw]

You are going to like your Power Wagon!! I built up my own Heavy Duty, kept it basic. BFG and black American Racing wheels... gotta have the winch. This is my first Dodge and it can do it all. Almost got it stuck at a trailhead in Montana this last spring, had to unhook the trailer and reposition. Then just powered out of there.

I work for a car dealer and have driven and seen several Raptors, they are a sweet ride.

 

[throttlecable]

Nice look'n truck Snokaw! I love to see pics of 4x4's out getting dirty instead of sitting in the driveway all clean and pretty. As for the winch, the only action it has seen so far was when I used it to pull a 500lb crate into my garage- LOL!

 

[SNOW JW]

Great trucks a friend of mine has the Raptor it's amazing hit a gravel 90deg corner at 80 and one would think it would break loose right. Wrong it just stuck the corner.

Power is great as well and tows smaller loads with ATV's on an open trailer without any issues.

 

[xmmm6]

The Power Wagon is defiantly a better choice for pulling and hauling heavy loads. Don’t count the raptor completely out, it is pretty capable even when not going 100. The near 12” of suspension travel really lets get in to some nasty spots. The power of the 6.2 is pretty impressive as well and handles light towing with ease. But if you like to run narrow trails then the Raptors extra seven inches could become a problem.

 

[AZ800]

Ahhhh the Power Wagon. All the weight of a diesel with none of the GO!
Sweet truck, but I'd drop the $$ on a diesel and throw a winch on it. Lockers = cool, but swaybar disconnects? Who goes rock crawling with a 22' long 7000# truck?

 

[throttlecable]

Ahhhh the Power Wagon. All the weight of a diesel with none of the GO!
Sweet truck, but I'd drop the $$ on a diesel and throw a winch on it. Lockers = cool, but swaybar disconnects? Who goes rock crawling with a 22' long 7000# truck?

Yeah, I used to be a diesel guy, having owned (3) 5.9L Cummins over the past 10 yrs. The Power Wagon will not out tow a diesel, not even close, but the 4.56 gearing is torque multiplication at it's finest, and I was pleasantly surprised at how well this Hemi can tug my 8000 lb trailer. The biggest difference I have noticed is the dramatic mpg loss when towing with gas vs. diesel. This truck struggles to do better than 8mpg, while every Cummins I have had was closer to 12mpg,...our high elevation passes here in CO are number killers when it comes to fuel mileage. As for the "GO", unloaded acceleration is very impressive, and I would even wager better than most modified turbo diesels that I have been around. The front and rear lockers are what sold me on this truck, off road capability is unmatched by any other factory offering, and the swaybar disco is a highly effective suspension enhancement that I have used repeatedly.

 

[Rattlin_Ram]

If the power wagon came w/ a cummins, I'd own one...

 

[zr600]

Depends on what type of wheeling and driving do you do? Are you using it for towing anything heavy? I would opt for the raptor because i think a lighter shorter truck would be better for off-roading.

 

[Jaynelson]

. As for the "GO", unloaded acceleration is very impressive, and I would even wager better than most modified turbo diesels that I have been around.

Agreed, I haven't driven a stock-ish diesel yet that has the unloaded acceleration of a newer gas truck. They go good once rolling, but off the line the new gas trucks leave them pretty hard....

 

[HAYSTAX]

Agreed, I haven't driven a stock-ish diesel yet that has the unloaded acceleration of a newer gas truck. They go good once rolling, but off the line the new gas trucks leave them pretty hard....

I would put my stock 2011 Powerstroke up against almost any stock gasser...turbo lag is almost nonexistant. Once it spools up, no contest.

 

[Jaynelson]

I would put my stock 2011 Powerstroke up against almost any stock gasser...turbo lag is almost nonexistant. Once it spools up, no contest.

Given enough distance they may eventually real in the gas pots once the speed and load increases, but they're not nearly as snappy around town, stop-light to stop light kind of thing. Haven't driven the 11 Ford yet, but everything prior to that....maybe it's different?

 

[HAYSTAX]

Given enough distance they may eventually real in the gas pots once the speed and load increases, but they're not nearly as snappy around town, stop-light to stop light kind of thing. Haven't driven the 11 Ford yet, but everything prior to that....maybe it's different?

You should go take a test drive

There is a little lag, but then it's like a rocket. And mine has 3.55s and 20" wheels so I'm not taking advantage of low gearing either. I haven't been in any brand new gassers lately but a late model Dodge 1/2 ton HEMI that a friend owned didn't impress me much. He got tired of it and bought a Cummins powered 3/4ton.

Back to the original topic though, I am very interested in riding in a new 6.2 Raptor. My FIL is pretty interested in buying one and turning it into a expedition type vehicle. Just recently toured the Ford Rouge factory and spent some time eyeing the Raptors there. Pretty impressive vehicle for a 1/2ton, especially since it now shares the engine with the Superdutys.

I want to take that Raptor for a Nevada desert tour before he loads it down with camping gear!

 

[Braaap12]

I was looking at a powerwagon to, up in Canada diesel is more expensive then gas right now, and I hate waiting for a diesel to warm up as well, and the maintenence of a diesel can be pricy so thats why I was looking at a powerwagon. Also a powerwagon suites my budget better...

 

[CaptNCoke]

Cable said.......
"As for the "GO", unloaded acceleration is very impressive, and I would even wager better than most modified turbo diesels that I have been around. "

Thats funny chit there.......Come on, Yamaha, now gas motor......does that thing have an exhaust leak or something.......LOL.......
Unless your supercharged w/ nitrous....your not going to hang w/ a modded diesel....Id let you get out front, only to let mine shift into second, so i can then pound the throttle and keep traction.....I'd almost go as far as putting my 12000lb 5th wheel behind me and giving you a run......(a chance)........you know I'm just pitching U chit.....sweet looking ride....

 

[throttlecable]

Cable said.......
"As for the "GO", unloaded acceleration is very impressive, and I would even wager better than most modified turbo diesels that I have been around. "

Thats funny chit there.......Come on, Yamaha, now gas motor......does that thing have an exhaust leak or something.......LOL.......
Unless your supercharged w/ nitrous....your not going to hang w/ a modded diesel....Id let you get out front, only to let mine shift into second, so i can then pound the throttle and keep traction.....I'd almost go as far as putting my 12000lb 5th wheel behind me and giving you a run......(a chance)........you know I'm just pitching U chit.....sweet looking ride....

Scott, I should have known you would have an opinion on this!...I will conceed acceleration and absolutely towing ability,...but lets see who can churn through the crud and mud when I have the axles all locked up, and the swaybar unhooked...hopefully my exhaust leak fumigated yamaha blue brain cells can remember how to operate the winch so I can pull your king of the road DURIMAXIMUS back to safety!