2 Year no BS Review - 2019 Ram Power Wagon 

Hey Justin, good to hear from you again! Thanks for the review.

great review. Hope the issues are being resolved!

Great follow up - thank you! I wish more people would make straight forward, unbiased reviews like this.

I also have a ‘19. I have nearly identical miles as well. My adaptive cruise works awesome, I use it everyday, and it helps me get better fuel mileage. It does brake heavily though if someone ahead exits. By now I know it’s coming though so I’m ahead of it. I have had 2 instances where the radio volume starts going up on its own till it’s full blast. Even if you turn the radio off, it will be at Max volume next time it’s turned on. The first time I disconnected the battery and it reset and resolved. The second time I did the Uconnect reset. It hasn’t happened again in about 6 months though. That is the extent of my issues, so that’s pretty close to nothing.

Thank you! Nice to see you follow up with your honest experience with your power wagon. One of the reasons I avoided all the tech in mine.

Nice review. I came here after seeing you wrestle that beast around TFL's course. My '15 Ram ecodiesel started doing that speedometer clicking needle thing around the 50k mile mark. It would only do it around 70mph. The digital one was always steady so I assumed that it was the cluster going out. Didn't bother me much because I had GM pickups before and their clusters were replaced multiple times before I was out of basic warranty at 36k miles!

I have a 2015 1500 ecodiesel and I’ve experienced the speedo tick + seatbelt annoyance. Shitty ram parts bin. Love the 1st + 2nd year PW update vids!

Awesome review! I just turned 3k miles on a 2022 twin to your truck. And when I say twin I mean the color, antenna, FTM400 and the thoughts. I love it and honestly, it pulls better than the last 4 of my Fords (yes Ford fanboy as well) including my 7.3L diesel. I get between 6 and 8 when pulling my 10K# camper or my 16K# excavator and trailer. I settled for this truck because I couldn't find a 7.3 gasser with the 10 speed transmission and 4:10 rears and I am honestly verry happy with my choice. Great video!! W2GPR

I have the 2016 PW.. I’m at almost 90,000 miles.. I have never had an engine light, or any little issues that some are getting, it seems 2018 and up are getting these little issues. I have only had to do regular maintenance, brakes, wheel bearing, shocks.. and it’s time for a serpentine belt, I’ll order it Monday 👍🏻

I just picked up a '21 anniversary edition and love it--by far my favorite truck

Great video and I really appreciate your honest criticisms of the truck. If I could offer some feedback, I would say that talking about wind noise is more distracting than hearing it. You mentioned it a bunch throughout the video when it would be better to just mention it once (or even not at all) and then just roll on through it. Great video!

Good review. I have 16,300 miles on my 2020. Only issue so far is the drivers sun visor vanity mirror pops out. I never use it, so it’s not a big deal. I have lots of warranty left so I’ll deal with it someday. I’m getting around 13-14 mpg the highway and 10-11 around town. Driving is about 80% on road and 20% off road. I play around on the Oregon coast dunes a lot so it gets a heavy throttle input for a lot of the off road stuff, otherwise it’s gravel logging roads at lower speeds and heading up into central Oregon mountains for camping. Love the truck.

Great informative video! Im in Southern Colorado. Was looking at getting into one but the average mpg may be a problem for me. I saw the inside lights and then the plate answered that question. Stay safe out there. #ThinRedLine #ThinBlueLine

Odd! I had a 2019 as well with 21k on the odometer and I never had a single one of those issues. I now have a 2021 now and the only minor issue I have currently is with the rambox lids and the shortage for replacement parts. I love the rig otherwise and love the rescues you do with your rig. I do think with all the tech in these trucks, they all have their issues. My 2017 F150 had its own issues too.

Good video Justin. You went a little heavy on the negatives, but they are good things to know. And you did say you think it is still an awesome truck. I'm not sure if the review really helps me. But I think you were honest about your gut feelings about the truck: It's a great truck, but it has some very annoying shortcomings. I think the electronics of today do a lot of amazing stuff but they make reliability a harder commodity to come by. Electronics always seem to be the culprit in new equipment breakdowns.

I had the exact same issue with the seatbelt on my 2021 PW, but I fixed it! Saw a RU-vid video on “how to fix a sticking seatbelt.” I didn’t believe it but the belt itself was dirty. Not visibly dirty, but in just 10k miles it must have accumulated enough dirt/dust/dog slobber/whatever the belt had gotten juuust enough stiffer that it didn’t slide over the top hanger as easily anymore. I extended the belt all the way, clamped off the top so it wouldn’t retract, scrubbed it with dish soap, and let it soak for about 30 mins. Rinsed well, let it dry overnight, and viola, like new. I think a stronger retracting spring would prevent the issue all together.

Justin, I think you will find if you get a compellable outfitted Ford, Chevy or what ever with all the latest gadgets, you will find comparable problems. Technology in an automotive products is just a hard road to drive. Vibration and environment are really hard to overcome, speaking as an electrical engineer. Mechanical problems on the other hand are just suspect engineering. Poor brakes (undersized) is poor engineering in my opinion. They should design for the size and intended use. I love the Powerwagon though, great truck, but lots of electronics, like they all have now, you gotta expect problems unfortunately. Great, honest review and safe travels my friend.

Glad to see that the tipm unit is still a issue. Had a 2013 grand jeep. With the tipm unit.

hey, nice video - really indepth. as for your seatbelt slow to retract - try cleaning it. I know that sounds dumn, but having worked in automotive this is the most common issue with seatbelt retraction. Hope that helps!

Good listen. I just ordered a '22 PW and am really looking forward to it. There is always a chance there will be some issues, I really appreciate the commentary on the brakes (I have owned a few Cummins 6.7s with no issues ever and currently own an F150, 3.5L Turbo that is having a lot of issues). My F150 has the 10spd trans and its really clunky around 7th/8th/9th gears and has a pretty bad tick at cold startup and the sunroof doesn't always close on the first (occasionally 2nd, 3rd, 4th) attempt. Hoping I don't have your issues with the PW, plan to put AMP power steps and 37" tires on as soon as I get it, I may go ahead and do the brakes as well! Thanks.

great and honest review, thanks

It seems like a toss up nowadays. I've had friends that have new Fords that have had many issues, though I don't know many people who buy heavy duty GM trucks nowadays around here. I am on my second 3/4 ton Ram and I love them for their performance. I live in CT., and in this state they spread so much sodium chloride on the roads in the winter, the rear fenders seem to rot out within 6 - 8 years no matter what brand you own. I've never been underpowered when plowing deep wet snow with my 5.7L Hemi's, and I can only imagine what 6.4L Hemi's feel like. Thank you for the honest review!

I agree. My pw had bad brakes too. God fobid you put a trailer on and ask for more than a normal stop. I was going to put some wilwoods on as my first mod.

Hey bud, thanks for the 2 year update. That is a lot of little bullshit stuff. I have 6,700 miles on my 2021 now, all good so far with exception to a weird paint thing on one of my rambox lids (hand size tan stain started forming after 2-3 weeks and got darker over a couple months then stopped. No flaws on the paint itself, just the white turned tan???). I asked RAM to replace the cover/lid with a new painted one and they refused. I then asked RAM to provide an unpainted cover to protect my content while mine was getting repainted...RAM refused again🤷‍♂️. I drive mostly city and average between 10-11mpg. It sucks, new that going in. Recently took a trip to Overland Expo East, 750 miles round trip ish...14.3 hwy, average speeds between 65-80...not bad (87 octane). I'll have to try the non ethanol deal just to see what happens to mine. In reality the extra cost will likely outweigh the benefits. Just FYI...I've owned 4 Ford superduty's in the past 20 years, with two rams and a Tundra mixed in...they are no better I promise...luck of the draw. In my humble opinion, the powerwagon is the most enjoyable truck I've ever owned in terms of over all comfort, handling, perfect size etc. I actually preferred my 2016 F-250 diesel over my 2017 (both loaded diesels crew cabs). The 2017 was a bit nicer/more modern obviously but I liked driving the 2016 better. I hope mine does a bit better towing. My wife and I have a 6 week trip planned next year from SC to UT and many states in between towing out patriots camper X3 (3,500 loaded). Cheers

I have a 2016 and recently upgraded to the Powerstop pads (kept the stock discs). The stock pads are hard as a brick. I'm having to get used to driving it again since the new pads are grabby in comparison to the originals.

Keep an eye out for debris behind your flares. It will possibly rust from behind them.

I have a 2018 / 36 k miles with no issues 🤞🏼The brakes do suck, I will do the Power Stop upgrade,thank you.

Thanks for the follow-up 2 year on the 2500. I've been considering upgrading, and still very much on the fence. I also think I'm more Ford than Ram. No truck's perfect, but I'm noticing a few more overall problems with my 1500 vs the F150 I had. I too tried the Ram brand to see, but everything seems to be pointing me to the 7.3 in the Ford over this 6.4 Hemi.

Great review. I own a 2019 been to the dealer too much!!

Nice review but Ford is not much better then Dodge or Chevy I hate to say and I've had them all. They all have their issues now a days with horrible quality control and cheaply made components made in China. Dodge seems to have electrical problems when they do come up. When you buy truck with all the electronic junk they put on them now it's just a matter of time.

Nice honest first person account!

Great video- sure would like to see production moved back to the United States. Do you have a video or information on how you installed the jumper cable port and brand chosen. Thank you

Great video thank you!

Good review!

If you recall I told you to put drilled & slotted rotors on the truck and that would fix the braking problem, If you an HHO generator on the truck your fuel economy will improve 2+ MPG.

Thats interesting about the pure fuel with no ethanol giving you much better fuel mileage. I may try that with my Toyota Tundra.

You have been lucky to have never had a problem with fords if you have had several but that is true of any brand. The tremor is sweet and like that 7.3 but it's not quite as off road focused. I just traded my gladiator after 2 years and 22,000 miles for a power wagon. I needed more space for kids, a bigger bed for work, missed a v8 and they gave me exactly what I paid for my jeep and the trade canceled enough sales tax that it was to good to pass up. Hopefully she will be a solid vehicle outside of the obvious poor fuel economy but its always a gamble. My buddy traded a 2018 raptor for a 2020 raptor. First one was flawless. Second one was on its 3rd engine before 25,000 miles. You never know.

I've got a 19 too....no issues. I have a 22 on order...I'll let you know if I run into any issues...It's a truck for deep pockets for sure...Thanks for the HB...Semper Fidelis.

No problems with my 19 PW I also have 19 Ford 250 and it sucks. Steering damper went out. Almost crash the truck on highway and mechanic says it will continue too go bad...lol Good thing warranty covered it.

I went from owning only Fords since I was 15 (now 35) to a Ram 2500 Cummins and I have put 53,000 miles on the truck so far and not a single issue yet. I am tuned, but only throwing an extra 30hp at the truck as it's the high output version and already making an insane amount of power. I wanted a Power Wagon, but I do tow a gooseneck at times that is close to 20k pounds and a big RV. Empty tuned I average 17 mpg in my every day mixed highway and town driving. Straight highway I can pull 22mpg. I also couldn't believe the brakes were how bad they were coming from a Ford and went drilled and slotted. Cold air intakes do nothing except make more noise and I finally learned to just leave the stock intake on them.

I have a 19PW same color just different options . The dash cluster comes out really easy , screwdriver and a little prying. I have done it several timss in my adventure with the Z Auto Tazer . Funny cause i thougt my tach was doing the ticking thing , but it comes and goes. Might have to check it out . Thanks for the heads up on the seat , I will poke around under there to see if the wire is loose. Got a question tho , How do you feel about Ruwarts service department ? I had the wagon there for A/C work (never has been cold since it bought it) and when i got my truck back , yes the problem was somewhat fixed , but i was really not happy with the condition of my truck. AFter all the trips you have made up there , can you tell me what you think of them now? If you dont want to do it publicly I will cath up with you on facebook. Still love the hell out of my wagon!!!

I have a '21 Power Wagon and modified my garage to get the truck to fit in the garage. I work from home so I do not drive it much as gas is $5 a gallon here in SoCal.

I ordered a SD Tremor and am thinking about cancelling for a PW. It's that electronic front locker and sway bar for me. When I watch comparison videos of off road articulation, it's night and day. I feel like, what's the point of having a true off road rig without those features? I've had a F-150 3.5L twin turbo for 3 years. Had to replace that 4WD vacuum tube on the road for vacation out of state as I listened my 4wd half engaging and grinding away. Replaced the fuel pump once after stranding me in Chicago. Got it back and immediately stranded me again. Replaced fuel pump control module thing in the back of the truck underneath. Master cylinder failed at the brake vacuum pump and lost my brake pressure driving home. Didn't die. 🙃👎Coil pack went out. Went into limp mode several times. Replaced throttle body. Sunroof had a leak that kept getting the ceiling wet. Had to treat for mold.Opened the ceiling and Found a loose drainage tube. Fixed that. Still leaked. Found there was also a defect in the sunroof glass itself after adjusting the glass 5,000,000 times. That led to a broken retracting arm for the sunroof. It's now JBwelded back together. That's most of it. Believe it or not, I still really like my F-150. It's much faster than any Ram truck I've driven. Brakes are far better too. That being said, I think I want to try the off road beast now! 😬👍

Very good review. Thanks. Be interesting to see what you will buy after this truck? Do you have any friends with 2-4 year old trucks(Ford/GM/Tundra/Titan)?

I did the same brakes on my F350, world of difference...

Own an 05 F150 that also SUCKS on braking power...I did the same Powerstop upgrade to find a night/day difference.

I’ve had mine for 6 months. Exactly the same color. Pulled an RV all over out west, mid west and home to Tennessee. You have to use mid grade and top tier gas. I can get 15.8

You didn’t mention that in your review about your tire size change. The issue is the dealer needs to recalibrate your new height because of the tire change. Yup, there’s your ACC issue. Had the same problem with my Gladiator. Note that some less experienced dealerships don’t know about it either. It’s a $75 service.

Let’s switch I came from an 17 power wagon to 2021 tremor 7.3 my main seal was leaking and my transmission is slamming gears 11,000mi on her dealership fixed main but trans is another story unfortunately… great review I wondered how the new ones are

I also replaced my IWEs on my 05 F150 twice, but we did get to 90K the first time and 210K the second time...original motor with right at 214K on her.

Each manufacturer definitely have there quirks and dodges is definitely electronics. Wiring to be specific but it's rare that I ever see them have major mechanical issues. Ford from my experience typically has the mechanical issues but the electronics seem to be the best of the three and gm is in the middle. It's honestly a pick your poison issue. Sense I typically get bare bones trucks I have stuck with ram but there's no way I would get a fully loaded one as there's just way to much to go wrong.

I have a 2020 w rambox dual alternators 12in info fully decked out minus the engine block heater and 24k miles and does not live in a garage. The only thing i experienced was needing an update to correct soneodd backup sensor behavior that didn't start until 22k. Seemed odd to me but that corrected it 100%. Knowing all the electronics in this thing I did a 125k 7 year extended warranty just in case cause there is a ton of stuff in any new vehicle with tech ology that could go wrong.

I had someone hit me in the ram 3500 a couple weeks ago and have a F250 rental. There are some quirky things on it as well. I used to be a Ford guy but pretty open minded - have owned big 3 + Toyota and Nissan. Ram trucks have been my favorite but not perfect. F250 rental - wow. This thing rides awful. I've been in F350's that ride fine. Don't know what the deal is but it's bad. Buddy of mine got tboned in his F250 and got a rental F250. Said it was terrible as well - swapped it for a ram and said that's what he was getting next. Anyway that comparison is gas vs diesel so that's possibly the difference. Unladen springs- you'd think they would be compensated for in lighter spring weight.. That said the sync system is nice and rear camera is excellent Debating adding a PW and getting rid of the wrangler. Appreciate your candor in the video!

The power plug up front seems to be a good idea. How’s that working out. What is the manufacturer?

When you buy a new “top end” vehicle … you are a “beta tester” for the “down market future tech” … “early adopters” tend not to be the money makers for the auto financing industry (which are what all manufacturers profit centers are) … so you hold more risk and less reward being a new top end vehicle owner … but at least you get to tick some boxes on the order sheet (maybe/sort of) … The positive is no manufacture consistently makes bad cars any more …they bankrupt and get taken over by other multinational corporations to quickly now!!

I have a 01 2500 ram the brain is the only thing wrong since I owned it . Have over 2000 on it .. Still no problems

Great video! How much were the power stop brakes?

i have 2017 and have had 0 issues.....gas milage is not NEAR as good as yours though. She guzzles it! Running 35 TKO all terrain.....

All 3 suck now but RAM sucks less I have found(I use to have a 2012 f150). Do to all the computers now that has nothing to do with ram but the manufacturer of the parts. Now the wiring is a RAM thing and it’s the way the assembling plant is putting the wires down. That’s funny you get 2 to 5 mpg better then my 22 PW mind you am only at 3,000 miles but I also drive mine in V8 only do to lifter problems that can happen due to MDS. Hopefully I can avoid the lifter failure, but if not I’ll do the MDS delete if out of warranty if that’s when they fail. I hate and I mean hate the stock steering on the PW which I’ll be fixing(drives like a jeep and the hard braking is scary). I have found the PW is awesome out of the box BUT needs some big upgrades to make it safe and unstoppable. Why it still only comes with 33’s still mind blowing when the trx and the Ford F-250 Tremor has 35’s. I like the 7.3 ford but not the transmission(due to not being able to last longer the 70,000 miles and not being able to take the abuse) so that’s why I bought the RAM

2015 American Expediation Vehicle Prospector 27,000 trouble free towing miles. Brakes are fine. Hill decent is awesome. Save lots of jeeps atv's etc... on the trails. winch it!

Beast 💪🏻💪🏻👍

I know it is off subject, but how did you mount your Fire Radio Antenna? GMRS here and switched from a 13 to 22, a lot less area on fender around hood.

I have a 2015 Tradesmen PW. Only difference is less frills/basic interior/less electronics. Cheaper too. Not sure why they don’t make more of the Tradesmen ones.

I’m a Colorado kid also. I want through the biggest decision of my life between the power wagon and the tremor. Tremor KR won with the diesel. 17,000 miles in almost a year, no issues at all. I’ve owned several jeep wranglers Two Rubicon‘s at the moment with my tremor. I’ve always been a hard-core Mopar fan with zero issues with the Jeeps. So far Ford is treating me right.

i alwasy say to each there own, we all drive different vehicles that have corks that drive us nuts

Dodge has a long history of electrical issues. I've had several dodge/jeeps, many of them have had electrical issues. Good tuff trucks though.

To be honest i want to see you in the tremor. Those things look awesome. And unlike the powerwagon you can get it in diesel. Also any changes in the lighting?

For better fuel economy. 5.13 gears will help and getting a Venomaire intake with a tuner will definitely help your MPG's performance. Love the videos man, keep them coming!!! 👍👊

Ole Peg would say.. yup.. its a shipping crate👌🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

First edition, of all the electronics too. 2019, 2020, and 2021 had their issues. Seat belts do suck. Probably the worse seats belts ever. Seat belts would feel comfortable if they were built in the seats. Seat vents are only made for the buttocks not the back side, and the heat the same. That was weird. Window buttons for sure don't work 100% with auto up and down. If both buttons are hit at the same time, the left window and right window up or down, and only one actuates. Surprise every time if it's the left window or the right one that goes up on auto. First edition new gen Truck years like 2019 have historically had issues than it's 2020, 2021, or 2022 years later on down the line in the future. The First edition is the tester trucks. I used to sell Ram trucks in Texas and own a power wagon. Only seen one major issue. 3500 2019 truck, had one cylinder missing the oil catch piston ring. Ate 1 quart of oil per week. The customer was so 😡 mad, I hope my managers made him whole. That was from the factory, so mistakes do happen. That's every car manufacturer because we're all human. Heard power wagons and RAM trucks are built a bit slower than other competitors due to the hand 🙌 work and difference in tooling and shaping for this new generation truck, plus its actually made in Mexico the 2500, 3500, and 4500 RAM trucks. 1500 trucks from RAM are the only ones made in America in Michigan. Most of the issues have been from the 2500, 3500, and 4500 line up. Like seen on TV and in news type of issues during 2019, and 2020 years. Due mainly to the international built, language communication issues, and RAM contract with Mexico, I don't agree with it. Love the way the Hemi engine for what it is it's tuff and strong enough with the proper lubricants. It's and SRT engine for god's sake! Actually, a racing engine, tuned for Farm work. Not Farm work made for racing. Would be cool if someone made a supercharged Power wagon and actually used the gasoline in it with this 392 engine, Making a TRX whimper due to the TRX's smaller bored cylinders.

I can’t put mine in 2low?! 4h no issue at all

I still have and drive my Ford pickup

they say the pedal commander really helps those trucks. i have always been a dodge man but Ford trucks havent been top sellers for a reason. i think dodge has more good than bad but ford has its things.

It is the Ram brand. The uconnect radio and air bag in my 2016 PW have both been imperative and don't even get me started about the 2 repeat transmission failures and collapsed 6.4 Hemi lifter I've had😡 I'm considering a tremor too

Do you feel like you are limited in the trails that you do in the mountain in Colorado. I am in Denver and have a slightly modified GX460 and some of the mountain trails for example near Idaho springs seem narrow. Thinking about a full size but don't want to be limited in where I can go

So ticking speedo and slow seatbelt versus replacing 4WD hubs twice?

I do wish that you could get a Cummins 4BT in these, but they would put so much emissions crap on it that it would ruin all of the MPG gains.

I know this is a late reply to an old video, BUT ... thanks for the info about the brakes! MUCH appreciated. I've had to do a couple of "shouldn't have been panic stops, but why the heck don't these brakes work better" moments in my PW. I just ordered some Power Stop brakes for it! Thanks again! :) It only has 7k miles on it, but MAN, safety is more important than "getting my $$'s worth out of those stock brakes!"

nice side step what brand and model number if you mind me asking

How many miles did you have while all of the problems started to acure? I'm looking to get one near me that's fully loaded equipment 2 with off road package but it has 23k miles on it its about $6k less than 1 that has 12k miles so just trying to weigh my options

Does the 19 power wagon have a 1 ton rear axle or is it still a 3/4 ton axle

Good in-depth review. I'm a Ford guy through and through. Maybe time to look into a Super Duty Tremor.

So will you be going back to Ford? Great video…..

luck of the draw on any of the big 3. That being said, the PW is the best looking, followed by the F250 Tremor.

what plug is that that you wired up for the jumper/compressor?

Did you put bigger tires on the PW? Did the mileage change after that?

What's the Part Number for the Power stop Brakes bud?

The ticking is simply the clock wired to speed meter....easy fix...Ford 😄. Well they can all have problems. My F350 6.2 gets 15.9 on highway.2012 C.C.L.B. 4x4

What about the rock in pop can exhaust on cold start?

Would you please put a link for the break(power stop)

I would replace the seatbealt, I would not trust it in the event of an accident

Best looking truck on road but good lord I guess I’ll just keep driving Toyotas

By any chance have you had a child seat in the back? Really like the power wagon but not having the mega cab as an option concerns me.

If RAM would only listen, they would put the Cummins in the Power Wagon.👌🏼👍🏻

i have a 2019 rebel.and my seat belt does the samething 😥..P.s navy vet😉

Does yours have the Hemi tick?

Wind does not blow in WY! 🤐

Sounds like it has fewer issues than my Jeep Renegade 🤣

Did you get you speedometer and tires to match after you changed to 35

23000 on my 2021 with led headlights blinker has gone bad and 1100 for a new one think ram might just get this one back when the lease is over with a bad 1100 dollar headlight and the next one definitely will not be a dodge to many small stupid issues with the electronics and it will be a Ford