New pickup

[check]

Mine rolls up, but it doesn't retract. It's integrated with my InvisiRack collapsable "ladder rack". I love both.
Invis-A-Rack Cargo Management System - Dee Zee
TruXedo Lo Pro QT Invis-A-Rack Tonneau Cover - SHIPS FREE

I’ve got a roll-up by Truxedo that is easy to install, and works nice. It rolls right up, allowing you to use the whole bed, which is particularly useful when you want to put an ATV in the back, or something taller than the 22 inches deep bed on my2016 F 150

It’s too bad the Dodge doesn’t make the tailgate step that I have on my Ford truck. It is really cool. You pull out the step and it swings down, but you also pull out a straight grab post that pulls out and swings up so you can grab it when you’re stepping up onto the tailgate. Very useful!

Again, good on you, oosik, and don’t pay attention to those guys that can’t wait. Clearly, you can!

 

[oosik]

DNW64 - you are spot on. There is NO DOUBT this local dealership is doing all they can. I could go in and cancel the order. Then there would be two disappointed folks - me and the salesman.

A rather strange thing. As I'm cruising the internet dealerships out west here. There is one dealership in CO that had 18 Power Wagons. Man - there must be a lot young studs with big bucks in CO. I'm just an old fart with sufficient funds.

Maybe I'm hoping to regain some of my youth vicariously thru this Taco Wagon. Who knows - better yet, who cares.

I've have a fold up Truxedo on my F-150 - over ten year old now. Still looks good - works fine. But like the tires on my tractor - its parked in its carport stall - out of the sun.

 

[LouNY]

I have a folding cover on my 1500 RAM;
it's a Extang Solid Fold 2.0 Tonneau Cover.

This one sits on top of the bed rails, on my short box the rear two sections can fold up and be left open for taller or bulky items.

It has been good about not getting froze up and hard to use most of the time, the rear section will get froze to the tailgate at times requiring a couple of thumps to unstick it. That is more to blame on the RAM tailgate making a pocket on top to trap water.

I do normally spray the seals and joints with a silicon spray, I haven't this winter yet and it let me know that last evening trying to fold it open to load some 8 ft pieces of trim after having wet snow melt for a couple of days then going thru the car wash.
I parked and went shopping when I came out with a temperature of 8F, it took several minutes to get all the joints and seals unstuck, folded up and loaded.

I avoided all the ones that fit down flush withe the top of the bed rails because of freeze worries.

Good luck with the new PW when it gets in, hard to be as patience as you seem to be, but as you have noted it doesn't do any good to rant and rave the local dealer can't do anything about the delays.

 

[oosik]

LouNY - the Extang Solid Fold 2.0 is one I'm considering. That and the BakFlip MX4. Both will work with the Taco Wagon and its RamBox Cargo mgmt system. One sits on top, the other rides on an open ledge. Around here - any tonneau that slides in a closed channel faces problems with accumulated volcanic ash and icing in the channels. Man - it been since 1980 when Mt St Helens blew her top. But when the winds pick up - the air will turn grey with ash.

Glad to hear about how it works for you. Silicone spray on the big 'ol gasket seal and joints. I'll remember that - thank you.

It isn't easy being patient. But then I sit myself down and remind myself - does no good to get angry nor fly off the handle. The pickup will get here at the same time - either way.

 

[check]

DNW64 - you are spot on. There is NO DOUBT this local dealership is doing all they can. I could go in and cancel the order. Then there would be two disappointed folks - me and the salesman.

A rather strange thing. As I'm cruising the internet dealerships out west here. There is one dealership in CO that had 18 Power Wagons. Man - there must be a lot young studs with big bucks in CO. I'm just an old fart with sufficient funds.

Maybe I'm hoping to regain some of my youth vicariously thru this Taco Wagon. Who knows.

Attaboy, oosik! I got at least 10 years younger as soon as I got my first big, honkin’ pick up truck!

 

[BigBlue1]

Well - I've got all these ideas of "add-ons" to the PW. Tonneau, rear step, etc. However, the Ram Power Wagon is a rather odd duck to many companies. They can give a spot on answer for a Heavy Duty Ram 2500 fitment - they tend to quiver a bit when faced with the Power Wagon.

So......my list continues to build - my purchases, however, will wait until the PW is in hand.

I'm sure enjoying Apple Play - nothing quite as pleasing as "the Oakes" in the background. Seems to make these old fingers a bit more nimble also. They tend to dance on the keys. The only sound for miles here in the absolute black void of an early morning. Even my coyote friends are still bedded down.

There are a few good Dodge/Ram related forums out there that will serve you well to find specific things that work with your PW. Message me if you want pointers to them. I'm guessing rules here would discourage posting links.

Rob

 

[ededic]

It’s too bad the Dodge doesn’t make the tailgate step that I have on my Ford truck. It is really cool. You pull out the step and it swings down, but you also pull out a straight grab post that pulls out and swings up so you can grab it when you’re stepping up onto the tailgate. Very useful!

I do like that step in the Ford. I also like those side boxes in the rails of the Dodge. My preference has always been GM, call it family tradition, loyalty or whatever. I think I just saw a video clip where GMC put a set of speakers in the tailgate where Ford has the step. Guess it just shows how urban trucks have become. When I look at those beautiful old pics of the early Power Wagons I think... now that is a truck.

 

[Xfaxman]

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It is too bad the Dodge does not make the tailgate step that I have on my Ford truck. It is really cool. You pull out the step and it swings down, but you also pull out a straight grab post that pulls out and swings up so you can grab it when you are stepping up onto the tailgate. Very useful!

----------------------------------------------------------

No, it wouldn't work for us pulling the horse trailer. :thumbdown:

My wife can drop the tailgate on her 2016 Ram, back up, hook on, step on the BedStep, crawl in the bed, plug in the trailer cable, latch the hitch and hook up the safety chains. Easy Peasy :thumbsup:.

 

[oosik]

Xfaxman - what is the large forward "hump thing" on top of the horse trailer?

 

[oosik]

Xfaxman - what is the large forward "hump thing" on top of the horse trailer?

 

[Xfaxman]

It is called a Hay Pod. It is hinged at the front and has struts to hold it open while you fill it with small hay bales.

A closer view of the other side, that is a generator at the back:

 

[oosik]

Wow. I suppose the extension out over the bed is sleeping quarters. By the time you get a couple horses, tack, feed, etc, etc - its a pretty good load. Its a big trailer too.

Thanks for the added pic and explanation. But the REAL question. Drop that double wide tail gate - can you load a tractor?? God, don't mention this to your wife.

 

[Oaktree]

I think I just saw a video clip where GMC put a set of speakers in the tailgate where Ford has the step. Guess it just shows how urban trucks have become. When I look at those beautiful old pics of the early Power Wagons I think... now that is a truck.

Yeah, but I think I'd rather drive a modern truck than one of those old Power Wagons, a tractor probably has a better ride. Even the driving position looks pretty uncomfortable...you have to kind of twist your right leg at a weird angle to step on the gas. Sure were cool looking though!
There's one around here that has a bumper sticker: "Dodge Power Wagon 0-60 NEVER"

Agree that speakers in the tailgate are a bit much, guess it shows who's buying trucks these days. Saw an ad for another brand once where they hyped it having a 110v outlet in the bed...seems like that's just asking for trouble...water gets in & ZAP!!

 

[oosik]

When I worked summer jobs for the Forrest Service and drove their Power Wagons. Hey - I was 18, excited about driving the vehicle. I don't remember it riding rough. It could have been a 6x12 on an ox wagon - it was all exciting. The 115V outlet on the current PW is inside the cab. Its max output is less than 2 amps. For recharging your digital toys.

 

[k0ua]

According to the testers the new power wagon rides very smooth. They also say it is VERY thirsty when it comes to gasoline. About 11 MPG. Wow...

 

[dnw64]

They also say it is VERY thirsty when it comes to gasoline. About 11 MPG. Wow...

I bet that's double the old one though...

On a related note, I'm amazed at the fuel mileage the big rigs get today, especially when you consider gallons per mile per pound/ton.

A bleeding edge truck/trailer will get about 10mpg moving 80,000# down the road (gross weight). That's the equivalent of an 8000# vehicle (loaded 2500) getting 100mpg. Even your basic, no-frills, no aero, no-nothing big rig gets 6mpg, or the equivalent of 60mpg for an 8000# rig...

I'm sure a lot of it is aero efficiency - look at (10) 8000# trucks going down the highway (no matter how much they try and drag each other) compared to a single unit.

Then, there is only 18 tires versus 40 providing rolling resistance.

Anyways, I find it interesting. And also the idea of comparing 18-wheelers to trains, where rolling resistance is near zero, and drag is greatly diminished compared to 100 trucks traveling at minimum safe distance...

 

[oosik]

Come on James - I read the MotorTrend three part review of the 2018 Power Wagon, also. Mileage was indicated - - City- 11+ Highway- 15+ Average- 13+ Not real great but its what you get with a heavy, low geared pickup. Obviously, nobody buys this unit for its sparkling high MPG abilities.

Right now my BIG concern. Which Smart Phones are compatible with the UconnectPhone system on this beast. I've been able to determine that my nine year old Samsung flip phone won't cut it. So I go to the Uconnect site - FINALLY find their list. Kee Rist - this list has phones that are, at least, five year old or older. So an email to Uconnect - asking for an updated list.

Who ever wrote the mega-page section on all the ins/outs of Uconnect, security, Travel, remote start, remote access & all the interactions with Uconnect - missed the boat. H*LL - I'm not even sure his boat was in the water. The good part - with an appropriate smart phone it appears that the entire operation is almost Plug 'N Play. There is also a "help" button for a real live tech who will provide assistance.

 

[Xfaxman]

Wow. I suppose the extension out over the bed is sleeping quarters. By the time you get a couple horses, tack, feed, etc, etc - its a pretty good load. Its a big trailer too.

Right, called a Living Quarters. Has a queen size bed, TV, sofa bed, bathroom with a sink, shower, toilet, storage and a walk through door into the horse stalls. Kitchen sink, refrigerator freezer and some storage. Heater and air conditioner, hot water heater, fresh water tank, gray water and black water tanks.

Thanks for the added pic and explanation. But the REAL question. Drop that double wide tail gate - can you load a tractor?? God, don't mention this to your wife.

No not this one, but we have had some in the past that had a collapsible tack room wall that would haul UTVs or cargo.

 

[oosik]

I thought those living quarters units had just a bed in the overhead extension. You are talking about a complete living unit with a place for your pets to come along also. So the "people part" must go clear back to the two louvered vents half way down the unit.

That's one real exotic piece of traveling equipment. I never realized they were equipped so completely. My BIL was big on the rodeo scene. Until the day he met his match on a bull ride. He had a slide in camper and pulled a horse trailer. He was, kind of, the wild child type. The exact "prototype" rodeo cowboy. Tall, lanky, hard drinking, easy going. The family would go to the close events he participated in. During the rodeo season he traveled all over the country.

One time I even got close in and watched the operation. Everything looked OK until you had to jump down on the back of a bull. At that point -- pure fear overcame excitement. I decided riding off- road motorcycles was plenty wild enough for this fella. He was lucky and smarter than I gave him credit for. He quit while he could still function as a normal human. Broken bones, cracked ribs, dislocated shoulder, mashed foot - - but nothing he couldn't recover from.

 

[ovrszd]

I think displacement comes into play in regards to fuel economy of work trucks. That contributes to OTR trucks getting equal mileage of a heavy duty pickup.

I ran a JD grader for 7.5 hrs last night pushing snow. 45K machine pushing a 12ft blade. Burned 45 gallons of fuel. 9.1L turbo diesel.

If I were going down the hiway at 70mph I would have traveled 525 miles and got 11.7mpg. Very, very hard to find a heavy duty pickup that can do that.