Ram Trucks has been pushing the envelope of what’s possible with a factory pickup truck when it comes to premium off-road performance. On one end, you have the supercharged, white-knuckle Ram 1500 TRX. The other, the stalwart 2022 Ram Heavy Duty Power Wagon. A truck designed to haul and carry heavy loads deep into areas where other trucks would either quit or just can’t make the journey at all. It’s a vehicle that both removes the risk of a challenge, while at the same time demands you figure out just how far off the beaten path you can take it.
I recently spoke to Adrian Ratza, Ram Heavy Duty brand manager, to discuss the mighty Power Wagon model, and if one thing is clear, demand remains white hot for this off-road superiority vehicle.
“We can’t sell enough Power Wagons,” said Adrian Ratza, Ram Heavy Duty brand manager in an interview with MC&T. “There’s a certain capacity of Power Wagons we will sell every year just based on the highly technical components of the Power Wagon.”
“Highest Turning” Model In The Lineup
Ratza described the Ram Power Wagon production volume as a “supply/demand of really our own doing,” as the truck’s suppliers need to be able to keep up. The integrated Warn winch and Carli-by-King shocks come to mind. Ultimately, it comes down to a balancing act, as all Ram Heavy Duty trucks are built in a single plant, out of Saltillo, Mexico.
“I don’t know if that’s such a bad thing either. I think if we were just pushing out Power Wagons left and right I’m not sure if that’s gonna be very beneficial for the marketplace. There’s a bit of the same treatment with the TRX. There’s a certain amount of them that we want to build every year… it’s consistently our highest turning model that we basically have for Heavy Duty. As soon as they hit the lot they don’t stay there.”
Image via Stellantis.## Power Wagon: 5 Percent Of Total Ram HD Builds Annually
Ratza noted that the current microchip shortage crisis isn’t the major contributor for how many Power Wagons get built, mentioning that it maintains a five percent sales mix of all Ram Heavy Duty trucks produced.
“As far as a mix of our total builds, we’re only around the 5 percent of total builds per year for Power Wagons,” he said.
To my surprise, the Ram HD Power Wagon sees sales all over the United States, and isn’t concentrated to the wide open spaces west of the Mississippi, where the massive pickup truck makes the most sense. Patrolling cragged landscapes and large areas without the worry of scraping into a tree on a tight trail is where this big off-road truck makes the most sense, after all.
“We’re seeing Power Wagon sales everywhere, cross country. I can’t say that most sales are located in one geographical area… our sales from New England to out west and down into Texas, we’re seeing Power Wagon sales everywhere. It has that appeal as an icon,” said Ratza.
Bookending the off-road performance offerings of the Ram Truck family, the 702 horsepower TRX isn’t necessarily cannibalizing the Power Wagon, either.
“Part of me did wonder that when we started with TRX if it would affect Power Wagon sales, and it really hasn’t had an impact.”
Image via Stellantis## 2022 Ram Heavy Duty Power Wagon: Details
The 2022 Ram HD Power Wagon lineup is the most premium family of off-road big trucks yet, with the addition of the Level 3 Package trim, replacing the limited-run 75th Anniversary Edition that was only available for the 2021 model year. Much of these upgrades can be found inside the cabin.
Just like the outgoing Anniversary model, the Ram HD Power Wagon Level 3 package brings a ton of premium options to the table. Up front, you’ll find 8-way adjustable leather bucket seats with heating and cooling features, power-adjustable pedals, a heated steering wheel, an upgraded full-length floor console, and LED accent lighting all around. Passengers in back also benefit from heated seats, as well as some in-floor storage bins. On the tech front, the 2022 Ram 2500 Power Wagon Level 3 Package highlights the 12-inch Uconnect 5 Infotainment system, complete with Navigation and Off-Road Pages functionality. A 17-Speaker Harman Kardon stereo system will be included, along with rain-sensing wipers and keyless entry functionalities.
In other words, the Ram HD Power Wagon’s interior is a nice, cozy retreat from the muddy, dusty elements just beyond those massive doors.
Every Ram HD Power Wagon comes with a 6.4L Hemi V8 engine with 410 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque. The Cummins diesel engine is not available. The Power Wagon also comes with electronically locking front and rear differentials, the coveted Warn winch, and the highest articulation rate in the segment. The truck also comes with Hi/Lo gearing, hill descent control, a max towing capacity of 10,580 lbs, a payload capacity of 1,560 lbs, and LT285/70R17 Goodyear DuraTrec tires.
The 2022 Ram 2500 HD Power Wagon starts at $57,490 USD. The one we tested stickered at $72,275 USD.
Image via Stellantis
