The Dodge Power Wagon is getting increasingly popular in the off-road world. Its size means that it can easily be converted to a truck bed camper. It can also tow some hefty trailers. Its unique off-road features make it extremely capable off-road as well.
This truck may not be the best choice to take on the Rubicon trail. However, for a cross-country expedition, it is tough to beat.
Below are a few tips that will make the whole Dodge Ram off roading experience even better.
Table of Contents
- 2022 Dodge Ram Off Road Specs
- Take the Time to Plan Your Trip
- Dodge Ram Off Roading Tips
- Enhance Dodge Ram Off Roading With an Off Road Trailer
- Final Thoughts
- Recommended Off-Roading Gear
2022 Dodge Ram Off Roading Specs
As you would expect from a sister brand to Jeep, Ram is the most off-road capable full-sized truck on the market, and it is easy to see why.
The recipe for a great off-roader is simple and usually involves a rugged base, good wheel articulation, adequate clearance, and some kind of traction aid.
The Ram has all the above. Underneath, we find two solid axles which offer the strength expected from a full-sized truck while also providing wheel articulation – especially when combined with the electronic sway bar disconnect.
In case you were wondering, a solid axle means that both the right and left wheels are mounted on the same piece of steel. They cannot move independently from each other like they would on an independent suspension system.
A sway bar is a piece of steel that runs the width of the vehicle from the left to the right wheel. Its job is to reduce body roll through turns. It works great on-road. However, it does limit articulation off-road. To combat this, some vehicles come standard with sway bar disconnects.
In addition to the solid axles, we also get front and rear locking differentials. Normal differentials send power to the wheel with less traction. For example, if one of your wheels is in the mud and the other on pavement, the one in the mud will receive all the power. A locking differential is a mechanism that enables both wheels to turn at the same speed regardless of grip, which drastically increases the capabilities of a 4×4.
When it comes to ground clearance, the Power Wagon has plenty of it. With 14.2 inches, driving over obstacles should not be an issue. However, you must keep in mind that this is a full-sized truck, and its long wheelbase will be an issue when it comes to break-over angles.
Under the hood, you get a 6.4L Hemi V8 producing 410hp. This is a great number for hauling or towing. However, the horsepower rating is a little low in comparison to the size of the engine.
So, judging from the above, Dodge Ram off roading is a good idea. Being a full-sized truck, it does have its limitations, but it is still one of the most capable full-size trucks out there.
Take the Time to Plan Your Trip
Photo by Liudmila Chernetska via iStock
When planning a long Dodge Ram off roading and overlanding trip, you will need to plan the trails you will hit with the size of your truck in mind. Moab, for example, should not present any issues as the trails are wide.
However, an area like Colorado might be problematic due to the trees and narrow trails that are often accompanied by a huge cliff on the side. Do your research and try to find out if other people have driven those trails before in trucks similarly-sized to the Power Wagon.
Aside from the trails, you will also need to plan the obvious. Make calculations of your daily food and water intake and multiply that by the days you will be spending on the road. Thankfully, the Power Wagon offers a lot of space; therefore, you have the freedom to take a bit more than you need with you.
To calculate the distance you will need to cover each day, you will have to set your desired destination and the number of days you have to get there and come back home again. Once you do, you can add a few attractions located along the way. The best thing to do is give yourself plenty of days to reach a destination that isn’t that far away. This provides the chance to have experiences along the journey rather than driving straight through interesting locations without stopping.
Dodge Ram Off Roading Tips
As briefly mentioned in the previous section, Dodge Ram off roading requires some thought and skill. Aside from avoiding the narrow trails, you will also have to keep the truck’s geometry in mind.
For example, when dropping off a steep ledge, assess whether you have the departure angle needed or if you are going to hit the bed of the truck and cause damage.
The approach angle on the Power Wagon is decent, so you shouldn’t have any issues there. The biggest problem is the break-over angle. This limitation will be most prevalent when driving over large ramp-like obstacles.
If you run out of break-over angle, the truck will be beached. A good way to avoid this is to use the available lockers and tackle the obstacle at a slight angle. This will get you crossed up, but the lockers should pull you through.
If there isn‘t enough space to do this, tackle it straight on and go slow to avoid damage. If the ground is soft (snow or sand), carrying some speed will help you drive through it.
On tight trails with switchbacks, pay close attention to the rear wheels because the longer a vehicle is, the easier it is to misjudge the path they are going to follow. The last thing you want is to accidentally put the rear wheels in a ditch or the rear panels in a tree.
To make the whole Dodge Ram off roading experience a bit more relaxing, a final piece of advice is this: have a spotter. With a friend watching out where you’re going, you can more easily navigate tough terrain in a full-size truck.
Enhance Dodge Ram Off Roading With an Off Road Trailer
Being a full-sized truck, the Power Wagon’s party piece is towing. You can get all the space and comfort associated with such a big truck while also having a trailer to be comfortable when at camp. Camping suddenly becomes much more enjoyable!
For your Ram off roading needs, OBi Camper is a great choice. One of OBi’s most popular models is the Dweller 15, and in our opinion, it is one of the best camper trailers available in the US market.
The reason behind this is that the Dweller 15 uses innovations and concepts from the Australian trailer industry, which is one of the best – if not the best – in the world.
This gives us the confidence that this trailer has the strength and capabilities to tackle any off-road trail or remote overland journey.
The Dweller 15 is also extremely comfortable. Below are the amenities on offer:
- Expanding pop-top roof for additional headroom
- High-end laminated cabinets and flooring for long-term durability
- En suite shower and cassette toilet
- Plush folding queen mattress (69.5″ x 80″)
- Under-bunk heat and A/C system for climate control year-round
- Extenda bed
- Combi heater and hot water unit
Additionally, OBi has outfitted the Dweller 15 with a nice-sized dining table, a TV with DVD and stereo, and day or night window shades with bug-out screens.
You can enjoy added natural light thanks to the skylight, additional protected living space with a 12-foot awning, and easy ingress and egress from the trailer with the electric entry step.
To save room inside the trailer, OBi placed the kitchen outside. You get a pull-out galley with a sink and a two-burner stove top, plus a full-sized fridge and freezer that’s in its own pull-out.
Aside from all the amenities, you also get the power and water storage capabilities to stay remote for many days. The trailer comes with a 2000W inverter, three 100-watt solar panels, and three 100AH batteries. A 21-gallon freshwater tank, a 31-gallon city water tank, and a 21-gallon grey water tank all come as standard.
The trailer offers a front-mounted toolbox, locking integrated exterior storage boxes, and interior storage space and cabinets as well.
To tackle the tough roads, the Dweller 15 has an articulating towing coupler, independent coil suspension with dual heavy-duty shocks and all-terrain tires. You get height-adjustable stabilizer jacks and a hot-dipped galvanized chassis, too.
This trailer really is one of the best in the market. If you want to utilize the towing abilities of your Power Wagon by drastically increasing your on-road comfort levels, look no further than the OBi Dweller 15!
Final Thoughts
The Dodge Ram Power Wagon offers an insanely capable base for an overland and off-road rig. With the above tips and even a great trailer like the Dweller 15, it can become the ultimate tourer.
If you have any further Power Wagon or Dweller 15-related questions, or for anything off road or overland-related, head over to the forum section of our page.
Recommended Off-Roading Gear