Quick Facts:
- Truck: 2027 Ram 2500 diesel Power Wagon with the 6.7-liter Cummins High Output engine.
- Power: 430 hp and 1,075 lb-ft of torque.
- Measured range: 580 highway miles at 75 mph, per Car and Driver.
- Payload: 2,930 lb maximum, depending on configuration.
- Winch: none from the factory on the diesel.
- Price: $89,560 to start; $104,215 as tested by Car and Driver.
- Best for: Overlanders who tow or carry a camper and will add an aftermarket winch bumper.
5 min read
In This Article
Overview
The diesel Power Wagon finally brings a Cummins to Ram’s trail truck. Car and Driver measured 580 miles of highway range at 75 mph. However, the diesel gives up the factory winch. Our launch coverage explained the reveal, and two fresh tests now answer what buyers ask next.
Car and Driver published its instrumented test on September 4. Expedition Portal followed on November 6 with a month-long trip report. Car and Driver called the Cummins Power Wagon a “different Power Wagon,” not necessarily a better one. Expedition Portal praised the range and the camper payload.
Since the diesel ships without a winch, you will likely shop for one. Rated pull falls with each rope layer. According to our cheap winch test, a 12,000 lb winch pulls slightly over 6,000 lb on a full drum. Three options sit in the 12,000 lb class. The WARN VR EVO 12 uses steel cable, while the VR EVO 12-S and the WARN Zeon 12-S use synthetic rope.
12,000 lb Winches for a Diesel Power Wagon Bumper
WARN 103254 VR EVO 12 Electric 12V DC Winch with Steel Cable Wire R…
Diesel Power Wagon Specs and Price at a Glance
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 6.7-liter Cummins High Output turbo-diesel inline-six |
| Output | 430 hp at 2,800 rpm, 1,075 lb-ft at 1,800 rpm |
| Transmission | TorqueFlite HD eight-speed automatic |
| Curb weight | 8,340 lb (Car and Driver scale) |
| Maximum towing | 19,630 lb, depending on configuration |
| Ground clearance | 13.2 in |
| Wheels and tires | 20-inch wheels, LT285/60R20 all-terrain tires |
| Fuel tank | 31 gal |
| Starting price | $89,560, including the $12,995 diesel and a $3,495 equipment package |
Car and Driver’s test truck reached $104,215 with options. Ram’s release listed August for dealership arrival. However, one line is missing from the table above: a winch.
Why the Diesel Power Wagon Has No Winch
Ram’s Power Wagon winch is a WARN electric unit, offered on the HEMI truck. The diesel gets none. Car and Driver says the intercooler for the Holset turbocharger took its place. Expedition Portal cites cooling and towing performance. The diesel also takes the Rebel’s front bumper, according to Kelley Blue Book.
You still have recovery options. Expedition Portal notes many aftermarket bumpers accept a 12-volt winch. Car and Driver expects the aftermarket to build a bumper for a steel-cable winch. Before you buy a bumper or winch, read our factory vs aftermarket winch breakdown for the warranty and cost math.
Diesel Power Wagon Range and Payload for Camp Rigs
The missing winch is the cost. Range is the payoff and the diesel’s strongest case. Car and Driver averaged 19 mpg at a steady 75 mph, while its overall figure fell to 15 mpg. Expedition Portal logged nearly 20 mpg when its driver stayed off the throttle. Towing and trail work will cut your range. Plan fuel stops from the 15 mpg figure, not the 19.
Power Wagon payload sets your camper limit. Expedition Portal lists 2,930 lb as the maximum, and Car and Driver also cites 2,930 lb for its test truck. The Expedition Portal test truck carried a 2,700 lb rating, so expect your figure to vary. Expedition Portal calls the payload enough for a fully outfitted pop-up camper. Still, subtract your passengers, hitch and gear from the door-jamb sticker before you trust any headline figure.
Towing is the other gain for a camp rig. Car and Driver reports 19,630 lb at the maximum. This is also the first Power Wagon with an optional fifth-wheel hitch.
Diesel vs HEMI Power Wagon
Ram lists 405 hp and 429 lb-ft for the HEMI V8. The Cummins, however, makes 430 hp and 1,075 lb-ft. TFLtruck ran a drag race, detailed in our Cummins vs HEMI drag race report. The diesel took the quarter mile in 16.17 seconds to the HEMI’s 17.25. Car and Driver also says the diesel nearly doubles the HEMI truck’s towing capacity.
The HEMI keeps three advantages, though. Its Articulink front arms fit, while the diesel’s front end lacks space for them. Ground clearance on the HEMI sits one inch above the diesel’s 13.2 in. A factory winch is also available. Expedition Portal says the diesel’s radius-arm front end costs some articulation, but the sway-bar disconnect keeps cross-axle travel strong.
Without a Power Wagon winch, you rely more on your recovery kit. Traction boards, a snatch block, a tree saver and soft shackles form a starter kit for winchless recovery. Expedition Portal’s driver left the MAXTRAX boards stowed on a Utah trip. Even so, an 8,340 lb truck is a poor place to learn the kit is missing.
Here are those four pieces as listed on Amazon. The MAXTRAX MKII Pink Recovery Boards pair with the Rhino USA Tree Saver Tow Strap (3in x 8ft). Add the TICONN 10 Ton Snatch Block and the Rhino USA Synthetic Soft Shackle Rope (2-Pack) for winch line work.
Winchless Recovery Kit for an 8,340 lb Truck
MAXTRAX | MKII Pink Recovery Boards Pair |Heavy Duty Off-Road Tract…
What This Means for You
Buy the diesel when long highway legs and heavy loads shape your trips. The range cuts fuel stops, and the torque suits heavy towing. Pick the HEMI when you rank trail articulation and a factory winch above range.
Budget for the winch on top of the sticker price. According to Car and Driver, the diesel costs $12,995 plus a mandatory $3,495 package. A winch-ready bumper and a 12,000 lb winch sit outside the sticker price, so get quotes for both first.
Ask three questions before you sign. First, ask your dealer if an 18-inch wheel swap changes the tow rating or warranty. Ram sells the diesel only with 20-inch wheels, while Expedition Portal says 18-inch wheels fit. Next, ask bumper makers which winch bumpers fit the Rebel front bumper mounts. Finally, ask your dealer how your cab and options change the 2,930 lb payload.
Final Thoughts
The diesel Power Wagon rewards a certain kind of trip. Picture a long highway day to a remote trailhead, camper behind you, fuel stops few. You get 580 highway miles, heavy towing and enough payload for a pop-up camper. However, you give up the winch, the Articulink arms and an inch of clearance. Car and Driver called it a “different Power Wagon,” and the label fits.
If you recover often or crawl rocks, the HEMI is the safer match. Drive both, read your payload sticker, and price the winch bumper before signing.
FAQ
How far does the diesel Power Wagon go on a tank?
Car and Driver recorded 580 miles of highway range at a steady 75 mph. Expect less when you tow or drive off-road, because the same test averaged 15 mpg overall.
Does the Cummins Power Wagon have a factory winch?
No. Ram does not offer a factory winch on the diesel, although the HEMI Power Wagon still offers the WARN electric winch. Expedition Portal says aftermarket bumpers accept a 12-volt winch.
What is the Power Wagon payload with the diesel?
Payload tops out at 2,930 lb according to Expedition Portal, which says it varies by configuration, and Car and Driver also cites 2,930 lb for its test truck. The Expedition Portal test truck carried a 2,700 lb rating.
How much does the diesel Power Wagon cost?
Pricing starts at $89,560, according to Car and Driver, including the $12,995 diesel and a mandatory $3,495 equipment package. The test truck reached $104,215 with options.
Does the Cummins Power Wagon offer 18-inch wheels?
No. Ram sells it with 20-inch wheels only. Expedition Portal says the brakes clear an 18-inch wheel, so ask your dealer about warranty and tow rating before a swap.