New Home for the Hawk 2500 Power Wagon

[dakozicki]

I’m looking for a new home for my’15 Hawk slide in. I’m leaning toward the Dodge 2500 Power Wagon. How do Dodge owners deal with the 6’4” bed and the 7’ Hawk? Someone suggested cutting the rubber bumpers. Does anyone have photos? Also, the expense of the cargo bed cam and fancy tailgate seem such a waste because the camper will stay in there full time. Thoughts? Do you need airbags? I currently have them on my Chevrolet 2500.

 

[pods8]

Keep in mind the inside of the box is the length, the depth of the tailgate takes up some length and then the bumper usually protrudes beyond that. I don't have a factory bed but I suspect you'll be flush or a bit short of the bumper face in the end.

One thing to do your homework on the powerwagon though is the payloads were less originally, I haven't paid attention in years so not sure on the newer ones, just check that out.

 

[Zunami1]

You'll want airbags. Power Wagons have off road spring rates (softer/lower capacity and not best suited for the heavier loads. Everything else is perfect for Hawk paired adventure driving. Lockers, disconnecting sway bar, winch. I love mine 2011 with tons of new refurbishing including new engine I got from my neighbor in trade for a diesel he needed for long towing trips. Fuel economy is the only negative. It does have a larger fuel tank (35 vs 31 gal) and when towing or loaded the penalty is not a great on percentage basis. My year PW had OEM 4.56 gears which are great for towing and off roading. If I didn't have an 18 diesel manual trans I would be doing exactly as yourself. In fact, buy mine. I got too many toys.
Good luck

 

[Durango1]

I removed the bumpers on my 2012 Hawk without problems and I was able to slide the camper forward. Did the same on my flatbed model too. And yes, you'll definitely need air bags on a Power Wagon.

Have you looked at the new Ford Tremor one ton trucks? Many of the features of the PW but with a much higher GVWR. I'm very happy with my 2018 Ram Chassis Cab and Grandby Flatbed but the Tremor IS tempting...

 

[RC1107]

I've been researching heavily over the last year or so...and will be in the market in the next couple years (retirement).

I'm a Ram fan...so will be upgrading from my 2017 Rebel. The PW is one I'm looking at.

It's been mentioned...the payload is low due to the off road capabilities of the PW. If you make some upgrades its a very capable hauler for a Hawk. There are a few people that have done it...check Youtube and search this forum.

Good luck!

 

[heinphoto]

Here is a link to an interview with Bob Wohlers who has a Power Wagon and a Hawk where he discusses some of the modifications he made to the PW. It also includes lots of photos of his rig:

https://www.truckcamperadventure.com/back-to-school-with-bob-wohlers/

 

[Oilbrnr]

Ironically, my '17 Hawk was on a bone stock '16 Power Wagon (Tradesman) and it went right back on my modified '16 Power Wagon. Thuren suspension, King 3.0/2.5, AirRide bags with Daystar cradles.

I asked the OO if he felt like he ever needed airbags (rig sat perfectly level) and he said no. Not sure he was the type to know any different however.

• Yes, the PW makes a fantastic FWC platform.
• Yes, I'd recommend the bags and cradles and equally as important is Thuren's rear trackbar relocation bracket and panhard rod.
• No, I wouldn't take the FWC dock bumpers off.
• Yes, you'll want the backup cam. I bought a 3rd party one and it uses the factory connector at the tailgate and I have it mounted above the rear door.
• Yes, you can use the factory RAM tie-downs (just make sure you get turnbuckles like https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WAJXXC6/ref=dp_prsubs_3 and jam-nut them.)
• Rig weight as shown: 9,450lbs

The Tremor is an interesting option mainly because of the 7.3 however it is 10" longer in the wheelbase and has the articulation of a skateboard. I don't see it as a direct replacement for me personally. Not a huge fan of Ford interiors either. Cheap IMHO (switchgear etc.) But, it is a SFA choice.

Now my question, how do you see yourself using a PW any different from a regular 2500 HD RAM?




Here is a link to a YT clip I submitted to TFL Truck last week, if you want some video https://youtu.be/x2Y7o1OJ3qQ

 

[RC1107]

The last 2 posts are exactly why I joined and read this forum. Great information!

Thank you for the info/links and video.

I'm a couple years away from pulling the trigger on a new rig and a new 4WC. I can't wait!

I know my 4WC will be on a new Ram 2500...just which one is the question.

 

[Oilbrnr]

In a couple of yeers, FCA will have a 'big block' gas option to compete with the 7.3. Not that the 6.4 is underpowered, but like all small blocks you've got to rev the snot out of them sometimes.

And as a pre-emptive strike on this thread, the Power Wagon doesn't need the Cummins. Initial cost, weight, reduced approach angle, reduced articulation. If you need the Cummins for frequent heavy towing, then just do a build on one of those. ARB lockers, Thuren or Carli suspension and a aftermarket bumper that will hold a winch, you'll be pretty close to the capability of the PW off-road.

 

[pods8]

In a couple of yeers, FCA will have a 'big block' gas option to compete with the 7.3. Not that the 6.4 is underpowered, but like all small blocks you've got to rev the snot out of them sometimes.

The new 8speed trans should really help with not having to over rev when stuck in a steep gear ration steep (like between 2nd and 3rd in the 5speed).

 

[dakozicki]

Thank you for the responses. All of the helped.

 

[Andy Douglass]

We don't have a PW, but have our Hawk in a 2018 3/4t Ram, so the same bed that would be on a PW. No need to cut the bumpers on the camper other than cosmetic. Our Hawk protrudes about 6-8" (I think) past the bed rails; and it doesn't bother us at all. We have an Easy Hitch Step mounted in the rear hitch receiver, which should illustrate that the length of the camper has no functional impact on our setup. You can see a little bit of the sides of the camper where it protrudes out of the bed, but who cares? A couple things about cutting the bumpers in a Ram 3/4t (Gen 4): Our FWC with stock bumpers has about 3/4" of space between the front of the camper and the front wall of the bed. We store a stack of 2 interconnecting PVA gym floor mats there to be used for all kinds of things in camp, and there is not room for anything else. So if you trimmed more than 3/4" off of the bumpers, the camper would be rubbing on the front wall of the bed, and your camper would only be 3/4" further forward than stock, which you wouldn't even notice. On top of that, you never know the bed geometry of a future truck you might put the camper in, so I think cutting the bumpers is not a good idea.

 

[dakozicki]

Thanks for all the good advice. My Hawk is now on the back of a new PW. I had Hellwig Airbags installed, and I have found them to be a HUGE disappointment. I have been back to the shop that installed them 4 times because they keep leaking. They basically loos all air with 48 hours. Hellwig said they produced a bad batch of the plastic air hose connection and sent new one that leak as bad if not worse. The installer and I agreed they were garbage and wants to remove them (refund of course) and install beefier coils. The truck does not have leaf springs. Thoughts?

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Firestone and Airlift bags seem to be the de facto standards that most (in my opinion) folks go with.

 

[K6ON]

I use Carli long travel air bags on my RAM 2500. With the long travel bags, you get full suspension articulation. Been on over 8 years with no leaks. I check them every couple months and add air about twice a year. They're NOT CHEAP, but you get what you pay for.

 

[Ramblinman]

My Firestones leak from time to time - always from the connectors

 

[Oilbrnr]

Thanks for all the good advice. My Hawk is now on the back of a new PW. I had Hellwig Airbags installed, and I have found them to be a HUGE disappointment. I have been back to the shop that installed them 4 times because they keep leaking. They basically loos all air with 48 hours. Hellwig said they produced a bad batch of the plastic air hose connection and sent new one that leak as bad if not worse. The installer and I agreed they were garbage and wants to remove them (refund of course) and install beefier coils. The truck does not have leaf springs. Thoughts?

Get AirLift (internal snubber) with Daystar cradles. Nobody makes PW specific rear coils to handle the weight and ride height. I am going to hit Thuren up again regarding this however. After returning from a 6 day UT excursion doing pretty extreme trails, it did give me pause enough to talk to another PW/FWC/Airbag owner about going in on another set of bags so we'd each have a spare, though reality is, they'll probably never fail.

 

[GreggNY]

I joined this forum exactly looking for a thread like this. I’ve owned an ‘18 PW for the past year and am researching campers now. I really want the hawk but the low payload of the PW had me checking out the stripped down project M. It’s REALLY good to hear you guys are happy with the campers on PWs because I love this truck. Not to hijack but maybe this will help other as well- do you feel the PW has enough power hauling the hawks? Anyone considering a re-gear? I live in flat country but take multiple trips out west each year so will be running the mountains.

 

[autorot8]

I think my non PW 2500 has the same 6.4 as your PW. I live on west coast and carry a TC thats around 2500lbs. No issues with power. I have to climb a pass to get anywhere.

 

[Oilbrnr]

6.4 with a Hawk on 35's and stock 4.10's is more than fine. My last trip to UT I was over 10k. Now if you jump to 37's I'd re-gear without a doubt. Even if I didn't have a FWC in the back.

The M is going to be a dust nightmare. I had a shell before the Hawk, never again.