When it comes to off-road pickup trucks, there are varying degrees to fit a range of needs and budgets. Ford’s Tremor packages provide an ideal solution for those looking for something that offers an enhanced capability with a few mild upgrades. Alternatively, the GMC AT4X trims offer both capability and luxury. If a turbocharged dose of adrenaline is desired, the Ford Raptor series can meet that requirement. Regarding reliable workhorses, the Ram 2500 Power Wagon is hard to beat. Therefore, regardless of budget or desired features, an off-road pickup truck is available to meet every need.

The Ram 2500 Power Wagon is the ultimate heavy-duty crew-cab pickup, featuring enhanced off-road capabilities. With front and rear locking differentials and a monumental suspension lift, you can easily cruise through any terrain. And, with a standard winch built right into the front bumper, getting out of tricky situations has never been simpler. Drive confidently, knowing you can rely on the Power Wagon to get you through any challenge.

The 2023 Ram Heavy Duty 2500 Rebel is designed to fill the few spots where the Power Wagon may be deficient, giving customers the perfect mix of off-road capability and HD towing and hauling power. Whether you need your truck to crawl over rocks or haul what you need, the Rebel is the right answer. With its tough exterior, powerful engine and advanced technology, you can rest assured that it can do whatever job you ask. The perfect blend of power and performance, the Rebel has everything you need to tackle the toughest tasks.

What It All Comes Down To

The new ’23 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Rebel is for those who need the power of a Power Wagon, but with even more. It has bigger wheels and increased towing capacity but without the front-locking differential nor the standard 12,000-pound Warn winch (although it is an optional extra). It is exclusively powered by the tried and tested Ram Cummins turbo-diesel engine, which had previously been excluded from the Power Wagon given its integrated winch. So, if you want the maximum power of a Power Wagon combined with the best diesel performance, then the ’23 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Rebel is your best bet.

The Ram Rebel is a perfect choice if you’re looking for a powerful truck capable of getting the job done. The optional 6.7-litre turbo-diesel inline-six-cylinder offers tremendous power, producing 370 horsepower and an incredible 850 pounds-feet of torque. While the additional expense of the diesel engine clocks in at $9,600, it pairs seamlessly with the six-speed automatic transmission. For those looking for something more affordable, the standard 6.4-litre heavy-duty Hemi V8, producing 410 horsepower and 429 pounds-feet of torque, comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission. With the Ram Rebel, you will surely find the ideal combination of power and performance.

The new Ram 2500 Rebel is the perfect response to the Ford F-250 Tremor – an HD truck combining the best towing and off-road capability. Its towing capacity is unmatched – boasting an incredible 16,870 pounds, quadrupling that of the Power Wagon at 10,590 pounds. And its payload capacity is equally impressive – a huge 3,140 pounds compared to the Power Wagon’s max at 1,630 pounds. Plus, this power is all gas-to-gas, without a diesel option. Even more impressive? All this is achievable with just the 4.10 final drive gear – making the diesel engine optional and its towing and payload ratings of 1,970 and 14,920, respectively, less than the Rebels. If you’re looking for a powerful towing and off-road HD truck, the Ram 2500 Rebel should be at the top of your list.

The Rebel provides superior towing capability and a flexible suspension thanks to its five-link coil-spring rear suspension, similar to the Power Wagon, but with enhancements for better towing performance. Optional rear air suspension is also available on the Rebel, which the Power Wagon does not offer. However, the Rebel does not feature front sway bars, enabling the Power Wagon to improve front suspension articulation. The Rebel has a higher gross vehicle weight rating to enable these features than the Power Wagon.

The Rebel is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a pickup that can tow more than its weight but still maintain the off-road capabilities you love about the Power Wagon. This rugged half-ton is designed to offer all the speed and power you need to get your trailer out there while also allowing you to do some light off-roading. Think of the Rebel as “Power Wagon Lite,” with slightly less off-road ability but a much greater towing capacity. So, while you may have forfeited some of the Power Wagon’s terrain-busting features, you’ve gained something else – the ability to haul a heavier load. So, if you’re after a tough and capable truck that will get the job done, the Rebel is your best bet.

On the Street

The new 2500 Rebel will test your driving skills like never before. With its towering 20-inch wheels and large 33-inch tires, it’s a challenge to get in itself — you won’t have to bring a ladder! But the Rebel is about more than just looks: inside, Ram’s HD trucks still have some room for improvement, where the lack of telescoping steering wheels and wireless phone charging might leave you feeling somewhat underwhelmed. Tackle the challenge of getting into the Rebel, and you might be rewarded with an interior swathed in luxurious leather.

Positioned between luxury and capability

The 2500 Rebel was designed to bridge the gap between the mainstream Ram HD Laramie trim and the capable, off-road Power Wagon. Surprisingly, the starting price of the Rebel isn’t much different than that of the Power Wagon. Both models come with a 6-foot-4-inch bed and four-wheel drive, and the Rebel has a starting price of $70,220 (all prices, including destination charges). However, individuals who have an eye for luxury will find the Power Wagon provides plenty of value: it comes standard with a range of equipment and starts at $71,240. Our 2500 Rebel test vehicle came in at $77,395; those who choose the diesel option and add extra packages can easily come close to $100,000. Interestingly, this makes a fully loaded 2500 Rebel about $10,000 more expensive than a fully loaded Power Wagon.