When you’re building an off-road adventure rig—especially one meant for a pop-up camper—the internet will tell you the choice is simple: buy the Toyota for reliability or the RAM for capability. But after owning these trucks, I’ve realized the "common wisdom" misses the real-world mechanics of truck ownership.
The Reliability Myth: Is it the Truck or the Owner? People say Toyotas are more reliable, but a lot of that is down to who buys them. Tundra owners often have more disposable income and keep their trucks for a long time, so they actually do the maintenance. Rams are often bought as workhorses or leased and beaten up. If you find a "pavement princess" Ram with a perfect service history, the reliability gap is way smaller than people think.
Payload & Hardware: Why the Door Sticker Lies On paper, both trucks have similar payloads (around 1,200–1,500 lbs), but in the real world, it’s not even a contest. A Tundra with a family and a camper will feel "squishy" and overworked because of the 1/2-ton frame. The Power Wagon is built on a heavy-duty 3/4-ton frame with massive brakes and axles. If you throw some airbags on the back of the PW to help the soft off-road springs, it will carry that weight with total stability while the Tundra struggles.
The 2019 "Game Changer" (8-Speed vs. 6-Speed) If you are looking at Power Wagons, avoid the 2018 if you can. 2019 was the year they switched to the ZF 8-speed transmission. The older 6-speed feels sluggish and "hunts" for gears when hauling weight. The 8-speed keeps the Hemi in its power band and makes the truck feel much faster and more capable.
The Final Verdict If you want a "set it and forget it" truck for light trails, get the Tundra. But if you’re actually hauling a camper and want a rig that feels safe and planted under load, find a well-maintained 2019+ Power Wagon. It’s a significantly more capable tool for the job.