To be honest, if I was still living on a farm, I'd have the Power Wagon for sure. Lots of stuff to lug around, and I've even used a heavy truck to help pull a tractor out of a tough spot. Pulling anhydrous (ammonia) and/or big water tanks around can put a real strain on an engine, especially if there's any air in the tanks because the liquid sloshes from front to back. And you want more braking power for heavy towing like that. Plus I like to avoid the hassles you get with dualies, so I'd avoid the 3500 if I had to go with dual rear wheels. A lot of guys like them for gooseneck trailering, though.
Now I'm mostly retired, and my Rebel meets all my current needs. I don't have a farm or extreme loads anymore, but I can pull a lot if need be, and carry more than I want to load/unload most days. And my old butt likes the softer ride when I drive.
Gotta agree with TheGreatRam - if your dealer will let you take them home overnight, that's a heck of an offer. Keep in mind to think through what you really *need* the truck for, and what you like just because it's cool. It will help you separate the wheat from the chaff.
TooByFoor (funny name, btw) - I'd say it this way: usually when you're running a working truck, you don't have scales handy. That pile of seed bags or lumber you're looking at carrying could be a half ton or 3/4 or more. The difference is what the truck does when you load it up. The beefier chassis, while being manufacturer rated for a specific load, often carries a heck of a lot more than the payload numbers indicate. Not saying it's legal or safe, just that it is what it is. That said, you mentioned other problems which I think (like VaderRebel) are probably more reminiscent of vehicles in general. I don't get the impression that the Rebel was thrown together. It's a 1500 with a different grill, bumper, and skid plate, different rear bumper and exhaust tips, and an embossed tailgate. Plus it has a purty interior. Everything else on the truck already existed in other models. As someone else said, it's basically a Bighorn? with a few different trim pieces. Whatever model, it's been around a while. It's not like they did a lot of specialized engineering just for the Rebel. Even the air ride is the same, just slightly different programming.
So I guess I'm just saying the differences are what the prospective owner makes of them, based on typical use and need. You're right, the differences aren't earth shattering, they're incremental. As was shown earlier, the costs are incremental, too. Heck, we've seen guys spend (or talk about spending) several thousand dollars on bumpers, wheels, tires, nerf bars, lights, fender flares, winches, and more. And none of these make a difference to the payload or towing capacity, they're mostly for cosmetics and some offroading ability. So it would not be entirely surprising to find Rebels that are more costly than the Power Wagon, after mods are done, but can't tow or haul as much, and don't have the live rear axle.
One cool thing about the Power Wagon is that you can upgrade it to *2* alternators for 380 amps of current. That's nearly triple what the Rebel's single alternator can put out (136 amps). Talk about some real electrical power. You can hang 6 to 8 landing lights for a Boeing 747 on that Power Wagon. That's what, about 9 million candlepower? You'd look like a miniature sun! We need that on the Rebel, too! I still think my Rebel is purty. But I'm a long time fan of the PW, too.
Thanks for the compliment, Roomraider.