RAM 5500 Chassis

[Hay Dude]

Looking to replace aging, unreliable 2008 F-550 crewcab 9' bed 6.4L Powerstroke 33,000 GCWR with a 2020 RAM 5500 crewcab and 9' aluminum flatbed Cummins/Aisin 43,000 CGWR.
Getting close to ordering, dealer giving me very generous trade in compared to selling outright. Looking at 4WD, SLT trim and Alcoas, maybe a few other goodies, but not anything crazy loaded up.

Just wondering if anyone has newer RAM cab/chassis, experiences, suggestions on options, etc. Farmers, construction and landscapers are buying RAMs like crazy around here. Couple other farmers in my area switched from Ford to RAM. They offer a more comprehensive warranty and better towing. the Cummins is a better work engine, IMO.

This truck will be used to haul about 75 10-12 ton loads of hay/yr and farm machinery as well as other farm/construction attachments on a 35' 25,900 Big Tex gooseneck and a 16' 20K dump trailer.

I have 2 other Ford diesels and would like to try a RAM. Really been burned by unreliable Ford 6.4L diesels repairs.
I looked at the new lineup of GM 4500-6500 trucks but their max GCWR is only 37,500. I dont think they will fit in my garage, either. I sat in one and its very large compared to the 550/5500 platforms
Dont think you can go wrong with any of them, but anyway, looking for real world experience, ordering suggestions, etc.

 

[4570Man]

If I had the money I’d have one. Mostly because I hate ford and Chevy doesn’t make a 4500 that’s not a joke.

 

[Tonyinohio]

We have several 4500 RAM's in our landscape fleet. Gas engine but I think the chassis electrical and steering issues are the same regardless. Beautiful trucks but we are under 100K and 5 years old and regularly have electrical issues: lights & windows are possessed and require new harnesses multiple times. Huge turning radius. Other than those two issues they are golden.

 

[groundcover]

Should be quite a ride ! The 6.7 Ford is nothing like the 6.4. It is now in it’s 3rd generation and will have a ten speed , I would drive one just to be sure you made the right choice.

 

[Hay Dude]

If I had the money I’d have one. Mostly because I hate ford and Chevy doesn’t make a 4500 that’s not a joke.

They do now, but it looks like a smaller medium duty truck

 

[Hay Dude]

Should be quite a ride ! The 6.7 Ford is nothing like the 6.4. It is now in it’s 3rd generation and will have a ten speed , I would drive one just to be sure you made the right choice.

Things I dislike about Ford:
Only the engine has 5yr/100K warranty (Dodge has entire powertrain with a 5yr/100K warranty)
Ford has 40K GCWR, Dodge has 43K GCWR

There are things I like better about the Ford, 10 speed transmission (although Im not sure its "bulletproof" like the previous torqshift) Aluminum cab, US made, but the Dodge advantages outweigh the Ford advantages.......... so far.
I am only a week into this, so I can easily change my mind. I used to be kind of brand loyal to Ford, but mine have suffered horrendous reliability issues even with excellent maintenance.
I am not bashing Ford, they make nice trucks, just stating my experiences.

 

[4570Man]

They do now, but it looks like a smaller medium duty truck

It’s the size of a full size medium duty and the specs of a 3500. That’s why I called it a joke.

 

[Hay Dude]

It’s the size of a full size medium duty and the specs of a 3500. That’s why I called it a joke.

Yeah I was pretty psyched to see it, and then they laid a bit of an egg with the GCWR specs. Little bit turned down on the power and big appearance.

 

[4570Man]

Yeah I was pretty psyched to see it, and then they laid a bit of an egg with the GCWR specs. Little bit turned down on the power and big appearance.

I’d feel pretty confident it’s more capable than their letting on but if I’m going to drive a truck that drives like a medium duty truck it’s going to have a weight sticker like one too. Does any know why they’re so low? Just under 26,000 I’d understand but the 4500 is offered as low as 14,000 GVW which considering the weight is probably less payload than a cab&chassis 3500.

 

[Tractorable]

Scotty Kilmer and Consumer Reports rank RAM’s lowest in terms reliability. The Cummins diesels and the Hemi gas motors seem pretty good but the rest of the truck doesn’t seem to hold up well over time.

It’s also impossible to keep up with Fiat Chrysler’s foreign corporate structure. “On 31 October 2019, FCA announced intent to merge with Groupe PSA (owner of the Peugeot and Citroën brands among others).”

I think you might be jumping from the frying pan into the fire if you go from a Ford 6.4L diesel to a RAM. If you do go for it, get the longest warranty you can.


7 Worst New Trucks - YouTube