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

 

[Snobdds]

Ford is not putting the 10 speed tranny in the cab and chassis or the 550.

I know ford derates their 550 and cab and chassis for duty cycle on the engine, but their capable of being heavily loaded.

 

[4570Man]

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

That worst truck review had pretty much every truck on it. A lot of use that was. And comparing mostly half tons to a 4500. Um pretty close, not.

 

[Hay Dude]

Agree. Anytime I see a “consumer-this or that” reviewing a truck, I know they’re not going to like it. I see farmers everywhere and almost none of them drive practical trucks.
I do think Ford makes a little better overall truck, I am going to keep investigating. However, at this time, RAM wants my business, is giving me an unbelievable trade in value on my 550, and the Cummins engine is unbeatable for reliability. I haven’t heard of significant Aisin problems, either.
If Ford would have given present 6L/6.4L owners some kind of “compensation” (extra trade value, a rebate on new truck, etc) for those unreliable engines if they buy a new truck, I would probably be more seriously considering Ford, but I’m not aware of any.
They act like they did nothing wrong to their loyal customers.

 

[dodge man]

I know someone that bought a 6.4 Ford diesel a couple of years ago and paid big money for the extended warranty. Lucky they did because they only owned it a few months and it was in the shop most of the time. They finally traded it in. I haven't heard much good about the 6.4 but have the newer 6.7 Fords.

I am a land surveyor and do a lot of work around construction sites. I see a lot of Ford and Ram diesels running around. I do not know if its true or just my perception but seems like most of the regular 2500 or 3500 pickups seem to be more Fords and the chassis cab stuff seems to be more Rams than Fords. Very little D-max stuff running around at all.

 

[coobie]

Scotty Kilmer and Consumer Reports rank RAM痴 lowest in terms reliability. The Cummins diesels and the Hemi gas motors seem pretty good but the rest of the truck doesn稚 seem to hold up well over time.

It痴 also impossible to keep up with Fiat Chrysler痴 foreign corporate structure. 徹n 31 October 2019, FCA announced intent to merge with Groupe PSA (owner of the Peugeot and Citro? 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

That guy is a fruit cake>Love the way he keeps a neat shop.LOL

 

[Hay Dude]

I might extend the warranty, not sure yet. Still asking lots of questions and comparing
Noticed Ford down rates their cab/chassis engine power ratings.
The factory ratings for any of them are beyond what I’ll ever need, and I’m one of the few using these trucks at or above their max limits.

 

[MF2604h]

Not sure if this helps you much. I have a 2018 Ram 3500 6.7L, crew cab, drw, 4x4, long bed. I own a lawn care/ landscape company. I pull all the time ranging from 5000 lbs to 15000 lbs. so far no problems and the truck doesn稚 know anything is behind it.

The place I get my landscape supplies has a Ram 4500 cab chassis with a 15 yard bed on it. I asked him how he liked it before I bought mine. He said he has never had any problems with it. He said it would work circles around the chevy he has.

My previous job I worked for state government. They had the ford 6.0 and 6.4 diesels and they stayed in the shop. They started buying the 6.2 gas engine truck because they had so many problems.

Around here there are more and more people switching to Ram.

Hopefully this helps and good luck

 

[ddbackhoe]

Scotty Kilmer and Consumer Reports rank RAM痴 lowest in terms reliability. The Cummins diesels and the Hemi gas motors seem pretty good but the rest of the truck doesn稚 seem to hold up well over time.

Itç—´ also impossible to keep up with Fiat Chryslerç—´ foreign corporate structure. å¾¹n 31 October 2019, FCA announced intent to merge with Groupe PSA (owner of the Peugeot and Citro? 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

Hmmm, guess Im one of the lucky ones. The farm truck is a 2007 3500 cab and chassis (156K) 6.7 w/Aisin that has only been to the shop for recall work. I did have to replace an exhaust gasket @ 150K. Dodge does have a bad rep for their G56 and RFE trannies. But so does everybody else when the users start tweaking and tuning and dont realize where the failure limits are (adding programmers, swapping injectors and not expecting torque converter/tranny issues).

 

[ddbackhoe]

I might extend the warranty, not sure yet. Still asking lots of questions and comparing
Noticed Ford down rates their cab/chassis engine power ratings.
The factory ratings for any of them are beyond what I’ll ever need, and I’m one of the few using these trucks at or above their max limits.

Turning radius is not the best in a Dodge. Everything else, I’m very pleased with our 3500 C&C. SO uses it regularly to tow a 38’ LQ trailer, fetch feed and stuff plus during hay season. We bought the dump/utility/5th wheel bed from T&G. 0 regrets with the truck and bed. Our shop service truck is a 2016 4500 setup by T&G and has just over 200k with no maintenance issues.

Ask if they’ll let you try one with your favorite trailer setup, bet you’ll like it :thumbsup: Not sure if I would spring for an extended warranty, I haven’t needed it.

Dump Bed Special | T&G Sales

 

[coobie]

Hmmm, guess Im one of the lucky ones. The farm truck is a 2007 3500 cab and chassis (156K) 6.7 w/Aisin that has only been to the shop for recall work. I did have to replace an exhaust gasket @ 150K. Dodge does have a bad rep for their G56 and RFE trannies. But so does everybody else when the users start tweaking and tuning and dont realize where the failure limits are (adding programmers, swapping injectors and not expecting torque converter/tranny issues).

Me too.