Ram 5500 or F550???

[Merle Nelson]

Thanks Craig, I think that is the way I'm leaning. And your reasons are a big part of it.

 

[TreelineNH]

2016 f550. Only 4500miles so far so can attest to it long term reliability. I think I got 4.88s, I'd have to look. Happy I got 4x4 and auto for getting into tight areas and for bad weather. Pulls a 14k loaded trailer and full load of chips like it's not even there. Love the l pack, Especially on a smaller truck where you wouldn't be able to fit a very big under mount. This is the primary rig for me and carries 90% of what I need.

 

[96coal449]

Love the l pack

x2 They store so much in a little space. Has anyone experienced Southco's new locking design? I'm wondering how secure they really are.

 

[Merle Nelson]

2016 f550. Only 4500miles so far so can attest to it long term reliability. I think I got 4.88s, I'd have to look. Happy I got 4x4 and auto for getting into tight areas and for bad weather. Pulls a 14k loaded trailer and full load of chips like it's not even there. Love the l pack, Especially on a smaller truck where you wouldn't be able to fit a very big under mount. This is the primary rig for me and carries 90% of what I need.

Yes I will definitely get 4x4 for the work areas I spend most of my time. (It's like a $3400 option when you order a cab and chassis. )

I would really value knowing what your rear end ratio is and what you feel are reasonable freeway cruising speeds for it empty.
Also was your solid main truck sides a commercial build? Those gates look like they lock up well, are they fairly rattle free?

 

[Merle Nelson]

I went with a Ram 5500, Aisin auto trans and the 4:88 rear end. I should have it by Sept 15th or so.

I opted away from going with a dedicated hoist and L Pack tool boxes in a chip bed. Instead I am getting a hook lift installed so I can have more versatility.

Thank you for all your help, it made a big difference.

 

[Merle Nelson]

Hook Lift Trucks

 

[flyingsquirrel25]

I went with a Ram 5500, Aisin auto trans and the 4:88 rear end. I should have it by Sept 15th or so.

I opted away from going with a dedicated hoist and L Pack tool boxes in a chip bed. Instead I am getting a hook lift installed so I can have more versatility.

Thank you for all your help, it made a big difference.

Sounds like a sweet truck. Please be sure to post pictures when it comes in. What bodies did you wind up getting? Who's hook? I've been eyeing a couple used swaploaders on fords but we just aren't in that spot quite yet, hopefully come spring.

 

[96coal449]

Sounds like a sweet truck. Please be sure to post pictures when it comes in. What bodies did you wind up getting? Who's hook? I've been eyeing a couple used swaploaders on fords but we just aren't in that spot quite yet, hopefully come spring.

I guess one flat bed body could be your roll back / equipment hauler. Or even an open top box with anchor points inside for tie downs .....

 

[Merle Nelson]

Yes I am going to use an open top container for what I want to accomplish at first, a debris bin, a can as some call it. I am also going to have a second debris bin that fits inside of that one with tie downs for my Avant as well for the times I don't think I will quite finish in a day. Haul the three to a wood removal job, unload one debris bin from the other, unload the Avant, load and haul wood and logs all day. Then haul the loader home at night and leave the bin with last load of wood or rakeings to be picked up later.

Also I am having a chip box built with the front, cross bed tool box, and long pole pruner box.

 

[Merle Nelson]

Ohhh, I am going with a Stellar lift. Let me post why over in a hook lift thread which has the link in one of my above posts.

 

[tc262]

I went with a Ram 5500, Aisin auto trans and the 4:88 rear end. I should have it by Sept 15th or so.

I opted away from going with a dedicated hoist and L Pack tool boxes in a chip bed. Instead I am getting a hook lift installed so I can have more versatility.

Thank you for all your help, it made a big difference.

Good call going with the Aisin, the other auto option hasn't been holding up as well. Sounds like a sweet rig!

 

[Merle Nelson]

Thanks

 

[Evan_WI]

Merle, I'd be interested to know why you chose the Ram 5500 over the F550? I'm going to be making the same decision in the near future. My impression is the Ford is a more reliable/durable package, but Ram has the Cummins engine?

 

[Merle Nelson]

Well...full disclosure, I'm not a truck guy really. I'm a get er done guy. I just need a truck that will serve me and help me do that.

I will use this truck personally for the next 20 or 30 years. The Cummins engine and having room around the engine are attractive to me. Also the idea of having to pull the cab on the Ford to do many forms of engine work is a big detractor.

I will tell you something that I didn't find out during the first month of research and numerous upfitters I talked to. Ram does not have "moving hydraulics " available through there PTO. You can't creep and spread gravel out of a dump truck spreader gate for instance (with pto powered dump.) You can dump (use pto driven hyd) in park, neutral, or traveling at 7mph (equating to a certain rpm I think).