Ram trucks are not usually known for being dainty and petite. There’s a reason for that. When you have a job to do, you want reliable uptime and enough power to complete the task at hand—every time. Ram’s Chassis Cab lineup is a good option for tough jobs and heavy equipment haul/towing—particularly the Ram 5500 Chassis Cab.
The Ram Chassis Cab line-up boasts, “Outstanding PTO choices, upfitter-friendly design, multiple fuel tank options, available dual alternators—and one of the best warranties you’ll find.” The 5500 is the beast of the lineup, with a GCWR up to 37,500 lbs, a payload capacity of nearly 12,000 lbs, and a towing max of 29,600 lbs—depending on the engine and cab size.
POWERING THE BEAST
A 6.4-liter HEMI V8 gas engine putting out 370 hp at 4,600 rpm and 429 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm powers the 2016 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab. The engine features variable-valve timing and Fuel Saver Technology cylinder deactivation. The standard 6-speed Aisin® AS66RC automatic transmission with PTO capability complements the engine. Not one to limit your options, Ram offers two optional engine/transmission pairings for the 5500, as well.
The available 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine—paired with a 6-speed G56 manual transmission with PTO capability—delivers 320 hp at 2,800 rpm and 650 lb-ft of torque at 1,400 rpm. Of course, if you don’t feel like that’s enough power for the job, there’s always the option of a 6.7-liter High-Output Cummins Turbo Diesel. Paired with a 6-speed Aisin AS69RC automatic transmission with PTO capabilities, the High-Output Cummins engine delivers 325 hp at 2,400 rpm and 750 lb-ft of torque at 1,500 rpm.
The Ram 5500 Chassis Cab’s available PTO Prep Package has programmable engine rpm when PTO is engaged and single-set PTO speed and torque converter lockup in PTO mode. Running a standard 180-amp alternator, diesel-equipped models have available dual 220-amp alternators. The 5500 Chassis Cab also offers available dual 52- and 22-gallon fuel tanks for a 74-gallon total capacity—the highest fuel capacity in its segment.
SIZE MATTERS
The Ram 5500 Chassis Cab is available as a regular or crew cab. Each cab option has a number of cab-to-axle (CA) lengths and wheelbases.
- Regular cab 84-inch CA with 168.5-inch wheelbase: A longer wheelbase means added balance and stability, while the wider body allows for better maneuverability when turning.
- Regular cab 108-inch CA with 192.5-inch wheelbase: This CA/wheelbase combination offers superior balance and control for heavy-haul applications.
- Regular cab 120-inch CA with 204.5-inch wheelbase: According to Ram, this CA/wheelbase combination is the maximum available CA length for hauling your biggest loads. This truck goes to great lengths to accommodate popular 14- and 15-ft upfits.
- Crew cab 60-inch CA with 173.4-inch wheelbase: The addition of this crew cab offers room for your crew and enough CA length to handle popular 8- to 9-ft upfit bodies.
- Crew cab 84-inch CA with 197.4-inch wheelbase: This CA/wheelbase combination offers the most popular setup of all the Ram Chassis Cab trucks for heavy-duty hauling. The wider body offers better handling.
ENGINEERED FOR DURABILITY
With the 5500 Chassis Cab, Ram hit the mark for durability and ease of upfitting. In providing best-in-class towing and GVWR capability, the 5500 needed a solid foundation. Its front suspension springs handle heavy loads while maintaining front ride height and improving roll stiffness. Advanced 5-link front suspension provides improved ride and handling for use with heavy front loads, such as snowplows. A Hotchkiss rear leaf spring suspension provides 0-degree rake angle at max load.
The 5500 Chassis Cab’s fame is built with high-strength 50,000-psi steel and is designed for upfitting. Its one-piece, C-channel rear frame rails have no components or lines above them, making upfitting easier and more expedient. The under-cab DEF tank and through-frame plumbing and electrical feature allows more room and a flat plane for easy mounting of bodies and accessories.
GET A LOAD OF THE INSIDE
There is something satisfactory about an aesthetically pleasing, comfortable truck capable of tackling the tough jobs. The Ram 5500 Chassis Cab has those features. The 2016 model features new amenities, including new center console design on all trims, available Bluetooth connectivity on entry-level radios, an 8.4-inch Uconnect system, matching material throughout the interior, and premium, durable materials on the doors.
The 5500 Chassis Cab has a switch bank below the HVAC arrangement that features easy-to-use controls for multiple functions—depending on the model and options—including exhaust brake, tow/haul, and electronic stability control. There is also an adjustable integrated trailer brake control, allowing the driver to add or reduce trailer brake function on the fly. The 5500 Chassis Cab also has one 115-volt and two 12-volt outlets on either side of the console center stack and optional USB port on the driver’s side.
The 5500 comes standard with a 3.5-inch vehicle information center screen that features fully customizable functions and configurability, letting you monitor systems from transmission temperature to navigation. And, since it’s better to be safe than sorry, the 5500 can be ordered with the optional ParkSense Package. The ParkSense Package complements the 5500’s backup camera offering and, together, these two features improve cost of ownership and reduce potential damage. ■
For More Information: For more information about the 2016 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab and other Ram Commercial products and services, visit www.ramtrucks.com/en.
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Modern Contractor Solutions – October 2016
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