Big boys get the big toys to play with. This Ram 5500 chassis cab with the dump bed package is a cool truck to play work with. This 4×4 regular cab with the high output 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel is a true class 5 truck with a maximum Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 19,500 lbs. This configuration is rated at a maximum payload capacity of 10,980 lbs and maximum towing of 28,830 lbs.
The HO 6.7-liter I6 has a different power rating than what we are used to in the 3500 HD class of truck. The 4500 and 5500 class trucks are true workhorses and have different reliability, durability, and service interval requirements. As such, this Cummins is rated at 325 horsepower @ 2,400 rpm and 750 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500 rpm. The redline on this motor is 3,200 rpm. This is a true truck diesel engine that does not rev high and makes all the power down low. It is mated to the 6-speed Aisin automatic transmission. The test truck was equipped with the low 4.88 rear-end gears.
For comparison, the 6.7-liter V8 Power Stroke in the F-550 chassis cab produces 300 hp @ 2,800 rpm and 660 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm.
The Ram 4500 and 5500 chassis cabs can also be configured with two-wheel-drive only and with the 6.4-liter V8 HEMI. In fact, the 5500 chassis cab with the HEMI and 4×2 pushes the maximum payload capability to 12,480 lbs. Naturally, the dump bed or any other bed upfit has a significant curb weight in itself, but there is enough payload capability to handle some heavy jobs.
The Ford F-550 4×2 is rated at a maximum payload of 12,660 lbs, so these trucks are very closely matched on carrying capacity.
For this first drive, we were carrying between 4,000 and 5,000 lbs of dirt. The precise weights were not available.
Check out this first drive video as Nathan Adlen takes this dump truck for a test drive around FCA Proving Grounds in Chelsea, Michigan.
