Any reason not to get a Dodge 5500 vs a 3500?

[JohnC]

I'm looking at the new Ram DRW trucks. Originally I was looking at the 3500s, but I got to thinking, why not get a cab & chassis 4500 or 5500 and add a pickup bed to it? The price isn't that much more, and you can get them with all the features available on the regular trucks. I have a heavy slide-in camper and tow a 10K trailer at the same time. The factory 19.5s are appealing as well as the huge axles and brakes. Anyone know what axles come on these?

I imagine insurance and registration will be a little more.

[y2knole]

can you register and drive it everywhere you wanna go without CDL, stopping at every weigh station, and all the encumbrances of it being assumed as commercial at that size?

im from the right coast, but caught wind in a thread a day or three ago about + 1ton stuff in cali being assumed as and treated as commercial regardelss of how its owned or used...

[isbj60]

Here in washington the minimum weight you can register it at is 1.5 times the scale weight of the vehicle. Get a weigh slip from a certified scale, multiply by 1.5, and as long as that is less than 26k you are non-commercial. I have a friend with two deuce-and-a-halfs that are registered non-commercial, no problems.

[GONRACIN]

I've "heard" adding a p/u box is a pita.... personally, I'd flatbed it...

[DRTDEVL]

The C&C trucks have 2 issues when putting a bed on.

1. The framerails are straight. This works great for upfitting purposes, but requires a decent amount of fabbing to get bed mounts that line up right.

2. The wheelbases do not match the pickups. The SWB C&C will have a 3-4" gap between the cab and bed if you line the bed up with the axle.

[Machinos]

I thought the cost was like $10k+ more than a 3500. For what you're doing, you're so far within the "comfort zone" of a 3500 I'd just go with that and save a ton of money.

[rocksteadyrobk#246]

Check if you can get insurance with your normal carrier.. All my buddies who went over a 1 ton had to get commercial insurance. Both had businesses so it was no big deal.

[JohnC]

Originally Posted by GONRACIN

I've "heard" adding a p/u box is a pita.... personally, I'd flatbed it...

I'm stuck on it looking like a regular pickup.

Originally Posted by DRTDEVL

The C&C trucks have 2 issues when putting a bed on.

1. The framerails are straight. This works great for upfitting purposes, but requires a decent amount of fabbing to get bed mounts that line up right.

2. The wheelbases do not match the pickups. The SWB C&C will have a 3-4" gap between the cab and bed if you line the bed up with the axle.

That's the kind of info I'm looking for. I suppose I could scoot the rear axle forward to fix the WB issue.

Originally Posted by Machinos

I thought the cost was like $10k+ more than a 3500. For what you're doing, you're so far within the "comfort zone" of a 3500 I'd just go with that and save a ton of money.

MSRP on a 3500 DRW SLT is 46.5K, on a 5500 C&C SLT it's 50.8K. So it's an extra $4300 for the truck and then $2-3K for a bed. It might be up around $10K more by the time it's all said and done.

The 5500 is a WAY tougher truck than a DRW 3500. Bigger axles, brakes, suspension, 19.5 wheels, lower gearing etc.

[welderrwc72]

I love mine, 4500 with alum alcoas, I also have a 07 3500 dually and theres no comparison when towing. With all my welding equipment on it it wieghs almost 14k and still pulls better than my 3500. Go through the fleet manager at the dealer, always cheaper, paid 42k for mine with the upgraded wheels.

[6.4twins]

Originally Posted by DRTDEVL

The C&C trucks have 2 issues when putting a bed on.

1. The framerails are straight. This works great for upfitting purposes, but requires a decent amount of fabbing to get bed mounts that line up right.

2. The wheelbases do not match the pickups. The SWB C&C will have a 3-4" gap between the cab and bed if you line the bed up with the axle.

x2^^ and plus the truck will be heavier in stock form I believe. We have a Dodge 5500 Cab and Chassis and 3500 Dually

[6.4twins]

Oh and also have you gotten a quote form Dave Smith Motors in Idaho??

[pic_jon]

Originally Posted by JohnC

The 5500 is a WAY tougher truck than a DRW 3500. Bigger axles, brakes, suspension, 19.5 wheels, lower gearing etc.

Let's not forget the transmission

You don't want the lowest gears offered. It's definitely not necessary and will hurt more than it helps.

[DT75FLH]

Originally Posted by 6.4twins

Oh and also have you gotten a quote form Dave Smith Motors in Idaho??

Last summer Smith had a Laramie 5500 4x4 with a dodge bed extended for the gap. looked awesome and were asking 58k IIRC. also had a 100 gal tank in the bed. With the extended bed and tank, you still had almost a full 8' bed.

[gavan]

We have a 4500 at work, it really is "that much more truck" than a 3500, but it still rides great and drives well. Brakes are huge, transmission is bigger, wheels/tires are bigger and last longer. Fuel economy is about the same, but all our trucks have big ambulance boxes on the back and get around 10 MPG. I would get one over a regular pickup truck any day.

[jasonmt]

The C&C trucks also have lower rated engines and use SCR/DEF compared to the PU versions as well.

[JohnC]

Originally Posted by jasonmt

The C&C trucks also have lower rated engines and use SCR/DEF compared to the PU versions as well.

I saw that 310/600 vs 350/800. That's gotta be just tuning though. Can it be un-DEF'd?

[montecarlo31]

Originally Posted by JohnC

I saw that 310/600 vs 350/800. That's gotta be just tuning though. Can it be un-DEF'd?

Yep they can.

[edglock21]

Subscribing

[87manche]

Originally Posted by JohnC

I saw that 310/600 vs 350/800. That's gotta be just tuning though. Can it be un-DEF'd?

do you really need more than 310/600?

The MDT ones are de-tuned for longer life when driven by careless company drivers. I'd be inclined to leave it de tuned for the longevity reasons. Unless you really find the performance with 600 lb ft of torque lacking.

I'd kill for 600 lb ft of torque in my toter.

seriously, I'd stab someone if they'd give me a 300/600 motor.

[surpip]

Originally Posted by 87manche

seriously, I'd stab someone if they'd give me a 300/600 motor.

Seems like that may take away their motivation to give you anything...

[pic_jon]

Originally Posted by 87manche

seriously, I'd stab someone if they'd give me a 300/600 motor.

lol..

Originally Posted by surpip

Seems like that may take away their motivation to give you anything...

He meant that he would stab someone ELSE for a 300/600 motor. Similar to saying, "I would kill for that!" Except there was no specification on whether or not the potential stabbing victim would survive the stabbing.

Edit: The only thing I would do to a 4500 or 5500 is remove the emissions b/s post warranty.

[JohnC]

Are the transmissions in the 4500/5500 bigger than the 3500? For both auto and manual?

[Jebadiah04]

Originally Posted by 6.4twins

Oh and also have you gotten a quote form Dave Smith Motors in Idaho??

I used to buy all my shit there except my last truck. 08 ram. Lithia smoked smiths on price. Couldnt believe it.

Sent from my mudwhistle via lemmiwinks.

[bggrnchvy]

Originally Posted by JohnC

Are the transmissions in the 4500/5500 bigger than the 3500? For both auto and manual?

The 3500 C&C and 4500/5500 autos are an Aisin, not the 68RFE. My understanding is that the aisin offers a PTO, where the 68RFE does not. The Aisin had a factory 180k mile warranty I've read as well.

The manual is the same.

[87manche]

Originally Posted by pic_jon

lExcept there was no specification on whether or not the potential stabbing victim would survive the stabbing.

well I wouldn't half ass it.