Forum Discussion

ken_white's avatar
ken_white
Explorer
Nov 30, 2014

2015 RAM 5500

Trying to decide if I want to upgrade my 2008 RAM DRW 3500 to a 2015 RAM 5500 C&C with a hauler bed.

My current truck has all of the deletes plus a Black Maxx tuner and while the engine runs great, the 6-speed manual transmission can slip the clutch when loaded heavily and trying to accelerate fairly quickly - I need to upgrade to a high end single disk set-up.

I average about 20 mpg unloaded on the highway and about 10-12 mpg when towing depending on terrain.

For you guys/gals that have a newer 5500, what kind of mileage do you get and how is the unloaded ride?

Do you like your new truck or do you wish you didn't upgrade?

TIA,

Ken
Tow Vehicles
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Dec 01, 2014
    Why not just install a double disk clutch?
    I run one, daily drive and have no issues. my left leg is no bigger than my right leg.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Dec 01, 2014
    Bionic Man wrote:

    Removed the emission equipment.
    that doesn't sound legal. Who does that?
  • Bedlam's avatar
    Bedlam
    Moderator
    Dec 01, 2014
    buddyIam wrote:
    Ford uses the 6.7 Cummins and a Allison in its f650/f750. So I guess you wouldn't recommend the Ford chassis cabs either.

    Ford has dropped the Cummins out of their F650 and F750 and will now be using Scorpion 6.7 V8 Powerstroke and Modular 6.8 V10 gasoline engines mated to the 6R140. They have longevity tested the 6R140 at 50,000 lbs GCW, so the transmission should be up to the task. We will see how well the PSD does under heavier loads and what ratings it will have (pickup, chassis cab or a new MDT tune).
  • buddyIam's avatar
    buddyIam
    Explorer
    Dec 01, 2014
    Ford uses the 6.7 Cummins and a Allison in its f650/f750. So I guess you wouldn't recommend the Ford chassis cabs either.
  • Bionic_Man's avatar
    Bionic_Man
    Explorer
    Dec 01, 2014
    rjstractor wrote:
    ScottG wrote:
    The reason for lower output is for "lower cost of operation" - ie better fuel economy. Whether it actually saves anything is up for debate but that is Rams reason for the lower output. It's not because of the trans.


    I was always under the impression that heavier trucks were detuned to improve duty cycle, not mpg, although less power=less fuel burned. The detuning due to the transmission is just a hypothesis since the other applications that this particular trans is used in have much less powerful engines than the B-series Cummins.


    RAM uses the same Aisin auto as an option on the higher output 3500, so I don't think the transmission is the issue.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Dec 01, 2014
    Got the marketing hype straight from a Ram exec. who was interviewed by TDR.
    They market the commercial Ram as being more cost effective because it's cheaper to operate.
    Don't believe it? I don't care enough to spend the time searching for the article.
  • Bedlam's avatar
    Bedlam
    Moderator
    Dec 01, 2014
    The chassis cabs are detuned compared to the pickups because the expected duty cycle of the engine and transmission in a commercial vehicle verses personal. Longevity is compromised for the higher output in the pickups. I originally thought that detuning might help efficiency, but never found any material supporting this idea. If you have found links, please post them.
  • rjstractor's avatar
    rjstractor
    Nomad
    Dec 01, 2014
    ScottG wrote:
    The reason for lower output is for "lower cost of operation" - ie better fuel economy. Whether it actually saves anything is up for debate but that is Rams reason for the lower output. It's not because of the trans.


    I was always under the impression that heavier trucks were detuned to improve duty cycle, not mpg, although less power=less fuel burned. The detuning due to the transmission is just a hypothesis since the other applications that this particular trans is used in have much less powerful engines than the B-series Cummins.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Dec 01, 2014
    rjstractor wrote:
    Bedlam wrote:
    The OEM chassis cab tuning yields 325 hp and 750 ft-lbs out of the diesel. I have not heard of anyone doing deletes or running the pickup tune on these larger trucks. You have a choice of the 4.10, 4.44 or 4.88 ratios to give you different capacities instead of pushing the engines closer to their limits.


    I'm not sure if I would crank up a 5500 series truck hauling heavy either due to the transmission. The Aisin used in the Ram is a stout unit but in other MDT applications (Isuzu and Fuso) it's sitting behind engines with the neighborhood of 200 hp/450 torque. There's a reason that the Cummins is detuned a little bit in the commercial 4500/5500 trucks. Now if you're going to run a manual you can crank it up and then it's on you to avoid drivetrain damage not the computer.


    The reason for lower output is for "lower cost of operation" - ie better fuel economy. Whether it actually saves anything is up for debate but that is Rams reason for the lower output. It's not because of the trans.
  • ken_white's avatar
    ken_white
    Explorer
    Dec 01, 2014
    Thanks for the replies, and insights, everyone.

    I have not been to the dealers lot yet to test drive but will probably head out in a week or two just to get a close look at the changes and upgrades from '08 3500.

    It looks like the mpg's on the 5500 are quite low, so upgrading might not make sense since we do tow quite frequently.

    Thanks again,

    Ken

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