I'm looking for people that have experience with these chassis cab models. The engines and transmissions have been covered in previous threads, so I am focusing on the chassis, braking, axles, suspension, steering components, fit/finish of the XL/Tradesman trim, ergonomics and seating comfort.This vehicle will eventually carry a 7000+ lb payload plus and an additional weight distributed 1000+ lbs of hitch weight while towing under 15,000 lbs. Although initial loading will be less than these figures, the purpose of this vehicle is to be able to get to those weights in the future.If there is a better resource for comparison, I would also be interested in checking it out.

The best answer you will get they are both trucks pic one

Get the RAM 5500 and you'll get the engine they use in the F650.. ;)

I can't point you to any other resource, but about a year ago I noticed a new neighbor down my street drove a RAM 5500 oil field company truck with very large Koenig bins changed to an F550. He's now had the F550 for >1 year and a couple of months ago I caught him outside while walking and started a conversation about his truck/s. I asked him about the two trucks and why the change and what he thought about the two. His comment on the '11 RAM was the Aisin tranny and turbo was replaced under warranty, and the second Aisin tranny went out a second time, with ball joints soon after and various problems with the DEF system, but didn't give specifics. The truck was decommissioned around ~150k miles.His comment on the '13 Ford was the truck has 65k miles, power was similar to the RAM with maybe little less seat of the pants kick, but fuel mileage was 1-3 mpg better. So far he hasn't made any trips for repairs.Finally he said the reason for the change was the cost to run these trucks and the fuel mileage improvements played a big part with all the miles they put on their trucks.

Just an FYI if you have not looked, Navistar has a class 5 model also. Could be worth a look see to see if that would work along with the Dodge and Ford models. Other than that, get the one that your but fits in best.marty

FishOnOne wrote:I can't point you to any other resource, but about a year ago I noticed a new neighbor down my street drove a RAM 5500 oil field company truck with very large Koenig bins changed to an F550. He's now had the F550 for >1 year and a couple of months ago I caught him outside while walking and started a conversation about his truck/s. I asked him about the two trucks and why the change and what he thought about the two. His comment on the '11 RAM was the Aisin tranny and turbo was replaced under warranty, and the second Aisin tranny went out a second time, with ball joints soon after and various problems with the DEF system, but didn't give specifics. The truck was decommissioned around ~150k miles.His comment on the '13 Ford was the truck has 65k miles, power was similar to the RAM with maybe little less seat of the pants kick, but fuel mileage was 1-3 mpg better. So far he hasn't made any trips for repairs.Finally he said the reason for the change was the cost to run these trucks and the fuel mileage improvements played a big part with all the miles they put on their trucks.I'm no expert on this, so correct me if I am wrong, but it is my understanding that Ram diesel trucks did not add DEF fluid until 2014, which would leave your neighbor's story about DEF problems in a 2011 Ram suspect.

Compare Ford F550 to Ram 5500 | Good Sam Community

64 Replies

blt2ski
Moderator
Jul 03, 2014
Just an FYI if you have not looked, Navistar has a class 5 model also. Could be worth a look see to see if that would work along with the Dodge and Ford models.

Other than that, get the one that your but fits in best.

marty
FishOnOne
Nomad
Jul 03, 2014
I can't point you to any other resource, but about a year ago I noticed a new neighbor down my street drove a RAM 5500 oil field company truck with very large Koenig bins changed to an F550. He's now had the F550 for >1 year and a couple of months ago I caught him outside while walking and started a conversation about his truck/s. I asked him about the two trucks and why the change and what he thought about the two.

His comment on the '11 RAM was the Aisin tranny and turbo was replaced under warranty, and the second Aisin tranny went out a second time, with ball joints soon after and various problems with the DEF system, but didn't give specifics. The truck was decommissioned around ~150k miles.

His comment on the '13 Ford was the truck has 65k miles, power was similar to the RAM with maybe little less seat of the pants kick, but fuel mileage was 1-3 mpg better. So far he hasn't made any trips for repairs.

Finally he said the reason for the change was the cost to run these trucks and the fuel mileage improvements played a big part with all the miles they put on their trucks.
ScottG
Nomad
Jul 03, 2014
Get the RAM 5500 and you'll get the engine they use in the F650.. ;)
newman_fulltime
Explorer II
Jul 02, 2014
The best answer you will get they are both trucks pic one

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Compare Ford F550 to Ram 5500

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