New Ram 5500 Build

n0arp wrote:
We were running over 13K on the rear axle of a 2019 Ram 3500. Despite it handling the load well (with mods), we knew it wasn't responsible to continue with that rig and have spent the last few months looking for a F-550 or Ram 5500.



For those interested: SuperSprings (4600lb pack) and 245/70R19.5 tires worked wonders on the 3500 with that load.

The market for trucks in general is insane right now, and finding a high-trim 5500 was next to impossible. The wait for ordering one more or less ruled that out.

We ended up finding a 2021 Ram 5500 Limited, 84CA, Cummins, 4x4, with most of the options we wanted in a new truck. It's Granite Crystal with Indigo/Frost interior. Bought it sight-unseen from a dealer 1700mi away from our current location, and had it shipped to us. Has 74gal of fuel, and 4.89 gears.





This week it's getting a Ranch Hand Sport front bumper, 17.5K winch, 11'4" flatbed, and 255/70R22.5" Hercules DT320 tires on 22.5" direct-bolt wheels (Alcoa style, rated for 6K each). That's roughly a 37" tall tire with a fairly aggressive A/T tread. Effective gear ratio with those tires will be around 4.27, or halfway between the optional 4.10 and 4.44 gears.

I'll post updates to the build in this thread, but it should be a beast when done. I decided not to go the popular super single route, because in my opinion it has more tradeoffs than benefits. We never had any issue getting anywhere we wanted with the old truck, which ran 245/70R19.5 Cooper RM253s up front and Continental Terra HD3s in the rear as duals.

We boondock extensively with both the truck camper posted above, and a 39' fifth wheel that has extensive modifications. We also flat tow a 5700lb Jeep Wrangler when hauling the truck camper.

As a fellow-offroader/backcountry traveler:

1) How much sway do you feel with your camper as depicted in the first pic?
a) My concern with a behemoth camper like yours is it's weight swaying during traveling on unmaintained backcountry fire/dirt roads.

2) Any issues with the pull-out as a result of traveling on unmaintained dirt roads?
a) My concern is the vibrations of traveling offroad like we do could wreck havoc on the tracks of said pull-outs causes damage and/or maintenance nightmares.

3) Any issues with the wheelbase while offroading?

4) How much do you think you actually use 4WD while off the road?
a) During my 45 years of offroading (entire Moab spectrum) I've found that I genuinely only use 4WD about 25-30% of the time; granted my rear is locked.
b) Hubs are locked, but I'm mostly driving in 2WD.

5) Any flexing/flexing issues in the rear frame/flatbed area?


I have a '98 FWC Grandby That I've used since '06, but it's been trailered the whole time until this year where I put it on/in my Bronco.

Said set up will be a working testbed for the next 5 years (likes/don't likes-wants/don't wants, etc) before I make the big investment.

I'll be ready to do what you're doing now, in about 5 years.