Why Choose the Ram 5500 for Your Business Fleet?

If you're a fleet operator looking to expand your inventory of medium-duty trucks, and the latest generation of the Ram 5500 has caught your eye, you're probably curious about just how well it performs. Well, before you commit to a purchase, we can go over some of the details and specifications of the available powertrains and configurations. If you're interested in a Ram 5500 for sale but want more details on the specs and performance and where it sits within the medium-duty segment, we have the details below that outline what you can expect from the chassis cab truck. You can get it with either a regular cab or a crew cab in four different lengths. But let's go over the performance specifications before getting into the utility capabilities.

Powertrain Options for the Ram 5500

The Ram 5500 is available with two different powertrains and comes standard in rear-wheel drive. However, you can have the Ram 5500 configured in four-wheel drive in case you need that extra traction, depending on where you plan to use the truck. The engine options include a 6.7-liter inline-six Cummins turbo-diesel, which comes paired with a six-speed automatic Aisin AS69RC heavy-duty transmission, or you can have the Ram 5500 specified with a 6.4-liter heavy-duty HEMI V8, which is paired up with a six-speed automatic Aisin AS66RC heavy-duty transmission.

6.7-liter Cummins Turbo-Diesel

The trailering-focused powertrain of the Ram 5500 is the 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel, an inline-six that manages up to 360 hp and 800 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to the electronically controlled transmission and the standard 4.44:1 axle ratio, the Cummins enables the Ram 5500 to tow up to 35,220 lbs while having a max payload capacity of up to 11,870 lbs. The Cummins also comes standard with a smart diesel exhaust brake, a supplemental heater, and even selective catalytic reduction.

The maximum towing capacity enables the 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel to work as a perfect solution for those using the Ram 5500 for towing, transportation, or moving large cargo around. The durability of the chassis and ability to make use of the Max Tow Package to get the optimal towing capacity out of the Ram 5500 makes the Cummins a popular choice for those looking to maximize their effectiveness with a medium-duty truck built to withstand difficult towing and trailering conditions.

6.4-liter HEMI V8

The 6.4-liter HEMI V8 is perfect for hauling and payload tasks. This engine for the Ram 5500 features a multi-displacement system that is designed to get the most out of the HEMI's heavy-duty design while also saving fuel in the process. This helps give the Ram 5500 more fuel-saving capabilities while maximizing its efficiency as a work truck. The 6.4-liter HEMI V8 can manage 370 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque.

The HEMI V8 provides the Ram 5500 with notable towing and trailering capabilities when properly equipped, topping out at 21,490 lbs worth of towing capacity. However, where the HEMI really shines for Ram's medium-duty trucks is payload capacity, providing a maximum payload rating of 12,550 lbs when properly equipped. The HEMI can be configured with additional equipment to improve its efficiency, including an engine block heater, power take-off, and engine shutdown timer.

Upfit the Ram 5500 for Your Needs

Thanks to the upfitting opportunities available for the Ram 5500 as a cab chassis, you can customize and outfit the Ram 5500 in a number of different ways based on your specific fleet operation needs. For instance, if you want to take advantage of the maximum trailering capabilities, you can opt for a platform body that gives you access to a fifth wheel hitch. This is perfect for those who need to move large loads or wide loads from one destination to another.

If your fleet operations call for a truck that needs to be able to haul heavy loads around, then a dump truck body will be perfect for the job. With the HEMI V8's maximum payload capacity, you can combine the Ram 5500 with various dump body upfit packages featuring high-performance construction and designs for hauling heavy loads, especially for construction, agriculture, sanitation, or delivery purposes.

With upfit options like a mechanics body or service body, you have a versatile setup for a truck that can be used for everything from towing other vehicles and trailers to contracting work and service support. If you combine the towing and trailering capacity with the hauling and payload ratings, what you have is a Ram truck that can basically be configured and made capable across every major transportation, delivery, cargo, or service industry where a medium-duty truck is required for the job.

Sculpting Your Ram 5500 to Suit Your Fleet

If you aren't entirely sure if the Ram 5500 is built to meet your specifications, there are a number of packages, accessories, add-ons, and equipment groups available to improve, enhance, or modify the performance and capabilities of the truck to fit your standards. This includes a heavy-duty front suspension upgrade in case you plan on installing a snow plow as part of your fleet requirements, as well as a cold-weather package for those who plan to operate in extreme temperatures.

The Payload Upgrade Package brings the gross vehicle weight rating up to 19,500 lbs and adds an upgraded 4.89:1 rear axle ratio. Alternatively, available dual 440 amp alternators are perfect for those who want to maximize the performance and power output of their Ram 5500 for heavy-duty tasks. This is in addition to other packages to improve the capabilities or utility of the Ram 5500, such as larger fuel tanks, advanced safety features, towing accessories, and more.

You can easily improve or enhance the capabilities of the Ram 5500 based on the upfit packages you choose to go with, the performance packages you need for your fleet, and the utility accessories that can improve the overall functionality of the truck. There are a lot of different ways to maximize the potential of a Ram 5500 chassis cab based on your fleet needs and the kind of operations you plan to use the truck for. The large variety of different package options and cost-effective ways to modify the truck for different jobs gives it a wide breadth of performance scaling and utility opportunities.

Do You Need a Medium-Duty Truck for Your Fleet?

With the Ram 5500's capabilities and performance ratings, it makes for a highly dependable and versatile medium-duty entry into the segment. Thanks to the highly modular chassis cab design with multiple wheelbase and cab configurations, you can essentially outfit the truck for everything from telecoms and flatbed towing to landscaping and contractor work. Thanks to the very powerful Cummins turbo-diesel and HEMI V8 engines, the performance is extremely scalable, while the upfitting packages designed around all of the different configurations make it a viable solution for those who need a fleet of medium-duty trucks that are cost-effective and capable of being molded to your business. If you would like to learn more about how you can shop for the right collection of Ram 5500 trucks for sale, please reach out to us here at Providence Autos Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.