What is the difference in a Dodge 4500 and 5500?

hedgeapple · Oct 4, 2016

Been looking for a new tow pig and was curious as to the differences between the two?

zukimaster · Oct 4, 2016

1000?

sorry, I had to be the first smart ass I guess. I'm going to say just heavier suspension, But there is a thing called goggle that I bet would answer all your questions no problem.

money_pit_yj · Oct 4, 2016

zukimaster said:
1000? sorry, I had to be the first smart ass I guess. I'm going to say just heavier suspension, But there is a thing called goggle that I bet would answer all your questions no problem.

If you dont find any results on Goggle, try Google. I think they have better algorithms to pull up information :stir:

poolman · Oct 4, 2016

money_pit_yj said:
If you dont find any results on Goggle, try Google. I think they have better algorithms to pull up information

Hahahahahaha, that's something I would do! :****:

dynajeep · Oct 4, 2016

From my research standard gear ratios 4500 is 4.44, option of 4.88 and the 5500 is standard 4.88. Also the 5500 has a kingpin front axle which give it slightly higher gvw. Other than that they are the same truck.

zukimaster · Oct 4, 2016

That explains why every time I use it I get this!

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

ridered3 · Oct 4, 2016

hedgeapple said:
Been looking for a new tow pig and was curious as to the differences between the two?

What year(s) are you looking for?

Here is a site with info on the 2010+ Ram 4500's and 5500's.

http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/forums/4500-5500-chassis-cab-trucks-158/

money_pit_yj · Oct 4, 2016

ridered3 said:
What year(s) are you looking for?

Here is a site with info on the 2010+ Ram 4500's and 5500's.

http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/forums/4500-5500-chassis-cab-trucks-158/

For what its worth I bought 4 3500s a few years ago and have hauled a ton of heavy stuff with all of them and couldn't possibly see the need for a 4500 let alone a 5500. Unless you are hot shotting and have the possibility of pulling in excess of 40K lb loads, or putting some utility body on it I think gthe 3500 HD is plenty. I may be way wrong but the increase in towing capacity was not worth the extra money as well as the increased maintenance costs. (19.5' tires and the parts were significantly higher) And the 4500 rode like a log wagon.

poolman · Oct 4, 2016

zukimaster said:
That explains why every time I use it I get this!

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

I literally lol a bunch, not a little but a bunch!!!! :****:

hedgeapple · Oct 6, 2016

Found this on the cummins forum...in case anyone else was interested

http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/4th-gen-cab-chassis/572824-dodge-3500-vs-4500-vs-5500-towing-mileage.html

RCBTrucking · Oct 22, 2016

I have a 4500 and 5500 and 3500 all 2011's. I agree with ridered3 about the 3500 being enough truck in most situations. But, for me the 5500 and 4500's are necessary. We move mobile homes and have 12' flatbed on both of these trucks, they are carrying roughly 20,000lbs every morning to the job sites. I know this is overloaded, but we carry 250 8" blocks' 150 4" solid blocks, 50 2" solids, and cribbing on these trucks. The 4500 does ok, but the suspension is not heavy enough. The 5500 is a beast, suspension is heavy enough. If you tried this with the 3500 is would be on the bumpstops. also the brakes are huge on the larger trucks. I bought a brand new 4500 in 08' and it was loaded everyday like these trucks and we never touched the brakes until 100,000 miles!!! Personnally, I would not own anything but a 5500.