Kato wrote:

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We're looking to go fulltime in a couple of years and get a 5th wheel suitable for fulltiming such as a DRV or New Horizons. Looking to buy a Ram 5500 Chassis Cab and have a Hauler Body installed. Is it better/easier to buy the truck 1st and then look for an upfitter or just have the upfitter take care of the whole transaction? Any advice would be appreciated.

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IMO -  "have the upfitter take care of the whole transaction"

I also think you maybe better off buying a complete package. If you are looking at an aluminum hauler bed, there is Classy Chassy and Utility Bodywerks. Both were on display at the Tampa show. I talked to both about installing a bed on my truck. Classy Chassy said they needed my truck for 4 to 6 weeks. Utility Bodywerks said 1 week. The price was about the same for both companies. Both companies where also booked with plenty of work. If I would have ordered at show, it would still have been several months to have my bed finished. If you are looking at a New Horizon, they can also set you up in a truck.

James

Cummins12V98 wrote:

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I get the RAM part but why a 5500?

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If you need the rear axle capacity due to addition of a hauler bed, aux tank and mostly pin weight, the 4500HD and the F-450 (pickup) doesn’t meet the need.  For example the F-450 (pickup - even the 2015) has only a 9,100lb  RAWR.  When you compare the ratings for the RAM 4500HD version vs. the 5500HD, the 5500D capacities are just much higher.  It’s really easy to go over 9,100 lbs on the rear axle with the up-fits even without a NH rig and the same is true for the RAM4500HD RAWR vs. the RAM5500HD.

This all from the published specs.  Not the marketing hype.

From your original post... the conventional wisdom is to find the rig that will fill the bill for your situation then find the tow vehicle that will provide the towing and stopping ability you'll need. DRVs and NH are heavier rigs but, even then, the range of weights of their 5ers is fairly wide. I would only say that, while the 5500 should be entirely capable, you may not need that much truck. This is not an argument for a 3500 or 4500 type truck. So much appears to go into the decision like personal comfort, utility, capability, cost of ownership... weigh you option carefully. Before you leap, check into the cost to insure a 5500.  Most insurance companies appear to deem them to be commercial vehicles for such purposes, especially the chassis cab trucks even if handled by an upfitter.  From your description of desired rigs, money appears not to be a concern but why throw off cash unnessarily... just sayin'

Good luck with your research.

Cummins12V98 wrote:

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One thing you may not know is the Chassis Cab trucks are detuned by quite a bit. The RV's you mention could easily be handled by a standard 3500 RAM Dually with the Aisin trans 385/865 engine. You still could do a hauler bed. The bed that comes on the truck could be sold at a nice price as there are many that want a longbed MegaCab.

As far as a huge pin weight there is a point! You will have a very rough ride with a 5500. The RAM 3500 Dually can handle around a 6K pin. That would equate to about a 24-28K 5er. All just something to think about.

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Well aware of the detune with the commercial RAM’s– even more significant detune and power reductions with the F-550’s (F-450 “commercial truck) vs. the F-350/450 “pickups.”

Having driven both 2015 RAM 5500HD’s and F-550’s I can say the RAM higher power (it’s detuned less) is very noticeable. 

As to the RAM550HD ride – Need to put air-ride suspension (not just bags) on these if you plan to drive solo.  Rear air suspension is enough.  Some want it on the front as well.  Front is not necessary IMO but its fine if you want it.  I’ve driven both versions full air and rear air only. But with after-market air-ride on the 5500HD it has a very fine solo ride for “touring.”  Really nice ride.

But as you say, IF you don’t need the rear axle weight rating due to hauler beds + aux fuel + a high pin weight, the RAM3500HD with the -69 transmission is a better choice – a great choice.  Both it and the 5500HD have a great turbo brake.  Another big deal.  But having done the numbers on the RAM3500HD, with hauler bed, aux fuel and a 4,500 pin, you'll be over the RAWR based on published specs.  The RAM3500HD is quite heavy before you make the mods even figuring the net weight reduction when you remove the pickup bed and the increased RAWR numbers.  Selection as we know is based on the numbers.

Cummins12V98 wrote:

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Bill it sounds like you have done your homework!

Air ride would be really nice. Now all you need to do is get er done and show us some pics.

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Homework, yes, you might say that.

Go here and scroll down to the RAM5500HD. This is just like the last one I did, including the aux tank and air ride except the last one I spec’ed had a Trailer-Saver hitch, plate mounted (not on rails,) due to the pin weight of the New Horizons trailer it was to be mated to.  But the color is identical. Note the air-ride “dump” in the lower left corner of pix – 9. Has a red light on it.

http://www.classychassistrucks.com/in_stock.htm

I currently have a Classy Chassis 3500HD Chevy which is fine spec wise for my trailer.  It’s a great truck and has a great exhaust / turbo brake integrated to the Allison.  But the RAM5500HD, by specs, performance and with air-ride is a very excellent selection for those needing the weight capacities. (As would a RAM3500H in some cases.) Love the -69 Aisin transmission.  It is as responsive as the Allison and that is saying a great deal.  It surprised me how good it was and how it handled multiple gear downshifts with ease for braking. (Just like an Allison)

All the newer pickups, as you well know, are spec’ed to pull almost any fiver except the larger New Horizons for example.  But it’s those pesky rear axle ratings that make one move to the RAM5500HD truck, especially when you put all the up-fits and fuel on board for travel.