Ford F-550 vs Ram 5500: Choosing the Right Class 5 Chassis for Your Upfit
When your work demands more than a one-ton pickup can deliver, the Class 5 chassis cab market comes down to two dominant platforms: the Ford F-550 Super Duty and the Ram 5500 Chassis Cab. Both are purpose-built workhorses designed for heavy service bodies, flatbeds, crane bodies, and mechanics trucks. Choosing the right one depends on your cab-to-axle length needs, preferred powertrain, and the specific truck body you’re planning to mount.
At Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we’ve upfitted hundreds of Class 5 chassis cabs for Texas and Louisiana contractors, oilfield operators, and utility companies. Here’s how the F-550 and Ram 5500 stack up for real work applications.
Key Specs Comparison
| Spec | Ford F-550 Super Duty | Ram 5500 Chassis Cab |
|---|---|---|
| GVWR | Up to 19,500 lbs | Up to 19,500 lbs |
| Max Payload | ~7,640 lbs | ~7,410 lbs |
| Engine Options | 7.3L V8 gas / 6.7L Power Stroke diesel | 6.4L HEMI gas / 6.7L Cummins diesel |
| Rear Axle | Dana 110 (19,500 lb GVWR config) | Dana 110 (Cummins models) |
| Transmission | TorqShift 10-speed auto | Aisin AS69RC 6-speed auto (diesel) |
| DRW Standard | Yes (all Class 5) | Yes (all Class 5) |
Cab-to-Axle (CA) Lengths
CA length is the single most important spec when selecting a truck body. It determines maximum body length for proper weight distribution.
| Config | Ford F-550 CA | Ram 5500 CA |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Cab, Short CA | 60″ | 60″ |
| Regular Cab, Long CA | 84″ | 84″ |
| Crew Cab, Short CA | 60″ | 60″ |
| Crew Cab, Long CA | 84″ | 84″ |
| Typical Body Length | 8–11 ft (84″ CA → 9 ft ideal) | 8–11 ft (84″ CA → 9 ft ideal) |
Rule of thumb: Body length (in inches) should not exceed CA + 18 inches. For an 84″ CA, that allows up to a 9-foot body. A 60″ CA works well with 8-foot service bodies or flatbeds.
Service Bodies
Both platforms are excellent service body platforms. The F-550 with an 84″ CA pairs perfectly with CM service bodies, RKI service bodies, and STI service bodies in 9-foot configurations. The Ram 5500 with the Cummins diesel offers slightly smoother torque delivery at low RPM, which many techs prefer for utility work.
For electricians, plumbers, and HVAC fleets, we typically recommend the CM service body or RKI service body in 9-foot on either platform. Both have the compartment depth and payload for a full tool loadout.
Crane Bodies
For crane body upfits — especially with a Tiger Crane or similar truck-mounted crane — the F-550 and Ram 5500 are both strong candidates. GVWR is identical at 19,500 lbs, and both support the torque demands of hydraulic PTO systems. If you’re running a crane body with a 3-ton or larger crane, we recommend the diesel on either platform for fuel efficiency and torque on job sites.
Flatbeds
Both trucks support 10-foot and 11-foot flatbed bodies when ordered with the 84″ CA. Popular choices on these platforms include:
- Bedrock Granite Series — heavy-duty steel flatbed, excellent for oilfield and construction
- CM ER/TM Flatbeds — versatile contractor flatbeds with toolbox options
- Norstar AM/SM Flatbeds — competitive pricing, solid utility build
Which Should You Choose?
Choose the Ford F-550 if you want the broadest dealer service network in Texas, prefer Ford’s TorqShift 10-speed transmission, or are standardizing a fleet already running F-Series trucks.
Choose the Ram 5500 if you want the Cummins 6.7L diesel’s reputation for longevity and torque, prefer Ram’s cab ergonomics, or are fleet-matching existing Ram chassis cabs. Either way, both platforms accept the same body lineup from CM, RKI, STI, Bedrock, Norstar, Bradford Built, and NXG — so your body selection isn’t constrained by chassis choice.
Get Your F-550 or Ram 5500 Upfitted in Texas
Star Truck Equipment installs service bodies, flatbeds, crane bodies, and mechanics trucks on Ford F-550 and Ram 5500 chassis cabs at our Wharton, TX facility. We supply and install — no middleman. Call us at (979) 532-1486 or visit us at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488 to discuss your upfit options.
Browse our inventory: Service Bodies | Flatbeds | Crane Bodies