2024 Ram 5500 Truck Body Options
The 2024 Ram 5500 is a Class 5 medium-duty chassis cab with a GVWR of 17,500–19,500 lbs — making it one of the most powerful platforms available for serious crane body, full-size service body, and heavy flatbed builds. At Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we install commercial truck bodies on Ram 5500 chassis cabs for oilfield service companies, utility contractors, pipeline operators, and heavy trades across Texas and Louisiana. Here’s everything you need to know to spec your build.
2024 Ram 5500 Cab-to-Axle (CA) Measurements
Ram 5500 chassis cabs are available in multiple CA lengths. The CA determines your body length ceiling:
| CA Length | Wheelbase | Recommended Body Length | Common Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60″ CA | ~141″ | 8–9 ft | Compact service body, utility flatbed |
| 84″ CA | ~165″ | 11–12 ft | Full service body, crane body, hay bed |
| 108″ CA | ~189″ | 13–14 ft | Extended service body, heavy crane truck, full lube/fuel body |
| 132″ CA | ~213″ | 15–16 ft | Extra-long service bodies, lube trucks, mechanics trucks |
The 84″ and 108″ CA are the most common for crane body and service body builds. Confirm your CA from the manufacturer’s build sheet before ordering a body — there’s no margin for error on a custom crane build.
Crane Bodies for the 2024 Ram 5500
The Ram 5500 is one of the best crane body platforms available without moving to a medium-duty cab-over. Its 17,500–19,500 lb GVWR gives you the payload budget to carry a full Tiger Crane, body, outriggers, tools, and fuel simultaneously. Top crane body builds:
- STI Crane-Ready Service Body + Tiger Crane — The most common crane truck build in Texas. STI (Waco, TX) builds integrated service bodies with factory crane reinforcement. Pair with a Tiger Crane in the 8,000–12,000+ ft-lb range for utility construction, telecom tower work, pipeline service, and oilfield operations. Ram 5500 108″ CA is the preferred spec for this build.
- RKI Crane Body + Tiger Crane — RKI (Houston, TX) builds crane-ready service bodies that are engineered specifically for South Texas and Gulf Coast working conditions. Outrigger pockets, crane subframe reinforcement, and aluminum/steel options all available. Extremely popular with oilfield service companies in the Eagle Ford and Permian Basin areas.
- Full Mechanics Truck Build (STI + Tiger) — For heavy equipment service operations, a Ram 5500 with an STI mechanics body + Tiger Crane creates a self-contained field service unit. Fits welding equipment, air compressor, parts storage, and crane access in one package.
Service Bodies for the 2024 Ram 5500
The Ram 5500 handles full-size 11–14 ft service bodies with ease. The extra GVWR vs. a Ram 4500 gives you room for a heavier body AND more tool/parts load:
- STI Heavy-Duty Service Body (Waco, TX) — STI is the go-to for full-size service bodies on heavy chassis cabs. Their Ram 5500 builds routinely run 12–14 ft body lengths with deep lower compartments and full upper chest boxes. Built in Waco, TX — fast lead times across the Lone Star State.
- RKI 12–14 ft Service Body — Houston-made, oilfield-proven. RKI’s extended service bodies on the Ram 5500 are popular with pipeline inspectors, utility cable crews, and water well drillers. Steel and aluminum options available to balance payload.
- CM SBF Combo Body (11 ft) — CM’s flatbed/service body combination. Gives Ram 5500 operators the best of both worlds: open flatbed deck for materials + side-mounted service compartments for tools. Available in 10–12 ft lengths.
Flatbeds for the 2024 Ram 5500
The Ram 5500 is an exceptional flatbed platform for commercial work. With 4,000–6,000+ lbs of usable payload after a standard steel flatbed, it handles the heaviest contractor and agricultural loads:
- CM ER Flatbed (12 ft) — CM’s heavy-duty extended flatbed. The ER model on a Ram 5500 108″ CA is a proven setup for heavy material hauling, gooseneck trailer towing (up to 25,000 lbs), and commercial ranch operations.
- Bedrock Granite 9G (12 ft) — Premium flatbed build for buyers who want the best. The Bedrock on a Ram 5500 is a statement of quality for contractors and ranchers who take pride in their equipment.
- Norstar SL (11–12 ft) — Norstar’s heavy ranch-spec flatbed. Designed in Texas, popular across the Gulf Coast. Great value-tier option for Ram 5500 operators who don’t need the premium Bedrock price point.
Ram 5500 Lube Truck & Fuel Service Bodies
The Ram 5500 is increasingly popular as a lube truck or fuel service body platform for oilfield and heavy construction operations. The 19,500 lb GVWR allows for full lube skid, fuel tank, reel storage, and crew cab in a single-axle package. STI builds dedicated lube/fuel service bodies for the Ram 5500 platform — call us for custom spec quotes.
Build Your 2024 Ram 5500 in Wharton, TX
Star Truck Equipment is your source for Ram 5500 truck body builds in Texas and Louisiana. We handle everything from chassis measurement to final installation — so your rig is ready to work when it leaves our shop in Wharton, TX.
📞 (979) 532-1486 — Call today to discuss your Ram 5500 crane body, service body, or flatbed build. Lead times and pricing vary by brand and configuration — we’ll give you straight answers with no upsells.
Also see: 2025 Ram 5500 Truck Body Options | 2025 Ram 4500 Options | All Crane Bodies | All Service Bodies | Oilfield Truck Upfitting Guide