2025 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab
Our VerdictThe 2025 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab is a no-nonsense work truck with massive towing and payload, Cummins diesel power, and a new 8-speed HD transmission for 2025—built for serious commercial use, not everyday comfort.
Commercial Fleet Operators
Daily Commuters
The Case For
- Enormous towing (up to ~34,500 lbs gooseneck) and payload (~12,000 lbs)
- Legendary Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel option (360 hp & 800 lb‑ft) for mountainous torque
- New tech and comfort available (large 12″ touchscreen, digital cluster, driver aids)
Considerations
- Very stiff ride when empty and huge size
- Poor fuel economy (heavy-duty trucks are exempt from EPA ratings)
- Expensive upfront, and adding diesel or 4x4 boosts the price further
Who It's For
The Ram 5500 Chassis Cab is a purpose-built workhorse aimed at contractors, businesses, and anyone who needs extreme capability in a truck. It’s essentially a blank canvas on wheels: sold as a cab-and-chassis (no bed) so you can upfit it with flatbeds, dump beds, service bodies – whatever the job requires. What makes the 5500 stand out is its combination of brute strength and modern refinement. Under the hood, you get a standard 6.4L gas V8 or the famous 6.7L Cummins diesel (for serious towing power). Despite being a commercial truck, the 2025 model brings some welcome upgrades like an available 12″ touchscreen infotainment system, a new digital driver display, and advanced safety add-ons. In short, the Ram 5500 is the backbone for those who need more than a pickup truck – built to tackle the toughest tasks while keeping the driver connected and comfortable enough during a long work day.
Choose Your Specification
Tradesman
~$54.8KWork-Ready Essentials
The Tradesman is the no-frills base trim of the Ram 5500, built for value and hard work. It offers the 6.4L Hemi V8 or optional 6.7L Cummins diesel, a durable vinyl interior, and a utility-focused exterior, while still including modern basics like Uconnect 5 with an 8.4″ touchscreen. Ideal for fleets and businesses that want maximum capability at the lowest cost.
Big Horn
~$57.8KAdded Comfort & Tech
The Big Horn trim adds comfort and style to the Ram 5500 without sacrificing capability. It builds on the Tradesman with chrome exterior accents, polished aluminum wheels, cloth seating, a quieter cabin, and added conveniences like power accessories and a 6-speaker audio system. With available upgrades like a 12″ touchscreen, navigation, and safety or luxury packages, it’s ideal for owner-operators who want a hard-working truck that’s comfortable for long days on the road.
- It has the rugged capability of the Tradesman but adds crucial comfort and tech for those long days on the road
- We highly recommend opting for the 6.7L Cummins diesel on a 5500 if you plan to tow heavy or want maximum durability
- Choosing 4x4 is wise if you’ll go for mud, snow, or off-road job sites
Trim by Trim
Select your car trims and compare them instantly
| Specification | Tradesman | Big Horn |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Type | 6.4L HEMI V8 (gas); optional 6.7L Cummins I6 (diesel) | 6.4L HEMI V8 (gas); optional 6.7L Cummins I6 (diesel) |
| Horsepower | 370 hp @ 5600 rpm | 370 hp @ 5600 rpm |
| MPG (City/Hwy) | N/A (Heavy-duty exempt; ~10–15 mpg in real use) | N/A (Heavy-duty exempt; ~10–15 mpg in real use) |
| Seating Capacity | 3 (Regular Cab) or 6 (Crew Cab) | 3 (Regular Cab) or 6 (Crew Cab) |
| Cargo Capacity | Chassis only (no bed; upfit required) | Chassis only (ready for flatbed/box) |
| Transmission | 8-speed HD automatic | 8-speed HD automatic |
| MSRP | ~$54.8K | ~$57.8K |
| Car Type | Class 5 Commercial Truck (Chassis Cab) | Class 5 Commercial Truck (Chassis Cab) |
The Cost of Ownership
The 2025 Ram 5500’s annual ownership costs
Assumptions: Based on average U.S. driver (12,000 miles/year, fuel price ~$3.75/gal, good driving record).
From Every Angle
Exterior
4Big, Bold and All Business
The Ram 5500 has a bold, utilitarian design that reflects its work-first mission. A lightly refreshed front end for 2025 adds a modern touch, but its boxy shape, dually stance, and upfit-ready frame keep the focus on function. Big, imposing, and built to work, it looks every bit as capable as it is.
Interior
3Utilitarian, but Can Be Made Comfortable
The Ram 5500’s interior is built around durability and function. Tradesman models are rugged and easy to clean, while Big Horn trims and option packages add cloth seats, better insulation, and comfort features like a heated steering wheel. Spacious Crew Cabs, good visibility, and supportive seating make it surprisingly comfortable for long workdays, depending on how it’s equipped.
Safety
4Modern Aids Available, Built Tough for Peace of Mind
The Ram 5500 relies on a strong frame and standard safety basics like airbags, stability control, and tire pressure monitoring. For 2025, available advanced features such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, trailer-aware blind-spot monitoring, and a 360° camera bring modern safety tech to this heavy-duty work truck—impressive for its class when properly optioned.
Fuel Economy
2Thirsty by Nature, Diesel Eases the Pain Slightly
Fuel economy isn’t a strong point of the Ram 5500, as expected for a truck built to tow extreme loads. The 6.4L gas V8 typically returns single-digit to low-teens mpg, while the 6.7L Cummins diesel is more efficient, reaching low-to-mid teens, especially under load. Large fuel tank options help with range, but operating costs remain in line with heavy-duty commercial trucks.
Tech & Infotainment
4Surprisingly Modern for a Big Work Truck
The Ram 5500 brings modern tech to the work-truck segment with Uconnect 5 standard and an 8.4″ touchscreen even on the Tradesman. Available upgrades include a massive 12″ display, digital gauge cluster, smartphone integration, Wi-Fi hotspot, multiple USB-C ports, and advanced camera systems—making it one of the most tech-forward chassis cabs in its class.
Performance & Handling
5Handles Huge Loads with Ease, Built for the Long Haul
The Ram 5500 excels at heavy-duty work, offering up to ~34,500 lbs of towing with the 800 lb-ft Cummins diesel and a smoother new 8-speed automatic for 2025. Its stable chassis, strong brakes, and dually setup make hauling massive loads feel controlled and confident.
Warranty
4Competitive Coverage, Especially for Diesel Powertrain
The Ram 5500 comes with solid commercial-grade coverage: a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, plus a strong 5-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty on Cummins diesel models (5/60,000 for gas). Diesel models also get longer roadside assistance, making the warranty especially reassuring for high-mileage work use.
New This Year
- A heavy-duty TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic is now standard with both the gas and diesel engines, replacing the old 6-speed
- A few new exterior paint colors have been added so your work truck can look sharp (even if it’s covered in jobsite dust)
- The PTO now offers split-shaft mode with faster response, and you can access it from either side of the truck
Cars Similar to 2025 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab
Let’s see how the 2025 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab stacks up against two close competitors in the heavy-duty truck segment: the 2025 Ford F-550 Super Duty and the 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 5500HD (Medium Duty):
2025 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab (DRW)
2025 Ford F-550 Super Duty (DRW)
2025 Chevrolet Silverado 5500HD (DRW)| Aspect | 2025 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab (DRW) | 2025 Ford F-550 Super Duty (DRW) | 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 5500HD (DRW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | 6.4L gas or 6.7L Cummins (800 lb-ft). Tows ~34.5k lbs. New 8-speed auto. | 7.3L gas or 6.7L diesel (~950 lb-ft). Best towing ~35k lbs. 10-speed. | 6.6L gas or Duramax (~750 lb-ft). Tows ~30k+ lbs. Allison 6-speed. |
| Tech & Interior | Optional 12″ screen + digital cluster. Rugged base, nicer Big Horn. | 12″ Sync 4, most driver assists, upscale trims. | Basic cabin, smaller screens, minimal tech. |
| Practicality | Flat rails, easy upfits. CA up to 120″. GVWR ~19.5k lbs. | Most upfit packages. Best payload. GVWR ~19.5k lbs. | Fewer configs. GVWR ~19.5k lbs. Less plug-and-play. |
| Comfort | Spacious Crew Cab. Firm ride, decent comfort with options. | Smoothest ride. Most comfortable interior options. | Utilitarian seats. Comfort is secondary. |
| Who It’s For | Cummins fans needing flexible upfits and modern tech. | Max capability + tech-focused fleets. | Buyers wanting simple, durable GM work truck. |
| Best Choice For | Owner-operators wanting Cummins durability Contractors needing easy upfits Buyers wanting capability with some tech | Fleets needing max tow/payload Heavy haulers towing daily Buyers wanting the most tech | Fleets wanting simple reliability Cost-focused work users GM loyalists who value Duramax + Allison |
Asked & Answered
Does the 2025 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab come with 4-wheel drive?
Yes. You can get the Ram 5500 in either 4x2 (two-wheel drive, rear wheels) or 4x4 four-wheel drive.
How much can the Ram 5500 tow?
A properly configured Ram 5500 Chassis Cab can tow a lot. With the diesel engine and the right equipment (such as a gooseneck or 5th-wheel hitch), it can tow up to about 34,500 pounds.
Do I need a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to drive a Ram 5500?
In most cases, no, a CDL is not required just to drive a Ram 5500 chassis cab by itself. The Ram 5500’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is around 19,500 lbs, which is under the usual CDL threshold of 26,001 lbs for a single vehicle. However, if you attach a trailer and the combined weight (GCWR) exceeds 26,000 lbs (which is very possible with this truck when towing heavy), you might cross into CDL territory. Laws vary by state, but generally, if the GCWR (truck + trailer + load) is over 26,000 lbs, or if the trailer alone is over 10,000 lbs and the combined weight is over 26k, a CDL (Class A) could be required.