Should I buy a 5500

sbbtmatt · 11-25-2009, 11:05 AM

I am looking at getting a 5500 to replace a 2007 3500 and a 2001 GMC 6500. The 6500 is a little over kill for what we do (no power tho) and the 3500 could be a little heavier for some of the stuff we do. We haul boats, a lot of the stuff the 3500 does like nothing but when I start getting into pulling weights over 20k I get uncomfortable.

The most I will ever really be towing is a 7k pound trailer with a 15k load for any distance. Around town we will do up to 20k on the trailer (very rarely).

I know the 5500 has a GCW of only 26k. I have a feeling that is for CDL issues though. I mean the for F550 has a GCWR of 33k and its a Ford

**04SSHD** · 11-25-2009, 12:46 PM

4500 or 5500 would be a nice compromise. anything under 26k lbs GVW you can drive with a normal license. If you go 26001 lbs and over you need a CDL. I'm pretty sure F-450 and F550 would work but you can't get a Cummins in them. F-650 and up you can get a Cummins but you are pushing the CDL line especially if you are going to be towing heavy.

**Polaraco** · 11-25-2009, 03:11 PM

I agree

Just curious what part you are uncomfortable with?

The 45 and 5500 have a different trans and emission system than the pick ups. I believe the chasis is the same, but Colin might know better. They also have larger fuel tanks.

There are a few mods you can do to the rear suspension that help allot. Air Bags and a rear sway bar. Pretty inexpensive and easy installs. I pull some pretty nasty loads with a 2500, but never reach trailer weight of over 10K I have been grossed out at 21,000, truck and trailer.

sbbtmatt · 11-25-2009, 07:06 PM

I like the Ford trucks but am scared of the powerjoke. I like the 650 but I mine as well stick with my 6500. The CDL is not an issue I have one as do all of our employees. I just want to be safe pulling the weight we do. I really do not think it will be an issue as I do it with the 3500. It just can get a little scary with the 3500 at times.

sbbtmatt · 11-25-2009, 07:12 PM

put a flatbed on it or a pickup bed on it?

**04SSHD** · 11-25-2009, 07:40 PM

either way, what is more practical for you?

My 3500 is a C&C that's been converted back to a pickup. It can be done.

**Polaraco** · 11-25-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbbtmatt

I like the Ford trucks but am scared of the powerjoke. I like the 650 but I mine as well stick with my 6500. The CDL is not an issue I have one as do all of our employees. I just want to be safe pulling the weight we do. I really do not think it will be an issue as I do it with the 3500. It just can get a little scary with the 3500 at times.

Then instead of blowing off a bunch of bucks on a C & C, just put a rear sway bar and air bags on it. On board compressor is pretty inexpensive.

Levelers on the trailer help a great deal too. Especially with all the weight hanging over the back like it does on boats. I know I have hauled cars on my trailer backwards and it would get a bit squirly at time like you mentioned. The sway bar and air bags did the trick nicely.

sbbtmatt · 11-25-2009, 09:17 PM

i already have the air bags would the sway bars make that big of a difference

**Polaraco** · 11-25-2009, 09:19 PM

Sure will if you set it right. Mine need adjustment, but it's all good.

I mentioned in another one of your threads, you can come and take my truck for a smin if you want. I have both

Bring a boat if you want. . I don't give a shit. If you get the solution. . what the hell!

sbbtmatt · 11-25-2009, 10:04 PM

i might have to take you up on that what kind of adjusting did you need to do to the bars? how are they to install?

**Polaraco** · 11-25-2009, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbbtmatt

i might have to take you up on that what kind of adjusting did you need to do to the bars? how are they to install?

Takes about an hour or so on your back. Adjustment is simple, it requires a couple of 3/4 wrenches and it's right in the open. Doesn't interfear with the bags either.

Mine works better when I have a load so I need to tighten it for when I don't

sbbtmatt · 11-26-2009, 12:03 AM

we are almost always loaded so adjustment would not be needed?

jeremiah · 02-11-2010, 06:54 PM

5500 would be bad ass

eagerhauler · 02-21-2010, 06:08 AM

I run a 95 3500 with air bags and a sway bar with about 21k all the time. I have upgraded the brakes but other then that it pulls it around all day just fine. what makes you uncomfortable? Does the front end feel light with the weight at the back of the trailer? Or do you feel like you can't stop? If it is that you feel like you can't stop then upgrade the brakes and install an exhuast brake (the new one have them installed my 95 didn't added it myself) if you use it right it makes a world of difference when you are stopping.

johnboy2514 · 03-22-2010, 02:03 AM

I used to have a single wheel 04.5 3500 and I put add a leafs and air bags on it and I would carry loads of hay about 2k miles every month and we weighed about 33k, and i never had a problem with the truck. The truck carried it fine and I felt comfortable. I just recently went to the 5500 because we also have a 40' toy hauler and I felt more comfortable with my wife in the 5500. I dropped fuel miliage empty but stayed about the same with the loads. The c&c also has a flat bed which is nice for the toy hauler. And the larger fuel tank saves me from putting the extra fuel tank in the bed. The other nice thing about the 5500 is I did not have to spend the extra money in the bags, sway bars, leafs, and goose neck ball. My 04.5 had 175k hard miles on it and when it was time to get a new truck I went with the heavier truck to save money and give me comfort that I would be comfortable with my wife behind the wheel.

Ultimatly do what you feel comfortable with.

Also with smaller trailers and smaller weight keep in mind with the 5500 you litterly can't feel a trailer behind it. Power wise sure but sway and bumps in the road you wont even know a 7k trailer is behind that truck. You just can not feel it.

**diggerdave** · 06-13-2010, 04:25 AM

depends if you plan on working with it..jmo

a truck like that better be gettin paid lol

11-25-2009, 11:05 AM	#1
sbbtmatt Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 14	Should I buy a 5500 I am looking at getting a 5500 to replace a 2007 3500 and a 2001 GMC 6500. The 6500 is a little over kill for what we do (no power tho) and the 3500 could be a little heavier for some of the stuff we do. We haul boats, a lot of the stuff the 3500 does like nothing but when I start getting into pulling weights over 20k I get uncomfortable. The most I will ever really be towing is a 7k pound trailer with a 15k load for any distance. Around town we will do up to 20k on the trailer (very rarely). I know the 5500 has a GCW of only 26k. I have a feeling that is for CDL issues though. I mean the for F550 has a GCWR of 33k and its a Ford

11-25-2009, 12:46 PM	#2
04SSHD Administrator Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,242	Should I buy a 5500 4500 or 5500 would be a nice compromise. anything under 26k lbs GVW you can drive with a normal license. If you go 26001 lbs and over you need a CDL. I'm pretty sure F-450 and F550 would work but you can't get a Cummins in them. F-650 and up you can get a Cummins but you are pushing the CDL line especially if you are going to be towing heavy.

11-25-2009, 03:11 PM	#3
Polaraco Trying to stay #2 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Best state of Jorsey Posts: 5,984	Should I buy a 5500 I agree Just curious what part you are uncomfortable with? The 45 and 5500 have a different trans and emission system than the pick ups. I believe the chasis is the same, but Colin might know better. They also have larger fuel tanks. There are a few mods you can do to the rear suspension that help allot. Air Bags and a rear sway bar. Pretty inexpensive and easy installs. I pull some pretty nasty loads with a 2500, but never reach trailer weight of over 10K I have been grossed out at 21,000, truck and trailer.

11-25-2009, 07:06 PM	#4
sbbtmatt Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 14	Should I buy a 5500 I like the Ford trucks but am scared of the powerjoke. I like the 650 but I mine as well stick with my 6500. The CDL is not an issue I have one as do all of our employees. I just want to be safe pulling the weight we do. I really do not think it will be an issue as I do it with the 3500. It just can get a little scary with the 3500 at times.

11-25-2009, 07:12 PM	#5
sbbtmatt Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 14	Should I buy a 5500 put a flatbed on it or a pickup bed on it?

11-25-2009, 07:40 PM	#6
04SSHD Administrator Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,242	Should I buy a 5500 either way, what is more practical for you? My 3500 is a C&C that's been converted back to a pickup. It can be done.

11-25-2009, 09:17 PM	#8
sbbtmatt Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 14	Should I buy a 5500 i already have the air bags would the sway bars make that big of a difference

11-25-2009, 09:19 PM	#9
Polaraco Trying to stay #2 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Best state of Jorsey Posts: 5,984	Should I buy a 5500 Sure will if you set it right. Mine need adjustment, but it's all good. I mentioned in another one of your threads, you can come and take my truck for a smin if you want. I have both Bring a boat if you want. . I don't give a shit. If you get the solution. . what the hell!

11-25-2009, 10:04 PM	#10
sbbtmatt Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 14	Should I buy a 5500 i might have to take you up on that what kind of adjusting did you need to do to the bars? how are they to install?

11-26-2009, 12:03 AM	#12
sbbtmatt Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 14	Should I buy a 5500 we are almost always loaded so adjustment would not be needed?

02-11-2010, 06:54 PM	#13
jeremiah Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 187	Should I buy a 5500 5500 would be bad ass __________________ black 08 qcsb, black maxx , 4\" tbe,egr delete,cab lights, much better now

02-21-2010, 06:08 AM	#14
eagerhauler Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 70	Should I buy a 5500 I run a 95 3500 with air bags and a sway bar with about 21k all the time. I have upgraded the brakes but other then that it pulls it around all day just fine. what makes you uncomfortable? Does the front end feel light with the weight at the back of the trailer? Or do you feel like you can't stop? If it is that you feel like you can't stop then upgrade the brakes and install an exhuast brake (the new one have them installed my 95 didn't added it myself) if you use it right it makes a world of difference when you are stopping. __________________ 2008 Dodge Ram 2500HD, standard tranny w/ performance clutch, 5\" turbo back exhaust, smarty programmer

03-22-2010, 02:03 AM	#15
johnboy2514 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 4	Should I buy a 5500 I used to have a single wheel 04.5 3500 and I put add a leafs and air bags on it and I would carry loads of hay about 2k miles every month and we weighed about 33k, and i never had a problem with the truck. The truck carried it fine and I felt comfortable. I just recently went to the 5500 because we also have a 40' toy hauler and I felt more comfortable with my wife in the 5500. I dropped fuel miliage empty but stayed about the same with the loads. The c&c also has a flat bed which is nice for the toy hauler. And the larger fuel tank saves me from putting the extra fuel tank in the bed. The other nice thing about the 5500 is I did not have to spend the extra money in the bags, sway bars, leafs, and goose neck ball. My 04.5 had 175k hard miles on it and when it was time to get a new truck I went with the heavier truck to save money and give me comfort that I would be comfortable with my wife behind the wheel. Ultimatly do what you feel comfortable with. Also with smaller trailers and smaller weight keep in mind with the 5500 you litterly can't feel a trailer behind it. Power wise sure but sway and bumps in the road you wont even know a 7k trailer is behind that truck. You just can not feel it.

06-13-2010, 04:25 AM	#16
diggerdave MIA Administrator Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 105,383	Should I buy a 5500 depends if you plan on working with it..jmo a truck like that better be gettin paid lol

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