Filter
Top Products
5 2008 Competitive Comparison
Dodge Ram 5500/
Sterling Bullet
» Competes against C5500
» Chassis cab version of Ram
pickup line
» 19,500 lb. GVWR only
» 6.7L Cummins I6 diesel only
» 2WD and 4WD
» Regular Cab and Quad Cab
» 4 WB for regular cab, 2 WB for
Quad Cab
» Coil spring front suspension
» Standard 6-speed manual,
optional 6-speed automatic
» Final information not available
until September 2007
• More available wheelbase
choices on Crew Cab, to meet
customer needs (4 vs. 2)
• Accommodate bodies to 24 ft.
in length, to meet customer
needs (only to 18 ft. on 5500)
• Higher max. GVWR (19,500 lb.
vs. 16,500 lb.) results in higher
payload capability — nearly
1500 lb. higher for base diesel-
equipped vehicles
• Tighter turning diameter (curb-
to-curb) for comparable cab-to-
axle (51.3 ft. vs. 54.2 ft. for
120 in. CA )
• Heavy-duty Allison 6-speed
overdrive automatic is standard
on C5500 with both engines.
Allison transmission is well-
known for durability vs. option-
al Aisin 6-speed automatic
• Rugged taperleaf front springs
are durable, low-maintenance
and handle heavy loads. Dodge
uses 5-link coil-spring front
suspension
• Large, retractable mirrors add
to driver visibility (smaller mir-
rors on Ram 5500)
• Large, secure foot step eases
entry and exit, adds to safety
(Dodge only has optional step
bars)
• Exterior grab handle to assist
entry and exit (not available on
Dodge)
• Priority Access Service System
provides easy engine access
(limited engine access on
Dodge)
• Higher frame yield strength
(80,000 psi vs. 50,000 psi) and
higher frame RBM (610,400 lb.-
ft./in. vs. 257,500 lb.-ft./in. cal-
culated at rear of frame) for
durability in heavy use
• C5500 frame is full depth for
the entire load length, providing
strength for end-of-frame
equipment and body attach-
ment. Dodge frame uses weak-
er reduced depth behind cab
• Available air seats for driver and
front passenger add comfort for
all-day work, plus work-center
console provides needed stor-
age room for vocational use
(Ram has no air seat options)
• Available commercial-grade gas
engine offers low cost, easy
fuel availability and simple serv-
ice (not available on Dodge)
• Oil life monitor reminds drivers
of service needs, contributing
to a long life (not available on
Dodge)
• Longer service interval helps
reduce maintenance costs
(Up to 10,000 mi. between oil
changes vs. 5000 mi. max. for
Dodge)
• More available cab storage,
with door-sill storage boxes and
storage under passenger seat
• Much shorter BBC (105 in. vs.
122.9 in.) contributes to greater
maneuverability and longer CA
for any given wheelbase
Ford F-550 Super Duty
» Competes against C5500
» Chassis cab version of Super
Duty pickup line
» Updated front-end styling for
2008 model year
» 17,950 lb. GVWR standard
» 19,000 lb. GVWR available on
164 and 200 in. WB
» 6.8L V10 gas or new 6.4L
PowerStroke V8 diesel
» 325 hp/600 lb.-ft. of torque
from 6.4L diesel
» 2WD and 4WD
» Regular cab, extended cab and
crew cab
» 4 WB for regular cab,
1 WB for extended cab,
2 WB for crew cab
» 3 trim levels available
• More available wheelbase
choices, helps meet customer
needs (7 vs. 4 for regular cab)
• Accommodate bodies to 24 ft.
in length, for greater utility
(only to 18 ft. on F-550)
• Electronically controlled 4WD
for easier operation (manual
control for Ford)
• C5500 4WD can climb 15-inch
step. Ford F-550 4WD can’t
• Higher GVWR supports higher
payload capabilities (18,000,
19,500, 22,000 or 26,000 lb.
vs. 17,950 lb. on all Ford
wheelbases, or 19,000 on only
2 wheelbases)
• Tighter turning diameter (curb-
to-curb) for comparable cab-to-
axle (51.3 ft./188 in. WB vs.
54.8 ft./201 in. WB)
• Rugged taperleaf front suspen-
sion vs coil springs with lead-
ing links, contributes to
durability
• 5.6-inch wider front axle width
for handling stability
• Priority Access Service System
provides easy engine access
(limited engine access on F-550
Super Duty)
• Large foot step eases entry and
exit, adds to safety (vs. F-550
with 27 in. step to door sill)
• Large, retractable cowl-mount-
ed mirrors add to driver visibili-
ty (small, foldaway camper-
style mirrors on F-550)
• Higher frame yield strength
(80,000 psi vs. 36,000 psi) and
higher RBM (610,400 lb.-ft./in.
vs. 363,600 lb.-ft./in.) for dura-
bility in heavy use
• Better in-cab storage, with
door-sill storage boxes and
storage under passenger seat
(Ford has no door-sill boxes or
storage under passenger seat
• Heavy-duty Allison 6-speed
overdrive automatic is standard
on C5500 with both engines.
Ford 5-speed overdrive auto-
matic on diesel adds $1480
• Allison automatic transmission
enables diesel torque up to 620
lb.-ft. vs. Ford’s maximum
diesel torque of 570 lb.-ft.
• Available air seats for driver and
front passenger add comfort for
all-day work (F-550 has no air
seat options)
• Available exhaust brake vs. NA
for Ford F-550
• Exterior grab handle to assist
entry and exit (not available on
F-550)
• Separate battery box provides
easier access to up to 3 batter-
ies (F-550 has one battery
under the hood and a second
frame mounted)
• Oil life monitor reminds drivers
of service needs, contributing
to a long life (not available on
Ford)
• Better visibility contributes to
safety and ease of use (Sight
line to ground 13 ft. for C5500,
13 ft. better than Ford F-550)
• 3-point cab mount with avail-
able Hystec mounts (Ford has
4-point mount for less vibration
control, no Hystec mounts
available)
• C5500 has medium-duty truck
design instrument panel with
room for upfitter switches.
F-550 has light-duty truck
instrument panel with only 4
auxiliary switches available
C5500 Advantages over Dodge Ram 5500/Sterling Bullet
C5500 Advantages over Ford F-550 Super Duty
3500 model shown