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Old 10-18-2024, 10:27 AM   #1
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Ram 5500 vs Ford F-550 Questions

My wife and I are about ready to order a pickup truck or commercial truck to pull a NH fifth wheel - we have looked at both Ram and Ford seriously.


Question one: When I build a truck online, with Ford there is no choice for how long the frame is back of the truck, so I assume it probably 60 inches? When I build a Ram online, I can choose 60 inches or 84 inches. I think I recall someone said we need 84 inches?


Question two: The top trim levels are Ram Limited and Ford Lariat. It is hard to find a sales person who knows cab and chassis units well.


Question three: Does anyone know a good company to buy the flat boxes that can be painted to match the truck color?


Question four: Kelderman air suspension is the way to go, IMHO and also the steering stablizer they sell. Gary, I know you have Kelderman air suspension - any thoughts?


Thank you.


Kent in Nebraska
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Old 10-18-2024, 03:22 PM   #2
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Go to a truck dealer. Not a car lot 350 and below are not considered trucks per se. You are getting close to a Medium Duty which has many makers. And the sky is the limit for whatever accessories you want.
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Old 10-18-2024, 03:27 PM   #3
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What is a NH fifth wheel? NH????
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Old 10-18-2024, 03:53 PM   #4
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NH is New Horizons

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What is a NH fifth wheel? NH????

NH is New Horizons, in Junction City, Kansas
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Old 10-19-2024, 11:38 AM   #5
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I contacted two dealerships yesterday but only talked to one - one is one hour from us and the other is three hours away. He said to order one takes three to four months so that isn't too bad. Kelderman's is about four hours from us and they are about two months out, so I now how to figure out how to get everything done as soon as possible.
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Old 10-19-2024, 05:30 PM   #6
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That's a start!
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Old 10-20-2024, 10:55 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DrT7575 View Post
My wife and I are about ready to order a pickup truck or commercial truck to pull a NH fifth wheel - we have looked at both Ram and Ford seriously.


Question one: When I build a truck online, with Ford there is no choice for how long the frame is back of the truck, so I assume it probably 60 inches? When I build a Ram online, I can choose 60 inches or 84 inches. I think I recall someone said we need 84 inches?


Question two: The top trim levels are Ram Limited and Ford Lariat. It is hard to find a sales person who knows cab and chassis units well.


Question three: Does anyone know a good company to buy the flat boxes that can be painted to match the truck color?


Question four: Kelderman air suspension is the way to go, IMHO and also the steering stablizer they sell. Gary, I know you have Kelderman air suspension - any thoughts?


Thank you.


Kent in Nebraska
Have you considered an HDT?
For what you are going to pay for a new LGT, then add the boxes and air suspension you can get a much more truck, safety and comfort going with a used HDT and converting it.
You can also order one new and have it converted if your opposed to buying used.
RVHL
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Old 10-20-2024, 04:22 PM   #8
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Thank you - we have thought about it but decided not to do it

Palmeris,

Thank you very much. We have talked about but my wife of 49 plus years says she doe NOT want to drive a HDT or semi.

Again, thank you.

Blessings,

Kent & Kathy
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Old 10-21-2024, 04:53 AM   #9
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I understand. My wife of 43 years had the same exact response when we discussed the HDT requirement for the size of the 5ver we wanted.
After touring new horizons and spacecraft, we visited RVHL and she actually climbed into an HDT her mind was changed, and now we own one.
It is easy to drive, automated transmission, no clutch pedal, power steering as tight of a turning radius as our f450 if not more , same width as the f450 it's just longer and taller. What sold her was the visibility from being up higher being able to see over and ahead of everything in front of you. And she loves the interior, it's so convenient having the fridge, microwave and dinette on travel days, it's a mini rv .
Has your wife has actually been in one, rode and drove it and made an informed decision about not wanting to drive one ?
If so, full respect to your choices and best of luck to you both on your Ram or Ford purchase. There are days that we miss our f450 platinum, but they aren't travel days
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Old 10-21-2024, 09:24 AM   #10
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If you want a steel box look at Herrin Haulers in Rusk County, TX. They make great boxes. I do not know you "need" the longer deck but it will give you more room for storage, etc.
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Old 10-27-2024, 04:35 PM   #11
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Another comment?

I appreciate all of your suggestions and comments.

I have been talking to Ram and Ford dealers like crazy.

Ford can order a 2025 model now, but Ram will not let me order a 2025 model until January or February of 2025.

So, if we are able to get a Ford ordered now, we probably will. Not sure either company is making many changes for 2025 models.

Any thoughts?
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Old 10-28-2024, 08:38 AM   #12
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One change in 2025 Ram I forgot about

The 2025 Ram truck is supposedly going to have an eight speed transmission, replacing the six speed transmission. Ford F-550 has ten speed transmission.
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Old 10-28-2024, 08:54 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DrT7575 View Post
My wife and I are about ready to order a pickup truck or commercial truck to pull a NH fifth wheel - we have looked at both Ram and Ford seriously.


Question one: When I build a truck online, with Ford there is no choice for how long the frame is back of the truck, so I assume it probably 60 inches? When I build a Ram online, I can choose 60 inches or 84 inches. I think I recall someone said we need 84 inches?


Question two: The top trim levels are Ram Limited and Ford Lariat. It is hard to find a sales person who knows cab and chassis units well.


Question three: Does anyone know a good company to buy the flat boxes that can be painted to match the truck color?


Question four: Kelderman air suspension is the way to go, IMHO and also the steering stablizer they sell. Gary, I know you have Kelderman air suspension - any thoughts?


Thank you.


Kent in Nebraska
Check here:
https://classychassistrucks.com/
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Old 10-30-2024, 08:52 AM   #14
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Thank you

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Thank you for sending that link, but we are probably going to go with utilitybodywerks.com in Elkhart, Indiana.

Also, it appears that we more or less have to get a Ram truck - the Ford dealer talked to a Ford Rep on Monday, and the Ford Rep told the dealer guy that if the Kelderman suspension changes the height of the truck NOTHING including the Ford parts will be covered under Ford's warranty. Ram is saying no problem, will warrant everything except the parts we put on.
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