2026 Ram 5500 Chassis: What's in stock, trim-level comparison, FAQ's.

    Updated 2026-09-30
    Quick Answer

    The 2026 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab is a Class 5 commercial chassis cab rated at up to 19,500 lbs GVWR and sold as a bare frame ready for a service body, dump, flatbed, or wrecker. Two engines are offered: a standard 6.4L HEMI V8 with 375 horsepower and 429 lb-ft, and an available 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel with 360 horsepower and 800 lb-ft, both paired with a TorqueFlite HD 8-speed automatic in 4x2 or 4x4. A properly equipped diesel 4x4 tows up to 34,540 lbs on a 43,000-lb GCWR, gas trucks carry up to 12,370 lbs of payload, and adaptive cruise control with Forward Collision Warning Plus is standard. Swope Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has 1 Tradesman available right now.

    Ram 5500 Chassis Gallery1 photo

    2026 Ram 5500 Chassis Tradesman in Bright White Clearcoat
    TradesmanBright White Clearcoat

    Highlights of the 2026 RAM 5500 Chassis

    7 highlights
    • Up to 19,500 lbs GVWR, the top of Class 5, with a 13,500-lb rear axle rating and front axle ratings up to 7,250 lbs
    • Maximum towing of 34,540 lbs with the 6.7L Cummins diesel and 4x4, the only Ram Chassis Cab combination rated for a 43,000-lb GCWR
    • Maximum payload of 12,370 lbs with the 6.4L HEMI V8 in Regular Cab 4x2, 108-inch cab-to-axle form
    • New for 2026, the Cummins pairs with a TorqueFlite HD 8-speed automatic that replaces the previous Aisin 6-speed
    • Best-in-class available 2.4-kilowatt onboard power system, plus left- and right-side PTO access with split-shaft capability on the diesel
    • Four Regular Cab cab-to-axle lengths (60, 84, 108, and 120 inches) and fuel capacity up to 74 gallons with the dual-tank setup
    • 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty on 2026 retail purchases and leases, gas and diesel alike

    Trim-Level Comparison and Availability at Swope Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

    Compare available trim levels to find the right RAM 5500 Chassis for you. Pricing reflects current in-stock inventory.

    Compare trimsTrim1 trim · 1 in stockTradesman1 in stock
    Pricing
    Starting price$72,382
    Top price$72,382
    Powertrain
    Drivetrain4WD; Dual Rear Wheels
    Fuel optionsDiesel
    Engine6 Cyl, 6.7L
    Standard equipment · Safety & driver assistance
    Adaptive cruise control
    Forward collision-avoidance
    Rear occupant alert
    Standard equipment · Technology & infotainment
    In-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot
    Push-button start with proximity key
    Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
    Standard equipment · Comfort & convenience
    Memory driver seat & mirrors
    Standard equipment · Interior & exterior
    Front fog lamps
    Integrated trailer brake controller

    Inside the RAM 5500 Chassis

    Gas HEMI or Cummins diesel: how the two powertrains differ

    The standard 6.4L HEMI V8 makes 375 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque and keeps the purchase price down. It also carries the higher payload: because the V8 weighs less than the diesel, gas 5500s are rated up to 12,370 lbs versus 11,530 lbs for diesel trucks. The trade-off is combined weight, with gas models capped at a 28,500-lb GCWR and 21,230 lbs of towing. The available 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel makes 360 horsepower and 800 lb-ft and raises the ceiling to a 37,500-lb GCWR in 4x2 form and 43,000 lbs with 4x4, good for up to 34,540 lbs of towing. Both engines now use the TorqueFlite HD 8-speed automatic; for 2026 the diesel drops the old Aisin 6-speed, which improves shift quality and PTO integration. Wrecker, hotshot, and heavy-trailer work justifies the diesel. Dump, service, and municipal bodies that stay under 28,500 lbs combined usually pencil out better with the HEMI.

    Matching the cab and chassis to the upfit

    Every 5500 leaves the factory as a cab and bare frame, so plan the body first. Regular Cab trucks seat three and come in 60, 84, 108, and 120-inch cab-to-axle lengths, which covers most standard service, dump, flatbed, and wrecker bodies. Crew Cab trucks seat six but are limited to 60 and 84-inch cab-to-axle lengths. Both cabs offer 4x2 or 4x4 and two trims, Tradesman and Big Horn. Upfit-friendly hardware includes 50,000-psi steel frame rails that run clean behind the cab, left- and right-side PTO access with split-shaft capability on the diesel for running stationary equipment, a best-in-class available 2.4-kilowatt onboard power system for tools and job-site power, a relocatable center high-mounted stop lamp camera for tall bodies, and fuel capacity up to 74 gallons from a 52-gallon main tank plus 22-gallon auxiliary. A Heavy Duty Snow Plow Prep Group is available, and the cab can be optioned with a 12-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen with split-screen operation.

    How it compares with the Ram 4500 and 3500 Chassis Cab

    All three Ram chassis cabs share the same cabs, engines, and 8-speed automatic, so the choice comes down to ratings. The 3500 Chassis Cab tops out at 14,000 lbs GVWR, 7,710 lbs of payload, and 25,680 lbs of diesel towing on a 33,000-lb GCWR. The 4500 is rated to 16,500 lbs GVWR with up to 9,390 lbs of payload and 29,440 lbs of diesel towing on a 37,500-lb GCWR. The 5500 justifies its step up with a 13,500-lb rear axle, 19,500 lbs GVWR, payload to 12,370 lbs, and the lineup's only 43,000-lb GCWR, which unlocks 34,540 lbs of towing on diesel 4x4 trucks. If the finished body plus cargo will stay under 16,500 lbs gross, the 4500 does the same work for less money. Against the Ford F-550, Ford's high-output diesel posts bigger horsepower and torque numbers, while the Ram counters with the 8-speed diesel driveline, dual-side PTO, and a 10-year/100,000-mile retail powertrain warranty.

    Pros and Cons

    Pros
    • Highest ratings in the Ram Chassis Cab line: 19,500 lbs GVWR, 12,370 lbs of maximum payload, and 34,540 lbs of maximum towing
    • New TorqueFlite HD 8-speed automatic behind the Cummins improves shift quality and PTO integration over the old Aisin 6-speed
    • Job-site power built in: best-in-class available 2.4-kilowatt onboard power system and left- and right-side PTO with split-shaft mode
    • Standard adaptive cruise control and Forward Collision Warning Plus, still uncommon equipment in Class 5 trucks
    • Fuel capacity up to 74 gallons (52-gallon main plus 22-gallon auxiliary) for long routes between fill-ups
    • 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty covers retail buyers of both gas and diesel 2026 models
    • Four Regular Cab cab-to-axle lengths from 60 to 120 inches accept most standard bodies without frame modification
    Cons
    • The Cummins diesel carries a hefty premium: early 2026 diesel Tradesman listings run roughly $68,000 to $70,500 before any body is installed
    • The headline 34,540-lb tow rating requires the diesel with 4x4; 4x2 diesels are capped at a 37,500-lb GCWR, and gas trucks stop at 21,230 lbs of towing
    • No EPA fuel economy ratings exist for any version (trucks this heavy are exempt), and the 6.4L HEMI is thirsty under load, so budgeting fuel costs takes real-world fleet data
    • The trim ladder shrinks to Tradesman and Big Horn, so there is no leather-lined Laramie or Limited interior for owner-operators who spend all day in the cab
    • The 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty excludes fleet purchases and is non-transferable, which limits its value to larger commercial buyers and does nothing for resale

    New 2026 RAM 5500 Chassis Inventory at Swope Chrysler Dodge Jeep RamLive

    Current in-stock units at Swope Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Elizabethtown, KY with full specifications, pricing, and direct links to each vehicle's detail page.

    Total in stock1vehicle
    Price range$72,382
    Available powertrainsDiesel
    Last syncedSep 30, 2026 · 1:49 AM
    Showing 1 of 1 vehicles.
    VINStock #YearMakeModelTrimBodyPriceVDPMileageExteriorInteriorEngineDriveTransmissionFuelNew/UsedCPOCarfax AccidentCarfax 1-OwnerDoorsOptions
    3C7WRNEL6TG232380C264510102026Ram5500 ChassisTradesmanCrew Cab$72,382VDP14Bright White ClearcoatDiesel Gray/Black6 Cyl, 6.7L4WD; Dual Rear Wheels8-speed automaticDieselNewNoNoNo4
    77 features
    Cold Weather Group: Engine Block HeaterMOPAR Winter Front Grille CoverQuick Order Package 25A TradesmanTradesman Level 1 Equipment Group: Exterior Mirrors with Heating Element

    Frequently Asked Questions about the 2026 RAM 5500 Chassis

    Up to 34,540 lbs when properly equipped with the 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel and 4x4, which carries a 43,000-lb GCWR, the highest in the Ram Chassis Cab lineup. Diesel 4x2 trucks are rated on a 37,500-lb GCWR and tow up to about 29,380 lbs. Gas 6.4L HEMI models are rated on a 28,500-lb GCWR and tow up to 21,230 lbs. Exact ratings vary by cab style and cab-to-axle length, so check the rating for the specific configuration you order.
    The standard engine is a 6.4L HEMI V8 with 375 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque. The available 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel inline-6 makes 360 horsepower and 800 lb-ft. Both engines pair with a TorqueFlite HD 8-speed automatic with an electronic column shifter. 2026 is the first year the Cummins gets the 8-speed, replacing the previous Aisin 6-speed automatic.
    GVWR is 19,000 to 19,500 lbs depending on configuration, which puts the 5500 at the top of Class 5. Maximum payload is 12,370 lbs with the gas V8 (Regular Cab 4x2, 108-inch cab-to-axle) and up to 11,530 lbs with the diesel, which gives up some capacity to its own engine weight. Rear axle ratings reach 13,500 lbs and front axle ratings reach 7,250 lbs. Remember that the finished body counts against payload, so net cargo capacity depends on the upfit.
    Regular Cab trucks seat three across a single bench-style row; Crew Cab trucks seat six. Regular Cabs offer 60, 84, 108, and 120-inch cab-to-axle lengths, while Crew Cabs offer 60 and 84 inches. Every configuration is available in 4x2 or 4x4 and in two trims, Tradesman and Big Horn.
    There are no official figures: vehicles with a GVWR above 8,500 lbs are exempt from EPA fuel economy testing, so neither the gas nor the diesel 5500 carries an MPG rating. In commercial use, the Cummins diesel generally returns meaningfully better fuel economy than the 6.4L HEMI, especially when grossing heavy. Fuel capacity runs up to 74 gallons with the 52-gallon main tank plus the 22-gallon auxiliary tank, so range between fill-ups is long either way.
    2026 brings a major update. The Cummins diesel moves to a TorqueFlite HD 8-speed automatic (replacing the Aisin 6-speed), diesel 4x4 GCWR rises to 43,000 lbs for a 34,540-lb maximum tow rating, and a best-in-class available 2.4-kilowatt onboard power system is added. PTO capability expands to left- and right-side operation with split-shaft capability, adaptive cruise control becomes standard, a 12-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen with split-screen becomes available, and the trim lineup is consolidated to Tradesman and Big Horn.
    Retail purchases and leases of 2026 Ram trucks, including the 5500 Chassis Cab in both gas and diesel form, get a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty covering the engine, transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, differentials, and axles. Two catches for commercial buyers: fleet purchases are excluded, and the coverage is non-transferable, so a second owner falls back to the standard powertrain terms.
    Not for the truck alone: its 19,500-lb GVWR is below the 26,001-lb federal CDL threshold. Towing is where it gets complicated. A combination over 26,000 lbs GCWR with a trailer rated over 10,000 lbs generally requires a Class A CDL, and a diesel 5500 running near its 43,000-lb GCWR crosses that line easily. Some states offer farm or recreational exemptions, so confirm the rules where the truck will be registered and operated.