You want your truck to do what you need it to do, when you need it to do it. Simple enough, right? Well... not always. There are times when your farm truck is underpowered or just can't carry the load. Too many times the farm truck is "just" transportation... not the piece of farm equipment you need it to be.

But what if it could be? What if you had the Ultimate Farm Truck that not only efficiently gets you from job to job, but also tows and carries heavy loads, powers implements and does it all in high-class comfort? How much more could you get done every day with a truck like that?

And the Ultimate Farm Truck should do what you want with something left in reserve... just in case you need it.  That's what the 2008 Dodge Ram 4500 and Ram 5500 Chassis Cabs offer.

Think of the latest developments in high-horsepower tractors and even in combines. The designs center on operator comfort and plenty of power to keep up with the demands of today's large-scale farmers and ranchers. New tractors feature "creature comforts" that reduce fatigue to help growers maximize their time in the field. And the new Class 4 and Class 5 Dodge Rams feature many of these comfort items to help keep you on task to finish jobs quicker with less fatigue to make your day more productive.

For many, comfort comes when they know they've got the power to get the job done. For them, the ultimate comfort item on the Ultimate Farm Truck is the Cummins® 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel engine that features 610-lb.-feet of torque. The reputation of the Cummins is excellent in the diesel market and this inline-6, liquid-cooled, turbocharged, intercooled, 409-cubic-inch power train delivers a comfortable 305 horsepower at 2,900 rpm. And that 610-lb.-feet torque comes at the low rev of just 1,600 rpm. All that contributes to great fuel economy -- and the 52-gallon-fuel tank stretches the haul and the work day allowing you to get more done every day.

And while you're filling up, top it off with cleaner-burning and farmer-friendly B5 biodiesel. The bio-mix helps reduce particulate and nitrogen oxide emissions to comply with 2007 heavy-duty diesel standards implemented in 2007. That means the Cummins 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel passes the test for commercial users. It doesn't matter if you're hauling grain from the field to your bin site, or to the best-bidding ethanol facility down the road, this is the ultimate power source for your farm truck.

But all that power doesn't mean a thing if the truck can't handle the load... and the new Dodge Rams can handle more of a load than ever before. The frame is commercial-grade, 50,000-psi rated steal. It provides maximum frame strength and reduces overall truck weight while maximizing the payload allowance. The rear suspension on both the two- and four-wheel-drive models is equipped with leaf springs, including standard two-stage springs as part of the spring design to increase load-carrying capacity. The commercial-grade frame and suspension add up to a maximum 16,500 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) for the 4500 and a maximum 19,500 GVWR on the 5500 model, when properly equipped.. The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) for both the 4500 and 5500 models is 26,000 pounds.

Once that load gets rolling, you've got to be able to easily and safely handle the load. Both two- and four-wheel-drive 4500 and 5500 models feature a recirculating ball system for an "on-center" feel when steering the trucks. Throw in standard solid-beam front and rear axels, a five-link coil-spring front suspension with beam axle, a front and rear link-type sway bar and heavy-duty tubular shock absorbers and not only will you feel safe and secure hauling and towing heavy loads, you will be safe and secure.

And when you get to where you're going, the standard four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock braking system will get you stopped. But this is no standard braking system. At 390 mm, the front brake rotor diameter is larger than Ford or GM Class 4 and 5 conventional chassis cab offerings. The Standard diesel exhaust brake system has class-leading front rotors and huge twin piston brake calipers (66 mm). Most importantly, you can be confident this braking system will stop the biggest loads, and give you a comfortable, safe and secure ride.

Power. Load size. Excellent braking system. So far, this truck is transforming from farm truck to farm equipment! But it takes a strong transmission to handle what this truck offers, and the available six-speed AISIN automatic or standard G-56 manual transmission has got it covered. With the automatic transmission, first gear comes at a powerful gear ratio of 3.74 (5.94 in manual) and you can barely notice a shift surge as it glides to a sixth-gear ratio of 0.63 (0.74 in the manual overdrive). In either automatic or manual, the Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs offer lower first-gear launch than Ford and GM class 4 and 5 conventional chassis cabs to provide excellent acceleration on take off.

Now lets move this truck closer to equipment. A 35-horsepower rated (maximum) Power Take Off (PTO) is available on both the automatic (passenger side) and manual (driver side) transmission models. How handy is that? That's the kind of feature that can save a trip back to the machine shed and a cold ride on the chore tractor back to the job site!

And the powerful frame on these trucks is built for more than hauling and handling. It's a versatile chassis that meets all cab-axle and industry upfitter specifications. Flat, "clean" frame rails with industry-standard 34-inch frame rail spacing accommodate almost any upfit application. All chassis components are below the frame surface to facilitate after-market upfits and bolt-on exhaust hanger brackets provide for even greater upfitter flexibility. Modifications are made easier by riveted cross-members behind the cab. Flat beds, bed-lifts, tool boxes, generators, another fuel tank -- these frames can handle just about any upfit you need to make your day more productive.

Okay... the power, hauling/towing capacity and versatility to easily add-on features makes the 2008 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs a really cool piece of farm equipment... and an awesome farm truck. But to make it the Ultimate Farm Truck, we have to consider comfort, safety and security. Dodge has the comfort side covered. The Quad Cabs® feature seating for six with folding rear seats and an optional floor section under those rear seats that adds some much-needed weather-proof storage. Easy to see and easy to navigate, the instrument panel sits on a wide center stack with plenty of cup holders for coffee and power jacks to keep cell phones charged. The seats are oversized and are available in "hose-it-off" vinyl up to high-grade leather trim.

On the safety and security side, nothing is left out. If a crash-safety feature is in a Dodge family van, it is of course included in these commercial-grade trucks: BeltAlert keeps you buckled-up; kid-locks keep the back doors locked; an advanced seat belt system; a steering wheel that will "give" on impact; anti-lock brakes; top-notch child seat latch systems; next generation multi-stage front air bags*... these trucks feature many safety and security systems, helping put the finishing touches on the Ultimate Farm Truck.

*Certified to the Federal Regulations that allow less forceful front air bags. Always use seat belts.