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Ram Long-Hauler prototype spotted testing, world about to get new largest pickup?

Jeffrey N. Ross — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 19:30:00 EST

In the past few months, Chrysler's Ram brand has gone from also-ran status behind Ford and General Motors to a class leader in many truck categories including fuel economy (25 miles per gallon highway) and towing (30,000-pound maximum capacity). Now, based off these spy shots recently taken, it looks like Ram is preparing to introduce the be all and end all of pickup trucks, with a production version of its leviathan 2011 Long-Hauler Concept.

Our spy shooters recently caught the two-year-old concept truck running around Auburn Hills, MI covered in stickers that would indicate the truck could be testing for a production model, and last we heard back in September, Chrysler has been trying to build a business case for the massive hauler. On the other hand, seeing as how the only changes made to this truck since it was first unveiled are a full factory tailgate and various Mopar accessories (mud flaps, exhaust finisher and bed step), it doesn't appear that any changes have been made that fit in with the recently announced 2013 Ram HD models.

As a refresher, the Long-Hauler rides on the 197.4-inch wheelbase of the Ram 5500 chassis - usually reserved for stake or box trucks - allowing it to combine the luxury of the Mega Cab with the cargo capability of an eight-foot bed and enough room in between to fit a 60-gallon reserve fuel tank. This, along with the 50-gallon, in-bed fuel tank and the truck's factory fuel tank means that the Long-Hauler has the ability to carry 162 gallons of diesel fuel - enough for one incredibly long haul.

Ram Long-Hauler prototype spotted testing, world about to get new largest pickup? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jan 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ram shows off Long-Hauler Concept in high resolution

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 02 May 2011 21:25:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Truck, Chrysler, Dodge

Ram Long-Hauler Concept truck - Click above for high-res image gallery

When Ram first showed off its new super-stretch Long-Hauler concept truck, we couldn't help but think those initial photos looked like they were shot with a first-generation iPhone sporting a greased-over camera lens. Now, however, Chrysler has been so kind as to bring in a professional who's pulled a few high-resolution images off their memory card.

We're assuming the photographer stood way back to capture the entire 24-foot-long, quad-cab pickup truck. It's called the Long-Hauler because it can carry enough fuel (170 gallons in total) to keep on truckin' for around 1,600 miles between fill-ups.

Want to see it for yourself? Chrysler is taking its new super-steed out to a few shows. Click past the jump to see if the Ram Long-Hauler Concept will be making a pit-stop near you. Also, click through the gallery to check out this titan-truck from a different few angles, including a shot of the interior.

Gallery: Ram Long-Hauler Concept truck

Continue reading Ram shows off Long-Hauler Concept in high resolution

Ram shows off Long-Hauler Concept in high resolution originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 May 2011 21:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ram Long-Hauler concept offers 1,600-mile range for epic road trips

Aaron Richardson — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Truck, Work, Dodge, Specialty

Ram Long-Hauler Concept - Click above for image gallery

Need a way to get yourself, four buddies and a whole lot of cargo across the country with the bare minimum of fuel stops? The Ram Long-Hauler Concept is your truck. The rig got a quiet coming-out party at the Mid-America Trucking Show, which was held March 31st through April 2nd in Louisville, Kentucky.

This behemoth of a tow rig sports a 197.7-inch wheelbase, or about as long as your average oil tanker. That much space means it has a full-size eight-foot bed and Ram's four-door MegaCab passenger compartment. In keeping with the oil tanker theme, the Long-Hauler has the capacity to hold an astonishing 162 gallons of diesel fuel, thanks to a 60-gallon auxiliary tank in the bed. That much fuel should give this thing enough range to cross the country in two fuel stops if you aren't too liberal with the throttle.

The Long-Hauler is based on the Ram 5500 commercial truck chassis cab, which comes with a 19,500-pound gross vehicle weight rating. Ram combines that with a self-leveling air suspension on all four corners, a dual-rear-wheel package, 19.5-inch Alcoa 10-lug wheels and an Allison six-speed automatic. Add it all up and you've got a gross vehicle weight rating of 37,500 pounds, which should be enough to handle whatever you throw this hauler's way. Doing the grunt work will be a 350-horsepower, 6.7-liter Cummins diesel inline six spitting out 650 pound-feet of twist.

The Ram Long-Hauler, should it make production, will be aimed at those who need enormous towing capacity and range, but don't want to step up to something like a Freightliner SportChassis just yet. There's still no word on a production timetable or what the truck might cost should it become available.

Gallery: Ram Long-Hauler Concept

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com | Images: Pickuptrucks.com]

Ram Long-Hauler concept offers 1,600-mile range for epic road trips originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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