Ram unveils a truck for the long haul

Need a bigger truck? How about one that you could literally drive for days? Then the Ram Long-Hauler maybe for you. Ram Truck is showcasing the Long-Hauler at select events this summer, starting this week at the Kentucky Derby in Louisville.

This 24-ft. “concept truck” includes a mega cab, 8-ft. bed, and the ability to hold up to 170 gals. of fuel at any given time. Bring your credit card when you fill this monster up.

Based on a Class 5 Ram 5500 chassis cab, the Long-Hauler includes a mid-ship fuel tank, a second frame-mounted tank, and an optional bed-mounted tank to bring the capacity to 170 gals. It has a 197.4 in. wheelbase with a 37,500 gross combined weight rating. It stands 79.1 in. tall and weighs in at 9,300 lbs.

Want power?

The Long-Hauler uses an inline 6-cyliner 6.7 liter high output Cummins Turbo Diesel rated at 800 lbs.-ft. of torque mated to a 6-speed Aisin AS68RC automatic transmission with four-wheel-drive transfer case coupled to a 4.88 Dana 110 axle with dual rear wheels.

A Kelderman air suspension front and rear with 19.5-in. Alcoa aluminum wheels provide the base. There is a self-leveling system on the suspension which includes a kneel feature. According to Ram, the ride qualities have more in common with a ¾-ton pickup rather than a Class 5 truck.

Figuring that the vehicle will be used by “race car teams, car haulers, RV owners, ranchers and rodeo competitors, boaters and commercial expediting operations,” the company has included a back-up camera to make hooking up a trailer to the fifth wheel even easier. A custom hitch-access tailgate allows easy hook-ups without the need to open or remove the entire tailgate.

The size is impressive enough, but what’s inside is equally spectacular. An upgraded NVH package cuts down on noise and vibration. Drivers will ride in style with the 2+2 leather seating and a high-comfort driver seat. For rear passengers, power-adjustable footrests and a rear center console that includes a refrigerator, cup holders, and tray tables, make riding in the back just a little bit easier.

There are both 115-volt and 12-volt outlets in the front and rear and the vehicle includes WiFi to allow for laptop usage while the truck is in motion. There is a laptop storage area as well.

For safety sake, Ram Truck includes a tire pressure monitoring system, rear axle temperature gauge, and exhaust gas temperature and boost gauges. There is also an overhead DVD player for passengers, and if you’re a little on the tired side, there is no need to keep driving, just fold flat the rear seats and console to create a nice resting area.

The Long-Hauler will be touring the country this summer to gauge public reaction. The vehicle will be at the following shows (appearances are tentative at this time, Ram Truck said):

- Turbo Diesel Register Rally, Columbus, Ind., June 10-11

- Rodeo Circuit, July/August

- Farm Progress Show, Decatur, Ill., Aug. 31-Sept. 2

-Husker Harvest, Grand Island, Neb., Sept. 13-15

-NTEA New Product Conference, Dearborn, Mich., Sept. 19

-Sunbelt Expo, Moultrie, Ga., Oct. 18-20

-National R.V. Show, Louisville, Ky., Nov. 29-Dec. 1