Ram Heavy Hauler Concept Truck

[MACK C-85]

Wow!! What a beast....The Long-Hauler boasts a 197.4-inch wheelbase, an overall length of 24 feet, a curb weight of a staggering 9,300 lbs and a gross combined weight rating of 37,500 lbs.

But, I don't know about those $700 fill-ups, though!!

Ram’s Long-Hauler Concept truck couldn’t be more appropriately named

Mack

[mainah]

That is obscene.

[Sunline Fan]

It isn't really that much different than a F-450. Just a little longer.

The fillups aren't a big deal, it's just a really big tank. Probably doesn't get much different mileage than a SRW 3/4 ton. But with a tank capacity that large, it can go a LONG way, which is nice. Stock up on the fuel when it's cheap somewhere that way.

I think if they had a choice to get a regular cab and a custom sleeper between that and the bed, it would be a really popular choice for hauler truck drivers that haul new trailers from the factories to the dealers.

Only other thing it could use is some sort of tool boxes in that extension part.

[mainah]

I saw a GM thing of some sort (4 door pickup on steroids) that had a back seat that electrically slid froward into a day bed complete with a 32" TV/DVR 4 wheel drive and tall enough to need a step ladder to get in! It was for sure a special towing truck for some thing really big. Guess you can rack up some miles with 2 or 3 drivers. I have been told some of the race car trailer/campers are as big as 53' don't think I'd move that with my Tacoma.

[Sunline Fan]

The professional haulers who take new campers from the manufacturers to the dealers are a special breed. I can't say I ever saw one before until I worked in Elkhart just over a year ago. They basically take a standard pickup, stretch the frame a couple feet, and then stick this big box in there between the cab and pickup bed. It's just about big enough to lay down in and have a little storage underneath. These kind of trucks were all around Elkhart and they were SRW, DRW, crew cab, single cab, basically anything. Saw all three brands too, so it wasn't just one that specialized in this type. Every single one looked like it had tons of miles on it too, which it isn't uncommon for a hauler truck to have 400k on it easy.

Some RV manufacturers allow the drivers to sleep in the new trailer for the night like at a truck stop, but many do not, so they have this instead to avoid a hotel. On a cross country trip from Elkhart to California, etc. that would take like three or four days and then that many to return, the savings add up quick.

[MACK C-85]

It isn't really that much different than a F-450. Just a little longer.

Jon: This is based on the RAM 5500 which is a little heavier than the F-450, the RAM 4500 is equivilant to the F-450.

The fillups aren't a big deal, it's just a really big tank.

Yeah, if I read it right it's actually 3 tanks for that capacity, the stock tank, an additional under the bed tank, and an in the bed auxillary tank. You can see the in-bed tank in the pictures.

They basically take a standard pickup, stretch the frame a couple feet, and then stick this big box in there between the cab and pickup bed. It's just about big enough to lay down in and have a little storage underneath. These kind of trucks were all around Elkhart and they were SRW, DRW, crew cab, single cab, basically anything. Saw all three brands too, so it wasn't just one that specialized in this type.

I've seen all types of trucks CONVERTED into these haulers, including my brother-in-laws beast:


What's cool about this is a manufacturer is looking at offering one ready to go from the factory.

The professional haulers who take new campers from the manufacturers to the dealers are a special breed.

In my job as a project manager for the DoD, I worked on a huge roof replacement project a couple of years ago. Almost all of the insulation panels were hauled in on 35' to 40' gooseneck flatbeds pulled by 1-ton pick-ups. Maybe 1 load in 10 came in on a "regular" tractor-trailer flatbed. In talking to the drivers they said that these rigs were popular in that application because of the light weight of the materials, and the lower initial costs, higher fuel mileage, and lower insurance costs vs. a regular tractor.

Mack