Spied: 2018 Ram 5500 Regular-Cab Dualie Long Bed
With all the attention the 2017 Ford Super Duty is getting (first introduced at the 2015 State Fair of Texas, it doesn't surprise us that Ram is looking to do something interesting. Our spy shooters sent us these photos along with their thoughts about what this interesting-looking Ram 5500 might mean for the heavy-duty market.
"Today's Ram 4500/5500 HD trucks are offered as only chassis-cab models, but we caught this Ram 5500 SLT truck testing with a modified dualie pickup truck bed. Are Ram product planners looking to add a new pickup truck variant to its 5500 range? In fact, the dualie truck bed, which appears to be from a 2007 Ram 3500, has been grafted aft of the regular-cab cabin.
"You can see that the fuel door on the old-school bed looks to be nonfunctional as a new fuel-filler receptacle has been mocked up into the rear portion of the fender flare where the larger auxiliary tank would be. On this test mule, the placement of the blue-capped urea filler and the green-capped diesel filler are consistent with their placement on current Cummins-powered Ram 5500 chassis-cab trucks.
"The chrome bumper has clearly been mocked up, with a makeshift diamond plate and brackets welded and bolted into place. The chassis-cab trucks reportedly don't have proper mounting points for the required truck bumper, so the rough treatment seen on this test truck makes sense.
"Ram originally toyed with the idea of a Ram 5500-based dualie pickup in 2012, with the Ram 5500 Long-Hauler concept, which went over the top with an 8-foot truck bed and a Mega Cab configuration. While the Long-Hauler concept was a truly mammoth creation, the test mule we see here is something more mainstream in terms of scale. One of the challenges of creating the Long-Hauler concept was reportedly in attaching the truck bed to the chassis-cab-based high-mounted ladder frame. Also, the wiring harnesses' looms reportedly need to be adapted for the combination we captured. Clearly, coming to market with a truck like this would take some effort.
"So is this Ram 5500 dualie pickup something with production intent? Is the Ram brand finally going to bring a more attainable, real-world version of the Long-Hauler concept to showrooms? Or is this just Ram's way of letting Ford know Ram won't sit still in the heavy-duty marketplace. This test mule suggests Ram is pretty serious, whether it's destined for the current-generation Ram HD or perhaps the next, likely due for the 2019 model year. We'll be on the lookout for more details and additional test mules."
KGP Photography images
Comments
At the very least it would allow Fiat to be more competitive in the "best in class" marketing strategies. Helping to counter what Ford has done with 450 and its configurations and availability.
Probably a smart move.
Ford's thunder can not be stolen. It can only be earned.
No doubt this could tow, but hauling could be a different story. The bed they used is from the gen 3 HD trucks that stopped in 2009. Could this particular bed hold up to the punishments the 5500 can throw into the bed? i.e. is the bed strong enough?
And I bet they sell it with the spare tire and a stereo in it to unlike Ford
Ford=Stripping trucks down so they can claim best in class, lol.
You call that thunder? Sounds like a blunder(Ford)
Maybe they should work on making their Super Duties actually hold some weight, he's F250 look like they're dragging their asses when you put a load on them.
If you're going to name something super duty, you should be able to hold the weight better.
Not only do they not support the weight as good but their payload ratings are low at least for Super Duty's.
Hahahahah LMAO!!!!!! If I were a ram engineer I would be trying to build a stronger cab so that ram truck owners wouldn't have their legs cut off in a 40 mph crash. There is only 1 MILITARY GRADE truck that has a good crash test rating, FORD FSUPERDUTY, HARDEST WORKING TRUCKS ON THE PLANET!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOH!!!!!!!!!!
Does this one crumble like foil when hitting a wall at 35 mph?
Probably. SMH.
Fords beer cans need a good crash test rating because they cant build a truck with good brakes.
Ford Super Duty. Often imitated but never and I mean never duplicated. Try hard as you can but the best never rest.
@Natethegreat
You have no idea what outcome to get from any crash test. Light car or truck will survive crash test against static ,solid barrier better than heavy one , with the same safety countermeasures. That's physics. Heavy truck against light truck or car is completely opposite . When heavy truck fails agains static, solid barrier, it will crush lighter truck even with better safety ratings.
Not to mention, non of you drive new aluminium F150, so be careful, what you are willing to hit with your truck and drive safely.
If I would need to choose which truck to sit in head on head collision, it would be this RAM 5500 with solid front axle and not aluminium F150, which wheel got out of the way like butter to the knife in small ofset crash test.
Why would anyone want to duplicate garbage.
Wow!! Regular cab, that is rare.
If you cant pass your crash tests you aren't crash worthy/as safe as a vehicle that does. Everything is relative. If a Ram 5500 runs into an M1 tank it will lose. The really good news neither is very common on US roads so the likelihood of being hit by either or being inside either is pretty remote. On the other hand you cant swing a dead cat without hitting 50 half ton trucks in the US... And when you spend more than 35K on a consumable asset the hurtles down the road at highway speeds easily a consumer demanding his product meet/exceed the highest current standards by gov and private crash testing is not unreasonable. For those that don't care... well its America and youre allowed to be dumb, cheap, misguided however you wanna be.
@Clint
None of the semitruck would pass small ofset crash test, but you know in which one I would rather be sitting in when in head on head collision.
I am not bashing ford. I am happy, they are the new crash test safety leader. It will push other manufacturers to get better as well and I am sure, that all of them are working on it.
Looks like s
POWER STEERING RECALLS.
FAILED CRASH TESTS.
BEND OVER.
RAM !
This is an obvious test mule we're looking at. Why assume they're building a 5500 with a bed? Makes zero sense.
Ram, Ford and GM need to do something with product development to respond to the sharply slowing US economy. Ram's gambit here in the HD realm is a micro market move.
It is more an irritant to Ford's marketing folks than it is a real response to the demands in the market for an HD in the Ram lineup.
Friday click bait? Maybe.
I doubt this is indicative of much- quick way to havfe something covering fenders, mount fuel fillers, lights, etc. The frame is still the slightly longer CC version with 60" Cab-axle.
@ugly Fords, where you been all theses years??? Gm and Ram have been trying to duplicate FORD for decades. FORD has been the leader everyone has followed and FORD always raises the bar just a little higher every time. But I will say that Gm doesn't really have a dog in this heavy duty fight. Ram outsells them!!!
Let Rams @$$ kicking commence. Continuing it's best in class H.D's.
Ford guys are the biggest cry babies..followed by GM & Mongolian Imports..
Every RAM article they mock Chrysler ,yet on a Ford article lets say 4/20 posts on a single Ford article slam Ford, Ford guys cry and say RAM guys are the worst for spamming ..
Yet evidence shows/proves Ford guys are the biggest spammers, cry babies because they know Dodge RAM are and were always the best !
Ford guys ,go shower, put clean clothing on, speak properly and sound somewhat educated at least a grade 5 level, as most Ford guys talk like pre schoolers....And stop with the idiotic comments...As one said isn't that a 2009 bed does it handle the weight omg,wake up its a mixed/matched prototype truck this is what they do and every manufacturer does...
Dr.Power: What about all the Ford guys that are laughing? Enjoy your 3rd place truck.
Won't matter what ram does, ford will just add their magic spring dust, no need to enhance anything else.
Dr.Power: What about all the Ford guys that are laughing? Enjoy your 3rd place truck.
Posted by: redbloodedxy | May 13, 2016 3:44:06 PM
Funny, Ram is class leading. Fords chasing a moving target.
Ford #1 Cheep fleet
Ford#1 Recalls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoxB6t2Cav4
Ram Trucks | Heavy Duty & 1500 | America's Longest-Lasting Pickups!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMzZsVT93Ek
Ford has Chevy covered in H.D. Ram has them all covered. Step up to a class leading Ram, Americas longest lasting truck.
Dr.Power: What about all the Ford guys that are laughing? Enjoy your 3rd place truck.
Posted by: redbloodedxy | May 13, 2016 3:44:06 PM
I'm enjoying my Class leading Prospector. Goes places Ford trucks can only imaging going.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e--OQqvzmiA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff0YphyHoXo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVtezE7v1Io
Shake and Bake Ford boys!
Ford has Chevy covered in H.D. Ram has them all covered. Step up to a class leading Ram, Americas longest lasting truck.
Posted by: HEMI V8 | May 13, 2016 4:21:15 PM
LMAO, your rock is waiting for you to crawl back under it.
Ford what it's work, I just saw a Superduty drive by with both rear bumper corners cut out and steps fabbed up in the openings.
GM inspiration at work once again.
Id be mad too frank. Ford is sucking like never before. I bet I could drag your ford off road and still out perform fords 4x4's.
Shake and bake!
Ford Engine Fires!!!!!!
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/f150_fires.htm
Step up to a class leading Ram, Americas longest lasting truck.
Posted by: HEMI V8 | May 13, 2016 4:21:15 PM
LMAO, your rock is waiting for you to crawl back under it.
Fiat-Rams are not long lasting and their dealerships and service is the worst! It's nothing personal Hemi V8 but this is why I stay away from Chryslers, Jeeps and Rams.
Frank hows That Ford treating you. lol
http://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/F-250/1999/recalls/
Fiat-Rams are not long lasting and their dealerships and service is the worst! It's nothing personal Hemi V8 but this is why I stay away from Chryslers, Jeeps and Rams.
Posted by: Dave Z. | May 13, 2016 4:45:22 PM
Good for you. My Ford burnt to the ground from one of its millions of FIRE RECALLS!!!! You can have them even if they were class leading which they aint, soooo. On my second Ram wont own any other brand especially the Flaming FORD brand.
I had a Dodge Van that caught on Fire within the Engine Dog House, it was a 381cu, and had an Intake Leak.
It was a Dog, so I let it burn.
Like Rage Against the Machine Says....
Burn, Burn, yes your Gonna Burn, Burn Burn, Yes your gonna Burn.
it was a 318,
Yep. My family had a Ram with an oil leak and our Chrysler mini van had problems and electrical problems galore. Most reliable is hog wash from fanboyz.
Also, forgot a Dodge Stratus that had many problems. Chryslers have been the worst for us.
Hemi V8's "problem free" Ram also had a major transfer case gear oil leak.
Hemi V8's "problem free" Ram also had a major transfer case gear oil leak.
Posted by: Dave Z. | May 13, 2016 5:15:11 PM
You don't have the money for a gasket? lol
Looks like something only FIAT could dream up
Continuing its long legacy of FIRES!!!! Ford Super Dooty,
http://www.leftlanenews.com/2016-ford-super-duty-burns-to-the-ground-during-testing.html
AHahahaha look at that twerp Hemi V8 posting articles from 2014.
Dude, you're like the lamest TRVLL of them all, behind johnny dildoe,
There is no reason to buy a Ram truck. Rather than give reasons for buying a truck, all its CEO and fanbois mostly do is attack other brands. "Nobody asked for aluminum," and "I smoked in my Mustang and it caught fire in the 1980s so all Fords are bad." Also, look around at who drives Ram trucks - most are losers and immature.
http://www.customduallytruckaccessories.com/images/truck-nutz-dodge.jpg
Still a FIAT and GM and FORD said hell no to a merger
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Consumer Complaints & Reviews
phil of Greenfield, IN on Jan. 12, 2016
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☆☆☆☆★
About six months ago around midnight my 2001 Ford truck caught on fire in the engine compartment and the fire was caught by our security camera. The next day the fire inspector informed me that there was a recall that was not performed on the truck and the defect was a switch under the hood that caused engine fires. I contacted Ford several times. Each time they said "you will receive a letter within 15 days." Well it's been months and nothing has been done by Ford?? I believe that Ford should have paid me for the loss of the truck.
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Victor of Norwalk, CA on Nov. 3, 2015
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11/02/15 My family and I had just came from a store at around 6pm, truck showed no signs of misuse or damage for I have had this truck for more than 10 years with no serious problems. We parked our truck at our apartment complex again with no signs of anything that could have triggered a fire. At 11:30 pm our neighbors had notified us that our truck was on fire. The fire department arrived about 20 minutes into the fire leaving the truck completely nonexistent. The fire department told us the fire had started in the engine. I've never heard of some kind of recall in these models of trucks, Ford company should be responsible for all these damages.
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Jon of Ca, CA on Sept. 15, 2015
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Purchased a new Ford F-150 on 6/27/2015 from HemBorg Ford in Norco, Ca. External fan came on a few times as soon as the truck was started while we moved the truck in and out of our shop and would not shut off unless we turn engine off and restarted truck. On September 1 after picking the truck up from getting the decals the battery light came on. The following day I made a phone call up to our local mechanic to see if he could check out why the battery light was on since they are a half mile from where I lived. Pulled the truck out of the shop and let it run for about 30 minutes while I cleaned it to see if maybe the light was on because the truck had been sitting in the shop. I then got in the truck and drove off.
It is about 12 miles from our shop to the local mechanic shop but after getting on the freeway the Sync system notified me. I was going to lose power to some electric powered features or something of that sort. It didn't repeat it. It only said it once so I can't remember exactly. I turned off the radio and air thinking maybe it's a low battery issue. A few minutes later all the indicator lights came on and the truck lost power. I looked in my mirror to get over and to my horror I saw smoke pouring out from under the truck out the back. As soon as I pulled over the smoke was coming out from under the hood as well as flames were starting to come out too. I popped the hood and jumped out looking for my fire extinguisher and in panic could locate it. I ran to the front of the truck and tried to unlatch the hood, but the smoke and flames were pouring out.
A guy ran up and started with his fire extinguisher, but we couldn't get the flames down enough to get the hood opened. By the time the fire department got there, the front tires caught fire and blew into the field which started a 5-acre fire which did slightly damage some decks on a few homes. The fire dept didn't put any water on the truck because they were trying to save these people's homes and I watched in horror. The truck and all our equipment burn to the ground. Some people say why didn't we bring it in when the external fan came on but honestly most people would have even noticed it. I know because we own 9 Fords between our business and personal but since the truck was only at our shop and not in service yet it would be brought in before it was ready to go into service the Ford dealer.
I would have brought it to was father then my local mechanic so it wouldn't have made it either way. I am beside myself with this. Did the fan keep coming on because the computer was telling the truck something was hot? Why did the battery light come on (I did take a picture of the dash when I was pulling into the shop after we picked it up from getting decals and it shows the light on. Please help.
Don't need a Ford or Chevy truck. They don't make a capable enough 4x4 truck for my needs. Their is only one combat proven Power Wagon the grand father to all 4x4 trucks. Ram the only choice for me.
GUTS
G
LORAM
Y
Business | Thu Mar 31, 2016 10:17am EDT
Ford issues three recalls, including one that led to two fires
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ford-recall-idUSKCN0WX1VL
Ford Motor Co (F.N) said on Thursday it will conduct three separate safety recalls including one of sport-utility vehicles with a defective engine heater that led to two fires in Canada, in which no one was injured.
About 48,000 vehicles are affected by the three recalls, Ford said.
Two under-the-hood fires in Lincoln MKCs caused by overheating block heaters were reported to Ford in Canada leading to the recall of 5,536 SUVs in that country and in the United States. Affected are 2016 model year Ford Explorers and Lincoln MKCs from the 2015 and 2016 model years.
"The engine block design, coupled with the particular block heater installed in these vehicles, causes the unit to be susceptible to overheating when the vehicle is parked and the block heater is plugged in –increasing the risk of an underhood fire," Ford said.
Ford said it will replace heaters in the affected vehicles with an updated version.
Heating blocks are standard equipment only in cold-weather areas, which means most of the affected vehicles are in Canada, where 3,993 vehicles will be recalled. Another 1,543 will be recalled in the United States and its territories, Ford said.
Ford said it was not aware how significant the damage was to the two MKCs involved in the fires.
Separately, Ford will recall 38,000 model year 2015 and 2016 low-roof Ford Transit vans to inspect and adjust side-curtain air bags that may be incorrectly positioned in some vehicles. The lion's share of those vehicles, 98 percent, are in the United States.
Ford said it is not aware of any crashes or injuries linked to this recall.
Thirdly, Ford said it would recall about 4,800 heavy trucks F-650 and F-750 to replace parking brake connector clips. Ford said it is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this defect that affects certain 2015 and 2016 model year big trucks.
HEMI V8 RAM - I admire your continual Fiat support, the biggest looser brand that builds the most unsafe truck with the worst crash test results & reliability track record (I'm speaking from direct personal experience with my own vehicles, close friends & families plus company vehicles).
So stop making yourself look more idioctic by grabbing straws to put down other brands when we all know your pos junk truck is becoming obsolute soon if Sergio cannot find another sucker compnay (or GOVT) to bail them out...again...how many times now?!
Otherwise dude, get a life & move away from that screen - life is short - you should try driving different brands of trucks & you might surprise yourself:-)
Must be a ford lover. Reading is not your strong suite. Take your own advise.
F ormer
O wner
R ecomends
D odge
I've owned the rest now drive the best RAM.
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