Manoli Katakis 
Overlanding is big business these days with humble roots. What used to be a simple off-roading niche made up of people driving around old Toyotas in the middle of the desert has flourished to attract big budget clientele with aftermarket projects and builds eclipsing seven figures. The team at Mopar has recognized this off-the-grid lifestyle, and for the 2019 SEMA Show, created the 2020 Ram 1500 Rebel EcoDiesel OTG Concept, fitted with everything an adventurer might need, sans a toilet.
We at MC&T understand that most half-ton pickup truck mods slant towards the high performance pre-runner/baja scene, and not many of them go for the slow pace and wanderlust of overlanding. That essentially changes with the implementation of diesel engines in the segment, which is what makes the 2020 Ram 1500 Rebel EcoDiesel such a fitting platform to showcase a plethora of overland products. It reflects a real-world build that somebody would actually construct for an adventure into the great unknown. However, Mopar wouldn’t specifically price out the OTG concept for us, being that some of its components were prototype parts. However, one needs not to look far to come up with an estimate, thanks to all the high-end name brands fitted to the diesel pickup truck.
A Yakima tent supported on a scaffolding provides shelter for nights in the great outdoors, while the truck bed fitted with Ram’s multifunction tailgate features a prototype bed rail system that stows a battery-powered Dometic fridge and a Dometic gas stove system, also prototypes for the US market. A sink with an on-board water system completes the outdoor kitchen setup.
To add supplementary power, the 2020 Ram 1500 Rebel EcoDiesel OTG Concept is fitted with a retractable solar panel, storing energy into a backup power supply, which can reduce the need for either running the diesel engine or bringing a heavy, cumbersome and loud gas generator along for the ride. an on-board air compressor is fitted into the truck bed as well.
Concept/prototype parts on the 2020 Ram 1500 Rebel EcoDiesel OTG are everywhere. There’s a concept hide-away bed step in the rear makes loading and unloading easier. Up front is a concept front bumper with integrated winch, a larger grille with flow-through R-A-M badging and a functional snorkel air intake in the likely event of needing to ford a river. Front- and rear-wheel flares and step assist rock rails have been installed to protect the vehicle while negotiating obstacles. Meanwhile, a concept rear bumper from the Ram 1500 Tradesman is fitted to the back, because it improves the departure angle of the truck by relocating the exhaust. Also adding to the off-road chops is a concept two-inch lift kit, beadlock wheels, and 35-inch Goodyear tires. Total fuel range is maxed out thanks to an optional 33-gallon tank.
Should the adventure go sour, and there’s a need for recovery and extraction, the OTG is equipped with an integrated front-bumper winch, traction mats attached to the rack system and a high-lift jack for uneven ground mounted on the top of the cab. To make the dark campsite brighter while night camping, LED off-road driving lamps are mounted on the front bumper. Also, supplemental LED backup lamps have been incorporated into the rear bumper and task lighting has been attached to the rear rack system for nighttime campsite illumination.
The 2020 Ram 1500 Rebel EcoDiesel OTG Concept will be on display at Mopar’s 15,000 square-foot exhibit at the 2019 SEMA Show next week. For more, peep the photo gallery below.
