The snow is finally melting enough for me to go and pick up my F-600. I was going to tow it back, but I am starting to think maybe I should just drive it. Be about 450 miles back.

What I don't know is what kind of gas mileage to expect. It has a 272 2 barrel carb with a 5 speed transmission. It also has that compressor on the back. He said it had low miles and he did drive it home on the free way when he bought it.

I'm a little anxious about driving it back on the freeway for my first time with it. But towing it back might not be much easier.

Anyone know what kind of gas mileage I can expect? At 450 miles, it makes a difference on what I do.

Thanks

 

Howdy,

It would really depend on how much it actually weighs, does it have the 2 speed axle (5.83:1 high range?) what tires (8.25-20's probably?)

What kind of shape is the engine in........Is it an OD 5 speed? Is it a flat drive, freeway etc?

I fully expect to get somewhere around 12-15 with mine in top gear when empty on a flat road at 60 mph. But I'm going to turn about 2100 rpm in OD and high (rear axle) range.
Empty I'll weigh about 7500 lbs.

You are going to weigh probably 3000lbs more with that generator on the back.


I think you'll be lucky to get 10mpg.


Cheers,


Rick

btw, if you do drive it take a handheld GPS to get accurate speed and distance and post your results!!

 

10,000 lbs?

Well crap, I don't know if I'll be able to tow it then. Can anyone confirm the F-600 standard weight?

It does have a 2 speed rear end, but a lot of it I don't know yet. It's 450 miles from where I'm at and I've been awaiting the snow to melt.

 

Shoot, if it works and drives, and you feel it is mechanically safe to drive, just drive it home. Make sure you get some snacks and coffee, and take your time driving it home, and don't push it to hard since it is your first time driving it a long way.

 

Man this is going to be a long, long trip. Not like the thing has a stereo, ha. About 6-7 hours to get there at normal speeds, probably 10 hours of driving on the way back. Least I'd get to know it before I brought it home, ha.

So we going to take pools on how many deer I hit then? ha...

 

If you hit a deer......The deer will be smashed for sure....10,000 lbs does alot of damge at 55.

I took my vanbox off my 56 F600 Thursday, and on the scale it weighed 9700. Now it should be around 6000.
The rear-end is really lightnow....and needs some weight.

I have tow-dollied my f600 but only around 20 miles....with a awd astro.....no problem.
If you drive ......check all fluids and go through the gears good,and make sure the rear end shiftss into high and back to low.
My big truck gets 12-17 mpg.....and should get 17 now my box is off.
If money is a big concern......have a buddy with a big 3/4 or 1 ton follow you with a tow-bar and drive as best and as far as you can......then tow-bar it the rest of the trip.
If you need any help........make sure you take tools and a radio......haha!!!
I drove mine today.....and wow the looks I get....Bill

 

I get 10mpg average at 50 mph in mine. if you do drive it check the condition of all the fluids before driving that far. Engine oil, trans and rear diff fluids ect. When I picked my truck up for the first time I hauled it on the back of a 25 ft trailer and pulled it with a 3/4 ton truck no problems. I of course relize you may not have hat luxury but it might beat getting stranded on the side of the road. If you have a blowout good luck finding a tire shop to work on the wheels. Just a few things to think about

 

Yeh, check the tires too (& pressure).. how long has it been sitting?

sam

 

I have been on many of these excursions. My son bought a 54F900 dump truck last
fall. Tare wt. on that truck is 13,900lbs. My rig is a 54 F800 with a 5yr old 25 ton
Eager Beaver Trailer. I told the kid, you got a credit card ? Anyways we planned
this trip to stay off the hyway= expressways. I know this takes longer, but If somthing
happens on an expressway you got big problems. Old Murphys law. State Troopers,get
towed etc. Anyways it was a nice Sunday senic tour, and 50miles from home, there
goes my air pressure quickly pulling in a vacant gas station. No its not my 55 yr old
truck its my reletivly new trailer emerg. air line. There ya go new vs old. Plastic air
lines. I brought my tool box, always carring brass fittings. The kid fixed it and off we
go. Imagine fixing that with cars going 70 by then the trooper comes and tows the
whole rig. That costs far more than fuel. Seven tanks of fuel, a father & son
vacation and he got his truck. If you drive it grease all U joints bring tool box.
Credit card - tow it take the drive shaft off. I know about being exited to get it but
have a long talk with yourself, as to drive, to tow, or go the extra and have
somebody get it. Gas is the last thing I would think about. I write this to really help
you get it. Remember Murphys law and a truck being entombed for x knows and
making it play football before it gets some exercise will be (I dont know)
Sam

 

oil, coolant, gas can, grease, tools, rags, points, plugs, wiring, plug wires, fittings, hoses, compressor, and LOTS of patience will get you home. make sure tires are not dry rotted to the point of no return. should be fun, and educational. take pictures. i wish i got 10-15 mpg with my truck. no way! maybe 7. and i can't go over 40!!! good luck.

 

My 53 F600 gets 8-10 mpg......loaded or empty, doesn't seem to matter. It has a 390 in it, so thats typical. As for weight, about 7200# with flatbed and hoist. If you drive it, don't forget to check the brakes! Good Luck, T/M

 

Yeah I think I'm going to try to tow it. Probably nothing would go wrong but right now it would be one more stress on a pile of many. To be honest it would probably add a day to the trip just to check everything I need to!

Any advice on towing? I'm going to have to take the outside duallys off for it to fit. We MIGHT be able to get a larger trailer but that would add weight to an already over-weight tow. Hitch pull, ~05 F-150.

 

IMO, I wouldn't dream of trying to tow it with anything smaller than a 1 ton truck. 2 ton would be even better. You also may want to check the weight rating of the trailer. If you could remove the steel bed and compressor, you could get the weight down to 5-6000 pounds......a little more managable. T/M