Howdy,

Has anyone here drivein the F 650??
If so how does it drive? Did it have air ride or spring?
And whats your over all opinion of the truck?

Thanks
Gr8ride

 

What year? I've driven a 68 F-600.

 

Oops forgot to add that part, I'm looking for a 2002 and up F 650.

Thanks
Gr8ride.

 

I haven't driven the 2002's but I have put quite a few miles on a '99. My cousin bought it new for use at his lumberyard. It's a real nice single axle truck, 6spd., Cummins diesel. Plenty of power and gears, with more than enough legs for highway deliveries. It rides really well, closer to an SD than the old style SA or TA trucks, but it will still handle a pretty impressive sized load.

The only problem he's had with the truck is the hydraulic brake system. It's given him a fair bit of trouble, and IMHO isn't nearly as good as an air brake system, even when it's functioning at 100%.

He went hydraulic because it was supposed to be easier to maintain, and because you don't require anything beyond a standard driver's license to operate the truck. If he had it to do over again he'd go air brakes in a heart beat.

Also, the small Cat diesel was available, I can't remember the exact model number, but if it were me, I'd spring for it. IMHO they're just better engines. I prefer their power delivery, and you get better resale on the truck.

If I were you, I'd go out a drive a few different SA's before you settle on one, the new Sterling/Freightliners and the Internationals are also good trucks for the money.

Bottom line is the Fords are real nice trucks, and you just can't beat the price.

Just my $.02,

Waxy

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Waxy
[B]Also, the small Cat diesel was available, I can't remember the exact model number, but if it were me, I'd spring for it. IMHO they're just better engines. I prefer their power delivery, and you get better resale on the truck.

I think you're talking about the 3126 Cat. That's mostly what's in those size trucks w/Cat Diesels.

 

The Cat Diesel available is the 3126B, which I think would be my choice. I thought that Cat was usually cheaper than Cummins too, maybe that's just in the big trucks when your talking 430+hp. Also, I never thought that hydraulic brakes are easier to maintain than air brakes. If hydraulic brakes were better they would be used in the Class 8 trucks also. I would go with air brakes, even though you would need a commercial license to drive it, it is rather easy to get. As to the original question, I haven't drove a newer F-650, but they look like they could be nice to run. I guess it depends on your budget, but I would also look at International and Freightliner as mentioned by Waxy. I myself like the new looks of those two company's smaller trucks. Then the 2004 F-650 is pretty sweet looking too

 

If I remember correctly, in North Carolina, you don't need a CDL unless the truck is a tandem axle, or registered as commercial, or if the truck is single axle hauling propane gas/hazardous materials. My father has a C70 with a Cat 3208 Diesel single axle dump truck w/ airbrakes, and it does not require a CDL, but it has Commercial-Farm Tags on it, which means you can only drive it within 150 miles of your farm. If it had regular Commercial tags on it, yes, then you would have to have a CDL to drive it. Also on this size (medium duty) truck, when the safety inspection's due, it can be done by either the state or the feds, we chose the state to do it.

 

FordRancher and MW95F250, dead on guys, the option was to go with the 3126 Cat, but it was pricey, like $2000 more. The general rule of thumb, here anyway, is that you pay a pretty good premium for ALL things Cat, but that in the end, it's worth it.

In Canada, you only need a special diver's license if the truck is a T/A, (class 3A or 1A) BUT, you need a special endorsement (A) to operate a vehicle with air brakes. It takes a day's course, about a one hour test with the DMV, and $100 to get it. He was trying to avoid having to put all his guys through that course.

As for the hydrualic brakes being easier to maintain, the theory was that they don't require daily attention. They should be as trouble free as the ones on any SD, but IMHO, all medium duty S/A trucks should be running air brakes.

Air brakes do require more daily maintenance. With an air brake system the tanks have to be drained daily, the brakes have to be adjusted on a regular basis, and there is always the compressor to think about. My cousin didn't like the idea of trusting some of the flunkies he has working there to not only do this maintenance, but do it properly, and simply doesn't have the time to do it himself.

Take your time, if you have it, and shop around, it'll pay off.

Waxy

 

I went to the Ford website last night and looked and the cat engine is considerably more, but worth it in my opinion. Nothing against the other two, I just like Cat better. I was basing my info on some specs my dad got last year when he was thinking of getting a new haytruck. I think the Cummins engine was 4-6 thousand more than the Cat, but the C12 Cat might not have been able to have the power upped like the Cummins N14. Of course the cummins was bigger too. As far as airbrakes, the daily maintance isn't that hard. If you have a flatbed the airtanks are easy to get to and you just open the valve at the end of the day, and if you forget it isn't that big of a deal in the warm weather, of course in the winter it'll cause your lines to freeze though. Also, I thought anymore self addressing air breaks were standard, and if not I think they are easier to adjust than hydralic breaks.

Here in S.D. you need a CDL if you are over 26,000 GVW or haul hazardous materials or have air brakes. If you are a Farm truck you don't need a CDL if you stay within 150 miles of home and haul your own product. That goes for tractor trailers even. When I took my test I think it was so much for the general knowledge test then $5 for each endoresment. I think it cost me under $30 to get a Class A with Tank and Hazmat endorsements. The driving test was a different story, about $125 and I provided the truck, but the instructor did drive 70 Miles to my location. There is a set rate they can charge but then milage is up to their discretion.

I guess this is off the topic but thought I'd share my experiences, even if they are few.

 

Howdy again,

Thanks for all the reply’s, I didn't know that you had to get a CDL for air brakes. I will have to find out what Texas requires for air brakes. Don't they make a system that drains the air tanks automatically?? I know you can get a system like that for the air compressor in your shop. I am thinking about getting the F 650 or International 4300 low profile, and maybe a 35' to 40' gooseneck trailer. My plan is to go around and pickup and deliver just about anything anytime anywhere in the Dallas Fort Worth and central Texas area just so long it fits on my trailer and is less than 10 Tons.
As for the engine, I was already sold on the cat, I have always liked the cat engines. I was thinking about getting the 230 hp but that 250 hp sounds real good to me. Do any of you have any thoughts on the DT 466 international engine?

Hey which company name sounds better, Richard's Heavy Haul or RBS Trucking?? (The last one is just my initials)

Thanks
Gr8ride