Ford F650... Will it do the job?

4k is a good price depending upon condition and mileage. In the end, it's cheap enough that it'll work and help you get set up. ( 4k truck, cheap trailer with wither no or minimal payment) You should be able to make it work if you have enough cash reserves. Also, for the trailer I recommend one with duals as oppsoed to singles.

 

There are many variables involved that I'm not going to take the time to give consideration to. I'm partial to Ram 3500s powered with the Cummins, pre DEF. Not sure if they brought out the 4500 before DEF, but I would consider those too. If I was going to go bigger than that, I'd go ahead and get a single axle class 8. You can buy used LTL sleeper trucks and daycabs cheap.

 

I have owned several Ford F650 with the Cummings motors and Allison transmissions. They were generally 2 car rollbacks the biggest problem I had was service ford blames Cummings. Cummins blames ford allison blames Cummings and nobody takes responsibility for anything. It was for underpowered in that application and I can only imagine will be worse with yours. Good luck

 

Exactly. Underpowered hauling just 2 cars with NO trailer. And people think a 53' trailer with 3 trucks on it is a good idea

 

The manual transmission will be fine, and nice to have if you find yourself running saluda grade or over into tennessee.The automatics were junk unless you upgrade and get an Built ATS tranny or swap in an Allison with a good tranny cooler but either way there you're looking at roughly $10k.and yea you're gonna pay more for the ram than you are for the 650. A lot more. Used to deal with a bunch of hot shot drivers in Georgia that had newer Rams and they were having trouble with the rear ends.
i don't know much about the 650's. maybe look into the freightliner M2? Not sure if they're any better.

 

M2 is less power and less reliable. F650 with the Cummins and Allison is the best you're going to find as far as medium dutys go. Still wouldn't have one lol