Tom Berg, Truck Editor
Ford has inserted a new F-600 model into its medium-duty lineup that, with a maximum GVWR of 22,000 pounds, is more capable than the popular F-550 but is trimmer than the heavier F-650.
“It has Class 6 capability in a Class 5 package,” said Mike Pruit, chief engineer for the SuperDuty series. “It answers a need that was not being met,” he said of Ford customers who have been forced to go to the larger F-650 but didn’t want to.
With the F-600, customers will have enough payload to carry all the tools they need to a job site without resorting to something heavier than what they need, he said. Operators of bucket trucks and roll-off tow vehicles in particular asked for the new model, but all vocations, including construction, will find uses for the new mid-sized truck.
Although the overall vehicle is the same size as an F-550, F-600 uses an upgraded driveline, brakes, and chassis components, as well as higher-weight-rated 19.5-inch tires and wheels to help it achieve a higher GVWR. The F-600 is rated 2,500 pounds higher than the F-550.
It will come with the new 7.3-liter gasoline or 6.7-liter PowerStroke diesel engine, both with a 10-speed automatic transmission newly available in the SuperDuty series, and with 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrains. The F-600 can be ordered in early 2020 and will be available in mid 2020.
