Does anyone run an FL60 for towing?

Just looking for some experienced opinions. Was looking at newer diesel pickups and the prices are rediculous. I came across a freight liner FL60 with 190,000 miles 5.9 Cummins with an Eaton 5 speed in it. 1 owner since new in 96. Used by a burial vault company for deliveries max load was under 4000lbs of vaults on each deliver so not anywhere near heavily loaded. Thinking about getting it to tow a 24’ horse/stock trailer for my draft horses. I could buy the truck and have it setup for gooseneck hauling for around 7k. Seems like a lot better deal than a 1 ton. Any thoughts good or bad?

Will expand a little, does this one have hydraulic or air brakes? If is the lighter package with hydraulic could be a nuisance as many sub components of those hydraulic systems are becoming obsolete. If air and most likely is will out last any machine otherwise can be bought. The 5.9 may be a little weak HP wise but with the heavier differential and lower gearing to make up for tire height the engine and five speed should deliver quite well.

They were tough little trucks, are you going to be able to keep it under 26,000 lbs with your setup?
I keep toying with the idea of taking a 24/26’ box straight truck and putting a 16’ box and building a toterhome.
It would outlast my tractor show days and the hotel savings would cover a lot of the fuel bill.
You’d have a solid heavy chassis, huge brakes, strong tires, everything a new one ton is loosing more of every year!

Very nice trucks indeed

A few weeks ago I went by the sale barn on sale day. I was surprised at how many big trucks were hooked to goose neck stock trailers and how few new 3/4 and one tons.

have a few friends that have them, they have never given them any problems so far. don't shorten it up or you'll hate the ride, it'll shake you to death. the price is right, they go for a lot more than that around here. I've been looking for a 4-door one for pulling my fifth wheel, but the prices have been way to high yet. they are nice trucks!

I had a 95 Ford F800 with a hydraulic beavertail flatbed that I built  for hauling tractors, it had a 5.9 Cummins with a Eaton 6 speed, 225HP, great truck, down side was it had hydraulic brakes, but I never had any problems with them. The 5 speed you mention concerns me, I often wished for 7 or 9, the 6 speed was OK, but hill country made me want a couple more gears in there. 12 MPG loaded or empty, and top speed of about 68 MPH. I had a buddy with  an International of about the same vintage, converted Ryder truck to a toterhome, 466 power with a 5 speed, he pulled a tandem dual gooseneck with about the same load I would put on the Ford, 12 MPG, but hills on the Interstate saw him in 3rd or 4th gear with the hazards on. Unhook the trailer and the thing topped out at about 85. The moral of the story is check the gearing, not just the gearbox, but more importantly the rearend, especially if you only have a 5 speed to work with. The good thing about the 5.9 Cummins is the ability to up the power significantly with off the shelf components, the DT 466, not so much, without big money.