I drive an F650 every day. Cat power 230 hp, 700 ft lbs, 7 spd. It is a good truck if you are working it every day. This setup would be no fun for a commuter, or pickup application. I suppose it would be better with an allison. I am very immpressed with its turning radius, it will out turn any pickup truck, I am sure even a standard cab short bed. I use it for a field service truck and it does a fine job at that, better then the f350 it replaced. The f350 weighed around 13,000 lbs field ready. I have not weighed the 650 yet, but it is probably around 16,000 lbs. These were both company supplied vehicles. I would not go back the the f350 except in one place... offroad the 350 would go anywere and it was twd with lsd. The f650 gets stuck on dry grass, on a slight incline. The braking between the 350 and 650 I would have to say is compariable. I never had tire problems, brake problems, spring problems or anything like that on the 350. I think everyone will agree that 13,000 on a pickup everyday is pretty heavy. That was just on the truck chassis, no trailer involved.
I will however keep my old 93 for the stuff I do on my own. Yeah I tow heavy. The f650 will get out of shape if you are not careful. Sure the 650 will probably handle better then the pickup does in an emergency situation, but how much better? In most peoples hands it won't handle much better.
IMHO some people should not drive a car let alone a rv. You could give some people an 650 with a lawn mower trailer behind it and the setup will still be unsafe. I am sure the 650 will last longer in a heavy application then a pickup. For me though when my 93 is paid for, does the job just fine, and only gets about 10,000 miles a year on it anymore. How can I afford to get an f650 to drive less then that? I know for sure I would drive an f650 truck less then I drive my pickup.
Michael