Getting my first truck need help with right specification.

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Lukee_chgo, Mar 28, 2015.

  1. Lukee_chgo

    Lukee_chgo Bobtail Member

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    Hi I'm on a market or 2010 or newer Volvo truck with Cummins ISX engine.
    I'll be driving almost all 48 states mostly Carolinas and Virginias.
    I'm looking for right specification of HP and Ratio.
    Today I was looking at 2012 Volvo 670 with Cummins ISX SM (smart torque) 500HP 1650/1850 torque 3.36 ratio 22,5LP wheels. Is this combination is enough for hills ?
     
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  3. uncleal13

    uncleal13 Road Train Member

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    Horsepower determines how fast you go up a hill, torque determines if you get up a hill at all.
    Certainly not a problem, with that tire size and rears it would behave about the same as a truck with 11R24.5 tires and 3.73 rears, which I used to have in a 1998 Century with a Detroit 430 hp / 1450 torque and I thought it was fine. Heck a 350 hp would do what you want if you have a little more time to get there.
     
  4. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    Your fine..... Hope it's not white tho .
     
    OOwannaBE Thanks this.
  5. Starboyjim

    Starboyjim Road Train Member

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    I am with Uncle, Lukee. 500hp is a little excessive unless you plan on heavy hauls most of the time. Plenty of hills in Carolina and a ton of low, annoying hills in WV, true. Even then, you'll have to feed those ponies every mile. I liked the Volvo D13 I drove, I like the 670, good truck. (some have issues with the front air bags, but I'm a soft driver so I mostly enjoyed the smooth ride and incredible handling). Cummins good, Detroit is good, don't know about the newer Cat engines, but all of them will provide plenty of power/torque. To me it's more about the condition of the engine and drivetrain.
     
  6. Starboyjim

    Starboyjim Road Train Member

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    Buying any truck is a gamble, new or used. Do as much as you can to get a true understanding of the condition of any truck you're serious about, including a test drive pulling some weight. Don't rush into anything. See if you can talk to the former owner/s. My $.02. Best.
     
  7. dannythetrucker

    dannythetrucker Road Train Member

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    What transmission ? It's nice to have at least 13sp.

    As far as rear end ratio, there are calculators based on final drive in trans, rear end ratio, and tire size. But in practical terms sometimes it's easier to take it for a spin and see what rpm in top gear at 60, 65, 70 whatever your desired cruising speed.
     
  8. Frghter Century 12.7 Detr

    Frghter Century 12.7 Detr Light Load Member

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    My advice to you and I'm not being negative is, DO NOT BUY THAT TRUCK WITH THAT CUMMINS ENGINE! You will regret it. Volvo have a lot of problems today. They are not the old good Volvos. Get you a truck with a Detroit 455-500 hp.
     
  9. Bean Jr.

    Bean Jr. Road Train Member

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    If he wants a 13 year old truck. Once Daimler bought Detroit, you can't get them in anything but a freightliner or western star.
     
  10. J&S Trucking

    J&S Trucking Bobtail Member

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    My advice is to get a pre aftertreatment truck if your not going to run California. They are a massive headache and a money pit because once you have an issue there is no way to pin point the problem without a costly time expensive diagnosis and even then it is and educated guess at best. Stay away from anything that requires def and or regeneration if at all possible. There is no right answer as to what engine is best. Everyone has their favorite. Mine happens to be Caterpillar. If it aint Yellow i dont want it... that being said im buying a detroit currently and the only issues im having are with the def system. Pulling flats getting between 5.75 and 6.99 per gallon depending on load and area. Once this truck is paid down some im going back to my pre emission Cat.
     
  11. Lukee_chgo

    Lukee_chgo Bobtail Member

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    Forgot to mention its Eaton Fuller 13 SPD transmition. I know DPF become a problem thats why I'm gonna remove all DPF system. I know people who did it and they getting better milage and more power. The reason I'm asking if this truck have enough power beacouse I was driving company trucks 2003 Volvo 670 pre EGR ISX 500hp 3:55 and 2007 Volvo 670 ISX 475hp and they was pulling like a crazy now I'm on company 2015 Volvo 670 ISX 500hp 13spd 3:42 its 20k mikes now and its not like old truck. Its huge different when going up hill I have to droop 2 gears or somethimes more.
     
    dannythetrucker Thanks this.
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