Volvo or International

Drove both while I worked there. Prostar was my truck of choice. More room and far better ride. Didn't seem to have as much power as the Volvo though.

 

International Tow Star's break too much. Give me a volvo anyday. Easier to back up and turn too.

 

That quote only applies if it is powered by a Volvo engine, if it's powered by a Cummins or Detroit, any shop can work on it.

 

They started buying Internationals after I left 6 yrs ago, but as a Express driver I drove FL Centurys, Pete Classics (short & long nose) and Volvos.

I really got to appreciate the Volvo's tight turning radius including this one example:

I was unloading at a customer in Albuquerque who only had 2 docks---1 for local daycabs and the other for sleeper trucks---the bldg layout limited access to the daycab door, There were 3 sleeper trucks in front of me but the daycab door was open. I asked the dock mgr if I could unload at the daycab door if I could get my rig in---he said OK but was skeptical!

After many short pull-ups I got it in w/only 4 ft between my Volvo front end and the bordering chain link fence in front of me, while straddling some old RR tracks that my drives had a hard time getting a bite on.

Had several customers in the L.A. area where the Volvo made life easier in docking....

 

I can tell you that it's been my experience that the volvo motors spend less time in the shop than the cummins, thus making it cheaper in the long run. While I have driven a DD15 equipped Cascadia my experience with them is much too limited to evaluate compared to the other two.

 

The Volvo seems to be a more reliable truck. The International Max Force engines have a lot of issues with the EGR systems on them and tend to spend more time in the shop. The Volvo does have a much better turning radius and will out pull an International.

Funny to be saying this since I'm driving an international, but, I chose it for the comfort. Simply put.... the Volvos aren't really designed for tall people and the seat killed my back.

 

I've driven only Volvos and sat in the prostar but seen many back in the same docks as I have. Yes the Volvo sleeper is smaller compared to the others, but the maneuverability is superb. I'll take that any day to the roominess of the prostars sleeper. Just pack light in the Volvo and you'll be okay.

KH