Volvo VNL 670, some questions

I have yet to drive one but know a lot of drivers like them. My friend commented they drive like a Cadallac. Many big companies like Swift, Watkins Shepard, DeBoer trans use them.

Hunter

 

It's a nice truck. Has a short wheelbase, so it is very manuverable, yet it rides nice and smooth. The biggest problem with them is that they have a very complicated electrical system, that is prone to developing problems.

Other than that, the only other major complaint centers around the air horn being activated by a car-like horn button, in the center of the airbag equipped steering wheel (instead of a lanyard-There are two small buttons on the wheel for the city horn). If you sometimes do your logs behind the wheel (like yours truly), you can set off the horn inadvertantly (making you REAL popular at 0300 in the truck stop!).

 

I drove two different 670's for a year and a half at PAM. Despite all the things I like about the truck (ride comfort, ergonomics, quietness in the cab and sleeper, and one of the most comfortable sleeper mattresses I've ever slept on), I would never buy one just because of the electrical problems I had with the two I drove.

 

Drove an 07 and an 06.
07 had cummins power--great power,smooth drive,very nimble steering-liked it alot...comfortable to live in as a solo driver(for me).Somehow a chemical(?)got on the bottom of both fuel tanks(alum) and eat them up.
Looked like welding splatter on bottom of tanks.L/S was easy replacement
but R/S was national back order-so had to turn in that one....

The 06 was a POS right out the gate...Spent the first 6 weekends broken down in various parts of the country, 3-4 days at a time(some form of fuel problem). Then the electrical problems start..Very nasty GREMLIN this one was..truck would die (shut off)at intermitant times,mostly the worst times and than 10 seconds or so later would restart like nothing was wrong...Volvo would not or could not fix and my company mechanics are mostly parts changers and did 0. also would not replace truck with differant truck...Try heading W/B 70 from Eisenhower tunnels to Glenwood Springs w/ 44,000 in the box and have it shut down... E ticket ride at Disneyland...
Still i do like the Volvo trucks

 

no, i meant that the pete will probably cost more when you purchase it, but it will be worth more when (and if) you decide to sell it. And the fuel mileage should be comparable to the volvo's.

 

Volvos ride is more suv like than a big truck and therefors has such a good rep. They screwed the pooch on the electrical system though (as others have mentioned). I think a big oart of the electrical problems comes from the wireing harness that pops through the floor behind the drivers seat. What were these techs smoking when they decided this?!

Many drivers (such as myself) have traditionally stored our tire thumpers, work and fuel gloves, and flashlight behind the drivers seat and now for fear of "damaging" these wires I cannot. Many of our drivers have had problems with this very issue.

The horn is an entirely different issue. Again the techs didnt realize drivers use the steering wheel as a desk for paperwork and inadvertently blow the horn creating unnecessary noise when drivers beside you are tryhing to sleep.

The good thing about the 670 is it has plenty of room to stand up in and many have a double bunk option which is nice.