Abilene Motor Express....A New Place To Call Home

One thing I really like about Volvos is they back just my car. I remember a Mack that I drove you had to get up to around 700 before reverse would engage. Some times I would end up flying back and slamming the dock.

 

Why did they take the Freightliner away from you? If I may ask.

 

I had to give it back because it was an otr tractor. I had to run regional for 2 months to get some custody issues straight at home. I was in court about 3 times a month and had to do certain things on the weekends.

 

New to driving a big truck but have been in training on both Volvos and KW and was assigned a Volvo once done with training...

I prefer the Volvo as I feel the fit n finish is a bit better... Like when you pull the curtain around the front windshield it doesn't cover the heating/cooling vents like the KW does. If I leave it sitting for a few days over home time I know no one can open up the engine compartment as the hood release is in the cab. The controls are more "car like" as is the interior with like three times as many power outlets. I like the bed that pops up into a table (unsure if KW do or not) and a bigger fridge too.

From a driving point of view I too think their pulling power seems less aggressive on the hills but I modified my driving approach to use manual, higher RPMs, and being more aggressive on the hills and now it doesn't lug down like it does in automatic mode.

Now of course there are things that the KW has/does that is better than the Volvos... It feels and rides more like a "big truck" and seems geared differently so as not to need the manual shifting on hills, etc.

I am not "mechanically oriented" so any comparison on engines, transmissions, etc ... Ya, well... My opinion is useless.. LOL

 

Oh, YES!!! I came from driving with my last trainer who had a KW and he had changed the standard headlights to LED bulbs... All nice and white and bright... (Would even get flashed high beams from others from time to time)...

Jump ahead to my first night time driving in my assigned Volvo and I was swearing up a storm about the dim headlights on this Volvo.

LOL ... Ya, I would like to upgrade those darn dim headlights for sure!!!

 

I'm a Volvo fan. Except for the abysmally dim headlights. Wonder if LEDs can be substituted? It has all the storage space inside you will ever need. And I don't keep hitting my head when getting in/out or standing to go to the back like in the KW. And a bit more room to move inside. The table in the KW to me is just awkward. But I did like that the passenger seat swiveled so you didn't always have to be sitting on the bunk or if you kept the lower bunk set up as a table. The fridge is also bigger. And that is as important as the storage space because I cook 90% of my meals on the truck and hate having to stop every 2-3 days at a grocery store. As for the cascadias, well I like to ride with no air in my seat and got in one that a buddy got. Couldn't see over the dash! Made me feel like a kid playing like my trucker daddy! Less storage than the Volvo, but way more than the KW. Just my personal opinion. It's whatever works for you. At least they have 3 options!

Speaking of...did anyone see the pretty red Western Star truck on the yard? Brand new...and fueling the rumor mill that we are going to start getting them. No one seems to know (supposedly) where the truck came from or who it belongs to. Anyone know anything??? Inquiring minds ya know!!!!!!

 

Rb, did you say western star? Lmao.. I see those 16 volvos and Freightliners with damage on them with less than 100,000 miles. What since would it make to buy or lease a more expensive truck. And Jb, cmon man...a freightliner....throwaway truck? Think big company wise. The cheapest, anyone can work on them, and the one I had gets better fuel mileage than my 15 volvo does. I guess that goes to show everyone has their preference. I'm going to ask for a KW next time.

 

Yes saw the western star, boss man all the jones was outside taking a look at it going thru inside. dealer brought it down for demo for the office to take a look to see if they were intrested or not.

 

Was it a 5700xe?