Volvo reviews or opinions

Funny you should mention a belt tensioner going out on you. Mine failed just last week but I was able to get the repairs done at the Petro in Carnesville (?) Ga. I believe they are no longer a Petro franchise but they still have the shop AND had 1 Volvo tensioner IN STOCK! It took an hour to switch it out and put a new belt on it. Cost was $415.00

Volvo's do have a pretty good rep for being tough and lasting longer than freightliners. I guess it all depends on the individual truck though. I know I have had pretty good luck with the Volvo's I have driven as far as being a quiet ride, maneuvering, and actual time on the road. The truck I drive spends (maybe) a week in the shop per year. This past year was a fluke due to the EGR having to be rebuilt but I attribute that to the parent company wanting to do the work themselves rather than let VOLVO do the work.

As far as lease purchase deals you may be shooting yourself in the foot. There are too many ways to fail and you are beholden to the carrier for your success. I think if you were really honest with yourself you would realize the money you make as a lease operator will be less over all than a company driver will earn turning the same amount of miles.

As a former lease purchase operator I can tell you the money is NOT there (after you factor out self employment taxes, truck payments, fuel, insurances, etc).

 

Thanks for bringing up the "T" word! I was all done paying $2k for my tags and was happy to still be able to afford a can of tuna for dinner when the guy said, "don't forget to file your 2290 within 30 days and enclose a check." I wasn't hungry anyway.

I have run the numbers inside and out. Factored in many scenarios. For the life of me, I can't see how a guy manages with truck payments much higher than $1200 a month. Admitedly, my model includes putting aside a healthy chunk for maintenance and I am considering $40k a year an acceptable personal income. I know that isn't enough for some but I just need to cover my mortgage and lights. Either way the lease purcase options just didn't add up for me.

Sorry, didn't intend to hijack the thread.

 

The 2010 may be different - better or worse - from what I've seen with mine. The main difference would be the emissions equipment, and what you plan to pull.

My experiences are as follows, with a 2005 780 - Cummins ISX at 475HP - 13 speed - 3.58 drives - 22.5LP's.

Bobtail: 1,000 mile trip in the last month - averaged 10.4mpg at 62mph - around 1,400rpm.

Deadhead: pulling a 42' Wilson Hopper Trailer (tarped): 8.6mpg at 64 to 66mph - close to 1,500rpm. Hopper trailers are like pulling a parachute, loaded or empty, yours may be higher.

Loaded to 79k: pulling the same hopper on winter fuel this past few weeks - 6.7mpg in the midwest with moderate/few hills at 62mph - 6.3mpg in the SouthEast running the hills at 70mph - around 1,550rpm (pulls better up there w/ less shifting + gives a real boost in travel time).

I'll be looking into a few things in the near future - turning up the power some - trying to remove the idle shutoff timer to idle at low instead of PTO high - having my driveline rebuilt and balanced - maybe diconnect that vampire EGR valve - and air charge cooler pressure checked. Hopefully those improvements will make it even better. I change my fuel filters early, use fuel treatment most of the time, keep my tires aired to 100psi and the steers at 105psi, and keep my tires in balance and rotated regularly.

It'd be great to hear what others are seeing for mpg without starting a new thread about it - this would be a great place for the info IMO. Thanks for the question!

 

I've seen no issues with the trans or engine so far - although you'll want to go with the -18913 trans to get the most out of the motor (1,850ft/lbs in the top gears). I've found good results with 3.58 drives and 22LPs on this setup.

As I've posted before, the only reason why anyone should change from the Cummins and 13, would be to save weight. That Cummins engine expands the service network to anything that uses Cummins power - such as Peterbilt shops, International, Cummins shops, and tons of independents - few would try to work on a Volvo (or stock parts).

The Volvo is a decent enough engine, but lacks the freight-train pulling power and jakes. A 13 speed is a great trans for keeping the engine in efficient power - I usually shift at 1,500 and drop to 1,250 into the next gear. 13 speeds also come in handy in moderate traffic, and descending hills to keep the jakes in their best rpm (1,700+ is some serious braking!).

 

This is a little OT, but my curiosity has got the better of me (again).

When did Volvo start building trucks?

History- particularly trucking history is a passion of mine.






To the OP: I have no experience with Volvo trucks and therefore no advice to give; good luck, and apologies for the thread hijack.

 

Emerson just go for it! in the end, your the one that has to live with your !

 

That would be our truck except for the 525 we are 500 and the 2010 emissions package we are 2007. Our fuel mileage average, all our loads are 40,000+ is 6.0, oh and Daddy drives like a bat out of hell. I doubt you'll be able to get much hands on advice on that 2010, yet. But maybe you can let us all know as that is our next truck.

 

Odd, we came out of Cascadia with DD-15 prior to our 780. It also had major electrical issues, four windshield leak repairs by freightliner dealers, starter replaced, the batteries drained constantly, no one could figure out why. But we did enjoy how it drove, like a big SUV.

Wouldn't go back for anything.

 

Heck yeah and Good luck!