New truck-specialized application

Ok first off, notice that I am new to the forum so before you blast me for weird questions please keep that in mind!


Second I have been reading the forum for several days to get the "Lay of the land".

Third I have researched trucks and have a pretty good knowledge of engine types, trannys etc etc. However I was hoping to open a great discussion regarding my specific application and trucks with people who actually DRIVE and know the trucks better than anyone else! I have 2 friends who are Diesel truck mechanics and have made their recommendations but they aren't driving the trucks all over the world!

I am purchasing a truck to have a coach with a garage built. I am a professional dog handler, drive about 75,000 miles per year.

The manufacturer, suggests certain brands of course, mostly because they have the unit on their lots and ready to build on. They suggest no less than 450 hp.

I don't want to bias the discussion based on what has been suggested before so I won't mention that. Also I want a new truck so 2009-2011.

Ask any questions you want and make any suggestions you have!

Thank you SO MUCH !

 

No I really don't need MOTORHOME advise. We have had units for years, I could give some pretty stout advise in those forums. There is NO MOTORHOME on the market that can live up to our conditions or hardships. We drive sometimes 24 hours straight, we go through mountains, flatlands, all over the US and Canada. We decided to go this route (having a specialized unit build) after driving the wheels off 8 different Rvs. We don't want a "toy hauler", we want a professional, hard core, strong, tough, unit that withstands all that we do. These units take a CDL and a D.O.T #. Not really in the realm of anything RVers understand.

just to get this rolling we are looking at

Freightliner Columbia
Volvo [FONT=&quot]VNL 6300

No one seems to think that the price premium to upgrade to the Kenworth or Peterbuilt is worth it for this application.
I think I'd prefer a Detroit Diesel motor over the Cummins but perhaps you all can recommend different ideas.

Suggestions?

thanks!




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Don't need a toter home we aren't hauling a trailer. we need a garage and living quarters.

We probably aren't interested in used because we would like the warranty!

 

Thanks Flatbed but we already have a builder, they have definite ideas about the truck. Mostly because they STOCK certain trucks. We aren't interested in "stock" trucks unless we are sure they are what we want. They said they will build on ANY truck so we can decide. We checked out all the builders, reviewed their work, visited their factory and I am pretty sure we are set on one particular one. We have done all that ground work already. What we really need is to select a TRUCK. They have some 2009s still on their lot but again, just ones they have left over. Was hoping to get the perfect truck for our situation rather than just a "truck" they have left over on the lot.

 

GVW [FONT=&quot]35k - 40k[/FONT]

 

Volvo is my first choice so perhaps it would be a discussion topic?

I'll ask some direct questions regarding units

1) repair ability -best truck for getting it repaired and repaired fast. Nothing worse than sitting along side the road and realizing you can't get parts for a week. I got stuck at a Kenworth dealer in Little Rock waiting for a part for my frieghtliner only to find out it was 4 miles up the road and had I limped it 4 more miles I would have been out in an hour.

2) Best truck for Comfort-driving easy, instrumentation, control arrangement etc

3) best engine for quality, performance, mileage, rebuild-ability

4) best transmission for quality, performance, mileage, repair

5) HP recommendations. The builder suggests 450 minimum.


The builder has
[FONT=&quot]The 2009 Columbias (450 HP) (there are only 2 left) - are at $97,000

and (2) 2009 Volvos - 485 HP, priced at $102,000[/FONT]

the builder also said that Kenworth and Peterbuilt are not worth the extra money for this application? Agree or disagree?

My diesel mechanic friend said his ideal truck would be
Volvo truck ( would rather have a detroit diesel in it but not available)
475 ISX
Eaton Fuller 10 speed auto transmission

We hope to keep this unit long term, and likely to put 500,000 miles on it in 4-5 years.