Looking at maybe ordering new Volvo's

Discussion in 'Volvo Forum' started by KANSAS TRANSIT, Apr 25, 2012.

  1. KANSAS TRANSIT

    KANSAS TRANSIT Road Train Member

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    D11, 405hp, I-shift, single rear axle, 630's looking for max fuel mileage, our average gross is NEVER over 50,000

    For you guys in the know, would you go with an air ride front axle or not?

    Was a little concerned about AR front axle on single axle truck (stability) but IF we buy these trucks we will be keeping them till the wheels fall off.

    With the way some of these roads are beating equipment to death I just thought going AR on the front might save some long term abuse on the truck, and the driver.

    Thoughts?
     
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  3. Pablo-UA

    Pablo-UA Road Train Member

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    what year? is it cabover FH/FM ore hoodie VN?

    D11 is a good engine but be sure to use low sulfur fuel, becouse in over 400 HP versions bad fuel damages valves (no this issue with 310-380 HP).

    D11 is like D9B with rear cam gears, small engine. In conv. trucks this engine is good with nice access to all parts.

    Front air suspention, especially with ECAS.... if it is trucktor - money for nothing, no reason (IMHO), no any advantage, just more smooth ride and longer leafsprong life.
     
  4. Mlaz Bogdanci

    Mlaz Bogdanci Light Load Member

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    air ride or no air ride very small difference like pablo says money for nothing plus you hit that pot hole going 65+ mph 2-3 times and you will have air leaks valves air bags etc.I would say keep it simple thats what i would do when i buy my next volvo
     
  5. AlbanyTrans

    AlbanyTrans Bobtail Member

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    Air ride in definately nice and smooth but there's more to go wrong. Volvo's springs have an 'S' shape to accomidate for the bag, they always break on the bend. Then the broken spring takes out the air bag. All in all they're nice trucks except for the cost of parts and they're a pain to work on. :biggrin_25513:
     
  6. larry2903

    larry2903 Heavy Load Member

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    Don't know if you have made your choice yet, but I do have the air bags on my steering axle on a 07 780 volvo. I can't comment on the ride without cause this is my first volvo, but i will be ordering a new one in about 6 months or so and my new one will have them. Have a friend just bought new 670 and he thinks maybe he should have put them on. Hope this helps.
     
  7. Pablo-UA

    Pablo-UA Road Train Member

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    steer axel air bags not so notisable on convenional trucks, becous cab is in the center of frame. Volvo Cabovers (FM, FH, FE) are all with front cab suspention on springs ore air bags, so cab ride is smooth anyway.

    Full air suspention is good for low frame trucks ore for BDF/20' container haulers, becouse of other weight distribution with heavy contener and they nee full air to remove containers with bars.
    [​IMG]

    so IMO, no reason to get full air suspention
     
  8. nutcase

    nutcase Light Load Member

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    I have 2007 780. Up until a couple weeks ago I would have said don't bother with the air ride front axle. But I had new shocks put on(probably the first time they were changed) and feel completely different now on the ride of the truck.:biggrin_255:
     
  9. LBZ

    LBZ Road Train Member

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    Do they have the same springs on both the air ride & the standard version or are they completely different set ups?
     
  10. KANSAS TRANSIT

    KANSAS TRANSIT Road Train Member

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    Actually guys I found a matched set (8) Freightliner Cascadia S/A with DD 13 Ultrashift 60" sleepers and pretty well loaded. I really couldn't pass up the deal, they were VERY close to what I was looking for in configuration, and the price was about half of new.

    Miles are in the mid 150,000 to a high of 227,000 We just put the first one on the road, so far, the truck is nice, but I am not thrilled with the mileage. As soon as it gets back here it will go in for a full checkout.

    Thanks for the reply's

    Stan
     
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