Cost of ownership with a Volvo

KB3MMX · Dec 28, 2015

Dang...Well put Dave !!

SuperDan Trucking · Mar 4, 2017

Heyyyyyy Dave! Many thanks for taking insightful time to get on here and enlighten. You obviously have more experience and skin in the game than I do, and I'd like to tap your knowledge.
I'm pretty dead set on getting a volvo, preferably 780. I have about 16k saved up for a truck. I have 1 year experience and just can't find a company that keeps me running and actually cares about MY bottom line. I have recently gotten my company started and only need to find a truck, insurance, and VOC3. I have almost 20k available on credit. Unfortunately, my credit union, largest in the world and best lender, found what I forgot: I have 4 medical disputes around $2k, and therefor won't lend me enough for a 2012 d13 with I shift around 40-50k.
I'm debating going with a 2000-2007 volvo around $10-20k, most averaging 700k-1.2m miles.
I'm looking to do coast to coast expedited dry and reefer ORRRRR staying local in Florida. I have a Co driver ready to team with me who's been driving around 15 years since the 90s.
My business plan pays he and I 50% split evenly, the other half going to fuel, maintenance, expenses, etc. He has no problem not getting paid the 1st month or so. (Great and trusting friend and the LAST thing I'll do is burn such a valuable asset).
Any insight would be GREATLY appreciated.
He and I also have a background in mechanics, car sales, and I have a limited background in engineering and plan on driving 10 years then finishing THAT degree. Again many thanks.

DaveLV said: ↑

Actually I am not the original poster. And truth being told I responded with over 30 years of experience in this business. I own a trucking company. I also work at a dealership as a principal. I am not nor have ever been a salesman. I do have a dual bachelor of science degree in 2 fields. Mechanical engineering and criminology from Kansas State university in Manhattan KS. The fleet of trucks is all KW W900L models. I base the majority of my hauling on large over dimensional loads up to 23 axles. I have moved single loads in excess of 860,000 lbs with a lot bigger trailer. I inherited 6 trucks and 7 reefer trailers and one bull rack. I grew it from that to 27 trucks 43 trailers and a debt free operation. My trucks run from 60-85,000 miles annually. And average over $375k per unit. I know what it costs to operate a truck either 1 or 10 or 1000. I also have a keen eye on Volvo trucks and their good and bad being in my position. I am not a fan of them in my business because a Volvo can't be built to my specifications. A Mack can but I like my Kenworths. I have passed off the day to day operation of the company to my son. I have seen how this industry has changed and I have seen what is ahead. The Volvo is a quality truck. It is hands down the best ride in a truck you will ever have. The safety features in Volvo are the best in the industry. As it is a European design truck it has that European flair for extras. Look at every European car made Mercedes Audi Porsche hell even the little Fiats. Stuff you won't get in your run of the mill chevy. There is an over abundance of amenities and sensors to make driving and maintaining as easy as possible. The information I provide is either based upon experience, fact, common sense or a combination of the three. Some might like it some might hate it. Some will appreciate it and some might be offended. But I'm not going to try and peddle a line of BS to just piss you off. If you have a problem with a fault code I willbtry to direct you to the root cause not just covering the symptoms. If you want to know how to spec out a truck I will offer my experienced advice. If you want to know what it cost to operate a truck and do it profitable. Once again I will share my experience. But if you buy someone elses POS and want to blame the manufacturer, I'm going to have to call BS on you. I see way too many people have good intentions then when the money rolls in it goes to everything except reinvesting in their business. Then when the truck breaks its always someone else's fault. It's not Volvo's fault you can't afford to fix your truck. It's not Volvo's fault you went to some fly by night mechanic. Remember just because a guy has a ratchet and a few sockets don't make him a mechanic. You wanted to save a few bucks and go to some cut rate shop, that a business decision you have to live with. Remember, when you go to a dealer, that dealer has a responsibility to inspect that truck note all deficiencies, inform the customer, produce a quote for repairs. What happens next is up to the owner of the truck. But you can't get pissy at a dealer when you bring in a broken down POS and the dealership says hey this is what we found wrong with your truck. And this is what it will cost to fix. The dealership does dealer level repairs, their mission is to return tour truck to as close to factory fresh as you want. That is their job. Believe me, the last thing a dealer wants is to look at your truck for an extended period. It takes up shop space that they could roll another truck in and out. They are in business to male money, just as any owner operator is. We also know that the longer your truck sits the less money you and your family make. We do want you to return to profitability as soon as possible. As for the Chinese price tag I think you know better than that. Volvo is engineered very well for an over the road truck. Maybe even over engineered. But it is functional, reliable, comfortable, efficient, and not bad looking. If maintained correctly you should get 8 or 9 years reliable service with minimal maintenance costs. You want a Chinese price tag you might have to go there and get you one.. Just my two cents worth
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