Your thoughts on a volvo?

Have you driven a Volvo before?

 

Does what your buying fit what your wanting to haul? Asking these guys a question you know the answer to seems redundant.

More of the question would be

What issues may I run into?
Are parts easy to come by?
What is the cost of Operating this Volvo?
Go that route.

 

There isn't a bad thong to be found unless you're on a Maine beach surrounded by Male Canadian tourists.


In all seriousness, the truck is calibrated to shift itself at certain Tac points. Whether that be 455hp or 500hp it's been calibrated... The I-Shift has undergone years of R&D. It's, hands-down the best automated manual transmission. Screw Allison, and The Eaton-Fuller Advantage. Fuel Mileage vs. hp might be your actual question... but I'll leave that to someone more knowledgeable.

 

Higher hp driven right you wont burn a drop more fuel in fact you might save some.

The I shift can take it, there are several models each with slightly different specs and torque ratings - paired safely with whatever engine.

 

This has always been my stance as well. The harder an engine works, the more fuel its going to burn. You drive a large horsepower engine right, youll be coasting more than you will be pulling. You do not have to keep your foot in it to get those results either, just ease along down the highway..

 

If the truck your interested in purchasing fits your operation, then that is the truck you should purchase.
Inspection will be the deciding factor. Might be worth the cost to have a third party do this. Then you know what your getting into. Plus you can then use the info to negotiate price and or repairs.

 

I have a the 425 manual and 500 I shift D13. The 500 is a little less fuel economy at 70mph but at 65 they are about the same. The 500 pulls good on the hills at 80K and I shift is the best automatic I have driven, forget about the rest, the I shift really thinks. With the 425 you can tell the difference at full load.

As far as maintaining I am very proactive so I haven’t have any breakdowns (except a defective radiator) on the road (knock on wood lol) I even fitted tire pressure monitor, saved my butt couple of times for over or under pressure.
A friend of mine has the same Volvo VNL780 with a cummins 400 and 13 speed and the fuel economy is about the same overall. He has driven the d13 500 ishift and loves it, wants it as his next truck.

The price for tensioners and belts are about the same for the cummins (me and my friend use the same dealer) the volvo filters are more money over fleetguard but gives me peace of mind. I bought an aftermarket radiator and 2 months later started leaking 2500 miles away, since then only VOLVO. The ishift fluid and filter was a bit pricey for a transmission but it calls for 250K intervals, I can live with that.

So far very happy with the d13’s and love the ishift, I will try getting the same package when getting more trucks.