d13 with flatbed?

I don't think you should have any issue. I pull 140,000lbs with my MP8 (mack version of the D13) on flat prairies. It pulls as well as a new cummins will and gets better mileage with less problems.

I wouldn't put too much stock in a name. All trucks are made the same way and that is to break down so you have to spend money on parts. Premium brands like pete and KW aren't premium any more. Also when you buy a truck, most of it you can spec identical as so much is from 3rd parties. You can order the same drive train in a Volvo, Freightliner, Kenworth, Pete, International or Western Star if you order a Cummins ISX eatons transmission and meritor rears. The only difference is the cab/chassis.

By saying you want a Pete or a KW I am guessing you are a fan of the long hood. They do look nice but base your decision off of where you spend most of your time. Do you stand beside it in the truck stop or are you in the left hand seat most of the day. If its the latter do everything you can to keep money in your pocket, and worry less about how you look doing it.

 

The problem I see with your volvo is parts and service. There was another thread on here reguarding volvo's and them still having parts and service that I was part of. I knew it was a problem a long time ago and it was confirmed that it was still a problem today. Yes volvo's get good fuel economy but I do tend to see them in the shop and on the side of the road a lot. And when they break down a lot of shops don't like working on them because they're complicated and they end up sitting for a long time waiting on the parts to get there.

If you're looking for an old proven money maker as much as I despise freightliner and detroit and old detroit powered freightliner is the way to go. Parts are always available for them and almost any shop can work on them. They're cheap and reliable resale value? Who needs that pull the motor, trans, and rears and run it across the scale at a scrap yard when you've driven the wheels off of it.

Pete's and KW's are nice trucks. I have 2 pete's, I don't know what's worse trying to keep them looking good, or paying for parts to fix the darn things when they break down. They're expensive. Pete more so than KW so I've been told don't know never owned a KW it's all in the eye of the beholder and that's an argument for another time. Keep in mind you can get almost any powertrain package in any truck so the wrapper shouldn't matter.

I can say from my experience I run cats. It's a love hate relationship. Cummins makes a good motor. Detroits are good on fuel but I don't care for detroit at all. Don't buy a truck with a rockwell (meritor) trans. Epic fail, and I wouldn't buy something that's got meritor rears in it either. I've had problems finding parts for mine, trying to find a 3rd member for it has given me fits since I bought the truck. Honestly I'd say if you want something you can find parts for I'd spec with a cummins, eaton 13/18spd, and a set of eaton 404 rears. You can find parts for that equipment almost anywhere. also is a good combo. Also keep in mind where you're going to be running that is going to have as much to do with the type of truck you buy as the wagon you're pulling. If you're going to be running through the rocky mountains every day you don't want a truck that's only got 375 horses, a 9spd and 3.36 gears. And if you're running flatland all the time you don't want a 550 horse cat with an 18spd direct drive and 4.11s. An overall good spec would be a truck that's got good power 475-550, a 13/18 and 3.55s. that's a truck that will pull, and get decent fuel. You still have the gear set that's going to pull and you should cruise around 1350 at about 65 depending on tire size.

Almost forgot what's the WB on that volvo you're looking at? Most of them have a fairly short WB and putting a headache rack on the back of one can make things really tight with the stacks back there. That's also something you're going to need to think about. I run a 265 or 270wb and and have 1 notch showing on my 5th wheel. 30" KP setting on the trailer any farther forward and I'll catch the corner of the trailer on my headache rack. I don't know what volvos typically weigh on the steer axle, but if it's like a 240" WB after a headache rack especially and enclosed you won't be able to slide that 5th wheel forward much if any should you need too. that's something to think about as well. good luck