Freightliner Cascadia or Volvo

At the company I work for I've driven a Volvo and a Cascadia. If the Volvo had the bigger sleeper I'd have liked it more. Had less problems the Volvo. It was just too tiny and crowded with the 61 inch flattop it had. I've had issues with the emissions crap on this FL and just had the windshield seals replaced. My right side windshield had a seal/adhesive failure and the glass about fell out. Been told that's not the first time for either issue. And in this FL the bolts under the seats keep falling out. Just silly kinds of stuff that really should not be happening. Go with a larger bunk Volvo. Be happy.

 

Volvo 780 anytime over a Cascadia....No question!

 

With my former employer I drove 2012 Cascadia and a 2015 Volvo. Both have their pros and cons. With the Cascadia I had more interior room to stretch out and storage space but it was plagued with check engine/MIL light issues and a leak around the driver's side windshield. The Volvo had more torque going up hills,bigger fuel tanks for longer range and an excellent ride(truly the "Cadillac" of the trucking world) but it was cramped on the inside plus there were some electrical issues(alternator and battery disconnect switch were replaced due to wire arching).

 

Volvo 880 all the way.

 

It probably isn't the bumper that is crooked. The cab itself is probably the problem. Fairly easy fix is to loosen all engine mount fasteners and let the cab fall into place. Ask me how I know.

 

I have driven both trucks and they both had their pros and cons. I drove a 2015 flc and I am driving a 2013 volvo now. The FL has more room in the sleeper but the volvo has more storage space ie. cabnets are bigger. Both trucks have good overhead storage but the volvo has doors on the side spaces above the seats. Both trucks have a good turning radius but the volvo is just a little better. Con of that is the stearing axels are closer to the driver to get the better turning radius and that makes you feel every bumb.

My volvo is an auto with Ishift and I love it. It doesn't have the manual mode w/ the buttons to shift at my descression which sucks, but they do have auto w/ that option. I can average between 7-8 mpg with my volvo D13 which was a little higher then my FL which I was only able to get around 7 mpg. The one big difference between the two trucks is the breakdowns. My FL never was in the shop for a break down in the 6 months I was in it and my volvo has broke down 4 times in the 5 months I have been in it. The last one took 3 weeks to repair luckly my company put me in a rental truck (2016 volvo) man now that was a nice truck.

 

I drove a Volvo 780 for another company. Think it was a 2011. Loved the cab layout, mirrors, was reliable w/ the D-13. I have a 2015 Cascadia now with the D-15-no problems in 171 k miles. Handles good, nice big sleeper with cabinet space. Maybe I've been lucky but I like the Evolution. And I averaged 8.5 mpg last year in 120 k miles.

 

I have driven both and have a lot of experience with them. Just my 2 cents. The Volvo I drove rarely had issues but I remember a mechanic saying sometimes it takes a while to get parts for the Volvo. I have been thru many fl as we haves had many issuses with them. I would say go with the Volvo from my experience.

 

As far as Parts availability, maybe for a Volvo needing parts for a Volvo engine, but I can always walk into my local Volvo Dealer in Fontana, CA and walk out 99.9% of the time with the part I need.

It all depends on how much inventory your local Dealer stocks.

 

If you buy a Volvo 770 780 or 880, I will donate my antennas to the cause and will help you with the install