vertical integration? Cummins vs Volvo vs detroit...

All my research and data comes from when I was shopping for a 780 over a year ago and looking for '06 or '07. Ended up with an '06 with D12, 3.55, 13spd.

In terms of integration - my feeling is that this is more a salesman selling what he can get. But I would still pick the Volvo over the Cummins even with all the modification limitations that you have with the Volvo motor.

First, Volvo motors in this range have the longest average life before needing rebuild. The two sources on this where the company in CO that does my oil samples and the ATA. We are talking the D12 and not the 13 (was thinking of getting an 880 but that motor is junk).

Second, I had my Turbo replaced at a Rush center that was once Volvo because the new Volvo shop seemed shaddy. But if it is Volvo shop or someone that works on Volvos you are good. Would not take it to another dealer despite what motor you have unless it was something like turbo and then that was all they are going to do.

 

Unfortunately, electrical circuits are like quantum physics to 99% of service techs. I had one of those recently that cost some violations on an inspection a few days later. Long story short, I got the diagrams and fixed it mydamnself in less than the time I got charged for.

Most techs should never touch wires.

 

MNDriver, I thought I would weigh in since I drove for Ashley. I would not hesitate to buy a used Ashley tractor, regardless of it being a Volvo, Cummins, etc. Those trucks should be spec'd with 465 Volvo's, 13 speeds and 3.42 rear ends. For their lifetime, those loads have averaged 10,000 lbs or less, a lot of times coming back empty.

GatrVolvo had a lease agreement with Ashley that maintained strict maintenance schedules. If I was leaving out, and the truck was due a service, the mechanics would service the truck even if it was close. If there was even a possibility of it going over, they serviced it before it left. Each time you brought the truck in, the truck and trailer was post tripped by a mechanic. They maintained A and B services on each truck.

I was never stranded because of their equipment, my truck averaged 6.5 to 7.0 mpg, even idling at night, they were governed at 70 mph, ran bridgestone tires, and are owner operator spec'd. Those are my .02 cents.

 

Find a truck with miles in the 500k range without all the emissions. ull have a lot less headaches.

 

Ashley trucks dont see much of a heavy load so they shouldnt have much problems lasting longer than others.

 

Good advice not to buy the Volvo... stand in the middle of an independent repair shop and ask the techs who wants to work on the Volvo and watch 'em scatter.

Any dealer can fix any kind of chassis issue... I see every make being repaired at the Pete stores I deal with... every dealer fixes their trades in-house regardless of make and model. SOME repairs, like Volvo electrical snafu's, may be taken to a brand specific dealer but everything else they fix in-house.

You'll find most techs have a wide range of dealer experience... the guy who repaired a minor electrical circuit problem in my Pete (at the Pete store) last fall spent 18 years working at a local Ford/Sterling dealer. An ISX is the same regardless of the chassis it sits in... same with CAT's and earlier Detroits.

Springs are springs...axles are axles...

 

why everyone hate volvo lol i have two one with cummins engine N14 and another with d12 and they run great they do broke out sometimes but what truck dosnt broke down?

 

forgive me if this has already been said i skimmed threw a lot of this thread.

a volvo dealer can work on a cummins a pete dealer can work on a cummins a freightliner dealer can work on a cummins, how many of these same shops will even glance at a volvo motor, chances are Volvo is the one one that would even touch it. so say you have a issue on the road and need to get towed the nearest shop nearest volvo dealer is 200 miles away a Cummins certified kenworth dealer is across the street.

i know a guy well that had that issue with his mack with a mack motor no one would even look at the truck but mack so now he only buys trucks (owns a small fleet) with cummins motors because just about everywhere they will work on them.