VOLVO

Been around Volvo's. Driven Volvo's. Wouldn't buy one, ever. Good riding, yes. Quiet, yes. PITA for parts, service, etc. They did not think the driver would ever have to change a filter, clean a windshield, or actually work on something or they would have come up with a little better design. But then, most of the other OEM's have fallen into that trap as well with various little quirks in their designs.

I do like aero trucks for fuel economy and such, but some of these designs leave a lot to be desired. But then, most of these trucks are built for fleet use and the driver really is not factored into the equation as much as they should be. Most of the "driver review" panels are staffed by Teamster affiliated LTL type drivers who never clean a windshield or do anything else but drive, so I am skeptical about how much these driver panels really mean a whole lot. For the O/O, there are a lot more issues to be concerned about than just how quiet and comfortable the ride is.

Couldn't answer the poll. There was no option for "wouldn't own one".

 

I won't ever drive a volvo again, since they are not set up for short people! That shifter positioning, at least on the day cabs, is not designed for us short people!

 

I agree I am not that short but going in to high gear makes my shoulder hurt. I cant roll the window down either without hitting the seat.

 

the volvo i drove full of fuel weighed in at 19960 where my T2000 was 18740 and my 379 is the lightest at 17940,

as for comfort of the T2000 it takes a little getting use to but everything was in easy reach of the drive and lots of interior room but it is a personal choice so get what you like, also from a mechanics point of view the volvo's have more problems with a lower resale if that is a concern

 

what year are you looking at if older than 03 i would go detroit but after 03 i would go with the cummins isx either one in the 500hp range

 

Somehow the important stuff didn't get typed out. Ok, anyways if you're pulling a skateboard why do you need a 53' flatbed? Much easier to have a split axle 48'. Once you get above a certain weight no matter how aerodynamic you are it won't help. Get good gearing, and you will get good mpg. I'm not in a truck right now otherwise I would snap a picture of the Qualcomm. I normally got about 6.24mpg in a t600 2006 model I believe, and I hauled reefers so always 42-46k a load. It also has a tiny sleeper.

I'm getting old, and I really like the 780's booth in the back. Plus it holds my 42" plasma.

 

They were the best truck engines ever made, IMO. I don't have any experience with the acert engines, but they seem to do really well (from what I've read) with a few small modifications, and they don't have the egr systems that Cummins and Detroit have. I run a 3406E doing roughly 650-675 hp in an Intl 9300 pulling a flatbed, usually 60-80k gross. My 4th quarter IFTA was 6.7 mpg, 3rd quarter was 6.4. If it were me, I'd be looking for a 2000-2003 truck with a C15 with a 6NZ serial # prefix. That's the last of the pre-'03 emissions engines. You can read a lot more about the various engines in the "garage" section of this forum.