Why are Volvos so much better than all other Class 8 trucks?

For me it's the seats. I don't know what fabric they use but it blows chunks. I keep my hair short, like 1/2" buzz cut during the summer. Well the Volvo seats like to grab my hair and pull it when I move my head. . Annoying as can be.

 

Really? I keep mine buzzed with a #1 and have never had that problem.

I like pro-Volvo threads. I bought one for the comfort. Truth is, I don't just drive and sleep. I have to wait at docks for hours on end (like the rest of us honest OTR guys) and I love the room. I like to cook, stand up and stretch, do paperwork at this awesome workstation/dinette I'm sitting at right now. It steers tight even though it's huge and yes, as everyone else says, it's so d*mn quiet and smooth compared to everything else.

My 2015 780 has 620k on it. Still quiet, uses no oil, no injector problems (2 have been replaced since new), no aftertreatment problems, no iShift problems, but I do know the electronic issues are coming. Steering wheel buttons on mine are finicky and the hazard switch is going out. Luckily this stuff is pretty cheap. I've had a lot of European cars. They've all got craptastic electronics but I still buy them.

 

Na, mine came with a Tripac. That was a big requirement me buying any emissions truck. I try to never idle more than a half hour or so.

I have a complete history on mine. It has had 2 injectors (warranty), 1 DEF doser valve, a recent DPF cleaning (not sure how many overall), a warranty replaced tranny BUT before anyone chimes in on that it was because of a deer strike and some lines underneath were knocked loose. Volvo didn't catch it when they fixed the bodywork and let the driver pick it up and drive off with the tranny lines torn up so they got to put a new tranny in it. Also, since I bought it it's had king pins, a radiator, one piece of the exhaust flex pipe. Runs like a champ.

 

I was meaning to question the cost of maintaining an older truck vs leasing a new truck. A new truck straight off the lot with 0 miles or maybe 1500mi if it was a power unit from Mexico. running it for 400-500k, 4-5yr lease, even at 1.2-1.5k a month from a dealer? What are the tax write offs on leasing a truck worth? -25%? how much does it really cost in 5 years in comparison?

Ive driven a mil miles in Cascadias, Not saying that is alot of miles in general, just that it's enough to know where they sit in general. Sure the early versions 09-12 had some serious issues. But they really don't go into a shop during that 500k, there should be practically no downtime during that time aside from PM maintenance. Fuel filters 20-22k, oil change 50k, air filters 100k, DEF fluid filter 150k (not DPF filter!). I mean that's it. They don't burn oil, no bearing rolls 250-300kk or whatever. 50k oil changes are compliant with manufacturer warranty, You aren't keeping it past warranty anyway. Better fuel mileage? I mean what is the actual long term cost?

I understand people not liking new aero trucks because they look like a "Dilldoe" but that dosn't mean the driver is an idiot either. People that run old iron and wrench on their own stuff. Sounds like fun to me, if I had the time, or if i was settled in as they are. Lol, how much does a shop for that cost? I understand paying dues and working into that position. Things are changing.

People tend to appeal to that and think that's what they need to do to be a "real trucker". New people that flash their bright lights when you clear are the same way. They think that's the thing to do, probably because they heard it from someone. Drive a peterbilt, and sit like this or, chrome this.

I overheard a "driver" on the CB raging on Mega drivers because they had E-logs and governed trucks. This guy was the cats meow because he had an ungoverned Pete and paper logs.... What happens at the state line? "peter jockey" is asking in a frenzy if DOT at waiting at the scale, ohh no, he is going to pull over at a TS and wait till he hears the coast is clear. .. that's who I mean by "peter jockey". Peterbuilt has/had a reputation. I think people just take it too far.

 

Yes,they are quiet.They handle wellThe thing ...Im not "fond of" ,its all the electronic and emmissions "crap".Ours have to be basically "tore down",and "cleaned out",every 100k.So much concern of emmission and fuel milage,that the motors "cake up",with carbon frequently.Other than that...ya,they ride,run ,and handle well. JMO

 

I wouldn't go that far.

We all know how Volvo couldn't even design a headlight assembly correctly. Every joker (95%) running down the road with fog lights on pointed at the sky, blinding everyone, so they could see the road was driving a Volvo.

 

I don’t like the old iron. I appreciate it, but I wouldn’t want one. I don’t want an old Camero either. I refuse to genuflect to the old stuff. New is better. Higher MPG is better. Gizmos are better. Roomier is better. All of that is better for me. You old iron guys can have all you want. I’ll walk past it in the TS and compliment your rig. It’s nice. They all kinda look the same to me with the stacks and two tone paint. I like things stock looking. A charcoal or silver Volvo looks amazing to me.

We all know Daimler owns freightliner. I expect a Mercedes level of truck from them in the future. To me Volvo is the pinnacle. Now you old iron guys will make your gay jokes, sweat pants etc... and I just don’t care. It’s America you can love guns and be a democrat. You be for abortion and women’s health and be a republican.

What I’d really like is a C-15 cat powered Volvo 860 with a 18 speed iShift. That’s my dream.