Owner Operators Forums - New Truck Specs

Looking at a new truck...thinking either Volvo (since I have one) or an International, although I plan to test drive all of them. Will need for flatbed work, payload up to 100 000lbs.

I figure I need closer to 500hp. Other than that, can you pros give me some things to spec when I walk into the dealer?

Where do you run?

What type of freight/trailer?

Can you be more specific with the weights?

How fast?

500 mile radius
steel/6 axle flatdeck
up to 99,000 lbs. often 60' rebar hanging off front and back
in Ontario, will be governed to 105 km/h this fall (although I'll be getting the software to ungovern if I leave the province)

I drove a International 9900ix day cab. With a 475 cat and an 8LL for tranny. Pulled a RGN and i have hauled up to 110,000lbs with it. It did a good job. But that truck was specd right. It was also doubled framed. Had really heavy axles in it.

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/6362/02152007063615pmbj7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

You're hauling a bit heavy so unfortunately you cannot go with a direct drive transmission.

I'd look at a volvo D13, 485 hp, volvo I-shift overdrive, 22.5LP tires(or super singles) and probably 3.55 gears, depending on how fast you wanted to go.

You're hauling a bit heavy so unfortunately you cannot go with a direct drive transmission.

I'd look at a volvo D13, 485 hp, volvo I-shift overdrive, 22.5LP tires(or super singles) and probably 3.55 gears, depending on how fast you wanted to go.

does idrive=automatic?

with all due respect to allan5oh, i don't believe that gearing combo would work, much less volvo's recommending it. all the heavy haul trucks i've been around always use 18's and 3.90's and up for gearing. it has to do with start-up from standing stop. it takes alot to get things going when you're that heavy, not to mention hills and etc. :)

If you are going to be over 100,000 lbs very often you will need an eighteen speed and no less than 1850 torque. You would destroy your clutch and driveline with a light setup pulling those weights unless you run on flat ground. I seriously doubt any manufacturer would recommend an auto trans for heavy haul. It is about startability, You will find yourself using all the splits on the low side with an eighteen if you are trying to get 120,000 lbs moving on a steep hill.

If you are going to be over 100,000 lbs very often you will need an eighteen speed and no less than 1850 torque. You would destroy your clutch and driveline with a light setup pulling those weights unless you run on flat ground. I seriously doubt any manufacturer would recommend an auto trans for heavy haul. It is about startability, You will find yourself using all the splits on the low side with an eighteen if you are trying to get 120,000 lbs moving on a steep hill.

I was told I also need a double framed heavy spec truck. Does this sound right?

If you are going to be over 100,000 lbs very often you will need an eighteen speed and no less than 1850 torque. You would destroy your clutch and driveline with a light setup pulling those weights unless you run on flat ground. I seriously doubt any manufacturer would recommend an auto trans for heavy haul. It is about startability, You will find yourself using all the splits on the low side with an eighteen if you are trying to get 120,000 lbs moving on a steep hill.

I was told I also need a double framed heavy spec truck. Does this sound right?

Yes dont go cheap cuz it will come back to get you pulling heavy loads.

If you are going to be over 100,000 lbs very often you will need an eighteen speed and no less than 1850 torque. You would destroy your clutch and driveline with a light setup pulling those weights unless you run on flat ground. I seriously doubt any manufacturer would recommend an auto trans for heavy haul. It is about startability, You will find yourself using all the splits on the low side with an eighteen if you are trying to get 120,000 lbs moving on a steep hill.

I was told I also need a double framed heavy spec truck. Does this sound right?

I drive for a dry bulk company, where we routinely pull super-b trains. Our trucks have to negotiate some really steep and treacherous mountains ( not little hills ), brutally cold temperatures of -35 celsius, and also have the versatility to do some serious bush-work in the oilpatch of northern and north-central Alberta. When we pull the super-b's, we gross out at around 62,000 kg ( max is 63,500 ), or around 139,000 lbs. For what it's worth, here's how all our trucks are spec'd, to give you some idea :

Transmission : 18 double-over
HP & Torque : 475 & 1850 ft/lbs ( both CAT & ISX )
Front & rear ends : 13.6 & 46
Gear ratio : 4.11
Suspension : Hendrickson
Wheel-base : 219 & 190 ( for the daycabs )
Frame : 11mm
Type of cab : flat-tops & daycabs
Truck make : Kenworth & Volvo

The trucks also have a higher than normal ride-height, to facilitate bush work, and have ProHeat.

with all due respect to allan5oh, i don't believe that gearing combo would work, much less volvo's recommending it. all the heavy haul trucks i've been around always use 18's and 3.90's and up for gearing. it has to do with start-up from standing stop. it takes alot to get things going when you're that heavy, not to mention hills and etc. :)

Actually that was considered, the I-shift works very well with heavy loads. The overdrive version that is, direct is only rated for 80,000 lbs.

Yes 3.90's...... but what tire size and final drive gear ratio? Those make a difference too.

Maybe 3.70's would be a better choice, but...

at 60 mph, with 22.5LP's and the .78 final gear ratio of the ishift, you'd be at 1440 rpms.

Transmission : 18 double-over
HP & Torque : 475 & 1850 ft/lbs ( both CAT & ISX )
Front & rear ends : 13.6 & 46
Gear ratio : 4.11
Suspension : Hendrickson
Wheel-base : 219 & 190 ( for the daycabs )
Frame : 11mm
Type of cab : flat-tops & daycabs
Truck make : Kenworth & Volvo

The trucks also have a higher than normal ride-height, to facilitate bush work, and have ProHeat.

I was told I didn't need the heavy axles if on pavement...it is only necessary for garbage/dirt/gravel pits...

Transmission : 18 double-over
HP & Torque : 475 & 1850 ft/lbs ( both CAT & ISX )
Front & rear ends : 13.6 & 46
Gear ratio : 4.11
Suspension : Hendrickson
Wheel-base : 219 & 190 ( for the daycabs )
Frame : 11mm
Type of cab : flat-tops & daycabs
Truck make : Kenworth & Volvo

The trucks also have a higher than normal ride-height, to facilitate bush work, and have ProHeat.

I was told I didn't need the heavy axles if on pavement...it is only necessary for garbage/dirt/gravel pits...

How heavy you plan on pulling?

As far as the axles go... I would probably go with a 12 up front and 40 outback if you dont plan on driving severe terrain.Engine wise I would probably go with a CAT 500hp or higher 1850 and nothing less than an 18 spd putting it to the ground. Rear ends I am not that sure about. I would look at getting a wheel base of atleast 265" depending on the make considering you are going to be hanging some length off the front. I would definately go with a midroof or smaller sleeper since you are gonna be regional.

How heavy you plan on pulling?

100-140k

140k gross? yikes!

Super B's?

That calls for an 18 speed, no less. Maybe an autoshift 18 speed, to make your life easier.

I'm giving serious thought to ordering a truck.

I'm thinking a ITH Lonestar, midroof with the 74" sleeper and a 53" bunk, 550 ISX Cummins and the 6 speed Allison auto trans, with 390 rears.

Or a 830 Volvo midroof, with a 77" sleepr and the 53" bunk, same engine and drive train specs.

I'm giving serious thought to ordering a truck.

I'm thinking a ITH Lonestar, midroof with the 74" sleeper and a 53" bunk, 550 ISX Cummins and the 6 speed Allison auto trans, with 390 rears.

Or a 830 Volvo midroof, with a 77" sleepr and the 53" bunk, same engine and drive train specs.

I like the look of them both!

I wouldn't go with a slushbox. Very inefficient.

I wouldn't go with a slushbox. Very inefficient.




:shock: :shock: :shock:



Whut do YOU have against Allison??? :lol: :lol: :lol:

It's simple, slushboxes aren't efficient. They're ok maybe for playing in the mud, but anything other then that, a regular transmission or autoshift is fantastic.

two more options: heavy duty drive line and dual smoke stacks...does it make sense to pay extra for either of these options?

This is the spec we run for our heavy haul truck.

Mack CH613

E7 427HP

Mack 13spd

18Fronts 44Rears 20Lift Axel

226" WB

This truck runs mainley on flat land and has been knowen to gross up to 175,000lbs.

Yes I would go with the heavy duty drive line.

Another driver told me getting heavy duty Spicer drive line makes no sense with a Super 40 rear end...says it puts the pressure to break on the rear end...