VOLVO 780 AND FLATBED?

[hawk]

The wife and I have decided to go into business and want a truck that is versatile yet comfortable. The Volvo 780 is very comfortable and gets decent fuel mileage. My concern is that I don't see many of them pulling a flatbed and we know that we need to be able to do this.

If you have a 780 and run flatbed now is the time to press that reply button and tell me the things I need to know to be successfull with this truck.

I would also like to know more about headache boards and/or any other equipment that I will need to run flatbed.

[Jumbo]

The reason is that the volvo is a solid but heavier truck than others out there. From what I have read in other threads you aren't required to have a headboard anymore. As far as the other equipment that depends on what you are going to haul. I know guys who carry coil racks but have never used them, guys who carry 4 and 8 foot tarps and one set is brand new and the other is wore out and people who carry chains and binders but tie everything they haul with straps. It is all what you haul.

[allan5oh]

Why not get the 730? More aerodynamic, actually I think they designed the truck just for deckers.

You'll still have tons of room, you wont need to "crouch" at any time.

http://www.volvo.com/trucks/na/en-us...730/VN_780.htm

Or if you like the larger hood of a vt880:

http://www.volvo.com/trucks/na/en-us..._830/vt830.htm

[hawk]

Why not get the 730? More aerodynamic, actually I think they designed the truck just for deckers.

We did consider that but we plan on pulling vans and containers as well. In that case our areodynamics would be worse wouldn't it?

[allan5oh]

Yes of course it would be. You wouldn't get a huge weight savings either, as everything up there on a Volvo is fibreglass anyways.

[hawk]

Thank you, this has been very helpful.

If we stick with the 780 will we be eliminating ourselves from a high percentage of the flatbed loads that are available? or is it more of the matter of why reduce the opportunities when you don't have to and get a different truck? we are also considering the T2000. Would this truck fair better?

Thanks for your help.

PS I want the T660 with the studio sleeper but am teamed with my wife and you know how women can be about space/storage :wink:

[allan5oh]

You'll like the volvo then. Tons of room, we still don't use all of the space.

BTW, the older 770(pre-2003), 780, vt880 basically all have the same interior space. I have a 99 volvo 770.

Be careful about the weight, I know the newer ones are better, but mine fully loaded with the deer bumper, and full of fuel, is 21,000 lbs.

[GMAN]

Volvo is one of the heaviest trucks you could buy. They are very comfortable, but may not be the best choice for pulling a flat. You can offset some of the weight by going with an aluminum flat bed. You should be able to scale a minimum of 45,000 pounds. It would be better to be able to scale around 47,000. Flats are sometimes paid by the hundred weight. We usually have a 45,000 pound minimum rate, but the more weight the more money you could potentially earn. I rarely haul more than 45,000. Right now, with my International that is about all I can haul with all the extra chains and equipment I have been hauling. I can usually scale just over 46,000. It has not been a major problem. I have rarely missed any loads. I pull a steel and wood trailer with a side kit or a wood and steel step deck. Both are heavy.

You will need to count on having at least 10 chains and binders, 10+ straps, 2 steel and one lumber tarp, or a lumber tarp set. In addition, you will need to have edge protectors for your straps and chains. If you plan on hauling steel, you will want to have 5 sets of coil racks with lumber and matting. You will need to store them somewhere. A tool box is easier. I like a headboard, but some prefer a headache rack. Neither are required, but I like the extra safety feature. You can go with aluminum on the tool box, headache rack or headboard/bulkhead. I usually keep extra straps. I also have 10 4 inch hand ratchets. On one trailer I keep 2 inch. Both can come in handy. You don't need the hand ratchets starting out. I carry extra items on my trucks which you may not need, depending on what you haul. In my case, I haul more of a variety of freight than you will may haul if you lease to a carrier. Basic equipment for outfitting a flat bed will run about $2,500 if you buy new, not including a bulkhead or headache rack.

[allan5oh]

FYI, a volvo cab will hold up better than any other cab if your freight shifts forward. The cabs are made of steel. They're stronger, quieter, stiffer than the aluminum cabs(every other OEM). But they're HEAVY.

[hawk]

Well I think that is about a wrap for me on this thread. Thank you all very much for the information!

[MADLUX]

If you really want a volvo, just get a mid roof, and if you still plan on doing van work you can always put wing on the top to push the air over the trailer.

[heavyhaulerss]

never saw the 730 until this post.. looks sweet

[allan5oh]

A wing would look neat on those things!

[Doghouse]

Man!! that 730 is a great looking truck :wink:

[allan5oh]

BTW only the first link is the vn730, the second link is the vt830, which has the larger hood. They both look pretty nice IMO, but I'm not a fan of the exhaust placement on the vt830. Or the vt880. Keep it hidden.

[Doghouse]

I agree, the 730 has a cleaner look with the exhaust behind the cab.
On my truck I had to go out the pass side and up the side right behind the door,...to make room for water tanks under the sleeper. There was not enough room behind the cab either,...so off with the old, and on with the new,...in the location it was supposed to be when the truck was made,....go figure.

[special k]

One thing to remember a lot of steel mills and other places you might go with a flat can have low doors or be in old sections of town with low bridges etc. I always cut my stacks so I can go through a 12' door.

[Doghouse]

My stack is at 11'6", and I was happy when this truck came up for auction because I like a low height,....I also intended on running a flat, or step.

[hawk]

We really like the 730 as well. The 780 has a table and two bench seats that provide more of a home feel (like sitting at the coffee table) and we sleep in on a foam mattress in the upper bunk. We could give this up if the 730 had the storage space downstairs.

[allan5oh]

I looked at a local 730, and it has a huuuuuge bed. I wonder if it's an option or not, or what the deal is. Severely lacked storage like you said. Oh well.