Question about the new Volvos sleeper...
Subscribe
#11
01-23-2023Quote:
Volvo doesn't make the largest sleepers, but they are bigger than most. I believe the largest sleeper Volvo makes is a 78" which can be found in the 780. You can tell the size of the sleeper by the model number. For instance, the 610 has a 61" sleeper. The 660 a 66" and so on. Freightliner has a 84" sleeper and Kenworth has a 86" Studio. You don't see many of either on the road. There are larger sleepers, but they are not standard from the factory. While Volvo doesn't make the largest sleeper, they probably make the most comfortable riding truck. Their larger sleepers are very functional, but are rather heavy.
Originally Posted by GMAN
Quote:
ops: )
Originally Posted by Douglas
In tech school the truck we drove was a Volvo and they said it had the biggest sleeper of any truck, but I've noticed the new Volvos don't look like they're as big as the older ones? Did they start making them smaller? (Hopefully not ops: )
Volvo doesn't make the largest sleepers, but they are bigger than most. I believe the largest sleeper Volvo makes is a 78" which can be found in the 780. You can tell the size of the sleeper by the model number. For instance, the 610 has a 61" sleeper. The 660 a 66" and so on. Freightliner has a 84" sleeper and Kenworth has a 86" Studio. You don't see many of either on the road. There are larger sleepers, but they are not standard from the factory. While Volvo doesn't make the largest sleeper, they probably make the most comfortable riding truck. Their larger sleepers are very functional, but are rather heavy.
The Volvo 780 has a 77" sleeper. It is the same cab sleeper as the 770. The reason why they gave it the 780 designation was because it was the redesigned model of the 770. There is no where that they would have added an inch in length to make it a 78".
#12
Ian Williams , 08-02-2007 05:08 AM
Tractor quality is a factor in selecting an employer.
But sleeper size is only a small element of tractor quality.
I've never had to stay out more than one day on a laydown working in LTL land so I can't comment on the sleeper utility issue. My terminal has 3 new VN that were spec'd and purchased for truckload (pre-CFI buyout) but kicked down the the LTL division when they could not find drivers. The VNs are better for doing city work than our old mid 90s FLDs.
You also need to consider other factors like:
Drivetrain
Trying to pull 45k of cargo over a mountain range is going to be quite sloooooow if you have a CAT C7 (or the Detroit, Cummins equivalent) and a 7 speed.
Ride Quality/Ergonomics
Going from a short wheelbase spring ride Ford L9000 to a VN680 is going from equipment hell to equipment heaven. If you're going to spend 8-12 hrs per day in a seat it better be comfortable. Does the tractor have an effective cold AC?
Maintenance
The best equipment in the world will degrade into junk if it is not maintained.
Bling
Some guys did the chromed out Petercars with lots of lights and big pipes. The one time I've driven a Pete 379 I did not like it. The turning radius was absurd relative to anything else I've driven; it took me 8-10 pull ups and a few GOALs to hit a door at one of our customers with an easy dock.
But sleeper size is only a small element of tractor quality.
I've never had to stay out more than one day on a laydown working in LTL land so I can't comment on the sleeper utility issue. My terminal has 3 new VN that were spec'd and purchased for truckload (pre-CFI buyout) but kicked down the the LTL division when they could not find drivers. The VNs are better for doing city work than our old mid 90s FLDs.
You also need to consider other factors like:
Drivetrain
Trying to pull 45k of cargo over a mountain range is going to be quite sloooooow if you have a CAT C7 (or the Detroit, Cummins equivalent) and a 7 speed.
Ride Quality/Ergonomics
Going from a short wheelbase spring ride Ford L9000 to a VN680 is going from equipment hell to equipment heaven. If you're going to spend 8-12 hrs per day in a seat it better be comfortable. Does the tractor have an effective cold AC?
Maintenance
The best equipment in the world will degrade into junk if it is not maintained.
Bling
Some guys did the chromed out Petercars with lots of lights and big pipes. The one time I've driven a Pete 379 I did not like it. The turning radius was absurd relative to anything else I've driven; it took me 8-10 pull ups and a few GOALs to hit a door at one of our customers with an easy dock.
