Volvo Frame Stretching/Staight Truck Thread

T270_Dreamin · Feb 13, 2014

Who does it, what is the cost and what are the pros/cons and weight capacity?

I saw a nice volvo parked at Northfield/Stapleton here in Denver CO on the north side of i70 the other day. It looked to sit pretty low guessing it was a 2010 or newer.

It was a nice looking machine, light brown tan beige color with fedex decals on truck and nothing on the box with dual rear wheels. I'd imagine that is a comfy rig on and off the road. Lets hear the secrets, I think this could definitely be talked about more. If I got a good truck I'd imagine life on the road would be quite nice. Maybe I'm wrong any thoughts? I wish Volvo would catch on to Expedite market and start selling these like they do the Cascadia Freightliner! I'm sure they would cost $150k

Daffyduck528 · Feb 13, 2014

You can buy the volvo's at the necessary length, you don't have to stretch them, but being an all steel cab and having such a far back front axle placement they are very nose heavy and tend to be difficult to balance out for a longer frame with a 12,000 lb front axle. We looked at them but the nose issue kinda killed it for us. I think the ATeam drives a Volvo, but with an ari sleeper.

zorry · Feb 14, 2014

Fuel tank placement can off set the heavier cab.

12,000 lb front axles are obsolete, at least in the class 8 DR market.

Daffyduck528 · Feb 14, 2014

What do they run? We have a d unit and sit right at 11,800. If you have a dr and are over that I know you can get a heavier suspension, axles and tires but wouldn't that cause you to have to stop at every weigh station and show them your not "over weight"? Are there places you can't run over 12,000 on steer axle period?

zorry · Feb 14, 2014

Saw a Western Star DR that I think sits about 14,200.
Don't remember the numbers but I know a KW got busted in Ill a few weeks ago over the 12000.
Know a T660 got popped 13,800 on steer empty, had tag up.
If I built a DR today I'd look for about 14,600 steer axle.
I have a 2012 Volvo, with a 20,000 steer. It's overkill. Double framed, 500 hp. Small ARI, 950 Carrier nose mount.

With 325 gallons of fuel, 3 tanks, Onan, 2 drivers, I'm 13,980 on the steers.

It's obvious I have very large tires/wheels on the steer. I haven't been questioned at all at a scale.

It's a great peace of mind that I won't overload the steers.
I paid the FET. I pay payroll.
I don't get nervous when I get mail from the IRS.

zorry · Feb 14, 2014

Just got off the phone with a guy that has 2 New Volvo CR's.
Will load first loads next week.
VNL, 110 in ICT with showers, 865 Carrier Top Mount, 18 ft Supreme Bodies. No tag. Liftgate. 13,480 on steers, 27,000 (total wt ) plus at TVal testing. Both units breezed thru TVal first attempt.

Will be slightly heavier as this was probably one driver and team hadn't put personal stuff in yet.

T270_Dreamin · Feb 14, 2014

So what is the solution to the front axle weight in simple terms? What has to be done to make this possible and can you run single axle on rear or do you recommending keeping the tandems for heavy hauls?

zorry · Feb 14, 2014

Put a heavier axle on new truck. Look for heavier axle if buying used. They are more common than they used to be.
Buying used gives you the chance to weigh the truck and make an informed decision.
If buying new the heavier axle puts you into more taxes.

If in an accident I may be glad I'm in the heavier steel cab. Volvo trucks are a very good place to be if you're in an accident. And may decrease the odds of an accident in the first place.

zorry · Feb 14, 2014

Daffyduck528 said:
What do they run? We have a d unit and sit right at 11,800.

What kind of truck/engine ?

I saw 5 or 6 Volvo expediters out front of the Ontario Petro recently, so people are slowly getting turned on to them.

I know a fleet owner that has two on order that will have custom sleepers.

Daffyduck528 · Feb 14, 2014

T-660/cat. Old es truck. Gonna try to add on a second truck by the end of the year. Looking at cascadia and western star. I was looking at the volvo's, but stopped. Maybe I should look into them again. I really like their emphasis on safety and the I-shift/d13 combo. I didn't think you could run over 12,000 on interstate even if you had a 14,600 lb axle/ tire setup.

zorry · Feb 14, 2014

No, a single axle is good up to 20,000 lbs regardless of position. As long as all components are properly rated.

Think of your D. Add heavier box, reefer unit. Imagine what your front axle weight would be.

It was a truck very similar yours that got popped 13,800 on steers with lift axle up. Empty DR.

Love my D13/I Shift.

zorry · Feb 14, 2014

Get your down payments together.

Phil's truck should be available any day.

Daffyduck528 · Feb 14, 2014

Ha. I like Phil's truck, but I want a Cali truck. I want to keep all my trucks 48 state legal and ready to go. My next will also be new and probably a surface unit. I don't know white glove well enough to spend the money on it. Maybe when I have 3 or 4 I'll look into a DR unit.

zorry · Feb 14, 2014

Andy Mohr Truck Center on Holt St in Indianapolis seems to want to go after the expedited market.

Lawrence should have sales contact them. ( Chillout, credit the referral fee to my account.)

There are at least two Volvo Truck Dealers in Indy. So the first one you see may not be Andy Mohr.

T270_Dreamin · Feb 14, 2014

I'd like to consider a VNL 730 or 780 and utilize the OEM 77" sleeper (stretch frame/add 22' box). What year is best and what is the max mileage you suggest? How much cash should I plan on spending?

Daffyduck528 · Feb 14, 2014

Zorry, what kind of fuel economy do you get with the d13/I-shift setup?

zorry · Feb 14, 2014

I stay in the low 10's consistently. Chassis was on lot, preordered to be Nascar style motorhome. Set up to pull a good size trl and run at 80,000 lbs.

With improvements since 2012 and the improved aerodynamics of a D I would think 11 is pretty realistic if a guy tried.

Bob Caffee believes I have issues as very little difference between 55 and 65. 12 lbs or 12000 lbs in box.

When you tell a shop foreman I'm only getting 10 mph and should be getting 11 they just look at you funny.

I have never found a shop that thought detuning to 375 from 500 would help.

So we just put up with 10.3-10.5

blackpup · Feb 14, 2014

https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/2010/title-27/subtitle-3/chapter-35/subchapter-2/27-35-203/

(c) Maximum Weight on Front or Steering Axle. (1) The maximum weight imposed on the highway by the front or steering axle of a vehicle shall not exceed the amount of the manufacturer's axle weight rating for the front or steering axle or twenty thousand pounds (20,000 lbs.), whichever is less. If the vehicle has no plate attached by the manufacturer providing the axle and gross weight ratings, the maximum weight allowed for the front or steering axle shall be twelve thousand pounds (12,000 lbs.).

jimmy

TruckingSurv · Feb 15, 2014

You are limited to 20,000 on a single tire axle, subject to the axle and tires, many states also limit weight to 600 pounds of tire width, may have to step up to wider tires on the steers to get maximum axle weight. I drive an 07 Volvo three axle straight truck that has been stretched, we gross about 42000 all the time and it does have a heavy steer axle, almost 14000, run wider tires and they are still almost maxed out.

beachbum · Feb 15, 2014

Check wight he chrome shop mafia in Joplin, they can tell you how much it will cost.

T270_Dreamin said:
I'd like to consider a VNL 730 or 780 and utilize the OEM 77" sleeper (stretch frame/add 22' box). What year is best and what is the max mileage you suggest? How much cash should I plan on spending?