D13 455HP OR D13 500HP

Volvo’s are a tad heavy. If you can find a 730, that would be a better choice. The transmission and rear gear ratios are a bit more important than the HP.

Know a small company running the D13 with Ishift autos, the XE package, these are set at 455 HP.
Seem to run good.

 

I have a 2014 Volvo 780 that I pull flat bed with and it works just fine. My truck and trailer weigh about 32,500 with half tank of fuel and I rarely ever pull anything heavier than 46,000. My truck is a D13 455 hp with the 12 speed I-shift. If you can purchase one that has been pushed up to 500 hp that would be great.

Except for the engine, you will want to consider the wheel base on your truck. My first truck was 220 inch wheel base and really did not have enough room for a chain rack and doing work from the rear deck. My current truck is 240 inch wheel base which give me enough room for the chain rack, but if I could spec another truck I would go at least 275 inches just for the extra room on the back deck to move around on.

The roomy interior of the 780 is wonderful, but that condo does take a few knocks from low trees once in a while. And one other consideration: If you are going to buy a used truck, make sure the truck is a 6 x 4 configuration with a differential. My first truck was a former US Express truck which only had a 6 x 2 configuration and no differential. I would get stuck in my own driveway if the wrong wheel was not touching the ground. Food for though.

 

Can you even get a Volvo with a 275" whlbase?

 

I run the mountains with a Volvo 670 and wish I had 500 hp.

 

If both have the same motor you can get a shop to bump it up if you would like. Also gearing makes a big difference.

I drive a 500hp w900 and the thing is absolutely amazing compared to my old Columbia at 450. Makes roads like I-81 so much less annoying.

 

Nothing like a 9 to make life a little easier.

 

Best flat deck spec is strong and light. 3.55-3.73 rears, 500+ hp, 1850+ torque, 13-speed+. The lighter the truck, the more you can squeeze onto the deck. If you can tare 30,500-32,500, shippers will love you.

 

how much do your new 567s weigh in at? with the new battery packs? peterbilt tried to sell me on it. didnt like the automatic engine start in the middle of the night, and the battery pack goes on the side of the rail.

 

Not sure. They are stamped at 8,757 kg (19,305 lbs). So throw in 1750 lbs of fuel, 400 lbs of flat deck equipment, 800 lbs of chains and you are looking at about 22,250 lbs. So likely in the 32-33k range with an aluminum deck.

Haven't heard much feedback about the APU's aside from the fact they save the owner lots of money on fuel (even at Canadian winter temps they can be idle free overnight, which saves anywhere from 12-15 gals of fuel a day right there).