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Volvo 780 or KW T680

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Cummins757, Jun 28, 2015.

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  1. Jun 28, 2015 #1
    Cummins757

    Cummins757 Bobtail Member

    28
    6
    Jun 3, 2015
    New Jersey
    0
    My brother and I want to start a trucking company. It would just be the 2 of us. We would like to haul flatbed loads. We want to drive mostly from middle America all the way to the east coast and north and south. I am currently not a truck driver, so all I have go base my thoughts on trucks is looks alone. I would like to know, as an O/O, would you recommend a Volvo 780, or a KW T680. I have sat in both, but that's about it. Based on that alone, the Volvo has a lot more room in the cab area. I really like the look of the KW though. Regardless of which truck we choose, it would have the Cummins engine. I really like the Cummins. I would prefer to not get opinions from people who have only heard what others have said about the trucks. I would really like to get good unbiased opinions from those who have driven at least one if not both trucks. I want to know the good, bad, and ugly. Thank you
     
    Cummins757, Jun 28, 2015
    Cummins757, Jun 28, 2015
    #1
    SnakeSkinssssss Thanks this.
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  3. Jul 5, 2015 #2
    montanajellyman

    montanajellyman Light Load Member

    155
    87
    Feb 4, 2012
    Billings, MT
    0
    Volvo is the lightest and has the tightest turn radius. I have experience in the 620 and 730. Only KW experience for me is the T600 and for me (5' 8", 155 lbs) it was to small to comfortable "live" in for any length of time.
     
    montanajellyman, Jul 5, 2015
    montanajellyman, Jul 5, 2015
    #2
  4. Jul 5, 2015 #3
    KB3MMX

    KB3MMX Road Train Member

    3,069
    2,588
    Dec 29, 2014
    Orrstown, PA
    0
    Both will do great on mileage but the Volvo offers a package aimed at efficiency, called the XE.

    This package integrates their motor with the iShift 12spd. Commonly the 13L motor is used with a 2.64 rear in this setup.

    I like the 680 Kenworth and the Volvos but I preffer the room, ride and turning of the Volvo. With flatbed you might want to consider the 730 instead (midroof)

    Personally I think either would be a good choice, you'll just have less space in a 680KW
     
    KB3MMX, Jul 5, 2015
    KB3MMX, Jul 5, 2015
    #3
    gekko1323 and SnakeSkinssssss Thank this.
  5. Jul 5, 2015 #4
    taxihacker66

    taxihacker66 Road Train Member

    1,344
    1,224
    Feb 26, 2012
    Concrete jungle.
    0
    Go with the Volvo . I have driven both and the Volvo has m ore room and storage
     
    taxihacker66, Jul 5, 2015
    taxihacker66, Jul 5, 2015
    #4
  7. Jul 6, 2015 #5
    Cummins757

    Cummins757 Bobtail Member

    28
    6
    Jun 3, 2015
    New Jersey
    0
    I have always heard that it is the heaviest due to the steel cab fram
     
    Cummins757, Jul 6, 2015
    Cummins757, Jul 6, 2015
    #5
    SnakeSkinssssss Thanks this.
  8. Jul 6, 2015 #6
    tommymonza

    tommymonza Road Train Member

    4,519
    12,848
    Sep 10, 2013
    S.W. Florida
    0
    I spoke with a gentleman this weekend that his company specializes in rebuilding large transmissions. He told me the ishift is a non rebuildable transmission and at 7 to 800 thousand it requires a replacement to the tune of 25 to 30 thousand dollars.
     
    tommymonza, Jul 6, 2015
    tommymonza, Jul 6, 2015
    #6
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  9. Jul 6, 2015 #7
    DUNE-T

    DUNE-T Road Train Member

    6,873
    16,584
    May 10, 2015
    Detroit, MI
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    I think ishift is under warranty till 750k miles
     
    DUNE-T, Jul 6, 2015
    DUNE-T, Jul 6, 2015
    #7
  10. Jul 6, 2015 #8
    Offroadjack

    Offroadjack Light Load Member

    197
    52
    Jun 19, 2012
    0
    there are a lot of them with over 1million on them. and there 14k installed at Volvo. still not cheap
    and ya there warranty is 750k on them
     
    Offroadjack, Jul 6, 2015
    Offroadjack, Jul 6, 2015
    #8
    tommymonza Thanks this.
  11. Jul 6, 2015 #9
    powerhousescott

    powerhousescott Medium Load Member

    496
    499
    Jun 17, 2015
    Pecuiar, MO
    0
    Both are good quality trucks. Go with which one you like best for the money. We have Volvo's and they all have over 1M on them with no overhauls as of yet. Those are the older Volvo D12's and N14 Cummins engines. If you were to go new, you should go with the Cummins in the KW. If you go with Volvo go with the D13, better fuel mileage, seems like they both got their EPA issues figured out now. If you go with an I-shift, an overhaul on that thing cost about $13,000, 25K-30K for a new one. The eaton-fuller 10 speed auto may be the way to go if matching up to a Cummins. Otherwise stick with the old standard 13 spd, which we have and have no replaced one yet.

    The Volvo is lighter, and does indeed turn and ride the best.

    The KW will have better resale value when you are looking to sell.

    That is about all I have
     
    powerhousescott, Jul 6, 2015
    powerhousescott, Jul 6, 2015
    #9
  12. Jul 6, 2015 #10
    nutcase

    nutcase Light Load Member

    259
    100
    May 2, 2010
    Meridian, ID
    0
    ????
    Unless something has changed, its 5 yrs/500,000 miles. You might be thinking 750,00 for rear ends.
     
    nutcase, Jul 6, 2015
    nutcase, Jul 6, 2015
    #10
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