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volvo trucks

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by hobnob, Jul 21, 2011.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Jul 21, 2011 #1
    hobnob

    hobnob Bobtail Member

    3
    0
    Jul 21, 2011
    toledo,ohio
    0
    we are a small truck company,we bought a used volvo (4 years old) because it has the most comfortable ride! what a mistake!volvo leases trucks to big co.for three years and than sells them to unsuspecting owner operators!we have in the last three years spent over $20,000 on repairs!whenever we are stuck sitting at a volvo dealers repair shop all we hear are horor stories! their waiting rooms are always the most crowded and backed up for days with people waiting for repairs all over the U.S.to make a lighter truck ,they have plastic parts that cause continual break downs!in addition ,many recalls on certain parts of their trucks.forexample the whole wiper unit which we had taken in for repairs 6 times,the linkage for the brake system which we found out was a problem that led to brake failure un beknown to us and numerous other recalls. most trucks can be fixed at most shops but not volvo's for the most part!they must be fixed at volvo-very exspensive!you are all better off buying another truck like freightliner or peterbuilt .to deal with the crappy suspension of other trucks,I found out while looking for king pins, there is something called a KAISER PIN THAT Lasts forever and does not require the axel to be taken off and sent to a shop for re threading!!! and get top of the line shocks and springs and remove the stock suspension parts!!volvo owners spend thousands of dollars for repairs every year!we make good money but almost went under 4 times in the last 2 years because of every other week repairs!
     
    hobnob, Jul 21, 2011
    hobnob, Jul 21, 2011
    #1
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  3. Jul 21, 2011 #2
    smarttowers

    smarttowers Light Load Member

    174
    48
    Jul 6, 2011
    New Mexico
    0
    Maybe its just me but $20,000 in 3 years does not seem that high. I have been reading on here that volvo trucks are maintance nightmares but that amount doesn't seem that high.
     
    smarttowers, Jul 21, 2011
    smarttowers, Jul 21, 2011
    #2
    77fib77 and Jarhed1964 Thank this.
  4. Jul 21, 2011 #3
    Mr. PlumCrazy

    Mr. PlumCrazy Road Train Member

    1,341
    606
    Jul 30, 2009
    Lexington NC
    0
    Well you are right about most but Volvo is by far light. They are about the heaviest in the industry. And as far as volvo being a problem child I can tell you it rank #1 in the industry there too and for your $20K in three years Heck I did that in a little over a year not including the warranty work. and if you think the shop up there is screwed up try going to Central Carolina Truck in Kernersville NC they only know how to guess work I've been in 5 times for a coolant leak and the fix it every time but its still leaking And as far as the air leak I there is a better chance that Ray Charles will find it before they will. They mad at me cause i wont pay them for the last time they worked on it. I told them they didn't fix it they asked me to bring it back in I ask him for what I told I can give my 9 year grandson a dollar and have him tale a wild guess and his chance of being right is a lot better than you'll (and yes I have the paperwork to prove it just cant post them here legal reason lawsuit)

    SO FOR ANYONE CONSIDERING BUYING A VOLVO A GUN IS CHEAPER
     
    Mr. PlumCrazy, Jul 21, 2011
    Mr. PlumCrazy, Jul 21, 2011
    #3
    SheepDog Thanks this.
  5. Jul 21, 2011 #4
    Christensen

    Christensen Light Load Member

    148
    42
    May 24, 2011
    West Palm Beach, Fl.
    0
    to me, i want a truck built by someone that only builds trucks, not cars, lawnmowers, or whatever....I want a truck...built by the people who know trucks...just my 2 cents
     
    Christensen, Jul 21, 2011
    Christensen, Jul 21, 2011
    #4
    SheepDog Thanks this.
  7. Jul 22, 2011 #5
    hobnob

    hobnob Bobtail Member

    3
    0
    Jul 21, 2011
    toledo,ohio
    0
    the repairs were for two years and do not include tires which are another huge expense which has nothing to do with volvo I know!!each repair at volvo is at least double what other trucks repairs cost!!we are very frugal and the repairs cause us to live near poverty!!we barely get any pay and since the truck is constantly breaking down we aslo have too many tow bills.the truck is down almost every other week!! causing us to lose countless loads .the loss of loads is lost revenue which i did not include in total cost of repairs!! this is unacceptable!!!as far as air problems we had the truck in for that several times .it turned out to be the air control level valve- a little part that costs $500.00 bucks.total repair bill-$1400.volvo trucks have the same repeat problems with air leaks,wiring and coolant leaks!!as far as weight- the truck weighs -16,820 pounds,what do most trucks weigh?anyone who owns a volvo truck needs to check the recall list ,it is unreal!
     
    hobnob, Jul 22, 2011
    hobnob, Jul 22, 2011
    #5
  8. Jul 22, 2011 #6
    LBZ

    LBZ Road Train Member

    1,771
    1,266
    Oct 22, 2008
    Road to Nowhere
    0
    Have a '03 Pete 385 with a 63" sleeper, CAT C-12 & after adding a wet kit it is around 16,300 with not alot of fuel.

    This truck was bought at a local Kenworth/Volvo dealer used. The sales guy was telling me how advanced the Volvo trucks were in terms of cab, sensors, electronics & ride. Never drove one but asked, if you were buying one & paying for everything, which would you buy? He pointed to a T660 on the lot.

    Just his opinion of course & he knew I was looking for a lower maintenance set up. I like how some of the older 610's newer 630's look, have just been told too many stories with electronic issues.
     
    LBZ, Jul 22, 2011
    LBZ, Jul 22, 2011
    #6
  9. Jul 22, 2011 #7
    Mr. PlumCrazy

    Mr. PlumCrazy Road Train Member

    1,341
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    Jul 30, 2009
    Lexington NC
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    Mine is around 22,900 with a full tank
     
    Mr. PlumCrazy, Jul 22, 2011
    Mr. PlumCrazy, Jul 22, 2011
    #7
  10. Jul 23, 2011 #8
    rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

    13,077
    25,826
    Mar 29, 2008
    TN
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    Ouch 1400 for a level valve? 80 bucks and 15 minutes to put one on a kid could do it. I'd consider 20 grand over 3 years awesome. The way I see it 12 to 15 k annual would be great
     
    rollin coal, Jul 23, 2011
    rollin coal, Jul 23, 2011
    #8
  11. Jul 23, 2011 #9
    Mr. PlumCrazy

    Mr. PlumCrazy Road Train Member

    1,341
    606
    Jul 30, 2009
    Lexington NC
    0
    I have had every air valve replaced on my truck. Leveling valve for fronts $87.00 each rear $92.00 You must have hat the Brake valve replaced they run around $650.00. You can call Barbara at Volvo and file a complaint not that it will do any good she about as smart as a headless chicken
     
    Mr. PlumCrazy, Jul 23, 2011
    Mr. PlumCrazy, Jul 23, 2011
    #9
  12. Jul 23, 2011 #10
    BigBadBill

    BigBadBill Bullishly Optimistic

    4,599
    4,439
    Oct 2, 2010
    Chattanooga, TN
    0
    I think because part prices on Volvos have gotten the reputation of being high that some dealers and repair shops WAY over charge. I had a ligting wiring harness go out. Paid under $80 at TA when getting PM done. Thought that was high till I saw the part with a lot of connectors. I was getting work done using my LS fuel card discount. Shop guy said they would normally charge $212 for the part. Now I know they didn't lose money on it so why the mark-up. Checked with my local dealer on part price and they would have charged me $83. While picking up some parts in TX and checked this price again. $198. So I called my local shop and got prices for what I needed. TX shop was charging 2.5x what my shop charged. Asked for the parts manager and showed him the price difference. Was told Volvo is known for high prices.

    I said what I am learning is that some dealers are known for excessive mark-up. And that I have no issue with them making a fair profit but this was wrong. And that I had a couple choices. A. He could match my dealers price and make money or B. I would have parts shipped overnight to me and he makes no money.

    He agreed to sell them to me at my dealers price.

    Oh, and he told me that I must be getting a great discount because I am a good customer. Told him I called in blind with part number, not even VIN, and that was the price I was given. And that he is welcome to test this.

    Went to a shop in Indy on radiator leak. Two hours of looking and all they could tell me was that it was leaking but they couldn't find the location. Took it to my shop and 30-mins total labor and it was fixed.

    Unless I have to, I found a good shop and will not bother with any other.

    Also, get an insurance policy with towing. Haven't used it yet but know many others that have and it is a wallet saver.
     
    BigBadBill, Jul 23, 2011
    BigBadBill, Jul 23, 2011
    #10
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