whatsnext Posted March 2, 2015 Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 Well, after two years of research and hand wringing on what kind of tow vehicle we would fulltime in, my wife and I have decided on purchasing a 2016 Volvo VNL42T780. We just ordered it last Monday and sent in the deposit check. We have actually gone and done it!!!! The truck is slotted for an April 27th production date. We are extremely excited and can't wait for May to arrive!!! The forum has been a huge help to us and I'd like to thank everyone. David This should be correct now. I have changed the "Share" settings as Jack suggested (Thanks Jack). It should work now with the below link. Here is the link to the build sheet https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B-BzMqbPa7x0RVpHdzZzZGw3TXM&usp=sharing 2016 Volvo VNL780 D13 I-Shift 2016 DRV 44 Houston 2015 Smart Cabriolet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis M Posted March 2, 2015 Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 Wow, how cool is that! I can bet it will be a long slow month waiting for that. Be sure to post pictures once it arrives. Dennis & NancyTucson, AZ in winter, on the road in summer.1999 Volvo 610 "Bud" 425 HP Volvo, Super 10 spd.2005 Mountain Aire 35 BLKS2013 smart fortwo CityFlame riding on Bud(Replaced '05 smart first loaded in '06 and '11 smart that gave it's life to save me!)Our Travel Blog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted March 2, 2015 Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 Congratulations. Did you do the specs yourself or work with the engineers like RickS? 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted March 2, 2015 Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 Sweet!! Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronbo Posted March 2, 2015 Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 Awesome. We are all going to tell our wives to see if we can do it too Ron C. 2013 Dynamax Trilogy 3850 D3 2000 Kenworth T2000 Optimus Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatsnext Posted March 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 Congratulations. Did you do the specs yourself or work with the engineers like RickS? Thanks. We are excited. It was a combination of starting with a baseline truck using input from Gregg Shields. Comparing notes with RickS and the Volvo engineers allowed us to work through the pro's and cons of each detail. We knew that we wanted to focus on fuel efficiency so we spec'd the XE package in a D13 mated to an iShift. LOL...and about 27 approved "options" later we had our final product!! They don't build many 780's with "truck-type" specifications (as opposed to tractor spec's). Pictures will be uploaded a'plenty once we take delivery. 2016 Volvo VNL780 D13 I-Shift 2016 DRV 44 Houston 2015 Smart Cabriolet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4Girls&aMan Posted March 2, 2015 Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 Congratulations! Step 1 done.... now on to step 2! Enjoy the process! 2007 2L Freightliner Century Condo, 14.0L Detroit, QD 60002013 Space Craft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted March 2, 2015 Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 Well you got a truck that can pull anything..... So what you gonna pull?? Alie & Jim + 8 paws 2017 DRV Memphis BART- 1998 Volvo 610 Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickS Posted March 2, 2015 Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 David......Congrat's! I'm glad you got it all figured out as it is a lot of work. Keep in mind that there is a timeline that you can still make changes if needed. Only once at no charge and charges apply after that. Looking forward to seeing the spec sheet to see the final product. Hope to see you down the road. Soon we have the Volvo engineer's spec'ing "Dark Side Spec" orders. Rick & Carey,Excel W41GKE Wild Cargo Toyhauler Volvo 730, D13, I-shift, 500/1850Brabus Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Heiser Posted March 2, 2015 Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 Congratulations! 2000 Kenworth T2000 w/ Cummins N14 and autoshift 2017 DRV Mobile Suite 40KSSB4 with factory mods, dealer mods and personal mods - now in the RV graveyard 2022 DRV Full House MX450 with customized floor plan 2018 Polaris RZR Turbo S (fits in the garage) 2016 Smart Car (fits in the garage or gets flat towed behind the DRV when the RZR is in the garage)My First Solar Install ThreadMy Second Solar Install Thread & Photos and Documents Related to the buildMy MX450's solar, battery and inverter system - my biggest system yet! chadheiser.com West Coast HDT Rally Website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spindrift Posted March 2, 2015 Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 Congratulations! Would you mind posting the spec sheet when you have items finalized? 2012 F350 KR CC DRW w/ some stuff 2019 Arctic Fox 32-5MCindy and Tom, Kasey and Maggie (our Newfie and Berner) Oh...I forgot the five kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JC and Angie Posted March 2, 2015 Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 Congrats 2009 Volvo 780. D-16 500hp 1850 torque with a Herrin hauler bed. 2015 Continental Coach 2008 650cc Suzuki Bergman 2013 Mustang GT 500 convertible 2014 Smartcar convertible WWW.Hollyfab.com. (Metal Fabrication Company) Jamesc@hollyfab.com (preferred contact method) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatsnext Posted March 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 Congratulations! Would you mind posting the spec sheet when you have items finalized? Thanks to everyone. Once finalized, I'll definitely post the spec's. I don't think there are any changes but we are continually reviewing to make sure we didn't miss anything.....and it is a lot of "things"! 2016 Volvo VNL780 D13 I-Shift 2016 DRV 44 Houston 2015 Smart Cabriolet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatsnext Posted March 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 Well you got a truck that can pull anything..... So what you gonna pull?? Yes, what to pull was another huge decision. We have ordered a DRV 44 foot Houston. It is the front bath model with a few customizations (modified to include a walk in pantry/laundry area). It will be the Vegas Nights full body paint scheme. Volvo said they would match the black color of the truck to the DRV as a "custom color" choice. Having trouble concentrating at work.....LOL 2016 Volvo VNL780 D13 I-Shift 2016 DRV 44 Houston 2015 Smart Cabriolet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix2013 Posted March 2, 2015 Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 This is very exciting, congratulations! Sounds like you guys made serious inroads with Volvo engineering team. Did you have a chance to visit their facility personally? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatsnext Posted March 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 I think RickS & I both made some serious inroads to Volvo engineering. There was a lot of back & forth discussions about options and why we wanted certain items spec'd. I have discussed a factory tour to see our truck built with the Communications Director at the factory and my salesman has made the official request. Volvo does allow owners to view their trucks in production depending on several factors the most important being what shift the truck is at a certain stage of the build. They only do tours on day shift. I am waiting to hear back on if our tour can be arranged. If it can be set up then we will definitely go. As RickS said, we may have developed a Dark Side Spec at Volvo! 2016 Volvo VNL780 D13 I-Shift 2016 DRV 44 Houston 2015 Smart Cabriolet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix2013 Posted March 2, 2015 Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 All kidding aside, I think what you, Rick and Gregg are accomplishing at Volvo is not only exciting but also paves a way to a whole new segment in the RV world. The sizes of the RVs have crept up now to the lengths and weights which require serious pullers but other than Gregg rebuilding used trucks there was no avenue for those who wanted the quality and reliability of a new puller with the range of options. So in one sense you guys are the pioneers as it was years ago when the MDT segment went from customs to factory built. Again congratulations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jmorris Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 Volvo has a plant here in virginia, if it's being built here I would be more than happy to go by and supervise the build if you like I'm excited for you! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatsnext Posted March 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 Volvo has a plant here in virginia, if it's being built here I would be more than happy to go by and supervise the build if you like I'm excited for you! John Ha,ha...very nice of you to volunteer John. We hope to visit the New River Valley plant in April or May. Dublin, VA is not too far away..... and yes, that is where our truck will be built. 2016 Volvo VNL780 D13 I-Shift 2016 DRV 44 Houston 2015 Smart Cabriolet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickS Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 David.....give us some of the highlights of the order. Color/Trim Level/ Configuration Rick & Carey,Excel W41GKE Wild Cargo Toyhauler Volvo 730, D13, I-shift, 500/1850Brabus Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatsnext Posted March 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 David.....give us some of the highlights of the order. Color/Trim Level/ Configuration I'll have to download the spec sheet from home tonight but here are some juicy details: Color: Black (will match fifth wheel) Trim level: Limited with Lennox Ivory trim pkg. Leather two tone seats, heated with back cyclers Configuration: 230"WB, D13 XE pkg - 405 hp @ 1650 lb-FT, premium iShift (console), 13,200 front axle, 23K lb rear axle with a 2.67 rear axle ratio, 23K lb rear Volvo air suspension, Disc brakes all around, Volvo factory TPMS/ Bendix Smartire, horizontal exhaust Other misc: Gold level trim, LED lights, twin 125 gal fuel, premium radio/bluetooth, fridge, sink, M/W prep, shore power, inverter (dealer install), power windows, power/FOB remote locks,Dura-bright polished wheels and workstation. For those that are wondering why "only 405 hp"...we wanted a fuel efficient truck and our fifth wheel will weight about 24K lbs loaded. This is well under the capabilities of the 780. Volvo Engineering agreed and put this package of HP/Torque to maximize MPG with the load we would haul. We will look at the Webasto bunk heater after everything is done to see if it will fit underneath. We also added extra insulation in the luggage compartment. Whew!! and that's the "Cliff Notes version". 2016 Volvo VNL780 D13 I-Shift 2016 DRV 44 Houston 2015 Smart Cabriolet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickS Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 Thanks David.....looks very familiar. Here in Canada any dealer installed options were way too high priced and my salesman suggested we do everything possible at the factory. They installed the Webasto / Magnum MS2012 Inverter / Extra chrome trimming / Bose Seats at the modification center which saved a bunch of money. If, you find that the 405/1650 spec with the 2:67 gear is not enough for you can move that up in the future. The extended warranty I purchased was more expensive with the 500/1850 spec. If the truck could have been ordered with D16- 600/2250 that's what I would have spec'ed.......engineering said the single rear diff wouldn't take it. If, you want a picture of the compartment with the Webasto/holding tank and inverter that was done at the factory please let me know. looking forward to seeing the complete spec sheet. Rick & Carey,Excel W41GKE Wild Cargo Toyhauler Volvo 730, D13, I-shift, 500/1850Brabus Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 I'd put the Webasto on at the factory, if it was me. I have one and love it. Would not be without it..... Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wa_desert_rat Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 The wheelbase of your new Volvo (230") is 2" more than my 36' Foretravel DP (228"). That's pretty interesting. Are you going to have room for a small car on the deck? I've always thought that if I didn't have a motor home I'd have a hard time going back to a pickup towing a 5er now that I'm used to the better seats, the room, the visibility, the handy fridge and the ability to hit the sack where the sack is nice and warm. Congrats. WDR 1993 Foretravel U225 with Pacbrake and 5.9 Cummins with Banks 1999 Jeep Wrangler, 4" lift and 33" tires Raspberry Pi Coach Computer Ham Radio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 The wheelbase of your new Volvo (230") is 2" more than my 36' Foretravel DP (228"). That's pretty interesting. Are you going to have room for a small car on the deck? My tractor has a 230" wheelbase and an overall length of 29' 3". It has a 77" condo with enough facilities to live in reasonably for a week or more with 2 people. But no shower. And we don't really use the portapotty. I carry a smart on deck. Built again the truck would be one foot longer. I pull a 45' trailer with it, so lots of space. When "on the road"we only enter the trailer for the bathroom - and usually not then (we use rest stops to stretch out legs). We have a dinette to eat at. The trucks can be very comfortable to travel in. But they are not up to the comfort level of a DP. Close, though. Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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