New to this site but not new to camping and RVing. My wife and I started out with a 68 VW Bug and tents to a 71 VW Bus/Camper, to a 12 foot Lance camper with 78 GMC 1 ton to a 34 foot Class A, to nothing, and a few years ago to a 36 foot (actully 36'9") Fleetwood Wilderness Advantage AX6 FLQS (Front Lounge Quad Slide) 5er. Towed that a few years with my uprated 1999 Ford F250 Super Duty Diesel, but about 1 1/2 years ago switch over to a 2005 Volvo VNL780. No problems pulling with the Ford, but never felt safe pulling a trailer that weighs more that the truck. Even with an exhaust brake.
The pin box on my 5er is real high so when I mounted the Hensley Trailer Saver Hitch all I had to do was bolt a couple of angles to the frame behind the stock Volvo angles, then bolt a 1/2 inch thick plate across the frame. The hitch sits just forward of the rear axle. I didn't shorten the wheel base to single axle so total length of my rig from bumper to bumper is right at 63 feet. Loaded with half fuel (150 gal) and full water and most other stuff in the 5er, I weigh about 38,000. Truck is registered as an RV in Colorado which was about the easiest thing I have ever done. Hardest part was finding the partial VIN number that is stamped on the frame on the left side of the engine.
The 780 has the Volvo 465 engine with the Freedom Line 12 speed automatic. Total miles are just over 954,000 with a in frame rebuild at 750,000. I replaced the steer tires and the starter motor. Rear tires about about 85%. A couple of electrical gremlins still exist one of which is a slow leak in the electrical system that draws the batteries down over a 3 week period. Tough to find a low amp draw. Been removing full circuit fuses and individual fuses and checking with a miliamp gauge, but can't find the leak.
This is a picture of the rig with me chill'n while my wife and son-in-law are walking around a flea market just north of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Terry and Jo said
06:13 PM Jul 5, 2013
Welcome, Dick.
I've not stopped in Mancos, but I must have been through it at least 2 or 3 times. We've been to Mesa Verde twice and once just driving through from Idaho and Utah.
Glad to have you as part of the RV Dreams forums, and I suspect we will be looking forward to comments and answers from you for those of us that are still learning about RV'ing and the RV lifestyle.
Nice rig, but I'm wondering why you couldn't find any shade in which to sit for that photo. Then again, northern New Mexico can be fairly cool at times.
Terry
Suerte said
07:53 PM Jul 5, 2013
Terry
Thanks for the Welcome.
This picture was taken during a late October trip to Santa Fe. It was cool so the sun was welcome. Since you have been to Mesa Verde National Park if you have looked to the left when you driving up the hill into the park then you have seen our place. We are just 2 miles to the east from the park entrance. This is what the spread looks like from ground level. We have 35 acres so we don't have to worry about parking. I have a full hook up site for the 5er.
GENECOP said
09:15 PM Jul 5, 2013
Welcome to the Forum, nice setup there...
MarkS said
11:09 AM Jul 6, 2013
Welcome aboard. I have a 2004 780 with a 15 liter Cummins and a 13 speed. I am not a fan of automatics in a big truck but that is my testosterone talking. I only use the clutch to stop and start anyway.
My truck has about a 5 amp continuous draw. Volvo told me that it was the ECU and that they all do it. I don't necessarily believe everything I'm told but to avoid draining the batteries I am considering using a solar battery tender. In the meantime I disconnect my batteries when the truck is going to sit for a while. You are likely to find that the power is being drawn through the 12 or 14 gauge wire attached to the positive terminal of the batteries. There is an inline fuse in that wire about a foot or so from the battery.
-- Edited by MarkS on Saturday 6th of July 2013 11:13:39 AM
-- Edited by MarkS on Saturday 6th of July 2013 11:14:07 AM
WestWardHo said
05:31 PM Jul 6, 2013
Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you have lots of experience and knowledge to share with this group. I'm fascinated with Volvos, partly because Jack Mayer and others on here believe in them so much. Looks like you could tow a cruise ship with yours! 😄
Sherry
Suerte said
09:21 PM Jul 6, 2013
Mark
Thanks for the info on the amp draw. I noticed the fuse on the positive terminal when I was hooking up my lights and brake system. This truck has the high tech sound system and the security system is also always on and I know that draws some power. Since I park next to my garage where I have an outside power source I just keep my trucked hooked up to a trickle charger.
I read all the horror stories about the Freedom Line transmission and the fact that it is now out of production, but I just didn't want to row the truck around town. With the Freedom Line being a fully geared transmission, as opposed to something with bands and clutches, I an not too concerned about failures. Unless the transmission control unit dies.
The other small problem I have is the stepper motor for the tach is going out. The tach sensor is OK since all of the systems that utilize RPM work fine. I found a website that shows how to work on the stepper motor and source for the stepper motor, but I have to buy 5 of them. Every once in awhile I pull out the instrument cluster, open up the back then open up the stepper motor and reset the gears. Replacement will probably be a winter time project.
Suerte said
09:28 PM Jul 6, 2013
Sherry
Before I bought my Volvo I read the online information from Jack Meyer and others that use a Volvo. I couldn't be happier with my truck. I looked for quite some time before I bought this one. With the air ride for the suspension, the cab and the seats it is a very comfortable ride. Plus there is very little road noise. My wife doesn't have to yell at me just to be heard.
When we travel for any long periods, we have all of our four legged children with us. This comes to (right now) 3 dogs and 4 cats. The cats find their own hiding place and the dogs grab their spot on the back seats, or in the passenger seat.
MarkS said
03:52 AM Jul 7, 2013
Volvos have their gremlins. They can have as many as ten computers in them. I have a repetitive problem with the environmental control computer. When it works it will keep the bridge and the sleeper at whatever temperature you set it at. But if it is throwing one of its fits the AC won't work correctly nor does the heat. Since it is so automated there is no work around. And unlike MS Windows, there is no ctl-alt-del to reboot it.
Suerte said
01:33 PM Jul 7, 2013
My environmental control system has automatic and manual. Buttons, knobs and switches that turn the AC, set the temp and the fan speed as well as the flow to the sleeper. Plus there are the separate sleeper controls.
Just noticed in your signature that you are retired USAF. Both my daughter and her husband are retired USAF E9s. Daughter did 24 years and son-in-law did 27. They met each other in boot at Lackland. They both finished up at Scott. They still live in O'Fallon, IL. My oldest son is still in the AF Reserves. When I was young enough to go in the military my wife kept having children. 3 by the time I was 25. So no military for me.
Jack Mayer said
05:44 PM Jul 7, 2013
Dick if you get over our way be sure to stop in. We are in Woodland Park, CO until October.
Are you planning to come to the HDT Rally in October? It is well worth the trip over to Hutchinson, KS for the week. If you go, I think you will have a great time.
As to "Volvo" gremlins - other trucks have the same issues. All of the trucks/engines are highly computerized these days. And all of them can have issues. But if you are pulling "heavy" the HDT can not be beat for pulling prowess and comfort.
You have likely seen it, but here is the photo album for my 2009 Volvo 780. It documents the bed build for the smart carrier. The finished pictures are at the very end.
bjoyce said
06:21 PM Jul 7, 2013
Off subject: Hutchinson, KS will convince you that having an RO system for your drinking water is a good idea. The city is built on top of a salt dome.
Suerte said
07:33 PM Jul 7, 2013
Jack
Thanks for the link to the pictures. I don't think I've seen pictures of your 2009 before. One quick question, where did you get all of the swoopie decals? I got some logo stuff that just says Simmons Second Chance Ranch, but would like to get some decals like yours.
If I was going to full time I would have a rear deck similar to yours. Right now we have too many big critters we are taking care of to be gone from home for long stretches. Finding reliable people to feed big animals is not the easiest thing to do. Also if I was going to full time I would think about getting a truck with less miles.
I have looked at some of the HDT rally information before and it is on my want to do list. Right now we have Cheyenne in early August for a Kiwanis convention (My wife is secretary of the local Kiwanis). Then I am going to the Mesquite BBQ Competition over Labor Day Weekend. My extended family has put together a team for the competition. It will be fun by hot. Only local long weekend trips planned right now for September or October, so the HDT rally would fit.
New to this site but not new to camping and RVing. My wife and I started out with a 68 VW Bug and tents to a 71 VW Bus/Camper, to a 12 foot Lance camper with 78 GMC 1 ton to a 34 foot Class A, to nothing, and a few years ago to a 36 foot (actully 36'9") Fleetwood Wilderness Advantage AX6 FLQS (Front Lounge Quad Slide) 5er. Towed that a few years with my uprated 1999 Ford F250 Super Duty Diesel, but about 1 1/2 years ago switch over to a 2005 Volvo VNL780. No problems pulling with the Ford, but never felt safe pulling a trailer that weighs more that the truck. Even with an exhaust brake.
The pin box on my 5er is real high so when I mounted the Hensley Trailer Saver Hitch all I had to do was bolt a couple of angles to the frame behind the stock Volvo angles, then bolt a 1/2 inch thick plate across the frame. The hitch sits just forward of the rear axle. I didn't shorten the wheel base to single axle so total length of my rig from bumper to bumper is right at 63 feet. Loaded with half fuel (150 gal) and full water and most other stuff in the 5er, I weigh about 38,000. Truck is registered as an RV in Colorado which was about the easiest thing I have ever done. Hardest part was finding the partial VIN number that is stamped on the frame on the left side of the engine.
The 780 has the Volvo 465 engine with the Freedom Line 12 speed automatic. Total miles are just over 954,000 with a in frame rebuild at 750,000. I replaced the steer tires and the starter motor. Rear tires about about 85%. A couple of electrical gremlins still exist one of which is a slow leak in the electrical system that draws the batteries down over a 3 week period. Tough to find a low amp draw. Been removing full circuit fuses and individual fuses and checking with a miliamp gauge, but can't find the leak.
This is a picture of the rig with me chill'n while my wife and son-in-law are walking around a flea market just north of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Welcome, Dick.
I've not stopped in Mancos, but I must have been through it at least 2 or 3 times. We've been to Mesa Verde twice and once just driving through from Idaho and Utah.
Glad to have you as part of the RV Dreams forums, and I suspect we will be looking forward to comments and answers from you for those of us that are still learning about RV'ing and the RV lifestyle.
Nice rig, but I'm wondering why you couldn't find any shade in which to sit for that photo. Then again, northern New Mexico can be fairly cool at times.
Terry
Terry
Thanks for the Welcome.
This picture was taken during a late October trip to Santa Fe. It was cool so the sun was welcome. Since you have been to Mesa Verde National Park if you have looked to the left when you driving up the hill into the park then you have seen our place. We are just 2 miles to the east from the park entrance. This is what the spread looks like from ground level. We have 35 acres so we don't have to worry about parking. I have a full hook up site for the 5er.
Welcome aboard. I have a 2004 780 with a 15 liter Cummins and a 13 speed. I am not a fan of automatics in a big truck but that is my testosterone talking. I only use the clutch to stop and start anyway.
My truck has about a 5 amp continuous draw. Volvo told me that it was the ECU and that they all do it. I don't necessarily believe everything I'm told but to avoid draining the batteries I am considering using a solar battery tender. In the meantime I disconnect my batteries when the truck is going to sit for a while. You are likely to find that the power is being drawn through the 12 or 14 gauge wire attached to the positive terminal of the batteries. There is an inline fuse in that wire about a foot or so from the battery.
-- Edited by MarkS on Saturday 6th of July 2013 11:13:39 AM
-- Edited by MarkS on Saturday 6th of July 2013 11:14:07 AM
Sherry
Mark
Thanks for the info on the amp draw. I noticed the fuse on the positive terminal when I was hooking up my lights and brake system. This truck has the high tech sound system and the security system is also always on and I know that draws some power. Since I park next to my garage where I have an outside power source I just keep my trucked hooked up to a trickle charger.
I read all the horror stories about the Freedom Line transmission and the fact that it is now out of production, but I just didn't want to row the truck around town. With the Freedom Line being a fully geared transmission, as opposed to something with bands and clutches, I an not too concerned about failures. Unless the transmission control unit dies.
The other small problem I have is the stepper motor for the tach is going out. The tach sensor is OK since all of the systems that utilize RPM work fine. I found a website that shows how to work on the stepper motor and source for the stepper motor, but I have to buy 5 of them. Every once in awhile I pull out the instrument cluster, open up the back then open up the stepper motor and reset the gears. Replacement will probably be a winter time project.
Sherry
Before I bought my Volvo I read the online information from Jack Meyer and others that use a Volvo. I couldn't be happier with my truck. I looked for quite some time before I bought this one. With the air ride for the suspension, the cab and the seats it is a very comfortable ride. Plus there is very little road noise. My wife doesn't have to yell at me just to be heard.
When we travel for any long periods, we have all of our four legged children with us. This comes to (right now) 3 dogs and 4 cats. The cats find their own hiding place and the dogs grab their spot on the back seats, or in the passenger seat.
My environmental control system has automatic and manual. Buttons, knobs and switches that turn the AC, set the temp and the fan speed as well as the flow to the sleeper. Plus there are the separate sleeper controls.
Just noticed in your signature that you are retired USAF. Both my daughter and her husband are retired USAF E9s. Daughter did 24 years and son-in-law did 27. They met each other in boot at Lackland. They both finished up at Scott. They still live in O'Fallon, IL. My oldest son is still in the AF Reserves. When I was young enough to go in the military my wife kept having children. 3 by the time I was 25. So no military for me.
Dick if you get over our way be sure to stop in. We are in Woodland Park, CO until October.
Are you planning to come to the HDT Rally in October? It is well worth the trip over to Hutchinson, KS for the week. If you go, I think you will have a great time.
As to "Volvo" gremlins - other trucks have the same issues. All of the trucks/engines are highly computerized these days. And all of them can have issues. But if you are pulling "heavy" the HDT can not be beat for pulling prowess and comfort.
You have likely seen it, but here is the photo album for my 2009 Volvo 780. It documents the bed build for the smart carrier. The finished pictures are at the very end.
Jack
Thanks for the link to the pictures. I don't think I've seen pictures of your 2009 before. One quick question, where did you get all of the swoopie decals? I got some logo stuff that just says Simmons Second Chance Ranch, but would like to get some decals like yours.
If I was going to full time I would have a rear deck similar to yours. Right now we have too many big critters we are taking care of to be gone from home for long stretches. Finding reliable people to feed big animals is not the easiest thing to do. Also if I was going to full time I would think about getting a truck with less miles.
I have looked at some of the HDT rally information before and it is on my want to do list. Right now we have Cheyenne in early August for a Kiwanis convention (My wife is secretary of the local Kiwanis). Then I am going to the Mesquite BBQ Competition over Labor Day Weekend. My extended family has put together a team for the competition. It will be fun by hot. Only local long weekend trips planned right now for September or October, so the HDT rally would fit.