Last Changed 2/11/2007
|
Volvos
Once we learned of the benefits of a converted HDT Volvo, we
evaluated the Volvo models with the features that has made the Crew
Chief interesting. |
 |
There are basically three models of Volvo integrated sleeper
HDT trucks; the VN 610 (now VN 630), the VN 660 (now VN 670)
and the VN 770 (now the VN 780).
You will also see the models listed as VNM nnn and VNL nnn
which refers to hood length (VNL = long hood, VNM = medium
hood). |
click on image to enlarge |
|
Update - Volvo has expanded the product offering. The VN 780 is now
available as the VT 880 with polished exposed fuel tanks and other
trim to give a more macho look. Also there is now a VT 830 and VN
730 which have the longer sleeper like the VN 780 at the lower
height of the VN 630
|
 |
 |
|
VN 610 (VN630, VN 730, VN 830)
The VN 610 is called a mid-rise sleeper cab. Just the cab
roof is about 10’ 4” high. Often you will see a VNL 610
with a fiberglass fairing that takes the height to about 13’
3” which is the normal height of a semi- trailer. This
provides for smooth air flow up and over the trailer. |
click on images to enlarge
|
 |
|
The sleeper part of the VN 610 cab is about 60” behind the driver’s
seat. There is one berth across the back of the sleeper with
storage below it. There may be cabinets behind the driver’s and
passenger’s seats.
A VN 610 Volvo has clean lines and a raised roof integral air ride
sleeper which rises up to just below the roofline of most 5ers.
This makes for good air flow over the top of the truck and trailer
as compared to a flat roof sleeper, or a tall sleeper which extends
about 13’ 3” high. Tall sleepers on any unit are guaranteed to cause
overhead obstacle problems at some time or another. There are
bridges, signs, eves, overhangs, wires, and tree limbs to worry
about.
|
|
click to enlarge |
|
VN 660 (VN 670)
The VN 660 is called a high-rise or condo sleeper. Instead of a fairing taking the height of the cab to 13’ 3”, the cab
has the vertical space available inside the sleeper. This means that a VN 660 usually has a second berth mounted over
the first berth in bunk bed fashion. The upper berth is hinged so that it can be stored out of the way. There are |
|
storage cabinets that make use of the extra vertical space. The VN 660 cab is the same 60” as the VN 610, just with an
extra 3’ feet of height.
|
There are side windows for the upper berth that can be opened and have integrated screens.
|
 |
 |
 |
VN 770 (VN 780, VN 880)
The VN 770 is a high-rise sleeper like the VN 660. The VN 770 cab is 72” long and is wider than the VN 660. The lower
bunk of a VN 770 is usually set up like a fold-down dinette in an RV. |
click to enlarge |
|
|
There is a table with a bench seat on each side. The table can be
lowered and the seat cushions unfolded to make the lower berth.
There is storage under the seats similar to the VN 610 and VN 660,
only larger.
The upper berth is like the VN 660. Both bunks are 76" long. The
extra cab width of the VN 770 shows up as a storage compartment
behind the curbside seatback of the workstation lower bunk.
The cabinets behind the driver’s and passenger’s seats are wider and
deeper than those on the VN 660. Many VN 770s have a refrigerator
mounted in the cabinet behind the driver. There is an option for a
drawer above the refrigerator that can hold a sink with a water pump
faucet. A microwave can be installed in a cabinet above that
drawer.
The cabinet behind the passenger provides for hanging clothes
storage. Above the hanging storage, there is room for a TV.
Like the VN 660, the VN 770 has windows for the upper berth. The VN
770 also has windows with built in screens for the lower berth.
Many VN 770s have a skylight window in the forward cab roof.
|
The Height Issue
The VN 610, with the top fairing removed, is the shortest of the
three Volvo models. At 10’ 4”, there are not many places where you
can’t go with VN 610 with the exception of in-building parking. The
height is close to the height of RV fifth-wheel trailers.
With the VN 660 and VN 770, at 13’ 3” height, you have to be much
more cognizant of bridges and overpasses. All bridges and
overpasses in the Federal Interstate Highway System are high enough
for the VN 660/770. This cannot be said for all state bridges.
Cities are the most likely place where you will find bridges and
overpasses where the height is less than 13’ 3”. This is due to
older structures built before the current generation of trucks. But
you have to remember, commercial trucks need to make deliveries to
business all around a city, so there is usually a way for you to get
there also.
Also, you must not forget that many RV fifth-wheel trailers are 13'
3" high.
|
| |
Overall Height |
Here is a table of the types of fifth-wheel trailers that we
are considering. You will notice that when pulling the
trailer, there are not too many places that a VN 610 could
go that a VN 660/770 could not go. |
| Alfa Leisure |
12' 7' |
| Carriage |
12' 11' |
| Everest |
12' 8" |
| King of the Road |
12' 9" |
| Newmar Kountry Aire |
13' 3" |
| Nu Wa Hitchhiker |
12' 9" |
| Teton |
13' |
| Travel Supreme |
12' |
|
|
|
|
Crew Chief Aero-Condo
Early in the process of planning for full-timing, we saw the Crew
Chief Aero-Condo at the Baltimore RV Show. We liked the idea that
the truck could be used to do short overnight trips away from the
trailer. |
 |
We liked the concept of the Crew Chief Aero-Condo but we
wanted to buy used due to the issue of the 12% Federal
Excise Tax. There are not many used Crew Chiefs available.
We found only one and it had a manual shift.
The Crew Chief Aero-Condo is considered a MDT since it is
available on the Freightliner FL60 (Class 6) or FL70 (Class
7) chassis. |
click to enlarge |
|
Why the VN 770?
When running errands without the trailer, the VN 610 might be more
versatile because it is shorter. As we don't plan on driving big
cities once we are full-timing, we do not feel this will be a
problem.
The VN 660 has the height issues of the VN 770 but not the cab space
and therefore not considered.
Since we liked the Crew Chief idea of a mini-motorhome and the Volvo
VN 770 with its 72” sleeper which includes a dinette-like work
table, double bunks, and room for a refrigerator, microwave,
Porta-potty and other storage, is similar to a Crew Chief. Larry
Zeigler felt the height of the VN 770 is a problem. We checked the
heights of the fifth-wheel trailers we are considering and they run
almost the same height as the VN 770. Our rationale is that if
there is not enough height for a VN 770, there also would not be
enough for our FW trailer. The VN 770 has almost the same utility
as the Crew Chief. We can see using (have used) the VN 770
for a couple of nights going to places where we don’t or can’t take
the trailer. This is why we chose a VN 770.
|
Auto-Shift Availability
We had to have an auto-shift transmission. In a perfect world, a
full automatic would be the choice but the availability in HDTs is
extremely limited.
In our search, we found more VN 770s with auto-shift in a reasonable
mileage range than VN 610s. That was a secondary reason for going
with a VN 770. |
