TANK truck fleets, as well as premium-level owner-operators, should be pleased with the new Volvo VT 830 and VN 730 mid-roof sleeper tractors. The tractors were rolled out for the industry at the Mid-America Trucking Show March 23-25 in Louisville, Kentucky.
“The new Volvo VT 830 and Volvo VN 730 provide application-focused alternatives for customers who want the same large sleeper and premium level of features and benefits already found in the VT 880 and VN 780, but with a lower roof height,” said Peter Karlsten, president and chief executive officer of Volvo Trucks North America.
“The lower roof height on these trucks significantly improves aerodynamics, while continuing to deliver the premium performance Volvo is famous for, including great visibility and safety, a comfortable driver environment, a very quiet cab, and a smooth, precise ride. Yet even with the mid-roof height, a 6 foot 4 inch driver can stand upright between the seats.”
The height at the rear of the sleeper for both trucks is 86 inches, a full two feet less than the VT 880 and VN 780. The other sleeper dimensions have not changed: the sleepers for the Volvo VT 830 and Volvo VN 730 each are 77 inches deep and 95 inches wide.
The VT 830 is targeted at customers who want their truck to project a powerful image inspired by a modern interpretation of classic styling. The VN 730 aims at customers attracted by Volvo's aerodynamic design. Typical applications for the trucks include low trailer heights such as tanks, flatbeds, lowboys, heavy haul, and containers.
Volvo now has three different mid-roof sleepers available for customers to choose from, including the existing VN 630, which has a 61-inch-deep sleeper.
All chassis and power train options currently available for the Volvo VT 880 and Volvo VN 780 are available on the two new models. This includes the Volvo D16 engine, axles, suspensions, wheelbase combinations, fuel tanks, and chassis aerodynamic treatments.
The new Volvo models are expected to be very popular with driver teams, especially husband and wife teams. Therefore, Volvo has developed three different bunk configurations available for either model. The newest is a single 53-inch by 79-inch bunk, which is the same width as a traditional full-sized mattress. Volvo offers two innerspring 53-inch mattress choices. This configuration also includes additional underbunk storage capacity. The bunk rises on two gas-filled struts to allow easy storage access. Overhead storage on the bunk wall is included.
Two other bunk configuration options are available: dual bunks, with a 42-inch-wide lower bunk and a 32-inch upper bunk, or a single 42-inch lower bunk.
The Volvo VT 830 has the same trim packages as the VT 880: Premier Neo-Classic, Premier Techno, and Premier Limited. The VT 830 also comes with the Saddle interior trim colors, which is exclusive to the Volvo VT series. This top-of-the-line interior has a light tan color, similar to high-end luxury cars, with leather seats and brick-colored accent trim. This combination makes the VT 830's interior seem even larger and more welcoming.
The VN 730 carries over the VN 780's very popular trim packages: Signature Neo-Classic, Elite Neo-Classic and Elite Techno.
The new cabs and sleepers are constructed of the same industry-leading materials as Volvo's other offerings, high-strength steel (HSS) for the cab and sleeper walls, floorpan, firewall and doors, while the roof is lightweight, yet durable sheet molding composite (SMC). The cab and sleeper are robotically welded to very precise specifications and form a single extremely strong and quiet structure. The HSS design and fabrication allows all Volvo trucks to exceed the Swedish Impact Test, the most demanding truck cab safety test in the world.
Exclusive for the Volvo VT Series, customers who purchase the Volvo VT 830 get an additional level of protection through the Platinum Protection program. The longest basic coverage in North America, the plan includes three years/600,000 miles or 10,800 operating hours, whichever comes first. The extended coverage includes: 6 years/1 million miles for cab structure; 6 years/750,000 miles for frame rails and crossmembers; 8 years/1 million miles for cab corrosion; and, 3 years/600,000 miles for transmission, driveline, rear axles. In addition, the Volvo D16 engine, when installed, is covered for 3 years/600,000 miles/10,800 operating hours.
Platinum Protection is also standard for the VT 880. Coverage for both the VT 880 and VT 830 also includes 24/7 access to Volvo Action Service (VAS) for customer support, with a special toll-free number dedicated to Volvo VT owners. VAS is Volvo's round-the-clock roadside assistance organization.
The Volvo VT 830 also comes equipped with Volvo's proprietary two-way satellite communications system, Volvo Link, and the Volvo Link Sentry service. Volvo Link Sentry monitors the Volvo VT 830's onboard computers to track vehicle fault codes. If a fault code is active for more than a predetermined amount of time (usually five minutes), Volvo Link Sentry sends a message with all the active fault codes to VAS.