Volvo is running a series of videos lately that highlight different owners and operators of their trucks and how they are using their big rigs. We were blown away by this latest video because it shows a couple who makes their living hauling freight but does so in a custom Volvo VNL truck the likes of which we have never seen before. This thing is literally a rolling mansion, especially when compared to the traditional sleeper cab that most other trucks live in on the road. We’re not sure if we should consider this truck more motorhome or big rig but it seems to fit both of those roles perfectly.
Why did the couple have their truck built like this? Basically they want to be able to take advantage of the time they have on the road and being able to drop their trailer and park at a camp ground, grab their surf boards off the roof, bolt their bikes together, or just hang out under the awning makes that possible. How many other working rigs can pull into a camp ground, plug in, and enjoy a weekend “roughing it” in the peace and serenity of wherever they are? Very, very few.
Custom built with a 20,000lb steer axle and a chassis that was constructed with specific instructions by the company that built the sleeper/rv section of the vehicle, this baby does showcase the fact that Volvo can tailor any truck build to the customer’s needs. Imagine calling up Chevy and saying, “Yeah, I need to you make the frame for my Silverado differently than the other 3,000 trucks you’ll build tomorrow. Is that cool?” They’d have up on you but not before you heard them laughing.
You truckers out there, is this Volvo cool to you or just to people like us outside of the business? With its long wheelbase it must be hell maneuvering around cities and getting it into tight loading docks and stuff. Do hardcore truckers respect the rig and the couple or do they look at the pair like they are “soft” and essentially on a never ending RV trip? We’re interested to hear your opinions on this one because they’re lots more informed than ours.
PRESS PLAY BELOW TO SEE A QUICK FILM ABOUT THIS COUPLE AND THEIR ROLLING MANSION OF A VOLVO VNL TRUCK –
I’d think the length would limit their contract options, but if they have contracts to fulfill, then pretty cool for them.
I don’t think they hook a very long trailer to that.
I have a cousin that’s a trucker. He’s switched from Kenworth to a Volvo. That’a saying something, he’s been a diehard Kenworth gut for years.
I would have been nice if they could have included a short clip of them hauling some kind of freight.
It would be interesting to know what they haul. That heavy tractor definitely limits the weight you can haul. If you have seen some of the Reliable enclosed auto haulers, they have long wheelbase tractors with giant sleepers and still pull 53′ trailers.
They mentioned the ramps on the back so they can hook up to gooseneck trailers. My thinking is they are hauling oversize/weight loads which makes sense as it would be hard to pay for a rig like that with dry vans or reefers. Would also allow them the long wheelbase as not much city driving with that type of freight.