A Wagga Wagga based removalist company reckons it has more than a million reasons to choose Isuzu for its trucking with its ten year old Isuzu FRR 600 having clocked up 1.4 million kilometres since it was added to the fleet as a new truck in 2014.
Averaging around 127,000km a year for the past decade Cube Removals reckons if the Isuzu can survive long-term in Australian conditions, it can work just about anywhere on the planet.
Isuzu and Cube have calculated that its faithful FRR has covered the equivalent distance of 35 circumnavigations of the world, or almost two return trips to the moon.
Apparently this is due simply to Cube Removals’ massive footprint across the country, which takes the truck and its driver, Clinton Simpson anywhere from the Victorian Coast to Far North Queensland, and everywhere in between, while conducting a specialist interstate removal service.
The long wheelbase FRR 600 is rated to an 11,000 kg GVM and 16,000 kg GCM and they point out that when fully loaded with furniture and other household items, this leaves enough capacity to also tow a loaded three-tonne trailer.
The truck and trailer are equipped to handle cargo with carpeted floors fitted to both, while the FRR’s durable truck body features side and rear entry doors for easy access.
While the workhorse Isuzu has been run by Cube Removals for the past decade, Simpson has been behind the wheel for seven of those years.
A bit like Victor Kiam, Clinton Simpson liked the company so much he bought it. The driver became company owner in 2022, dedicating the service to on-time delivery and the highest standards of freight protection, all while travelling huge distances across Australia.
With such a milestone occurring, Simpson said he never considered using this as the opportunity to change over to a new truck.
The FRR’s ability to perform under the staggering workload, in what Simpson describes as rough conditions, comes down to the reliability of Isuzu’s hardy F Series product in conjunction with a regular servicing routine at Wagga Motors using Isuzu genuine and approved parts.
“The places I visit sound like the old ‘I’ve Been Everywhere’ song by Geoff Mack—freeways to goat tracks are what this truck travels regularly,” Simpson said.
“Blazing hot summers and flooding rains really do a lot of damage to outback roads, so that causes more wear and tear on the vehicle.
“I am not mechanically minded, but I understand what is important to keep the truck on the road —and that is regular servicing from the team at Wagga Motors and using genuine Isuzu parts,” he said.
“I know that the parts that have been used in the truck are the same, if not better, than when it was built.”
“Not only is it peace of mind for me, but the team at Wagga Motors treat the vehicle like it’s one of their own, and I have a full service history if I need to call on that,” said Simpson.
Apart from the regular consumables such as fluids and filters, the FRR recently had a suspension and gearbox overhaul, which Clinton had no hesitation in doing.
“I know too many operators who think they can push their vehicles and end up broken down in the middle of nowhere, or there are those who don’t use quality parts and either get stuck short term or do long-term damage—sometimes to very expensive trucks.
“When things need to be addressed, I get it done.
“It’s a comfort that Isuzu has such a massive footprint of dealerships; I know that if I have a major issue, I can call in and get it addressed.”
Taking a little extra care goes a long way to keeping this valuable asset on the road for Clinton. The Wagga Motors team pre-plans his maintenance schedule ahead of time, including replacing a range of hoses and fittings at the truck’s last service.
“This was due to the Australian environment’s effect on the rubber. We scheduled this at a previous service so that we could have everything ready this time around,” said John Beattie, Isuzu brand manager at Wagga Motors.
“Because of where the truck travels, we go over the diagnostics and take it all into account when we’re planning for parts replacement on Simpson’s truck.
“Despite it having some 23,000-plus engine hours, we have never had to open the motor for anything other than valve adjustments,” Beattie added.
“While the truck has put in a remarkable workload, it is hats off to Clinton for not overstretching the vehicle’s capabilities and supporting it with the best parts for its maintenance and our highly qualified Isuzu-trained technicians.”
After almost a decade of calling in at the Wagga Motors dealership, Clinton remains one of their most loyal and popular customers to date.
“I have to say Clinton is not simply a customer; he’s part of the Wagga Motors family,” Beattie said of the long working relationship.
“He doesn’t simply drop the truck off; he speaks with the technicians and deeply appreciates the work our team does.
“We not only look at what the truck needs now but forecast what is best for the vehicle regarding future services so that it maintains its incredible performance, despite all the kilometres it has travelled.”
Clinton’s appreciation for the dealership that supports his business extends to a unique gift of a scale model of his FRR truck, which sits proudly on the counter at Wagga Motors.
“I know people say I’m unique, so I wanted the team at Wagga Motors to have something unique as well,” said Simpson.
“I’m chuffed that they have it out on display, and hey, that can’t be bad for my business either!
“The busier I am, the better it is for all concerned.”