Expected to clock 1.4 million kilometres before the year’s end, this Isuzu FRR 600 is testament to the brand’s reliability.
The 2014-model truck, owned by Cube Removals has done an average of 127,000 km each year of its working life, give or take.
Working right across the east coast and tackling varying terrain, driver Clinton Simpson travels anywhere from the Victorian Coast to Far North Queensland and everywhere in between conducting a specialist interstate removal service.
The long wheelbase FRR 600 (now Isuzu’s FRR 110-260) is rated to an 11,000kg GVM and 16,000kg GCM. When fully loaded with furniture and other household items, this leaves enough capacity to tow a loaded three-tonne trailer.
The truck and trailer are equipped to handle cargo with carpeted floors fitted to both, and the FRR’s durable truck body features side and rear entry doors for easy access.
This workhorse has been run by Cube Removals for the past 10 years, with Clinton behind the wheel for seven.
Clinton also took ownership of the Cube Removals business in 2022, dedicating the service to on-time delivery and the highest standards of freight protection, all while travelling huge distances across Australia.
He said he never considered using this as the opportunity to change over to a new truck, due to the FRR’s ability to perform under the staggering workload, in what Clinton describes as rough conditions.
It all comes down to the reliability of Isuzu’s hardy F Series product in conjunction with a regular servicing routine, Clinton says – with all servicing completed at Wagga Motors, using only 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,” Clinton revealed.
“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.”
Isuzu’s genuine parts range is backed up by a three-year warranty on parts and labour when fitted through an Isuzu Trucks dealership or ASPO.
“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 Clinton.
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,” he said.
“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.”
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 Clinton’s truck.”
John continued, “Despite it having some 23,000-plus engine hours, we have never had to open the motor for anything other than valve adjustments.
“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,” John said.
“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 Clinton.
“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.”