A generous payload capacity, adequate power, great manoeuvrability and outstanding fuel economy are among a long list of features that have endeared an Isuzu Gigamax EXY 260-520 to dangerous goods specialist Alpha Haulage.
The company’s owner Daniel Johnson established his one-man transportation company in 2018, delivering hazardous and dangerous goods across Victoria and New South Wales.
On the hunt for his first prime mover, he said he came across a factsheet for the Isuzu Gigamax EXY 260-520.
“It has a 70-tonne Gross Combination Mass (GCM) rating, so it’s graded for a B-double – that was the first thing that caught my eye,” said Johnson. “And it only weighs just over eight tonnes, which means the entire combination tares at about 23 tonnes.
“That leaves me with up to a 45-tonne payload – that’s five tonnes more than what some other prime movers are allowed with the same trailers.”
Johnson said he was also impressed with the truck’s power, but that it was the price that sealed the deal. He went on to purchase his Gigamax EXY from Westar Truck Centre in Derrimut.
“You’re looking at $100,000 more for other brands just because of the badge,” he said – adding, “A lot of my mates have bigger prime movers and they get about 1.7 to 1.8 kilometres per litre – but my little Isuzu gets 2.1 kilometre out of a litre, so I’m getting an extra 300 kilometres out of a tank.”
While detailing the attractive qualities of price and payload, Johnson also noted that the Gigamax EXY 260-520’s true beauty is hidden within. For example, it sports a Voith hydrodynamic retarder which dramatically reduces the need for service brake applications when going down hills, thus reducing the likelihood of overheated brakes and subsequent trailer fires.
“You’ve got a lot of options when it comes to slowing down and stopping. People on the road are safer because I’m in total control of this prime mover,” said Johnson. He added that the Gigamax EXY doesn’t let him down in cab space either.
“I love the headroom, there’s plenty of storage space and everything is within arm’s reach,” he said. “It’s very ergonomic for spending hours in the truck cabin.”
He also believes the extra cash outlay he made on after-sale care is money well spent.
“To get this Isuzu with the Priority Total is just such a peace of mind for me. Come servicing time, I drop the truck off and I pick it up, everything is covered in-between.”
While Johnson is a veteran driver with 23 years of experience – you name it, he’s driven it – he’s never owned a truck before. But he said he’s confident he made the right decision with Isuzu.
“For my first truck, to tell you the truth, I couldn’t have asked for a better truck,” he said.
“I give it 10 out of 10 for manoeuvrability, it has a truly great turning circle.
“For what you pay, you definitely get your money’s worth,” he said.
