Routine servicing and parts replacement is common sense for any heavy vehicle operator.
For Cube Removals and owner-driver Clinton Simpson, whose trustworthy 2014 Isuzu FRR 600 has clocked up almost 1.4 million kilometres as of this year, routine servicing is a necessity.
Spending an average of 127,000 kilometres on the road each year, Clinton has been behind the wheel of this particular workhorse for seven of its 10 years in operation.
He took ownership of Cube Removals in 2022, dedicating the specialist interstate removalist service to on-time delivery and the highest standards of freight protection, all while travelling huge distances across Australia.
A massive footprint across the country means Clinton can travel from the Victorian Coast to Far North Queensland and everywhere in between.
“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,” says Clinton.
“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 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.”
Pre-planning the truck’s maintenance and using only Isuzu genuine and approved parts ensures it will perform reliably for Clinton’s clients.
“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,” says Clinton.
“I know that the parts that have been used in the truck are the same, if not better, than when it was built.”
The last scheduled service included replacing a range of hoses and fittings due to “the Australian environment’s effect on the rubber,” according to John Beattie, Isuzu Brand Manager at Wagga Motors, who takes a dedicated interest in Clinton’s classic Isuzu FRR.
“We scheduled this at a previous service so that we could have everything ready this time around,” says John.
“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.
“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.”
The long wheelbase FRR 600 (now Isuzu’s FRR 110-260) is rated to an 11,000 kg GVM and 16,000 kg GCM. When fully loaded with furniture and other household items, this leaves enough capacity to tow a loaded three-tonne trailer.
The FRR’s durable truck body has side and rear entry doors for easy cargo access. The truck and trailer floors have been fitted with carpet, ensuring that cargo is protected and less likely to shift around.
A scale model of this thoroughly road-tested and smartly outfitted Isuzu FRR sits proudly on the counter at Wagga Motors.
After almost a decade of calling in at the dealership, John says Clinton remains one of their most loyal and popular customers.
“I have to say Clinton is not simply a customer; he’s part of the Wagga Motors family,” John remarks 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.”
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