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If you’ve been following my series of articles about leading truck manufacturers, then you’ll notice that Isuzu is the only non-European company I’ve looked at. The reason for this is that my articles are devoted to manufacturers with a large UK presence – and that describes Isuzu. Overview So, let’s look at what they offer. I’ll be looking at the company’s 5.5 & 6.5 ton Forward, 7.5 ton Urban and Forward, and 11 and 12 ton Forward models, all extensively driven by haulage companies who use return loads for efficiency and greater profits. All Isuzu trucks have “added extras” as part of their standard specifications which are often optional on other manufacturers' trucks. These include: reinforced floor construction, door intrusion bars, noise suppression, driver and passenger SRS airbags, keyless, remote-control door access, central locking, RDS radio with CD player, electric windows and pre-tensioning seat belts. 5.5 & 6.5 Ton Forward The 5.5 & 6.5 ton models both have the same engine, Isuzu’s Euro 6 compliant, 3.0 litre 150 PS engine with 5 speed synchromesh overdrive gearbox. Isuzu cab layouts are designed to let the driver operate the vehicle easily, comfortably and safely. Whichever cab used, they are designed to maximize the truck’s carrying capacity. Despite their relatively small footprint, the 5.5 ton trucks can carry a gross weight of 9000 Kg. including a trailer load of up to 3500 Kg. The 6.5 has a gross load capacity of 10000 Kg. 7.5 ton Urban and Forward Their payload and performance and their suitability for both urban and rural environments make Isuzu’s 7.5 ton trucks ideal for return loads. The Urban and Forward both come with a slim line cab that has been ergonomically designed for comfort, ease of operation and safety. The driver has an excellent field of vision and the vehicle’s car-like controls allow the driver to concentrate on the road. The cab seats three comfortably; a seven-man cab is available for Forward N75.190, 5.2 litre, 190 PS model. Isuzu now offers two Euro 6-compliant engine options: the ‘URBAN’ N75.150, with a turbocharged and intercooled four-cylinder 3.0 litre engine, and the PS ‘FORWARD’ N75.190, with its larger 5.2 litre 190 PS engine. You have a choice of a regular, manual gearbox or Isuzu’s Easyshift unit. Both vehicles have a designated gross train weight of 11000kgs which means they can legally tow a trailer and load of up to 3500kgs. 11 and 12 ton Forward These two trucks, with their compact design and low chassis may look like the classic European 7.5 ton trucks – but don’t let that deceive you. Both vehicles use Isuzu’s Euro four-cylinder 5.2 litre engine and can be fitted with a manual or Easyshift gearbox. The 11 ton Forward produces 210 PS and 706Nm torque and the 12 ton engine produces 240 PS and 765Nm torque. The 11 tonner comes on a chassis with steel suspension. The larger, 12 ton model offers air suspension as standard on the 5320 mm wheelbase version and optional on the 4990 mm wheelbase models. Thanks to their small footprint but heavy load capacity, both of these trucks have a versatility that makes them ideal for a wide range of uses, including flatbeds, refrigeration, drop-sides, tankers, waste removal and more. Whatever your operation, and especially if you use a return load strategy, these Isuzu trucks are worth a look at. Author Plate Norman Dulwich is a Correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the leading online trade network for the road transport industry. Connecting logistics professionals across the UK and Europe through their website, Haulage Exchange provides services for matching loads and return loads with available drivers. Over 4,000 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.
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