When working in the residential building industry, you may face a tough question: ‘Truck or ute?’

There are obvious values and benefits of trading up to a light truck. However, you may feel a perceived loss, regarding the versatility of a ute for weekend commuting and activities.

The challenges of recent years have highlighted the value of getting more mileage out of every asset purchase. As businesses strip back operations to their utmost efficiency, they’re also maximizing productivity.

Isuzu’s insightful report, The Future of Trucking, confirms that 22 per cent of ute owners are prepared to make a bigger commitment to their businesses and upgrade to a truck that would better serve the demands of their application.

So, what are some of the values of Isuzu Trucks? For starters, many light truck models can be driven on a car driver’s licence (up to 4500 kg gross vehicle mass). Another feature is two-pedal transmissions. These are easy to operate with the added value of being safe, compliant and more productive.

Here are some Isuzu customers who recently traded up and haven’t looked back.

Drumming up business

When Elia Nessem of Diverse Builders and Contractors, an HIA member, upgraded to an NMR 60/45-150 Tipper, he was attracted to the truck’s towing and load capacity. He also likes its stylish look, compared to competitors’ trucks.

‘It was definitely the best-looking truck we’d seen,’ says Elia. ‘Once people see it, they never forget it.’

Acting like a mobile billboard to advertise Elia’s successful residential building business, the NMR Tipper also has some serious smarts behind the outward facade. This includes the time-saving two-way release tailgate, multiple tie-down points and a 20-second raise and lower tipping time. 

With time and energy saved thanks to the tipping tray, Elia can do more with less effort and minimise his time on the job site. 

Ramping up efficiency

HVAC, which works with Australia’s major telecommunications providers, upgraded to an Isuzu NPS 75-155 4x4 Crew. According to Stephen Coates, Project Manager of HVAC’s telco department, Isuzu’s renowned reliability appealed to the team.

Crew cab trucks can legally carry more occupants than your average ute, and the 4x4 range can go anywhere on any terrain. This makes it ideal for HVAC, which fabricate, supply and install structural steel on towers, poles and guyed masts, often in greenfield projects.

‘We own 20 utes and trailers, but they weren’t the right fit for what we need because we carry a lot of heavy steel that is often oddly shaped,’ says Stephen.

‘We need payload and the room to carry these things safely. Our NPS 4x4 Crew can carry twice the payload as well as an additional five staff, so we eliminate the costs involved with sending an extra vehicle to site.

As Stephen explains, ‘We save on fuel, wear and tear and servicing.’

Trading up to truck

Based in the NSW regional city of Dubbo, Marty Nelson runs a refrigeration and air-conditioning business that is flat-chat year-round.

Known as the ‘King of Cool’, he discovered that time was being wasted with his old ute fleet. They just didn’t have the capacity to carry all the equipment required for a full day’s work.

Marty opted for an NPR 45-155 Tradepack from Isuzu’s popular pre-bodied range of trucks.

‘What's great about the Isuzu Truck is that I can put four installations in the back then drop them on-site,’ he says. ‘We're not towing a trailer or getting the boys to travel from job site to job site.’

With a GVM of 4500kg and a GCM of 9000kg, the NPR also has a towing capacity of 4500kg. It means that Marty’s payload needs are met, with no risk of overloading as seen with utes and trailers.

Since light-duty trucks require only a standard driver's licence, even a young apprentice can drive Isuzu’s light-duty range.

More info

You can find out more about Isuzu Trucks’ current range and the nearest dealer.

First published on 1 Mar 2023