Big wraps for Isuzu's super hauler

Part of Batman's appeal is the fact he's a smart guy with some specialized toys who just refuses to give up. The analogy applies to Sydney-based owner-operator, Fred Sassine.

Sassine started FS Transport in 2010 to transport materials such as granite, marble and engineered stone slabs. Nine years later he's the leading choice in natural product distribution on Australia's east coast.

Having worked in the building industry before launching FS Transport, Sassine's experience with transporting bespoke building materials gave him the edge he needed.

Related reading:
Isuzu showcase heads to Brisbane
Changing of the guard at Isuzu
Adani family backs Isuzu as a good tip

"We just try to tick all the boxes for our customers, so whatever they are after and wherever they are, we can deliver," Sassine says.

In emulating the caped crusader, Sassine relies on Isuzu’s heavy-duty FY Series of trucks to provide the technology and reliability he needs to operate.

"We purchased the FYX platform and had it customised by adding an additional axle for weight distribution and a six-tonne capacity crane. We also had the entire truck wrapped in a Batman and Gotham city decal, as we intend to take the truck to charity events," Sassine says.

The FS Transport FYX 2500 10x4 comes standard with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 35,000kg and a 9.9-litre six-cylinder engine with 345hp (257kW) at 2000rpm and 1049ft-lb (1422Nm) at 1400rpm.

In addition, the truck features Isuzu’s load-sharing front suspension, Hendrickson HLM-2 tag axle rear suspension and a six-speed Allison 4430 series automatic transmission, all combining to ensure access on work sites and in loading bays.

With driver safety taken care of, the transport of such niche and often one-off building supplies also required a certain level of versatility and adaptability, hence the FYX has been positioned as a bit of a 'swiss army knife' by Fred and his team.

FS Transport is regularly required to hoist, position then transport extremely heavy, unconventional items, so just like a super hero's utility belt, having every contingency covered provides a massive advantage on other configurations.

"Isuzu has always been a very reliable brand, you get in, start it and go," Sassine says.

"They are easy to operate and are not as complicated to drive like other brands. They are pretty much unbreakable trucks. That's why I have kept my fleet exclusively Isuzu, because after all, reliability is king in my line of work.

"The boys fight over who gets to drive it; they love it. Everybody wants to be Batman!"