Goss Bros expands Isuzu fleet

Queensland-based Goss Bros recently expanded its fleet with the addition of a new Isuzu FVL 1400.

Based in Arundel on the Gold Coast, the company has grown from a small refrigerated transport company to a sizeable enterprise employing 45 staff.

"We are a total cold chain solution, not just a transport company," says Kamal Goss, Fleet Manager at Goss Bros.

"We have a large 2000-pallet cold storage warehouse with rooms running at different temperatures, chiller rooms running at 2 degrees and freezers running at minus 20 degrees, as well as dry storage for 1000 pallets. For that reason, our customers only have to deal with a single point of contact, rather than a transport company and a cold storage company, and trying to liaise with them both."

The company services south-east Queensland and northern NSW with its sizeable truck fleet, of which 16 bear the Isuzu badge

The new FVL 1400 has a 6x2 format with full airbag rear suspension, while its engine produces a claimed 221kW at 2400rpm and 981Nm and 1450rpm.

It utilises ZF's 9S 1110 TO transmission, with eight regular forward gears, one forward crawler gear and one reverse gear.

"Reliability is the main reason we chose another Isuzu," says Managing Director, Hussin Goss.

"We keep our fleet on the road for a long time, and they need to be able to perform for a minimum of 10 years. They also need to put up with the punishment of being loaded and unloaded with forklifts up to 30 times a day.

"No other truck brand can cope with the demand we place on the Isuzu product and still be there ready and waiting for another load in 10 years. The engine is very powerful too and ideal for pulling big loads up and down the M1 motorway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast seven days a week."

The new FVL 1400 has a 12-pallet FTE jumbo refrigerated body with Thermo King refrigeration unit, along with polished Alcoa alloy wheels and a variety of chrome cosmetic enhancements.

Kamal says the truck's comfort is a major drawcard for its drivers.

"Driving the FVL is like riding on a cloud, especially with the ISRI air suspension driver's seats they are fitted with,” he says.

"The dash is also very ergonomic with handy spots for driver paperwork etc."

The truck's Digital Audio Visual Equipment (DAVE) unit is also appreciated, he says.

"When you're on the road for several hours a day, you really appreciate a bit of entertainment and the fact that the DAVE is touchscreen and so easy to use, makes it really handy," he says.

Having used Isuzu trucks for the past three decades, Kamal says he plans to continue the partnership for many years to come.

"Last year, we sold an FVL 1400 that we purchased brand new in 2001. It had 1.25 million kilometres with the original motor, not even rebuilt. When it was sold, the buyer asked, 'Is that 250,000 or 1,250,000 kilometres, because the truck was in such good condition. It's a true testament to the longevity of the Isuzu truck brand and our maintenance regime."