Isuzu keeps SA removalist moving

A distinctive look and superior customer service have always been at the forefront for Duells Furniture Removalists, whose striking purple trucks have been a feature of the landscape since 1973.

Allan Duell well remembers presenting the company’s first truck to his father, Jack.

“When my father Jack saw the very first purple truck he said, ‘You might as well shut up shop now’,” he says.

“But I guess standing out from the crowd was the right choice!”

Transport is well and truly in the blood at Duells – before the furniture business, Jack ran a contract sawmill and delivery service, while Allan’s great-grandfather hauled goods in the early days with a horse and cart.

Today, Duells Furniture Removalists has grown from Allan’s one-man, one-truck concern to operate across several states, covering both local and interstate moves. The company acquired Ausline Removals and Storage in 2013 and All States Removals in 2015, and today its purple fleet can be found far and wide. And Isuzu has been there throughout.

The business runs an array of trucks but its light- and medium-duty fleet has a strong backbone of Isuzu models – the oldest of which is an Isuzu TK Pantech (branded Bedford by Isuzu at the time) that Allan bought a few years after setting up shop.

More recently, Allan added a new Isuzu FXD 165-350 4x2 to the fleet, proudly wrapped in a special livery to celebrated the firm’s 50-year milestone.

“I look back and I have to say the success of the business has been built on loyalty, which includes those who work for the business, our customers, and Isuzu,” Allan said.

“As we continue to celebrate 50 years in operation, having a special wrap on this FXD showcases how Isuzu Trucks have been the backbone of this business.

“Our purple rigs always stand out, but this truck really is the pride of the fleet – it replaces a 2015 model of the same type that has covered over 800,000km without any issues, which we are keeping on for moving containers around Mount Gambier.”

The truck’s enclosed body has a capacity of 58 cubic metres, with additional side-lockers for storing loading ramps, ropes and heavy-duty blankets.

The truck weighs in with a generous 16,500kg GVM and a GCM of 38,000kg which allows for towing a seven-metre trailer that can carry up to 45 cubic metres of additional freight.

Isuzu’s 6UZ1-TCC six-cylinder turbo-diesel produces 257kW (350hp) at 2000rpm and 1422Nm at 1400rpm, the go fed to the rear wheels via a ZF nine-speed manual transmission.

Comfort and safety are top priorities, the truck boasting an ISRI 6860/875 NTS air suspension seat, LED main and halogen high beam headlamps, roof-mounted clearance lamps and front foglamps, a low light reversing camera and anti-slip steps, plus the MyIsuzu Co-Pilot AV unit with a 10.1-inch, high capacitive touchscreen and Android Automotive operating system.

“The new truck has all the added safety features, plus for the driver it has truck-specific sat-nav capability and ensures the driver is comfortable,” Allan noted.

“Jumping back into a cosy cab is welcomed by all our drivers, as they’re loading and unloading in all types of places and weather conditions.”

The FXD also comes backed by an industry-leading six-year warranty and six-years of Isuzu’s 24/7 roadside assist service.

“I always go to Mount Gambier Isuzu for all our service needs and only use genuine parts, which helps retain the resale value on the trucks,” says Allan.

As Duells celebrates its golden milestone, Allan is rightfully proud of the company’s achievements. One of the brightest moments in his personal 50-year history in transport has been his recent induction into the National Road Transport Museum’s Wall of Fame.

“Growing a business over the course of 50 years is a feat in itself, but to be recognised by the transport industry is really special,” he says.

“Across the journey I have had 30 Isuzu trucks, including a JCR I got in 1985 that I still own – it’s my favorite truck, simply because of what it has meant to me and the business.

“We also have a 1990 FVR model that we used to call ‘The Bitumen Boeings’, which we now use to transport our speedway racecar that Duells runs.

“It’s done over a million kilometres and the original engine has never been touched… it’s still going strong, just like the business.”