Work Truck Magazine, April 2018

APRIL 2018 WORK TRUCK 19 strong residual value synonymous with the Isuzu brand Skinner said Production on the FTR began in early 2017 at the 80000 square foot Spartan Motors facility in Charlotte Mich With a gross vehicle weight rating GVWR of 25950 pounds the FTR features eight wheelbase configurations to accommodate bodies from 14 to 30 feet allowing for a variety of body applications It was designed with a clean back of cab to provide more space for body applications compared to the previous F Series truck A lot of fleets have standard speced bodies and may only have a couple different sizes they commonly use But with the FTR they can build bodies from 14 to 30 feet across eight wheelbases to make their fleets more flexible to their cargo and route requirements Whats even better is that thanks to the FTRs low cab forward design they can carry more cargo on the same wheelbase when compared to a conventional cab The larger CA dimensions allow for about a two foot longer body Skinner added In addition the truck features a 50 or 100 gallon left hand side mounted fuel tank based on wheelbase tilt and telescopic steering columns and an exhaust brake is standard AN URBAN DRIVER The Isuzu FTR was built with urban fleets in mind and was designed with a focus on increased maneuverability and enhanced visibility Most trucks in the Class 6 market are conventional cabs This makes them tougher to maneuver in urban areas where space and visibility are at a minimum in tight quarters The FTRs low cab forward design is the best in the class when it comes to maneuverability and visibility This not only enhances safety but also makes the FTR easier to drive Skinner said The FTR features a tight turning diameter of 437 feet on the 152 inch wheelbase to 65 feet on the 248 inch wheelbase When you add the 24 foot van body to the 212 inch wheelbase you have a 565 foot turning diameter Finally the conventional cab with 24 foot van body on the 250 plus inch wheelbase has around a 64 foot turning diameter In addition the FTR provides increased forward visibility when compared to traditional cabs with an improved forward line of sight The truck also offers enhanced driver ergonomics with a wide step and wide 90 degree door openings that allow ease of access to the trucks interior On the inside the three across seating provides room for the driver and two passengers When not in use the center front seat can fold down providing storage in addition to the space behind the seats All of us at Isuzu Commercial Truck of America would like to thank all of the readers of Work Truck Magazine for this honor for the third time in six years We are all very proud of the all new Class 6 Isuzu FTR and this years honor is particularly rewarding for us since the FTR is new to the Class 6 truck arena Skinner concluded WT The Isuzu FTR features a tight turning radius for enhanced urban maneuverability and an increased line of sight for driver visibility PHOTO ISUZU COMMERCIAL TRUCK OF AMERICA PHOTO ISUZU COMMERCIAL TRUCK OF AMERICA IMAGE ISUZU COMMERCIAL TRUCK OF AMERICA Landscaping Fleet Adds FTR Ewing Irrigation Landscape Supply which is based in Phoenix is using several customized Isuzu FTR trucks for use at its Northern California location The company is the nations largest family owned supplier of landscape and water management products Supreme Industries customized the trucks by upfitting them with a heavy duty platform and 3 16 inch steel over rough oak floor so workers can move concrete and fertilizers stake side flatbeds payload securement devices a 21 foot custom length bed D rings on the bed floor a cross member added to the frame for strength liftgates with foot control and consistent applications of Ewings custom blue paint on the body Isuzu and Supreme identified Ewings industry specific and business specific needs to develop a customized vehicle for Ewing ISUZU FTR TURNING DIAMETER STATS