Trucking and logistics are the backbone of Australia, working day in day out to keep commodities moving so that Australians have access to goods and resources, and sole trader, Jack Singh runs his business, iTruck, as a subcontractor to Allied Express.
Jack subcontracts for Allied Express under the name iTruck and has not looked back since jumping into the driver’s seat to become a truckie.
Jack has made his home in the trucking industry as an independent contractor for most of his career and has been working with Allied Express Transport for the better part of two decades.
“I’m an owner operator so it means that I’ve got my own business and Isuzu truck,” said Jack. “I’ve been subcontracting with Allied Express for 17 years now, the work just keeps coming and honestly, I’m thankful for it.
“When I came to Australia more than 20 years ago, I started as a furniture removalist but it wasn’t fulfilling. Once I got into owning and operating my own trucks, it lifted up my lifestyle and lifted up the dreams I had. There were a few hard days of course but now the business is flying like an eagle!”
On the Road
The day starts at about four in the morning, taking Jack all over Sydney with some day as far as Wollongong, Newcastle and Canberra. A lot of Jack’s clients are in the automotive industry producing high end car parts and supplies, as well as OHS equipment like face masks.
A big part of the role of freight delivery driving is communication, and Jack is frequently touching base with customers and ensuring that important clients are being well looked after in between stints driving and unloading.
The days can be long and the work difficult, but Jack loves trucks and he particularly loves his own.
“I bought the late 2022 model of the FSR 140-260 from Dywers Truck Centre,” said Jack. “It’s a fantastic truck; I wanted a specific body length and size which makes it perfect for my everyday routine.
“When you drive metro, you need something that’s not too big or too difficult to move around, something that can easily get into car parks, handle tight corners and run around the city all day.”
The FSR’s Allison 2500 automatic transmission makes light work of the narrow city streets, loading bays and warehouse sites Jack frequents everyday, not to mention Sydney’s less than friendly traffic.
With an impressive 9-metre-long van body, there’s plenty of space to store the extra-large specialised pallets that make-up Jack’s runs. Jack further customised his FSR to include airbag rear suspension which he can control from the cabin.
Jack has a preference for rear media doors, which provide an extra 40mm of floor space as they’re located outside the rear frame of the body. As a by-product they also allow Jack total, uninterrupted brand coverage, including all the essential contact details.
“The FSR fits into almost any dock, any car park and you dance around corners… there’s just never any hassle with a truck like this,” said Jack. “In my opinion, the FSR is one of the best trucks for Sydney metro that we’ve got at the moment.”
With a Gross Vehicle Mass of 14,000 kilograms and Gross Combined Mass of 21,000 kilograms, there’s not much Jack can’t haul in his new truck. This means fewer trips back to base and less time spent on each route.
With standard safety features such as Anti-Lock Braking System, Anti-Skid Regulator and Cab Tilt Warning, safety is a clear priority for this generation of trucks and the cabs have been designed with comfort in mind for those who do the longer drives.
A Passion for Trucks
It’s easy to see that Jack is something of a perfectionist, which has served him well in his career. He knows his routes, his customers and most importantly his vehicle, like the back of his hand.
He embarked on plenty of research before purchasing the FSR 140-260, understanding the importance of investing in quality equipment to support his business.
“I’ve got a six-year warranty on this new truck and a service agreement from the dealer,” Jack detailed. “This means that if I get a job overnight, I just have to put the keys in the ignition and away I go and I know that I’m covered anywhere in Australia with the nationwide warranty.
“That is a big advantage that should be considered by anyone who’s thinking about buying a truck, you’re paying for that comfort and peace of mind. It’s easy with Isuzu, everyone attends to you immediately, and I have found there’s no waiting around on the phone or at the dealership.
“Trucking is not easy, I think everyone knows that. You have to put a lot of effort in, but when it takes off, things can run really well.”
Jack is as enthusiastic about operating his own business today as he was when he first set out all those years ago.
“I’m thankful for everything and everyone in the industry that have been a part of my journey and my career so far. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve loved it,” said Jack.
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