Running a plumbing business often means carrying everything but the kitchen sink – and sometimes that too. For Pat Sens, owner of All Plumb & Gas in Coffs Harbour, the challenge was finding a vehicle that could safely and efficiently handle the payload required for a team of seven tradesmen.
Pat had tried everything from 4×4 utes to American pick-ups with GVM upgrades, only to discover that the numbers didn’t add up.
“With the US truck, even after getting a GVM upgrade, the best we could achieve just with a basic tray was an 800kg payload – it just wasn’t enough,” Pat said.
After years of trial and error, the solution came in the form of the IVECO Daily cab chassis. His first step into the range was a 50C Dual Cab with a GVM of 4,495kg, giving him around 1,650kg of payload once the body was fitted – double the capacity of the American ute.
The upgrade brought new efficiencies to the business, particularly with the 3,500kg braked towing capacity. Mini excavators and tradie trailers were no longer a problem, and the Daily still doubled as a weekend family hauler.
“On weekends we take it to the beach, go to the markets, put mountain bikes in the back – it’s comfortable for the family, and if I get a call-out, everything I need is on board,” Pat explained.
Scaling up to bigger jobs
Several years later, Pat moved up again – this time to a 70C Dual Cab, boosting payload to around 3,650kg. The existing 3 x 2m tray, complete with tool boxes, ladder racks and pull-out storage, was transferred across, while rear bench seats were replaced with suspended bucket seats and a car fridge for family trips.
Comfort was further enhanced by Electronically-Controlled Air Suspension (ECAS), which automatically adjusts to load.
“The self-levelling suspension means we’re not driving around with a saggy back, or having to manually adjust depending on what we carry,” Pat said.
Adding a van to the mix
The fleet also includes a 35S Daily van with 9m³ of space, fitted with racks, drawers and shelving. This replaced a smaller van and now covers work where enclosed security and storage are a priority.
Across all models, Pat relies on the 210hp/470Nm engine paired with the 8-speed Hi-Matic automatic transmission.
“Even when loaded up and towing trailers, the Daily’s power does it with ease – you barely notice the weight,” he said.
Practical for business, value for money
For Pat, the switch to IVECO Daily has been about more than payloads and towing. The vehicles fit the business model, support 24/7 on-call operations, and offer service intervals that reduce downtime.
“For less than the price of full-size US trucks, the Daily can actually do the work and make you money,” he said.
With 12-month/50,000km service intervals, maintenance is easier to schedule around staff leave, minimising impact on workflow.
