Importantly, during the past eight years it has not required overhauls of any major components, such as engine, gearbox, or rear axle. Only routine servicing, and replacement of wear-and-tear items such as brake and clutch linings as well as the odd fanbelt has been necessary.

“Durability and reliability are essential ingredients of our business, which is manufacturing large, rotationally moulded water tanks which are then distributed countrywide,” explains Heiko Meyer, Manager of Namibia Rotomould. “These objectives mean we need the same attributes in our delivery trucks to ensure we keep our customers happy.

“This is the reason we switched to Hino where we found their standard manual gearboxes to be virtually trouble-free in our type of operation after having had trucks with automated manual transmission previously. Our trucks are fitted with flat deck bodies, and they usually tow two trailers, making for an overall rig length of 22 metres. The loads of water tanks are not very heavy, but they are bulky, creating significant wind resistance,” he adds.

Most of the distance covered by this Hino has had Imael Joel as the dedicated driver. His consistent driving habits and strong sense of responsibility have played a major role in this million-kilometre achievement.

Fuel consumption is continually monitored, and the company reports satisfaction with the 18 l/100 km achieved with a truck that is speed-governed to 80km/h.

Heiko says the most impressive features of the Hino 300 are its high reliability rating, simple and robust mechanical design, and excellent durability under heavy operating conditions, as well as acceptable fuel consumption for the type of application required by Rotomould.

The Rotomould fleet consists of five similar Hino 300 freight carriers with trailers and Heiko Meyer says the original plan with the fleet was to replace the trucks every three years, but he says the Hino’s are proving so dependable they are continuing in use. He added that when the need arises to replace any of these trucks they will most certainly be replaced by a new Hino.

• Rotomould is a family business, based in Okahandja, which has been operating in Namibia for more than 20 years. It specialises in the rotational moulding of polyethylene plastic water tanks and related products, servicing customers across Namibia.