We just took a long look at one at our local dealership. Here's what we think;
1. The inside length of the box is a STUPID 15' 10". What idiot decided to miss 16" inside legth by 2 INCHES!?!?
2. We were told the Isuzu got "20 MPG in a real world test". We must have looked like we were easily misled. With similar horsepower and torque to a 3500 Sprinter, but a MUCH larger presentation to the wind, and much heavier, and much more blunt, how on earth would this Isuzu get better fuel economy??? A new 3500 Sprinter MIGHT get 18-19 MPG. There real world must not be our world!
3. With a tilt cab, a passage to the box would be very difficult, and with the outside skirting, a side door would seem to be problematic.
4. Although the GVW is 12,000 lbs, the box (and truck) is very heavy construction, the dealer estimated the empty weight to be close to 7,500 lbs. Add your gear and there's probably less than 4,000 of payload available.
If we were going to log, we'd rather chose a Sprinter cab/chassis, or a Ford E450 cutaway with a lightweight aluminum box. The Sprinter probably could carry close to 5,000 lbs. while the 14,500 GVW Ford could probably carry 7,500 lbs.
Other than that, the Isuzu was a nice truck.