2,500- Kilometres With The Isuzu MU-X And Isuzu D-Max

We were about to set off from Manila to Dumaguete on a 10-day road trip with three motorcycles, and wrestled with which support vehicle would be the best option for our team. Initially, we thought taking along one van would do the trick, as it would carry all the gear for our group of four riders and four support staff. After much discussion, though, the group agreed that two vehicles—an SUV and a pick-up truck—would be the better combination. With two vehicles, the lead car could scout out the terrain, stop at vantage points for those Instagram-worthy photo-ops, as well as race on ahead to ensure space on the RoRo ferries for those crucial sea crossings.

- Belle Alba

The plan was to take off from Manila and take RoRo ferries to cross the islands of Mindoro and Panay on our way to Dumaguete City in Negros Island. We’d spend three days in Negros, then backtrack the same route home to Manila. In all, it would take some 10 days and about 2,500-kilometers.

Happily, our friends at Isuzu Philippines Corporation very readily sent along an Isuzu mu-X 3.0L LS-A 4x2 AT and an Isuzu D-MAX RZ4E LS 4x2 AT—both ideal for our needs. As weather was unpredictable, the crew’s luggage and other critical equipment were all securely stowed in the spacious cargo room of the mu-X, while the open cargo bed of the D-MAX was a great solution on how to safely carry a small jerrycan of spare fuel, odd-sized stuff and, if the need arose, even transport the two-wheelers in the convoy.