Hilux is the choice in the Brecon Beacons

Brecon Beacons National Park Authority has renewed its warden fleet with ten specially adapted Toyota Hilux Double Cab pick-ups, bringing a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and five-year warranty to some of its most demanding users.

Brecon Beacons

Headquartered in Brecon, the Authority is responsible for caring for the landscape, maintaining visitor and resident access to the national park’s 520 square-mile area. Wardens’ vehicles cover more than half of its fleet’s 250,000 annual miles, including incredibly varied roles in often-unpredictable conditions.

Brecon Beacons

Collaboration in the Brecon Beacons

Procurement is a collaborative effort between IT systems, fleet officer Kevin Booker and area warden Jon Pimm. The Hilux Double Cab enables wardens to transport staff and volunteers in comfort, with space for tools and a 3.5-tonne towing capacity. Trailered loads can include a winch, robo flail mower and Kubota ATV, sometimes equipped with fire-fighting equipment.

Brecon Beacons

Now read about Bob Bacon’s 30-year-old Hilux

The fleet was sourced through the Crown Commercial Service framework and supplied via dealer group Inchcape on a four-year LeasePlan contract. Wardens are typically assigned a single vehicle for the duration of its life on the fleet. The Icon grade proved desirable for offering a reversing camera and air conditioning – a necessity for quickly demisting windows in wet conditions.

Toyota Hilux Double Cab

Toyota Hilux Double Cab: safety first

Each vehicle is also equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, adding a Pre-Collision System with pedestrian detection, Lane Departure Alert and Road Sign Assist, which Booker said was a deciding factor for the Hilux.

Toyota Hilux Double Cab

Ever wondered how Trailer Sway Control works on the Hilux?

“We always strive to be at the forefront of safety technology because we have a duty of care to our staff, volunteers and the public,” he explained. “The Hilux was one of the only vehicles to achieve five Euro NCAP stars, and the longer warranty meant we could extend the contract to four years. That enabled us to afford the body conversions.”

Toyota Hilux Double Cab

Toyota Hilux is tailor-made for the Brecon Beacons

Factory Hilux versatility is augmented by a custom drop-in body, co-developed with Strongs Plastic Products. Based on warden feedback, this is a flexible, impact-resistant copolymer shell with a lockable side door and removable reinforced shelf to separate fuelled tools, such as chainsaws, from other equipment. All except the senior wardens’ vehicles also feature roof racks.

Invincible for over 50 years: read the history of the Toyota Hilux

Toyota Hilux Double Cab
IT systems and fleet officer Kevin Booker (l) and area warden Jon Pimm (r)

“The vehicles have to tick a lot of boxes to become the tool that we need,” Pimm added. “We are not only getting the safest vehicles but, by involving the wardens in the whole process, we’re also getting something that allows us to do our jobs effectively within a reasonable cost.”

Words and images by Alex Grant.

Information correct at the time of publication.

6 comments

    1. Hi Richard,

      Thanks for getting in touch and it’s great to hear you’re enjoying your new Hilux. For the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority the canopies were co-developed with Strongs Plastic Products.

      If you are interested in ordering an official Toyota UK Accessory for your Hilux, we would recommend visiting your nearest Toyota Centre. You can find your nearest Centre via this link: https://www.toyota.co.uk/forms/forms?tab=pane-dealer

      Thanks.

  1. Hi , loving my latest hilux extra cab but
    Being hammered for insurance !!it seems it’s
    Insurance group is the highest of all the pick ups with the new grouping system
    Any idea why???

    1. Hi there,

      Thanks for your message. Unfortunately, we aren’t privy to information regarding car insurance processes. We would recommend speaking to your insurance company for further information regarding this.

      Thanks.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

To be the first to hear about all of our latest news, offers and events, check the box below, we’ll send these communications by email, phone, SMS or post. Be assured that Toyota will only share your personal information with companies that are an integral part of fulfilling the services we deliver. If you would like to find out more about how we process your data please visit our privacy policy for details.

I understand that I can unsubscribe at any time.