USPS Vehicle Identification Guide:
These fascinating & biodiverse species can be found all across the U.S.
What you may see here is an amateur guide for fellow wildlife enthusiasts (featuring some illustrations by me). By no means comprehensive, many rarer USPS vehicles elude observation & study.
Grumman LLV
Probably the most iconic. The LLVs (Long Life Vehicles) or sometimes called MailCats were all built in the 80s-90s & it certainly shows. They were projected to last 25 years but still make up a large portion of the fleet 10-15 years past their expiration date. These things are pure function. I can't help but deeply respect everything they stand for. You would think them unkillable if not for one fatal flaw...
- Notable Features:
- VERY prone to catching fire
- no AC
- right hand drive
- compact, boxy design.
OshKosh NGDV (Next Generation Delivery Vehicle)
I'm obsessed with this thing. Being next generation it's intended to replace the LLV shaped hole developing in the current fleet. They are wide, they are tall, they are powerful yet friendly & approachable. A majestic beast with soulful eyes. It's design choices seem to be somewhat controversial amongst the public, but it's all to comply with the specific paremeters the OshKosh company had to fulfill to earn the contract with USPS. The downsides: reportedly cheaply made especially compared to the LLV, 360 cameras are prone to breaking, & the side door is very heavy.
- Notable Features:
- MAXIMUM VISIBILITY
- cool side door
- right hand drive
- incredible standing room
- AC
- HIGH TECH sensors & 360 cameras
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FFV
The Ford-Utilimaster Flexible Fuel Vehicle looks LLV-ish at first glance, but reveals itself to be more modern & updated. The hood & general features are a bit rounder than the LLV. It's designed to use alternative fuels to comply with the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (mandating a certain number of the USPS fleet had to use alternative fuels). They were manufactured in 1998-99 & deployed by 2001. Consider it the slightly younger sibling of the LLV.
- Notable Features:
- cargo area bonus window
- longer cargo space than the LLV
- no ac
2-Ton
The Morgon-Olson Route Star or "2-Ton" as it is known. Possesses the phenotype of the many different multi-stop trucks or step vans. May be recognized as similar to the FedEx or different color variant UPS vans (thumbs down privately owned delivery services). These types of vans look nearly indistinguishable except for some minor details, notably the shape of the grill, headlights, & windshield.
- Notable Features:
- long, bulky, lots of space
- may be seen on the road with the passenger door open
MORGAN OLSON 2016-2018 USPS 2 TON SERVICE MAINTENANCE MANUAL Pdf Download
ProMaster
A commercial off-the-shelf RAM van. It's many simple convienient qualities make it a very fine delivery vehicle.
- Notable Features:
- standing room
- cargo area shelving
- sliding side door
Other Vehicles:
- the Dodge Caravan Cargo, Mercedes-Benz Metris, & Chevy Uplander are the main shorter off-the-shelf cargo minivans deployed by USPS. They are difficult to tell apart but the Caravan Cargo has three sets of side windows & a very visible cargo area "mail cage". The Metris only has 2 sets of windows. The Uplander looks very similar to the Caravan Cargo but the mail cage is less visible.
- the Isuzu Reach. I have never seen one of these in person but they must exist. Very distinctive.
- RARE segways & bikes
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No Longer In Service:
- The Westcoaster Mailster
I constantly imagine the soft touch of the Westcoaster Mailster. They were quite prone to falling over. Relatable.
look at it - Studebaker Zip Van
- 1980 Citicar
Additional Resources:
