Why 407 Mail Trucks Have Caught Fire Since 2014
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The Grumman LLV has been the US Postal Service's humble steed for nearly 40 years- but there's a problem. America's mail truck is fraught with problems: from low gas mileage, horrible comfort, and the fact that it CATCHES ON FIRE!! So why hasn't America found a worthy replacement? Watch and find out.
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Big shout out to my boy Taylor in Tacoma, the coolest Postman I know 👊
nhra didn't outlaw it but it doesn't have the safety equipment required for the times it runs. (the demon) lots of cars suffer this issue because everyone blows their wad on the car and not safety equipment that is CLEARLY outlined in their rules.
@Bill Kerr unfortunately my Sister-In-Law drives one of these daily on her route. thankfully her garage took the time to mod the fleet. Just 2.5 years and she can hang-up her mail bag as it were.
I remember when this "new" long life postal truck was in the news. If you think back to US vehicle build quality in the early '80s it is easy to see why commentaries at the time were highly skeptical that a 20 year lifespan was realistic. As it turned out these trucks did last 20 years. Grumman was the right contractor for the job because at that time they were manufacturing durable delivery vans similar to the UPS/Fedex trucks we see today. For all I know they still do. Now let's jump ahead to 2009 when the trucks were scheduled to be replaced. Can you think of anything else that was going on back then? It has a name. I'll give you a minute. (HINT: it rhymes with "the great recession") So anyway the things needed to be replaced or at least seriously maintained but the part of government that writes checks had decided they no longer want to spend money on the post office and even actively worked to undermine postal service, as crazy as that sounds. Maybe it can finally get handled now and the current government can buy some new trucks, hopefully electric. And Ford has announced there will be an electric version of the transit van.
The three rural delivery LLC here in Creston, California are contracted Nissans and Fords Transits.
Do up to speed on Ram 1500 please
The LLVs are about to be replaced. Some of the concepts that were proposed as replacements were very interesting. I particularly liked the Workhorse one.
Says fighter jets, shows Grumman A-6 Intruder. Though, in their defense, the Intruder was armed and capable of fighting back enemies if needed to.
In 2000-2001 there was a Ford Postal Explorer that looked like the current LLV's. Whatever happened to those? I've driven them, they were fast when empty.
Has it really been that long? I remember when they used the right hand drive Jeeps... but these things are obviously VERY well made, based on the fact that they are still in service. Things that can be repaired and rebuilt should NOT be replaced for the heck of it...
Where I live the post office just uses modern Jeeps, I don't know why but they do. Just basic yet modern Jeeps that are right hand drive.
Canada Post still uses these (among other vehicles) and apparently some of the postal employees have complained of how clapped out they are, and some have even bought their own CO detectors to monitor exhaust gasses in the cabin www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/canada-post-carbon-monoxide-delivery-trucks-1.4194940
Given the amount of repair data available for the LLV they should be able to make the next one nearly indestructible.
The next generation mail truck is A COMPAQ FUQQING PRESARIO WITH EMAIL FUNCTIONALITY. But demokkkrats cracked the mail service to corrupt elections, boomer politicians dun wanna figger outz dem cumpooters.
Postal trucks. Brought to you by the government many morons want directing your healthcare. 🙄
They just announced recently the new mail trucks! Won't be rolling out until 2025 though.
And now they said Oshkosh won it, though whether ford is still involved is in question
He keeps mentioning the 9 MPG that the LLV gets. My LLV was replaced with a brand new Mercedes Metris and I am still getting only 10 MPG. Its because of all the idling and accelerating we do while not really driving a lot of miles. Stopping and starting the engine 50 times a day, idling at 500 mailboxes while we put mail in the box and accelerating just to stop 100 feet away really burns the gas up.
That little hateful LLV is the poster child for government achievement.
Let me tell you something: I don't care what it costs. The Grumman LLV isn't going anywhere. Ever.
7:40 “ that’s cute” me in Italy with 1.4€ for liter (~$6 a gallon)
They have has a super long service life.
I'm a mail carrier and have driven these for about 24 years now, on rural routes. These trucks are so OLD now - mine was built in 1989 - and I'm on my fifth engine in 10 years. I've had gas leaks on top of the engine from rotted gas lines. The USPS is now so underfunded, that they don't really do any preventative maintenance, but just wait for breakdowns. I've had 4 breakdowns in 2 weeks. The other carrier is now having trouble getting up hills because his transmission is going - but they won't do anything until it breaks down. Very old vehicles combined with lack of maintenance equals - all sorts of problems, including fires. They should have been replaced 10 years ago. We also got a notice that they have selected a replacement for the LLV - and it will be built over the next 15 years.
Kia Soul would have high maintenance. If someone gave me one, I'd have to sell my soul.
Sorry, im a ford guy.
You kept mixing he Grumman LLVs with the FFVs that are based on the Ford Chasis, and are newer. at 5:38 when you show the body of the "Grumman" that's actually an FFV, which was not made by Grumman, and was their first attempt at replacing the LLVs. The FFVs sucked more than the LLVs though, and in the video of a mail truck on fire at 8:20, that's actually an FFV as well, you can tell cause the roof is rounder and the back is not slanted like on the LLV. I'm not saying the LLVs don't catch on fire, cause they do, but the FFVs catch on fire almost as much, and they are newer, so about half of that number of trucks on fire are also FFVs.
Well now I know where to get a iron duke for my derby cars. Always wanted to try one 😂😂
Lmao and our rural mail route has an old buick lesabre as mail vehicle, the mail guy just sits in the passenger seat and steers from there too
Because they were carrying votes lol
@11:18 for BOOOOOBS
Those classic old ones are so ugly, sound so awful, and are fucking junk in today’s world and USPS is just too cheap to upgrade.
Because government sucks at everything
The Fiero GT model had the L44 engine.
I only got 2 takeaways from this video. 1. They are going to replace the LLV soon so the market will be flooded with them. 2. They are built on a s10 blazer frame so they can be lifted with relative ease.
why not tesla model y?
I don't know the name of the model but I have scene a Mercedes Benz van that looks a little bigger than a typical mini van being used
I’m sorry but the jeep mail truck is so fucking cool as a jeep fan boy I want one
It’s because they like the design. It’s small, I feel nobody gets it right for usps anymore. They don’t want a van mail truck like the Metris. They went something like this. A compact box truck!
Ford made a variant of the LLV in the 90’s I feel they got that one right!
Tesla should be the model, USPS could help build the infrastructure for EVs and the Teslas vehicles could get way cheaper. Then more people could buy Tesla vehicles, and our environment will be better off
such a waste of time ...! Germany DHL/Post Produce their own E-Car's...! End it is a Success! kgfun.info/losk/video/lnytgdmPepSZy5o
I truly hope we don’t get a transit because when you look out the window for your package you ordered 2 months ago is finally supposed to arrive soon. Do you really wanna strain your eyes to decipher which of the 50 Ford transits are the mail truck. Something that was cool about the current truck is how unique it is. Hopefully they don’t chose fords option.
... and then after posting this video the contract was finally announced that Oskosh won. Thus spuring a controversy since the Biden administration wants to go electric, Oskosh is not but Workhorse is.
When a USPS truck catches fire it might be the first time in years it put out any heat since the heaters in most of them don’t work.
"so old it's hard to find mechanics to work on them" HOW? MECHANICS LOVE OLDASS CARS.
Why not do what cops do? Have a list of acceptable models and let local offices make decisions.
12:29 It worries me that they have to explicitly point that out
It will happen without any warning , not one , in an instant , catching people off guard just like God always does, ie the flood , sodom and gomorrah ~ a rude awakening . No one knows the exact day or hour the rapture will happen is a certainty and The rapture will happen without a doubt, but there will be a revival NOW in the USA and worldwide FIRST which is what this is leading to now, many many souls turning to Christ Jesus for sure . THEN the rapture will happen after this when the last soul is brought in to Christ Jesus' protection . we are in the last days for sure( and yes a few years converts to hours and goes by quickly , and the rapture is highly likely to happen ANYTIME within the next several years OR MAYBE EVEN LESS , 3-5 years Max OR LESS If that , but no more , due to the time table has run out for Gods plan on gentile christians according to > all time lines< , references of biblical events, weather catastrophes, wars etc jewish variables ie third temple construction , red heifers being born , sacrifices starting soon etc. THE RAPTURE CAN HAPPEN NOW at ANY TIME make no mistake !! . Anywhere between 2021 -2027 the rapture can happen . The True Church of Christ Jesus will be GONE! Christ taking the Church Out of the earth is closer than many even believe . And when many millions disappear without a trace, aunts uncles friends etc what will you say then because it will happen ? Please awake to Christ Jesus which is the ONLY hope NOW and dont let yourself find out it IS all true later when its too late ...for anyone who sees this and doesnt know what to do please If you havent given your life and heart to Christ Jesus you will have REAL BIG problems way bigger than any problems you have Ever had If you are left here on earth after the Rapture . After the Rapture The USA , Worldwide , will face More evils , Inner city chaos, firearm wars etc etc ,power and water , food shortages etctec than it Has EVER been seen Before and you surely dont want to be Here then . We Have Time NOW to change , please seek Christ Jesus while there is still time to save ! no one knows the day or hour of the rapture ,But the rapture will start out just like any other day .....The Rapture will Take Place In the day In Broad daylight, sunny day , In an Instant FLASH without ANY warning , and there will be peoples Driver Ids, wallets found in various parking lots , Purses bill folds Found at work etc etc with NO explanation , and People VANISHING so No One can refute it has taken place. .The Rapture Will Take place But we may have several years left but not many more , as many are turning to Jesus and this revival taking place and many still being brought into the Glorious kingdom of Jesus and Until the last soul is accounted for , is all that is preventing the rapture from happening. We are close , Several years goes by quickly so we are very close !romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. And The antichrist is for Israel , the jews revealing NOT for the Church , and does not have to be revealed first before the rapture as many christians believe . there is nothing holding the rapture from happening Now. The antichrist is for the jews NOT the church which is the restrainer holding back the antichrist from being revealed . The church will Be GONE Before the antichrist is revealed . The church will Not even Need to know who the antichrist is as Its for only the jews , as Gods plan switches back to them once the true church believers are Gone. 2 thesss 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.8 And >then< shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
You good bro?
My hometown got new mail trucks last year
Why on earth do they need to design an entirely new van? Why not just buy a standard van that sells by the million, then retrofit whatever you need in it? Thats worked perfectly well for the Royal Mail for the last 50 years with the Ford Transit. GO FOR THE TRANSIT OPTION!
That mail truck you put in a 4 piston diesel engine and you have a nice camper to travel!
"Drive 960 miles over potholes at 10-14 mph" sounds like the first thing you have to do after reaching the gates of hell 😂
Id go so fast evry mail box
pěkné video, chci být tvými přáteli, ok?
Ok, this is bothering me. Is there a chicken around cooing and shit? What's that background noise?
"most recognizable vehicles on the road" bruh i didn't know those things existed or looked like that then again im in australia lolol
DONT BUY DONUT CLOTHING MERCH! REALLY CHEAP QUALITY FOR THE PRICE THEY WANT!
Good timing with this video. New models were just announced.
He has no clue.
Kids his age get so many things wrong in these videos.
Fiero GT not have Iron Duke , I had a new one , it was a port-injected 2.8L V-6
I remember the Jeep DJ mail vehicles from when I was little.
Poop in a group
God I hope they don’t swap a unique and iconic design for an even fuglier transit
@_ sleeping.. But just looked it up and I love it - cheers for the heads up
they announced the new usps truck a few days ago, it isn’t the transit van it looks like the second truck but with more traditional front lights where have u been man lol
Everyone knows that Goverment ( U.S. & Postal Govt. ) LOVE to waste our tax money . Hence the raise in postage stamps prices and the like.
Let me guess ? These trucks came from China ?! LOL !
Just fit them with an electric powertrain if they REALLY don't want to replace them
My workhorse stock plummeted 😢
maybe theyd get better mileage if theywerent loaded down with heaps of shitty, disgusting junk mail
What angers me is that the USPS is prioitizing fuel economy and alternative fuels in the replacement vehicles however diesel seems to have been completely ignored? If they want efficiency and long service life, diesel absolutely still reigns supreme!
Unsung hero’s of the roads. Trust me, they get a lot of our important stuff and supplies around as well! Rain, sleet, shine or snow. They are always out delivering.
most of these postal trucks have diesel engines...
F's in the chat for Doug
My area code is 407 and obviously the same mail trucks so everytime I pass this video on recommended I’m like wtf is going on with the mail trucks by me...
I like 1959 Plymouth
The offset wheels on the front don't make for good snow driving. Since the front tires don't line up with the rear tires, the vehicle has to forge four tire tracks through the snow instead of two, and it's rear wheel drive.
Karsan won!
Oskosh apparently..my bad. Quite an apearance change...
7:37 2.16 usd$ per gallon is expensive? In Norway 1 gallon of gasoline would often cost about 8 usd $ and that's no crazy covid pricing or something like that. It is the normal price here so that's why many people here in Europe don't drive cars with massive engines like they do in the US.
Ahh, the old Pontiac Iron Duke. The dual internal/external combustion ability was a feature, not a bug! In all seriousness though, it was a very reliable (if also very unrefined) engine and the fires were specific to only the Fiero and the LLV themselves as far as I'm aware and the fires are not specifically the fault of the engine. Tons of S10s and other random small GMS had these without issue.
Now I see mostly chrysler mini-vans doing mail in chicago.
I'm in the Philly burbs and they've had sprinter vans for a few years.
let me help you out here, That 9MPG is a result of stop and go with a lot of engine shutdown and startup and idle time. You can NOT expect any vehicle to get their listed estimated mileage under those conditions, and I doubt that electric hybrids will be anything but more expensive and more problematic. As for the Iron Duke, it's not a bad engine and you aren't being reasonable in your critique, you're blaming the engine when the issue is the placement of accessories is the cause. The USPS is more the issue than the LLV/ The LLV is the optimum size, Bigger is NOT the solution. And EVERYTHING I have heard from people who drive and repair the LLV is that it's a good design and very fixable. I think you're just making stuff up
Oshkosh has one it now but the postal van looks like the first one with a tall windscreen and a low bonnet/hood
The new LLV is a mercedes
The usps have there own mechanics and shops very rarely do they send there llv's to an outside mechanics shop
Bro just LS swap the LLV🤣
waiting for the update now
I would expect the Oshkosh/ Ford transit van to win solely based on it already has infrastructure in place to make the basic parts of it so that would get them on the road faster.
Who's here after they have new trucks
The government is trying its best to prove to its citizens that it’s inefficient.
I want a Grumman llv, load its cargo space with a 1200hp v8, and make a drag llv
This show is like the Buzzfeed of car talk. Is this a show about cars for children?
How many of those exactly 666 dislikes do you think came from Satan himself?
9 mpg? Better than that Dodge Deamon.
You called it, Oshkosh got the contract. arstechnica.com/cars/2021/02/usps-picks-a-new-mail-truck-and-no-they-wont-all-be-electric/
Anyone here after the new unveiling?
It was announced today that Oshkosh got the contract but ford is not part of the collab, no word why ford is out of the deal
Ford still may be part of it. When Oshkosh was asked about whether or not Ford will have anything to do with their mail truck, they refuse to comment.
Gas is $2.16 over there? It’s like $2.79 here in NJ.
Man James it's just different 😅
We can't use already produced rhd vans from 3rd world countries like: Japan, Australia, or England. Oshkosh got the contract btw. But gets 10 years to produce 50k vans.
Time for an update and maybe a B2B one day on the Oshkosh mail truck!
Naild the prediction that Oshkosh and Ford would win the contract, I was rooting for the underdog Workhorse...
Ford isn't part of the Oshkosh deal
February 2021 Update: Karsan & Morgan Olson won the contract. The only real noticable change in the design is that it's all white now instead of white and black.
Oshkosh just got awarded the contract www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-postal-service-awards-contract-to-launch-multi-billion-dollar-modernization-of-postal-delivery-vehicle-fleet-301233896.html
I have returned to this video because Oshkosh was chosen as the LLV replacement
Oshkosh/Ford got the contract btw
I've been seeing those same mail vans ever since I was a baby back in 2006. I'm now 14 and I still see the vans lol. I thought they'd replace their mail vans with the European Mercedes vans that do almost every job in Europe.