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Re:Why the new USPS mail trucks look so weird by lttlrck on Monday March 15, 2021 @07:59PM (#26471045)
The millions of existing mailboxes installed at regulation height certainly play a big part of it.
Re:Why the new USPS mail trucks look so weird by maxerickson on Monday March 15, 2021 @08:04PM (#26471106)
My rural carrier had no problem putting mail in my mailbox from a modified jeep. They would stop and get out for packages of any size (putting them by the house).

In town here, it's all walking routes. I wonder what the numbers are on curbside vs walking?

Re:Why the new USPS mail trucks look so weird by throwaway0a5e on Monday March 15, 2021 @09:59PM (#26472009)
Your rural mail carrier selected the vehicle based on a known defined mailbox height.
Re:Why the new USPS mail trucks look so weird by maxerickson on Monday March 15, 2021 @10:16PM (#26472106)
Yes, that was my point, they were able to buy an (apparently) suitable vehicle 'off the shelf'.
Re:Why the new USPS mail trucks look so weird by kube-system on Tuesday March 16, 2021 @12:25AM (#26473002)
Modified jeeps are the best you can get without the leverage of being able to write 9 digit contracts. That doesn't make them ideal.

Aftermarket RHD modified vehicles have a lot of issues, like being able to see the gauges, the ability to operate all of the ancillary controls, interference with factory safety equipment, poor ergonomics, etc.

https://www.postalthings.com/images/MailTrays/KiaMailTray.jp...

Re:Why the new USPS mail trucks look so weird by pixl97 on Monday March 15, 2021 @10:42PM (#26472291)
And those jeeps had generally terrible visibility. You're making a lot of statements with little to no data, nor even research on to why they would want to improve.
Re:Why the new USPS mail trucks look so weird by maxerickson on Monday March 15, 2021 @10:49PM (#26472337)
I disagree.

I made 1 statement saying that requirements aren't explanations, 1 statement that I observed a rural carrier use a jeep for years, and then a statement that jeeps are in fact commercially available.

I would certainly expect a jeep with a mirror bolted on the traffic side to have better rear and side visibility than something with no glass in the back, so go ahead and hang your hat on visibility if you want.