You Don’t Have to Be a Mail Carrier to Drive a Mail Truck
In the world of trucks, you might think the Ford F-150 or Ram 1500 are the most important. But that’s not actually the case. There is one truck that has been keeping America running since it was introduced, and that is the USPS mail truck. Also known as the Grumman Long-Life Vehicle, or LLV. Mail trucks are what delivers your mail, and they have become quite an icon here in the States.
If you want, you can buy a mail truck
While not the most practical vehicle for daily use, it is possible to buy a USPS mail truck if you want. The important thing to keep in mind is that the Grumman LLV is a purpose-built vehicle, and that means it’s probably not going to be all that comfortable.
The Grumman LLV was first introduced in 1987, and production lasted until 1994. At first, the truck was only meant to be in service for 24 years. But by 2009, it became clear that the LLV could last much longer with proper maintenance. Now, the lifespan of this USPS mail truck is set at 30 years.
Although the Postal Service employs multiple vehicles in its fleet. Currently, the Grumman LLV is probably the most important. If you live in the United States, it is virtually impossible to have not seen one of these trucks at some point. Simply put, they are an icon.
Who sells USPS mail trucks?
You can’t buy a new Grumman LLV, but it is possible to find them on various government auction sites. One site you can buy a USPS mail truck on is GovPlanet. Although, it’s worth noting that they are somewhat of a rarity.
Until the United States Postal Service rolls out the Oshkosh NGDV, the LLV is still the workhorse of the agency. Because of that, they don’t come up for sale often. But down the line, it’s entirely possible that they will become more common.
The Grumman LLV is an American icon
The Grumman LLV is a mail truck built to USPS specifications. According to autoevolution, it is based on the 1982 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer, and you can see plenty of GM components throughout this vehicle. At first, this delivery vehicle came equipped with the Iron Duke engine. But later on, USPS opted for the 2.2-liter LN2 engine.
Also notable is that the gauge cluster is right out of an S-10 Blazer, as is the front suspension. So, although this truck is completed by Grumman, General Motors certainly played a significant role.
When is the Postal Service getting new mail trucks?
For a while now, USPS has been working on getting new delivery vehicles. Oshkosh Defense was given the contract to build the NGDV, and it certainly looks silly. But, the majority of these NGDVs will be electric. And that is pretty cool to see.
Some Oshkosh NGDVs will use gas engines, but the vast majority will be EVs. Helping the United States Postal Service cut down on its environmental impact.
