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Can someone walk through the vehicle odd detail by odd detail and explain every design decision? For me this is fascinating because there are probably many smal

by heipei 6y ago

Can someone walk through the vehicle odd detail by odd detail and explain every design decision? For me this is fascinating because there are probably many small items that have a practical benefit that I don't even see on the first glance. One question though: Why is the back slanted? Why doesn't it go straight down? Wouldn't that be preferable when it's raining, for example?

kube-system 6y ago
Here are my educated non-expert guesses: * low front end, large amount of glass: aids in visibility when maneuvering in tight locations. * side mirrors are hung from the top: again, aiding visibility. You need to look at the road's surface more than you need to look at the sky. * two piece side window: it can pass packages while also protecting the driver from the weather * slanted rear: the person closing the door has a couple more inches to get a steady footing while reaching over their head to close the tall door? Or maybe a tiny aero advantage? Or just for style? * huge protruding bumpers: cheaper to hit them than it is to hit the body. And maybe it's more likely you can keep the vehicle in service without requiring repairs after minor incidents. * upswept rear bumper: necessary to mitigate issues with a departure angles, because a short-wheelbase is ideal for driving in tight locations. * hanging wiper mechanism: visibility, and it doesn't jam up with ice/snow as much. * side door slides forward instead of rearwards: because the door doesn't have to move outwards clear the rear fender, the track is straight and the mechanism simplified, so it's more durable, more accessible, and more ergonomic than other commercial vans which typically require a compound motion (sliding and extending outwards.) * and the easy one -- right hand drive: because mailboxes are on the side of the road.
kart23 6y ago
The old LLVs also have a slanted back, its possible its just for design, I'm picturing it with a flat back and it just looks wrong, like a typical creepy white van. The slope gives it some character. Although you're right, there probably is a more nuanced reason.
pySSK 6y ago
The current USPS trucks have a slanted back too but my google-fu yielded no results. The info graphic explains some of the other details: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/06/automobiles/the-mail-truck-is-a-classic-and-thats-a-problem-for-a-modern-post-office.html https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/06/automobiles/the-mail-truc... Biggest change is that driver should be able to walk inside it to fetch packages, hence the height and the odd 'forehead'.
majormunky 6y ago
I thinks easier to pull back into a loading area and get access to the spot where your putting packages at (that part sort of sticks out farther).

by heipei 6y ago

kube-system 6y ago

Here are my educated non-expert guesses: * low front end, large amount of glass: aids in visibility when maneuvering in tight locations. * side mirrors are hung from the top: again, aiding visibility. You need to look at the road's surface more than you need to look at the sky. * two piece side window: it can pass packages while also protecting the driver from the weather * slanted rear: the person closing the door has a couple more inches to get a steady footing while reaching over their head to close the tall door? Or maybe a tiny aero advantage? Or just for style? * huge protruding bumpers: cheaper to hit them than it is to hit the body. And maybe it's more likely you can keep the vehicle in service without requiring repairs after minor incidents. * upswept rear bumper: necessary to mitigate issues with a departure angles, because a short-wheelbase is ideal for driving in tight locations. * hanging wiper mechanism: visibility, and it doesn't jam up with ice/snow as much. * side door slides forward instead of rearwards: because the door doesn't have to move outwards clear the rear fender, the track is straight and the mechanism simplified, so it's more durable, more accessible, and more ergonomic than other commercial vans which typically require a compound motion (sliding and extending outwards.) * and the easy one -- right hand drive: because mailboxes are on the side of the road.

kart23 6y ago

The old LLVs also have a slanted back, its possible its just for design, I'm picturing it with a flat back and it just looks wrong, like a typical creepy white van. The slope gives it some character. Although you're right, there probably is a more nuanced reason.

pySSK 6y ago

The current USPS trucks have a slanted back too but my google-fu yielded no results. The info graphic explains some of the other details: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/06/automobiles/the-mail-truck-is-a-classic-and-thats-a-problem-for-a-modern-post-office.html https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/06/automobiles/the-mail-truc... Biggest change is that driver should be able to walk inside it to fetch packages, hence the height and the odd 'forehead'.

majormunky 6y ago

I thinks easier to pull back into a loading area and get access to the spot where your putting packages at (that part sort of sticks out farther).