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I'm a former postal worker (summer job in the 90's) and I drove some of those postal trucks. I drove the "half ton" and "quarter ton" trucks. Those are the smal
by hx2a 6y ago
I'm a former postal worker (summer job in the 90's) and I drove some of those postal trucks. I drove the "half ton" and "quarter ton" trucks. Those are the small or very small delivery trucks you would typically see in residential neighborhoods.
Those things were named after their actual weight and made of aluminum. Obviously driving around in a 500 or 1000 pound vehicle when every other car weighs considerably more is anxiety producing. Plus the driver seat is inverted compared to every other US vehicle, so my visibility to the left side and rear was poor. Plus other drivers can't be expected to know or understand that my ability to see them is different from what is typical of other drivers. Plus if the vehicle was damaged in any way, I would be fired, even if it was clearly not my fault.
Fun times! And great memories. What a unique summer job to have while in college.
- throwaway0a5e 6y agoFYI the "S10 with a funny body on it" you were driving does not weigh 500lb or 1000lb. Those are load ratings (very conservative ones).
- hx2a 6y agoReally? That's not what they told me when I worked there. They were such flimsy vehicles, so what I was told sounded reasonable.
- pbourke 6y agoThe Grumman LLV postal vehicle weighs 2,700lbs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_LLV https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_LLV The "ton" truck rating persists, but it's mostly outdated. The F-150 is a "half-ton" truck, despite having a rated payload capacity that's often closer to 1 ton. I drive a "1 ton" truck that can haul over 2 tons ...
- ska 6y agoFor comparison 500 lb is a medium sized motorcycle. Those are load ratings. 1/2 ton is still a standard small pickup parlance, but a a true load rating that probably hasn't been true since the 70s or 80s. Back before then it was a good idea of what you could haul (as opposed to a "full sized" 1-ton)