Mail Trucks as Campers

[pchast]

We had a couple of mail trucks at work, the state had acquired. We used them to run jobs around the campus and to a couple of locations within 5 miles. I remember we beat on them pretty heavily for 3 years without failure problems... They were reliable. This was the early 80's....

[jandmz]

From talking to USPS employees, the Grumman LLV is built on a GM S10 Blazer chassis with either a 2.5L or 2.2L 4 cyl engine, depending on the year. They are rwd and use the lower ratio 4wd rear axle. They are geared low, designed for the life of low speed operation. That means that they will be underpowered, and get about 18-19 MPG on the highway. It will also have almost no towing capability with the 4 cyl engine. It would probably be better to do a cargo conversion on an Astro cargo van if you want the GM running gear.

[martymcfly]

The LLV that I drive gets 8 miles to the gallon.

[Lesbest]

I've been in multiple Post office repair depots. Those old turds would NOT make a good dog house let alone a camper. They have either an S-10 driveline, or a ford explorer driveline. They may be a LLV, but the driveline is the same as the factory installed in that model year vehicle. So now you have rotten frames, tired diffs., etc. These have been rebuilt many times--1 item at a time. I wouldn't depend on these to get me anywhere, why do you think mailman walks the neighborhood route?

Buy it for the body and junk the rest.

Les

[elcam84]

The llv also used the Astros van brakes which were the two piston version. Much better than the single piston version that was prone to sticking.

[mustangcats]

I wouldn't feel very safe driving one of those on the highway. Probably wouldn't do very well in a crash. The right hand drive would be awkward and take some getting used to.

[rebapuck]

Being right-hand drive has saved a few letter carrier lives. When a passing semi-tractor sideswipes you, you want to be on the right side.

[Treeview]

I searched and found more info about the LLV.

This was posted in a blog:

As a mailman. Everything you've said is false. They are terrible shitboxes. They average 15mpg from a Iron Duke 4 banger, ride on an ancient s10 chassis, get stuck on any sort of slick hill, super unreliable, are nothing but money pits, handle terribly. It's so top heavy that taking a normal turn at regular speeds can be a terrifying. Add to the fact that cannot be made road legal due to having no VIN, registration, or titles and are probably made of the thinnest most unsafe metals ever in the 80's, and you absolutely do not want one of these

[Vedette]

Well there you have it....right from the horse's mouth!
Another happy postal worker?
Divcos are looking better all the time........
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[DrCrash]

[Ron Dickey]

You would do better to find something that has less miles. Converting any truck to a trailer would mean extra weight to pull. If you want to make it into a puller that adds to your camping fun. If you have the time, the shop, and the money to convert it by all means give it a try.

I have seen a lot of these being towed in lately which means they are like old army units. high miles, they may put in a new engine before selling it, but there is a chance for many things to go wrong do to ware and tare.

if you are looking to convert something might look at these sites to see what others have done.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=co ... w&tbm=isch

if you want a truck cheep old chevrolet SUBURBAN and old jeep cherokee's are going on sale very cheep. not the best of gas milage but lots of room to convert. And you can find parts anywhere.

I personally would be looking an old honda CRV it can get around 30 mpg.

your idea is fun, And I can see coming up with that idea too, but I see it impractical unless you have the bucks to make it work.

Thanks for bringing it up.