Anybody know what happens to old UPS trucks? I'll frequently see U-Haul selling off older trucks and see obviously former U-Haul trucks on the road. Used to see old postal service jeeps in private hands as well. But I've never seen any brown step vans with painted-over markings. Does Big Brown just scrap 'em, or do they get sold en masse to the Bolivian post office or somehting?
Surplus UPS trucks?
- Thread starter yaktamer
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feralmerril
Absent Comrade
Years ago I had a friend that I think had one. Dont know how he got it. He had a business where he used it to show his products at car shows etc.
I suppose they would be about the hardest most used vehicles you could ever find were you to locate one. Might have been well maintained though.
I suppose they would be about the hardest most used vehicles you could ever find were you to locate one. Might have been well maintained though.
SAFireman
SWCA Member
As far as I knew...UPS trucks were made for them exclusively and they are destroyed when they are no longer useful. ....FedEx trucks on the other hand, are seen sold off to salvage yards.
I would expect that UPS trucks, like FedEx trucks are excellently maintained. A truck broken down by the side of the road not only doesn't make money, it costs money. UPS probably squeezes every drop of use out of thier trucks. So does U Haul for that matter.
ThirtyAcres
Member
The scrapyard I sell at has maybe two-dozen UPS trucks in various stages of being scrapped out.
geoff40
Member
I've seen a couple of them over the years, one was a contractor-mobile painted white. Ladders on the side, etc., it belong to a carpenter. That one was local.
UPS truck bodies, made by Grumman-Olson, typically get millions of miles put on them, with multiple engine and transmission changes during their life.
UPS truck bodies, made by Grumman-Olson, typically get millions of miles put on them, with multiple engine and transmission changes during their life.
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Gunslinger808
Member
Over the years I've become good friends with my UPS driver.
I asked him a couple of years ago about them and he said that they part them out, then scrap what's left.
He also said that they will drive a truck into the ground before removing it from the fleet, so it is pretty well wore out at the end of it's life.
Most common parts that go out are starters (imagine a vehicle started up 100-200 times a day), and transmissions.
I asked him a couple of years ago about them and he said that they part them out, then scrap what's left.
He also said that they will drive a truck into the ground before removing it from the fleet, so it is pretty well wore out at the end of it's life.
Most common parts that go out are starters (imagine a vehicle started up 100-200 times a day), and transmissions.
Stevie
Member
From what I've seen of the local UPS trucks...wouldn't be much left!
They are all pretty ragged on the inside..and mechanicaly well hammered.
The substitute trucks are worse...even older models in even worse shape..but running well enough to temporarily replace a route truck until it gets repaired. The drivers always comment on the replacement junkers and hope to get their old trucks back soon!
They are all pretty ragged on the inside..and mechanicaly well hammered.
The substitute trucks are worse...even older models in even worse shape..but running well enough to temporarily replace a route truck until it gets repaired. The drivers always comment on the replacement junkers and hope to get their old trucks back soon!
Kind of what I figured. After starting the thread I found an article claiming that they also scrap the trucks because of the whole branding thing, among other reasons. Reason I asked is because I've gotten it in my head that someday I want to convert an old step van into an RV. Fortunately I'll probably never be able to afford to retire, so I won't actually begin what is likely a doomed project from the outset. I think the whole idea is hereditary--my old man took an Econoline chicken delivery van and did his own van conversion before there was such a thing as a conversion van. Lots of great family trips and memories in that old beast.
I had a friend that worked for UPS. He said the same thing, they drove the trucks to death. One truck he had was so shot the windshield wouldn't stay in the frame.
m1gunner
US Veteran
The Frito-Lay trucks come up with some regularity. Many folks get them for the 4BT Cummins installed in them. They are step vans, but not the same exact body UPS puts on theirs.
tomf52
Member
34 years as UPS mechanic. The trucks are taken to the scrap yard and cut up. Parts with serial numbers (including frame rail sections) must be returned to UPS as proof of demolition. Eliminates any possible lawyer problems down the road if sold as complete vehicle.
charlie sherrill
SWCA Member
Yak, you need to get an old school bus or a bread truck.
Yeah, I wasn't really looking for a UPS truck, more likely an old Chevy P30. I was just curious as to why there weren't old brown repaints around. The bus thing crossed my mind, too. Don't imagine I'll ever really get around to it either way.
Maddog 521
Member
The UPS truck bodies are aluminum. They never rot out. They are pretty well used up when they are retired.
