Rural Mail Carrier seeks advice on Pruis

my route is a mix of driving up and down the edge of the road, washboard gravel roads, potholes, broken limbs from an ice storm, and some nice roads. The Prius gives up about 18 cubic feet of cargo space to my Jeep Cherokee. The Jeep gave up 13 mpg most days. I have had fewer flats (less weight on the tires?). Any mail questions, please ask. Jerry

 

I put bundles of mail in the back seat. A one foot tray of small parcels on a storage bin behind the drivers seat. Dps in two foot trays behind the passenger seat with my 12 volt compressor pushing it to the center hump ( the angle keeps the mail together). Only two trays of dps behind me, can't get my hand back with three trays. The rest of the parcels or dps in the back. I don't drop the seats except for long parcels. Dps or small parcels in a tray on the drivers seat. A dps holder in the near drink holder and my drink in the far holder. Never had to leave parcels or second trip ( a bmx bike in a box was interesting) in the last year. Any specific questions? Jerry

 

Hello Diana,

Sorry for slow response time. I'd be glad to talk to you and share in detail how myself and several other mail carriers are utilizing the Prius. I'll send you my phone number in a private message. In brief: the little buggies are working GREAT on the routes. I've achieved as high as 40 MPG on the route, but 25 mpg to 30 mpg is typical if you don't use the "Pulse & Glide" driving method. I'm approaching 50K on my '05 and the original brake pads are still ok. There are disks on the front and drums on the rear, but the long life is due to "Regenerative Braking". (Driving technique helps to maximize this benefit also.) My co-worker in Arena is close to 90K on his '05 and has replaced pads once. He does a 70 mile route daily with 403 stops. The battery pack has a 100k WARRANTY, but many owners and fleets are getting much longer life.

Timm

 

Dps or small parcels in a tray on the drivers seat.''

Where are the flats that you deliver, (other than bundled in the back seat) When I deliver out of the passenger seat they would be in a box on the driver's seat, along with the dps I've worked up in the office.

We all do it a little different. northwichita

 

Here in beautiful Arena, WI... (because of limited space in the Prius and a lot of inaccuracies in the DPS), we case the DPS with the flats and the raw mail. We pull down and criss-cross each address as we put it into tubs. We set the tub on the driver's seat and grab each address's mail as we do the the route. This method eliminates having to bundle anything or use any rubberbands. It also allows us to have parcels with-in easy reach right behind us on the folded down rear seats. The tub itself provides a nice armrest while driving too. I'll take a pic tommorrow of the tub in postion to show more detail.

 

Here are two pics to help me explain the "method to my madness". One pic shows the cargo area with back seats folded down and two big washable shop towels to protect the car. The other pic shows the easily washable old hand towels I use to protect the seats. A boat cushion for back support. The center console moved back about 6 inches to allow my left leg to reach across without ramming my thigh. The non-slip shelf padding on the dash to keep boxholder shoppers from sliding around. (I don't case non-addressed shoppers) The tub on the driver's seat filled with criss-crossed mail ready to deliver. (no bundling/no rubber bands) The small basket on the drivers side floor for mail I pick-up. Most important of all... my transferable/portable satellite radio for listening to the "Ed Schultz Show"! I easily convert this buggy from hauling mail to hauling kids while pulling a trailer or with our bike rack. My pics with the vehicle reconfigured with booster seats and portable DVD are elsewhere here on priuschat. I'll do some spring cleaning soon and after shampooing the carpet... my baby will look like new again! (I hope)

 

Thanks for the pic's, very informative.
"The tub on the driver's seat filled with criss-crossed mail ready to deliver."
I wondered how you kept the sorted mail in the tub. It appears, from the tub picture, you not only criss-cross, but zig-zag long ways in the tub as you fill it up. Otherwise, the mail would be just on one side, and possibly tip. Right? Thanks, Northwichita

My next question, how to secure a mail warning sign on the nonmagnetic rear end of the prius I have. I'd like it to be easily removable.

 

Sorry for slow response time, Northwichita.

Keeping the mail sorted in the tub is similar to driving the vehicle from the passenger seat... after awhile you hardly give it conscience thought.

Criss-crossing each handful when pulling down from the case and putting them in the tub where they like to lay best while evening out the load is my method. It's mainly the opposite direction of each handful that you can feel with your fingertips and see with a glance of the eye that indicates where to make your next grab for mail.

I've given up on the rear magnetic sign. My routes have minimal traffic in very rural settings. I have my yellow flashing strobe on the roof always on. I activate the four-way flashers if I'm stopped for anything more than a second or two. Having the DPS, raw mail , and flats all combined using the "criss-cross in the tub" method... I spend very little time at each mailbox. Quite often just doing more of a rolling stop.

My mentor taught me: "If you're not moving... you're losing!" (money that is)

 

hi all!

i was thinking i was going to be a pioneer in getting a prius to use for rural mail delivery. i guess not . . . but that's cool. a couple of you are pretty close by. my thinking is that it must be the best vehicle to use for this purpose.

i tried contacting toyota japan to see about getting them to ship me one of their right-hand-drive priuses they build for the british, japanese, or austrailian markets . . . but it seemed to be too much of a hassle (issues about the cars not conforming to us emissions standards. can the us possibly have the most stringent environmental and safety standards? i highly doubt it.) because of the hassle and because of my antsiness to get a prius so i could be saving $240/mo (low estimate) in gas use over the windstar i'd been using for delivery, i bought the standard american version. (there may have been parts issues, anyway, i figure.)

i bought it a week ago thursday, removed the console that night, and initiated it to delivery (in verona) the next day. it's only been a week, but i've been extremely pleased with how it works. my biggest concern, though i was fairly confident, was if i'd be able to fit all the mail & parcels in the car. this first week i've had plenty of room to spare. i'm gussing space will get very tight in december. how have you all done?

hope to get to know y'all!

cheers,

mark

 

Hello Mark,

There are indeed several folks using the Prius as a workhorse delivering the U.S. Mail. Amazingly... most of the rural carriers on Priuschat seem to be here in Wisconsin! You're welcome to try to meet up live with me and we'll share techniques. A search here on Priuschat using my name (timm) will show you several past posts.

 

VERY interesting thread. I bought my 08 march 5 and started using it june 1st @ 3 hours a day delivering political advertisements to paperboxes(mailboxes) on 90% paved, well maintained sub divisions. I make @ 1250 stops 4 times a week(5k). Although this is very very similiar to actual mail delivery, it is much faster paced and I feel it REALLY puts the PRI to a test. I average 9mph by Garmin over my 3 hour trip daily. I usually get @ 25-35 w/o ac and 20-25 w/ac. I was worried about the hybrid system turning on and off, on and off, on and off sooooooooo many times each day. I'm happy to see others putting the PRI to similiar tasks and it doing fine. I'm keeping detailed records of mileage and fuel and conditions. With my other vehicle(89 Nissan 2wd v6) I could always smell the brakes and feel the heat from the engine and wheel/rotors and definitely DO NOT have that issue with the PRI. I still own the truck(son drives it daily to work) and it has 565,877 original miles. I usually got @ 8-12mpg at best with it and NO AC.
I'm concerned @ not only the Hybrid /Ice on /off situation but also the steering components and how they seem to be handling the excessive turning and "curb riding"(poor outside left fr tire). I felt the truck handled it well because it was a truck with (I assume) stronger front end components and the fact that it was a truck. Any comments or info from those in use @ the wear of the front end of the PRi??? How's it doing??? Repairs???
I do Love this car though for anything I can find to do with it. Greatest car I've ever owned.!!

 

Hello and welcome, I see from your data that your lifetime average mpg is just over 43mpg. I put my Prius on the route in March of 07.

So far,167 fillups, 48000 miles, $3028 in fuel, and 1097 gallons of gas later, my average is 43.74 mpg. As you have read, my route is urban, highway, and about 19 miles of dirt roads. No mechanical issues have surfaced yet. Doing a little math gives me 6.9 cents per mile for gasoline lifetime. At $3.799/gallon, currently it is 8 to 9 cents per mile.

Haven't ran the a/c yet, but Monday may hit 100. Using common sense and some p&g, I have had 48 to 50 mpg fillups last month. How far is the next stop and how fast do I need to get there? Accelerate and coast from box to box. Watch for a full battery and dump some charge before it reverts to mechanical braking. Have fun. Jerry

 

HELLO PAPARYNO,

I've now have 53k on my 2005 with no mechanical problems and it still has the original brake pads! My co-worker really pounds the heck out of his and has over 100k on his '05 with no mechanical problems, (he has replaced brake pads). He runs a big mail route every day with broken plastic parts hanging loose on the underside.
I've learned to be cautious when busting through hard packed snow... can't really bump anything with the front bumper cover without damaging it. (Have repaired mine twice)
I would think that not having to come to a complete stop, (as you describe your route), would be easier on the car than doing a mail route. Use the pulse and glide method of driving and NEVER slam on the brakes. Do you keep your tires pumped high? I run at 44lb. front and 42lb. rear.

Timm

 

I keep my tires at 46/44 to minimize damage to them from all the curbs I have to ride(as you probaby know, these are the @ 40 degree soft curbs). The PRI being short causes me to have to ride more of them to get to the boxes than I did in my truck. No problem as long as tires hold up. Only damage for me sooooo far at 8k is an exploded left front tire. I ran over a patch of grass by a box a little off the main road.....The grass hid the old mailbox's METAL post (hence the reason it was off the road further than normal) and it sliced a 2.5 inch gap in sidewall.:doh:. Cost me 140 total for tire and install(Touring) from TOYOTA.
My mileage is at @43.3 right now(lifetime) but it would be lower because I didn't use the PRI for delivery for 3 months as I was letting it break in. Therefore the earlier mileage is higher. I was averaging @ 46-48mpg for first 3 months. Now I get mid 30's to 40mpg at each fillup. STILL AWESOME for what it does. I'm amazed that it's getting better mpg's than most comparable cars on the interstate and I use mine for extreme stop and go all day. You may be right about the "not coming to a complete stop" being a lil better BUT it is pushed pretty hard sometimes when I'm getting behind. Also, always having to turn in and out of the curbs to bypass all the dreaded garbage cans is why I was concerned @ the steering components.
I'm happy to hear the positive feedback. The PRI just seems to keep proving itself more and more every day in all situations... Anyone use theirs to pull travel trailers??? LOL.. joking of course!!
Anyway, my front spoiler has screamed at me only once when I hit a dip and bottomed it out.. Just minor, barely noticeable, surface scratches, underneath front spoiler..
I've had to slam on brakes only about 8 times due to kids, cars, dogs, etc. Did you mention that for brake wear or mpg's or something else? They sure hit HARD when you really nail them.
Well... thanks for the input and welcome more...

 

BTW, I am soo impressed with the oil condition on the PRI. I have @ 5k on this oil(Mobile 0w30 synthetic) and it looks almost as clear as the day it was put in! My truck's oil would look dark @2-3k. I guess(hope) it's the lack of significant strain/use of the ICE??? Felt good seeing it still sooo clear! Tks

 

As a Rural Mail Carrier, does a GPS Navigation system help save gas by avoiding missed turns? I am starting as a RCA and will likely be put on many different routes. I'm thinking a GPS might help, but I am not sure until I actually start work.

 

Definitely yes on the GPS. I use it all the time. Hard to believ e what I did without it!!

 

Also I now have almost 7600 on this oil change. Still clear!!! I'm sooooo amazed. I feel I should be able to go over 10K on with no problems. Any other comments on oil longevity???? Stop and go and still no sign of oil wear!!!

 

Thanks, I will order a Garmin 580 with MSN Direct for traffic delays, it is only $169 and seems to be loaded with features.
Sounds great on your oil. I use Mobil 1 synthetic and never had a car do less than 300,000 miles before selling it. It is the best oil, no doubt.
It may be cost effective for me also to buy a Prius. It is the best mpg currently available, at least until the GM Volt comes out.
I saw a Rural Carrier EMA chart and it looks like they only pay between $25-$30 a day but I am not sure if that is for maintenance/repairs or total for gas & maintenance/repairs. Seems really low. I may need a Prius to make this work for me.