Metris

[peekachewbaca]

I put my mail in flat tubs. If you case dps, you can put four flat tubs on the table. Which is typically almost two hours on the route. Put a few packages on top, and you hardly have to go into the back.

airbags, intermentent wipers. power windows, quieter, better steering, doesn't get as dusty, smoother ride, radio, good heat, AIR EFFING CONDITIONING,no key needed to open back doors, shelving. bigger gas tank, better mpg.

 

[Voglio-il mio]

airbags, intermentent wipers. power windows, quieter, better steering, doesn't get as dusty, smoother ride, radio, good heat, AIR EFFING CONDITIONING,no key needed to open back doors, shelving. bigger gas tank, better mpg.

If you live in the snow country they have little traction in a dusting of snow. You have to get out more to deliver packages due to the cage separating the cab from the cargo area. Tray in cab holds an insufficient quantity of mail, with very little space to improve efficiencies when handling anything outgoing or incoming. Ride to low to the ground for real rural routes. Window used to deliver mail location in relation to mailbox not ergonomically correct,

 

[Worve]

They suck in snow, but guess what you don’t pay for the tow or getting pulled out. Winter tires and 200 pounds of sand in the back along axel helps a lot. It also keeps a divider for a section of route .
make sure every box on route is up to usps standards for height distance etc. that will help off set the change from pov or llv to metris window wise. The cage can be used to an advantage as well I stacked parcels along it that may fit in box all bigs ones stayed in back. I kept a tub in front of tray on passenger side to toss out going etc in thru out the day. Wss or box holder got stack up along side driver seat between tray and seat. Bottom line it takes some adjustment of how you do things but I would take it over pov any day on a route.

 

[Sandygirl]

They had to come ti our office and replace all of the cargo area door mechanisms. The back and left side door wouldn't open any longer so they came to the office and changed them as they got it fixed the the right wouldn't open. So it got a new one also. But with the cage it could have been hard to do if no doors opened. Our VMF have been doing a good job keeping it repaired and maintained.

I have learned to spray the sliding doors about once a months from the outside with a light coating of WD 40 - it will drop down the side just wipe it off and it will work quite well for a while !

 

[Sandygirl]

They suck in snow, but guess what you don’t pay for the tow or getting pulled out. Winter tires and 200 pounds of sand in the back along axel helps a lot. It also keeps a divider for a section of route .
make sure every box on route is up to usps standards for height distance etc. that will help off set the change from pov or llv to metris window wise. The cage can be used to an advantage as well I stacked parcels along it that may fit in box all bigs ones stayed in back. I kept a tub in front of tray on passenger side to toss out going etc in thru out the day. Wss or box holder got stack up along side driver seat between tray and seat. Bottom line it takes some adjustment of how you do things but I would take it over pov any day on a route.

I do about the same . Half tray on floor under big metal tray and can toss anything I bringing back to office under there - I love my Metris BUT no snow here !

 

[Surf]

Love my Metris!! I treat it with better care than I did my POV, cause yes...they tend to break easily...and my sub is definitely no help in this matter! I, as others, have had the joy of using an LLV when then Metris is in the shop. I'm in a bad mood daily when I see an LLV as a substitute! Luckily, my PM will beg for a replacement Metris, and usually gets one, if I have a problem.

 

[Voglio-il mio]

They suck in snow, but guess what you don’t pay for the tow or getting pulled out. Winter tires and 200 pounds of sand in the back along axel helps a lot. It also keeps a divider for a section of route .
make sure every box on route is up to usps standards for height distance etc. that will help off set the change from pov or llv to metris window wise. The cage can be used to an advantage as well I stacked parcels along it that may fit in box all bigs ones stayed in back. I kept a tub in front of tray on passenger side to toss out going etc in thru out the day. Wss or box holder got stack up along side driver seat between tray and seat. Bottom line it takes some adjustment of how you do things but I would take it over pov any day on a route.

But would you choose a Metris over an LLV?

My PM has been talking about trying to replace our LLV's with the Metris. Our office is split on the idea, CBU routes want them and our Suburban Routes don't, we are a Amazon (heavy volume) package office. I don't want one & I'm not sure that I will want a DUCK TRUCK either when they start releasing those. But I should be retired before we see them anyway.

 

[KDM]

But would you choose a Metris over an LLV?

My PM has been talking about trying to replace our LLV's with the Metris. Our office is split on the idea, CBU routes want them and our Suburban Routes don't, we are a Amazon (heavy volume) package office. I don't want one & I'm not sure that I will want a DUCK TRUCK either when they start releasing those. But I should be retired before we see them anyway.

The main downside is poor in snow, the LLV does not offer 1 thing better than the metris.

 

[Voglio-il mio]

The main downside is poor in snow, the LLV does not offer 1 thing better than the metris.

In a LLV I can deliver 90% of my packages without opening the back door. I also have access to 100% of my mail by walking around to the other side door to retrieve the next tray (which is stored under table). It's all in how you organize the LLV load. The LLV with two shelves is very efficient, they are just old and run like crap.

 

[Offspeed]

I like to deliver with my LLV door slid wide open, like the UPS guy. Don’t worry, I do shut my door through intersections, on freeways and dead heads and bad weather. LLV

 

[Worve]

But would you choose a Metris over an LLV?

My PM has been talking about trying to replace our LLV's with the Metris. Our office is split on the idea, CBU routes want them and our Suburban Routes don't, we are an Amazon (heavy volume) package office. I don't want one & I'm not sure that I will want a DUCK TRUCK either when they start releasing those. But I should be retired before we see them anyway.

Personally I hate llv I’m over 6 feet and not small. Feel like a sardine in llv or ffv in the metris it is semi comfortable and my knees are not up to steering wheel.

just to make it clear metris over llv or ffv any day of the week.

 

[csparks]

airbags, intermentent wipers. power windows, quieter, better steering, doesn't get as dusty, smoother ride, radio, good heat, AIR EFFING CONDITIONING,no key needed to open back doors, shelving. bigger gas tank, better mpg.

Also, Taste's Great, and Less Filling.

(you might be too young)

 

[KDM]

In a LLV I can deliver 90% of my packages without opening the back door. I also have access to 100% of my mail by walking around to the other side door to retrieve the next tray (which is stored under table). It's all in how you organize the LLV load. The LLV with two shelves is very efficient, they are just old and run like crap.

Depends on how you carry mail and packages. I case everything and bundle with straps and work oyt of 1 bundle so most of the time I can stack all of my mail on 1 side of the tray leaving space for 2 tubs of small parcels and the bundle I'm working out of. I keep mid size packages between the seats and under the table for the large mail boxes. Keep most big packages in back on right side so rarely walk all the way around the van. I do the same in the LLVs but no side doors. 95 rural miles daily is a longer more miserable day in a LLV.

 

[Tor]

Does the Metris hold more packages? Our rts are package heavy. 250 to 300 parcels per rt eas h day and much higher in Christmas period

 

[Tor]

Does the Metris hold more packages? Our rts are package heavy. 250 to 300 parcels per rt eas h day and much higher in Christmas period

In the llv I put a lot of packages up front and put my out going bucket behind the seat. I also able to teach back and grab many packages without having to get out. Curious how that will look in a Metris. I am personally excited about the design of the new trucks. Just don't ever think we will see them for years in a small rural town

 

[KDM]

In the llv I put a lot of packages up front and put my out going bucket behind the seat. I also able to teach back and grab many packages without having to get out. Curious how that will look in a Metris. I am personally excited about the design of the new trucks. Just don't ever think we will see them for years in a small rural town

Bigger cargo area with 2 side doors and double back doors.

 

[Sandygirl]

But would you choose a Metris over an LLV?

My PM has been talking about trying to replace our LLV's with the Metris. Our office is split on the idea, CBU routes want them and our Suburban Routes don't, we are a Amazon (heavy volume) package office. I don't want one & I'm not sure that I will want a DUCK TRUCK either when they start releasing those. But I should be retired before we see them anyway.

We have a hard core reg who had her organization in POV for years she is real fast doing everything !! She tried like crazy to turn Metris down but she got it anyway …. Two no ther she loves it !!!!! I knew I would love it because my poor husband had to bring my second RHD to me on route and steal in broken down Wrangler till tow truck arrived !!! It has been a big strain off of us . He doesn’t have to be upset when I call now !

 

[Knitting]

Pros: Air conditioning is a massive quality of life improvement.

All LLVs leak fumes into the cabin. Metris vans don't. I don't know how I put up with LLVs all those years.

Turbo for quick jumps into traffic when necessary.

Sensor warning.

Water does not leak inside.

Power windows.

Accessibility to the back through two side doors in addition to the rear.

Radio so I can listen to NPR's "Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me" on Saturdays.

Van puts itself into park when you open the driver or passenger door. Can save you from an accidental runaway. Don't rely on it though.

Cons: Everything inside that you can touch is made to break. Even if you're like me and careful, someone will try to force something while you're not inside the vehicle. The interior door handle is made to break the power lock buttons. After the fifth time someone broke my left side vent, I threw the pieces into a sandwich bag and threw that bag into the glove compartment.

The side mirrors should have been reversed because the curved mirror on the left side messes me up at night (I bought a towing mirror for such occasions).

Driver seat floor is missing mats and wears down (bought mats myself).

None of the metal in the back is machined down smooth (covered the sharp surfaces in Gorilla tape that, again, I bought myself).

Originally the tires could only do about 800-1600 miles before needing replacement. That seems to have improved some.

I received a van back in 2020 (USPS burnt my truck down; long, stupid story). I can already hear the frame creaking. Anyone who drove one of those Dodge minivans will know what I'm talking about.

USPS will try to PDI and LoW you over putting 93 Octane into the tank, even though there is sticker that says specifically to do so. Use regular 89 Unleaded to avoid a stupid conversation with management.

Personally I wish USPS would install a rear round mirror on the back of the vans. I hate having to rely on a backup camera that could fail at any given moment.

Whenever you file a 1767 over obvious safety flaws, USPS will just threaten to replace the Metris with an LLV.

Has that stupid "feature" that automatically cuts the van off when you hit the brake, and restarts when you depress the brake. Toggle button is on the center console, but it cuts itself back on automatically with every van start. Irritating and unnecessary.

Overall: Meh. Better than driving my own vehicle, and better than a LLV in my opinion.

 

[Rt2mailman]

The Metris is a leased vehicle, no carrier will have them after about 5 years. Rurals will most likely be given the city side hand-me-down Llv/FFVs until all the duckbills are in.

No one really makes $ on a Pov, however, you can save $, if you do your own mechanic work. If you consider your time of value, then the time it takes you to work on your vehicle @ your current wage plus parts cost, does not cover the $ you receive for using your vehicle.
That amount is, however, tax free.
Using any Usps vehicle helps keep/obtain RCAs and with Rrecs in place and no non-L routes and 86/minute DPS, rural carriers make/save more $ using a Government vehicle.
Any vehicle has its downfalls, Metris is horrible in snow and wears tires out in months instead of years, and will never turn as tight as an Llv. They have plenty of room for parcels but not much up front. They have power and speed galore but little to no traction due to being so light weight. They have all of the latest safety features but sound a warning (beeping) anytime you pull up close to a box.
The Llvs have been on their last “Legs” for years and are hot in the summer if they don’t burn up before then. The worn seat cushions ruin backs because they are all tilted to the right from us sliding out of them 100’s of times a day. As much as above posts mention the advantage of reaching back for parcels in Llvs, (I’ve done it too) that wrecks backs, elbows, and shoulders and can “earn” you discipline for one of those “accidents”.
We, as rural carriers, can deliver out of anything and give evidence of that daily, from left hand drive stick shifts, to RHD Japanese micro-vans/fire trucks, but the wrong move in any vehicle will cost us our lives/body parts if we’re not careful.

 

[Knitting]

The Metris is a leased vehicle, no carrier will have them after about 5 years.

Where are you seeing this? Far as I know, the Metris fleet was bought outright. Mercedes Benz is discontinuing production in North America.