United Parcel Service trucks are delivery vehicles with rear cargo and lack factory-installed air conditioners. From the first UPS truck to the present models, they do not have AC for cooling.
Are UPS Trucks Air Conditioned? UPS trucks are not air conditioned to reduce their manufacturing costs, and they get ventilation through the roof. In addition, they lack AC due to fast shipment, diversity of packages, enclosed cargo, and design specifications.
In an 8 to 10-hour duty, the cargo and cabin can get hot for around 122°F to 129°F (50°C to 53.8°C). Yet, they do not comprise a particular system to reduce the temperature and humidity.
Why are UPS trucks not air-conditioned?
They lack AC because it is not compatible with their standard design. In addition, due to the following reasons, they do not comprise the cooling facility with air conditioning equipment.
Cost reduction
These are expensive delivery trucks and are not available for public use. However, the average cost of a single UPS truck is around $41000 to $49800.
They are large, with an average length of nearly 8 feet. Moreover, they can handle a weight of about 7800 to 7900 pounds.
The installation of air conditioners in such a large carrier is an expensive procedure. Also, it increases per unit price of the delivery trucks.
To reduce the installation expense, the manufacturing companies have not installed AC in their cabin and cargo. Due to practical reasons of cost, they avoided the built-in cooling systems.
It has become a cost-saving technique that supports the overall manufacturing cost of these shipment vehicles. Also, they can become dependent on the battery and engine.
It can lead to excessive power drainage from the battery, and the engine can lose efficiency.
In addition, the maintenance and repair costs are high for this equipment. To reduce the expenses, the manufacturers have not added them.
Cooling through roof
The UPS trucks have white roofs, comprise translucent material, and facilitate sunlight penetration inside the cargo section.
These specific white roofs provide cooling inside the storage compartment. In addition, they promote ventilation due to their translucent composition.
Also, the roof allows the penetration of external air inside the cargo. They facilitate the crossing of internal air and keep the internal temperature under standard limits.
Due to their presence, the airflow increases, and they do not require AC. A few variants have spinning ventilators on the roof of these delivery vehicles.
They improve the airflow from the enclosed areas of the frame. Due to the specific roof, the cost of light and electricity reduces.
Multiple stops
Their drivers have an excessive workload within a 7 to 8-hour shift. However, a few have extended periods of duty due to several packages.
The drivers stop at around 86 to 94 spots to deliver all the parcels. Sometimes, they stop at more locations to collect the packages.
In these conditions, they open the doors of the cabin frequently. Due to this reason, the UPS manufacturers have not installed AC in them.
In such circumstances, the air conditioning system can work for a short span, which reduces engine efficiency.
The air conditioner’s fan receives the engine power and expels a specific amount of air for thirty seconds.
To turn off the AC, the driver should turn off the engine, which decreases its life expectancy. To keep the electric motor intact, the companies avoid this cooling equipment in delivery vehicles.
Fast shipment
It is one of the fastest shipping services in different states of the United States of America, with defined variants and appealing shipment schedules.
They have one-day delivery services in a few states. However, due to fast shipment schedules, the employees control and regulate the packages for quick delivery.
These are weight carriers and depend on the performance of the engine and battery. Due to the addition of conditioners, the electric circuit can change.
As a result, it can undergo a current load, which results in blown-out plugs and damaged electric components.
Diversity of packages
Their cargo compartment has different shelves and pallets to adjust different categories of packages. With the service, you can deliver your frozen and baked food items.
You can send boxes of fruit, medicines, and other things. According to customer reviews, the united Parcel service delivers everything within the city and across the states.
Each package requires a different temperature for its stability. They cannot maintain the specific heat levels inside the storage section. The companies have not installed AC in the cargo to avoid temperature modifications.
Enclosed cargos
An AC works with refrigerant, a compressor, and a coil. Moreover, they can provide continuous cool air due to their working efficiencies. But, their compressor requires a ventilation passage to expel the hot air into the external environment.
However, the UPS cargo is enclosed cabins without doors. Moreover, they lack windows to cross the air.
As a result, the AC inside the storage compartments cannot provide internal ventilation and store oxygen inside it.
Due to the absence of walls and windows, suffocation increases inside the truck. The loading and unloading activities become challenging.
Specifications of UPS trucks
The company launched the first United Parcel Service truck in 1975 to deliver packages and mail across the USA. The manufacturers selected a particular design for them.
The manufacturing factories still follow a similar design because it has multiple benefits. Also, the specific layout has increased the credibility of these delivery trucks.
People can identify them due to their particular designs, specific color themes, and white roofs.
However, manufacturing companies do not desire to alter their design. Due to this reason, they do not install this cooling equipment in the front cabin and rear storage area.
Dot regulations for air conditioning in trucks
DOT is a department of transportation that works under the Federal Motor carrier safety regulation authorities. Therefore, commercial and mail trucks work under the rules and laws of the DOT.
However, its laws are a set of regulations that fulfill the requirements of the federal government and its laws.
According to FMCSRs, the mail delivery vehicles like UPS trucks do not require air conditioning systems for the employees and storage units.
The DOT regulates and ensures the absence of ACs in these trucks to avoid federal laws violation. In addition, the department of transportation follows the act of FMCSRs to keep their designs intact.
How does the absence of an air conditioner affect UPS drivers?
Sometimes, the internal temperature of the UPS truck cabin and storage unit can increase up to 122°F. As a result, the cabin becomes extremely hot during summer delivery services.
The employees and drivers usually have day shifts. As a result, they work under the sun-heat for prolonged periods. The constant exposure to sunlight warms the walls of the United Parcel service truck.
The drivers can undergo sun strokes due to poor hydration. It affects their health, and they quit their jobs. However, the workers have adequate training to work in outdoor areas.
But, excessive climate heat causes sweating and results in irregular blood flow. They require more resting hours in cool places. It increases the shipment time and reduces the service credibility.
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