Why are the tops of UPS trucks white?

[HeroOfPellinor]

Is it to reflect heat? Save on paint? Blend in with bird poo?

I'm sure there's some practical reason, but they look half-assed from above.

 

[mzkhadir]

dont know

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

reflect light energy to keep temperature lower

 

[mrchan]

probly get hot hot hot in there if it was brown....

 

[Dr. Detroit]

They are not white, they are actually clearish plastic, it is to let the sunlight in so that the drivers can pull packages in an efficient manner.


IIRC:

 

[quikah]

I believe they are tranluscent panels that let light in so you can see in the back. not sure if that is the only reason.

 

[Bootprint]

It's translucent fiberglass.

 

[Subterranean Homesick Alien]

The top of a UPS truck is a semi-opaque plastic for lighting -- a skylight essentially. I used to unload the tracktor trailers many years ago. Down south, those trailers would get to 120F+ in the summer. I used to leave the hub with sweat squishing out of my boots.

 

[cKGunslinger]

To camouflage them from UPS-eating birds of prey.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
They are not white, they are actually clearish plastic, it is to let the sunlight in so that the drivers can pull packages in an efficient manner.


IIRC:

Bingo!

Another intelligent ATOTer! :thumbsup:

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: jadinolf

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
They are not white, they are actually clearish plastic, it is to let the sunlight in so that the drivers can pull packages in an efficient manner.


IIRC:

Bingo!

Another intelligent ATOTer! :thumbsup:

Or one that actually uses google.

 

[shilala]

Originally posted by: jadinolf

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
They are not white, they are actually clearish plastic, it is to let the sunlight in so that the drivers can pull packages in an efficient manner.


IIRC:

Bingo!

Another intelligent ATOTer! :thumbsup:

QFT.
I did the UPS thing last winter when I was out of work.
Without that top you couldn't see shyt. With the top, you can seldom see shyt.

 

[ZOOYUKA]

I think it is a heli-pad.

 

[jammur21]

Originally posted by: Subterranean Homesick Alien
The top of a UPS truck is a semi-opaque plastic for lighting -- a skylight essentially. I used to unload the tracktor trailers many years ago. Down south, those trailers would get to 120F+ in the summer. I used to leave the hub with sweat squishing out of my boots.

I used to load big rig trailers out of the OC, CA to NY. NY. I've never been so hot in my life as when I worked those trucks.


I can't even begin to imagine that same kind of heat in southern humidity. On the trailers yes they serve as a skylight, I know they probably reflected SOME heat too.

 

[mercanucaribe]

I wish my car was white. It gets very very hot.

 

[revnja]

to paint the tops brown would cost a bit more money. they're taking a half-assed approach to van painting.

 

[imthebadguy]

save paint, and they have large numbers on them which can be read from heli's if they need to be

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

god some of you people need to learn to read!

 

[Tiamat]

i never noticed in my 22 years of existence.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
god some of you people need to learn to read!

QFT. I already posted the damn answer!

 

[suse920]

Originally posted by: imthebadguy
save paint, and they have large numbers on them which can be read from heli's if they need to be

ummm RTFT??

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
They are not white, they are actually clearish plastic, it is to let the sunlight in so that the drivers can pull packages in an efficient manner.


IIRC:

Cool, but what about in Seattle or anywhere when it's overcast?

I think they should just put some solar panels up there and charge a battery that supplies power to rows of LED lights in the back. And when you aren't using it to deliver people's condoms and nose hair trimmers, you could fill it with foam and have a party.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Why are people saying it's to save paint? Is white paint cheaper than brown?

 

[rickn]

Originally posted by: jadinolf

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
They are not white, they are actually clearish plastic, it is to let the sunlight in so that the drivers can pull packages in an efficient manner.


IIRC:

Bingo!

Another intelligent ATOTer! :thumbsup:

now how about a color that makes them deliver them to my house faster

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: imthebadguy
save paint, and they have large numbers on them which can be read from heli's if they need to be

Snicker...

I figured that everybody knew the roofs were translucent plastic--essentially sunroofs--to let daylight in.

I guess not.