Frequently Asked Questions

MAIL INFORMATION

1. What size mail will fit into the Postal Vault's ® ?

PV101 1.5+cubic feet of storage space 6.5in. x 9in. of mail entry space

PV201 2.1+cubic feet of storage space 9in. x 13in. of mail entry space 9in. x 7.5in. of drop space for trap door

PV275 1.8+cubic feet of storage space 7in. x 14in. of mail entry space 7in. x 7.5in. of drop space for trap door

PV400 Jumbo & PV450 5+cubic feet of storage space 12in. x 14in. of mail entry space

DV 400 5+cubic feet of storage space 17.5in x 10.5in of mail entry space

2. Can I receive UPS and FEDEX packages in my Postal Vault ® ?

According to United States Postal Service, FedEx and UPS cannot put their packages into USPS mailboxes.

MODEL INFO

1. What are the dimensions ( size ) of the units?

PV 101- 39" tall x (12.5" x 9.5") wide x 12.5" deep
PV 201- 51" tall x 11.5" x 17.5" deep
PV 275- 50" tall x 8.5" wide x 18" deep
PV 400- 52" tall x 14.5" wide x 18.5 deep
PV 450- 52" tall x 14.5" wide x (24" x 18.5") deep
DV 400- 52" tall x 18" wide x 14.5 deep
DV 500- 55.5" x 25" wide x 18.5" deep

2. What colors are available?

PV101 - Stainless, Black
PV201 - Stainless, Black
PV275 - Black, Almond (optional)
PV400 - Black, Almond (optional)
PV450 - Black, Almond (optional)
DV400 - Black, Almond (optional)
DV450 - Black, Almond (optional)

3. What is Powder Coat?

Powder coat is a mixture of paint and a formulated powder which is heated to form an enamel to avoid rusting and chipping.

4. From what material is the Postal Vault ® made?

Powder coated and stainless models are made of a 20 gauge steel. Stainless steel models are made of 316 stainless steel, the one of the strongest grades. Grade 316 is the standard molybdenum-bearing grade and molybdenum gives 316 better overall corrosion resistant properties. It has excellent forming, welding characteristics, and particularly higher resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride environments.

ORDER INFO

1. What is the delivery time on the Postal Vaults ® ?

PV101 and PV201: 3-7 business days
All other Postal Vaults ® and Delivery Vaults will take 7-21 business days for manufacturing purposes.

PRODUCT INFO

1. What is a Postal Vault ® ?

A Postal Vault ® is a USPS (United State Postal Service) approved locking mailbox.

The units use 20 gauge steel or 316 stainless steel. Rivets are used on the inside of all units to ensure strength (some units have rivets on the outside and others have screws).

The mail drops down through a protection slot to the bottom of vault where it can be retrieved with a key.

An Ace Tubular Lock is used to ensure security.

Outgoing mail is placed inside the vault at the top in a designated slot (although we strongly recommend taking personal mail to the Post Office).

2. What facades are available?

EZ Facades are unique and creative designs made exclusively for Postal Vault ® and Delivery Vault series of secure mailboxes. They are light-weight, easily installed and allow you to add your own personal touch to your new Postal Vault ® . Currently the only units that have facades designed for them are the PV101, PV201, and DV400, with new looks and styles comming soon.

Available in Stucco, Granite Style or Luminore® Metal Coatings.

LUMINORE ® FACADES

1. What is Luminore® ?

LuminOre is a patented metalizing process that seamlessly applies cold sprayable metal to almost any surface. Available in 8 metals: Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, Copper, Iron, Nickel-Silver, Stainless Steel and X-metal; LuminOre is applied using HVLP (high volume, low-pressure) spray equipment. Recent innovations have allowed LuminOre to also offer a Castable Metal line.

2. Who uses Luminore® ?

Dodge, Warner Brothers, MGM Grand, and Bellagio Hotel/Casino.

INSTALLATION

1.Can I brick it in?

Yes. You can contact a masonry company in your area or ask your local hardware store for a referral.

2. Do I have to put the plastic flag on?

Yes. The U.S. Postal Service requires that you have a flag or it will not be approved by the postmaster.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

GROUND INSTALLATION FOR Postal Vaults ®

You will need to have: 2-3 bags of Quikrete ® Ready-to-use concrete mix, rough in framing materials for a clean looking slab, shovel, hammer, nails and a 3/8 inch open/box end wrench.
Use Caution to avoid gas, water or power lines that may be buried!

Step 1

Postal Vault ® may arrive with the top of the box attached to accommodate a bottom "front" retrieval door. Should you want the bottom retrieval door on the back (reversed) simply take a 5/16th Allen Wrench and remove the top portion of the box. Do this before setting Postal Vault ® into concrete base! Remove bottom mail tray by tilting and turning 45 degrees sideways. Tray will then slide out.

Lay Postal Vault ® on its side and attach foundation bolts with nuts and washers on each side of mounting plate. Tighten securely.

Step 2
Remove bottom mail tray by tilting and turning 45 degrees sideways. Tray will then slide out.

Step 3
Lay Postal Vault ® on its side and attach foundation bolts with nuts and washers on each side of mounting plate. Tighten securely.

Step 4

Dig hole approximately 12"x22"x10" deep, (for Standard Deluxe Postal Vault ® ), or 16"x22"x10" deep, (for Jumbo Deluxe Postal Vault ® ). Mix two or three 60lb. bags of Quikrete ® Ready-To-Use Concrete Mix (or similar product).

SUGGESTION:

For symmetrical look, frame hole with wood prior to pouring concrete mix. Fill hole to ground level.

Step 5

Set Postal Vault ® into concrete. Replace bottom mail tray. Bottom of Postal Vault ® should rest on top of concrete. At this point put a level on top of Postal Vault ® . Postal Vault ® should be level side to side. Postal Vault ® should be angled slightly backward to promote water run-off away from mailbox door. Once Postal Vault ® is set, do not disturb until concrete has set.

Customers are required to contact their local post office before installing the mailbox to ensure correct placement and height at the street. Generally, mailboxes are installed at height of 41-45 inches from the road surface to the inside of the mailbox or point of mail entry and are set back 6-8 inches from front face of curb or road edge to the mailbox.

Step 6

To convert to a regular mail box for drive-up mail retrieval, simply re-insert key and pull up panel to original position, (via finger hole), and turn key to lock panel in place.

BRICK INSTALLATION:

If Postal Vault ® is going to be bricked or stoned, make foundation large enough to accommodate the size and weight of brickwork. Additionally, Postal Vault ® should be TOTALLY LEVEL, NOT angled backward for water run-off.

To have your Postal Vault ® installed: Call any local landscape and/or fencing company in your area. They can easily install your Postal Vault ® . Cost may range from $50.00 to $75.00.

If you would like your Postal Vault ® bricked or stoned, call your local masonry company.

How do I mount it to a post?

Preferred Installation Methods For Mounting The PV101 Series To A Post Or A Steel Pedestal Kit

There are two preferred methods:

(1) Mounting to a 4"x4" Wood Post or Existing Post

If you are mounting to a new 4"x4", begin with a quality landscape timber and cement it into the ground making sure it is level. The surface you will be mounting to must have a level and square to guarantee a level box mount. Place box on post and mark for the 2 lag bolts. Pre-drill the holes with a 3/16" drill bit. Then set box on the post and tighten into place.

(2) Adjoining Post to Pedestal Kit

The post assembly consist of (4) bolts and (4) nuts and post. The Postal Vault ® has a factory installed support plate inside the mail storage area. You can see the plate by looking into the bottom of the mail storage area. Rest the Postal Vault ® on the post and line up predrilled holes. Drop bolts down through the inside plate and tighten bolts down from the bottom of the post plate. Pedestal Kit only comes in Stainless Steel.

How far above the ground does the PV need to be when cementing it in?

Customers are required to contact local post office before installing the mailbox to ensure correct placement and height at the street. Generally, mailboxes are installed at height of 41-45 inches from the road surface to the inside of the mailbox or point of mail entry and are set back 6-8 inches from front face of curb or road edge to the mailbox.

How far away from the curb should I install it?

Postal regulations require all mailboxes to be installed 6 inches away from the curb.