Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How far should the base and post be installed from the road surface? A: According to the USPS, your mailbox should be set back 6" to 8” from the front face of the curb or road edge to the mailbox door. Once you receive your mailbox kit, install the mounting board and mailbox onto the boom arm first. Lay the boom arm down so that the front of the mailbox is at a desired location, with the back of the boom pointing toward the ditch/away from the road. The location of the back of your boom arm is where the base pipe should be installed.
Q: Is there a particular requirement for the height and placement by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS)? A: Yes, only to the extent indicated above and approximately 42" from the road surface (or shoulder) and the bottom of the box. According to the USPS, a final convenient positioning can be agreed upon with the authorization of your regular letter carrier. SwingClear, with its easy one-bolt variable height adjustment after installation, has become a favorite among postal workers. At our mailbox post company, we are committed to continuously improving our products to ensure they meet our customers' specific requirements.
Q: My base location is in a drop-down ditch, so what do you recommend? A: We provide a wide range of mailbox solutions. When the installation location is 6” or more below the road’s surface, a SwingClear Upright Extension (model 025) is needed. This allows you to adjust the height of your mailbox up to an additional 21" above the road's surface to meet the USPS's recommendations.
Q: Can concrete be used with the base if I prefer? A: Yes, some people prefer to add a small amount of concrete in exceptionally light soil, but it is usually completely unnecessary. Concrete can sometimes contribute to post movement caused by frost action.
Q: What makes SwingClear mailbox kits stand out in terms of installation? A: SwingClear mailbox kits prioritize an easy and frustration-free installation process, regardless of the time of year. Our unique design allows you to drive the base of the post into the ground without digging, concrete, or complicated tools.
Q: Can the SwingClear support multiple or larger mailboxes? A: Yes, we also offer a double mounting plate for two standard mailboxes as part of our mailbox solutions. A more giant commercial mailbox works fine as well.
Q: I have a newspaper tube. Can these be mounted additionally? A: Yes, they can be screwed to the standard wooden mounting board underneath the mailbox on the right, left, or both.
Q: Can I use my current mailbox on the SwingClear? A: Absolutely! Any size mounting board and mailbox can be attached to the boom arm of our mailbox posts.
We provide mounting boards that seamlessly fit medium, ironside, and large mailboxes to simplify the process for you, but custom boards can be created as well, using a 1" thick piece of wood cut to the correct dimensions.
Q: How long does installing a SwingClear mailbox kit typically take? A: With SwingClear's convenient design and included base driver with rural and suburban posts, a one-person mailbox post installation can be completed in just minutes.
Q: I think I hit a rock while installing the base pipe. What should I do? A: If you contact a hard object like a rock, the tone/noise of the pipe will change when it is struck. Simply pull the base pipe out of the ground and reinstall it again a few inches away.
Q: Do I need to lubricate the swivel joint on my SwingClear? A: It is unnecessary, but you can put universal-type grease on the top 4" to 6" of the upright where the swivel joint slides over it.