LeftieBiker wrote:What is the purpose of that 50lb-looking vertical post on the left front? Some yard-specific thing? They certainly don't need that much steel to hold the mirror...
It serves as a driver handhold while working on the right-side platform and/or keeps open trailer doors from swinging into the cab, and provides some protection for the hostler from freight falling out, as well as providing a
robust mount for the mirror. Normally the hostler just sits in the cab and reaches back through the open rear window to disconnect the gladhands, or steps out onto the rear platform to connect them (or disconnect them if they're sticky).