Fontaine Modification, a provider of post-production truck services, introduced a sit-down dual drive (SDDD) modification for Peterbilt’s new medium-duty conventional truck lineup as well as a Kenworth Premium Sit-Down Dual Drive modification.

"A lot of engineering work goes into developing a sit-down dual drive conversion that not only maintains the excellent ergonomics of the OEM position but also properly relocates collision mitigation systems, HVAC and other equipment,” explains Jamil Young, president, Fontaine Modification Medium & Heavy Truck Operations. “We’re proud to have put our decades of experience and engineering expertise to work in developing this modification for the vocations that need a right-hand drive option.”

New Option Adds Right-Hand Drive to Kenworth Medium-Duty Trucks

The Premium Sit-Down Dual Drive modification is the only sit-down dual drive conversion available for Kenworth medium-duty conventional trucks for the following models: 

• Kenworth T180.

• Kenworth T280.

• Kenworth T380.

• Kenworth T480.

Fontaine already offers a sit-down dual drive modification for the Kenworth K370 COE model.

Peterbilt SDDD Modification Updates Medium-Duty Trucks

The Peterbilt Premium Sit-Down Dual Drive modification from Fontaine Modification Medium & Heavy Truck Operations is available for:

• Peterbilt Model 535.

• Peterbilt Model 536.

• Peterbilt Model 537.

• Peterbilt Model 548.

According to Fontaine, this is the first SDDD modification for Peterbilt’s medium-duty conventional lineup. It has provided a SDDD modification for the Peterbilt Model 220 cab-over-engine truck at its Garland, Texas, modification center since 2015.

“We’re proud to put our expertise and experience to work to help customers maximize the versatility of these great medium-duty trucks,” Young said. “Peterbilt engineers did an amazing job of optimizing driver ergonomics and visibility. Now we’re taking those improvements to the other side of the cab for the specialized applications that require right-hand driving.”

What Does a SDDD Modification Do?  

SDDD steering conversions add a right-hand drive station to the cab, enabling drivers to comfortably operate vocational vehicles from either the right or left side. This is important in applications where it may be preferable for the driver to operate curbside, such as refuse collection, street sweeping, and road striping.

Fontaine’s new Premium Dual Drive modification is engineered to make the right-hand driving position virtually identical to the OEM left-side position so drivers can operate with equal comfort and efficiency no matter where they are sitting.

Modifications for both Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks are performed at the Fontaine facility in Chillicothe, Ohio.

Editor's note: this item was originally published April 27, 2023 and has been updated with the addition of Kenworth's product line.