Fontaine Modification says previous storage door installation involved custom bending the mounting track to match the truck side’s curvature. Bending the track could lead to leaks and challenges with opening and closing the door. Fontaine has improved on this method by developing a mounting system that uses a surround to allow the door to be installed in a completely vertical orientation, rather than trying to curve to the side of the truck..
The company says this patent-pending design allows for a watertight seal of the door to the truck, smooth, reliable operation of the roll-up door, along with easy maintenance.
“This unique solution allows for a consistent, customized fit for these Freightliner M2 cabs from the beginning, rather than needing to modify on the fly if usability issues arise,” says Nate Eichinger, managing director, Fontaine Modification. “Vehicle operators will appreciate the smooth functionality and ability to service – clean, repair, and even replace – the door, since it can be removed from the framework we designed for this application.”
The new mounting system was developed by the engineering team led by Vocational Engineering Manager Dylan Ramsey at Fontaine’s Innovation Center for Research and Development in Charlotte, N.C. It will be installed on Freightliner M2 trucks at Fontaine’s Charlotte Modification Center, which supports Freightliner’s nearby Mount Holly, N.C., manufacturing facility.
