T480 Medium Duty

Kenworth T480 — Aftermarket Seating Overview

Class 8 | 2.1-Meter Cab | 109" BBC | Medium-Duty Vocational Powerhouse

The Kenworth T480 is the heavy end of Kenworth’s new medium-duty series, built on the spacious 2.1-meter cab platform shared with the T180, T280, and T380. The T480 is engineered for rugged vocational tasks and outfitted with higher GVW options, making it ideal for applications that push medium-duty trucks to Class 8 performance levels.

Common Vocational Uses for the T480

• Dump and Mixer Trucks

• Plow Trucks and Municipal Fleets

• Utility and Crane Bodies

• Refuse and Roll-Off Trucks

• Tow and Recovery

• Fire and Rescue

These demanding applications call for durable, ergonomic seating to withstand long hours and tough driving conditions.

OEM Seating & Upgrade Justification

The T480 usually comes standard with a Kenworth Air-Cushion or Air-Cushion Plus intermediate back seat, but many drivers and fleet managers upgrade to seats offering:

• More advanced suspension systems (air or dual shock)

• Enhanced lumbar and side support

• Heating/cooling features

• Durable materials for messy or extreme work conditions

• Wider seat base for larger drivers

• Compact or low-profile base to preserve legroom in specialty builds

Fitment & Compatibility

Because the T480 shares the 2.1-meter cab with the rest of the new medium-duty Kenworth line, it is highly adaptable to aftermarket seating.

Compatibility Notes:

• Standard Kenworth bolt pattern

• Supports standard-profile and low-profile suspension seats

• 2.1m cab allows clearance for full-size high-back seats

• If replacing an OEM Gramag seat with integrated seatbelt, you’ll need:

  • Adaptor plate with tether anchors to meet FMVSS safety standards

Installation Tips

• Check clearance for floor mods, center consoles, or in-cab equipment

• If replacing a tethered seat:

  • Use manufacturer-specified tether-compatible adaptor bracket

• Always confirm seat height, depth, and mounting points before purchase

• Many vocational builds benefit from vinyl or Durafabric covers for easier cleaning

Pro Tip:

For municipal and utility use, mechanical suspension seats with waterproof/vinyl covers often outperform air seats in durability and uptime.