Fontaine 5th Wheel

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Brandon0928, May 14, 2022.

  1. Brandon0928

    Brandon0928 Light Load Member

    183
    105
    May 14, 2022
    0
    2011 freight liner Fontaine 5th wheel

    When you pull the lever back and slide it over to the “locking” position the lock goes back in about an inch so therefor you can’t hook or unhook to a trailer because or the inch. If you pull the lever all the way it opens 100% so the only way to hook and unhook is by having vice grips . What’s causing this ?
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

    12,000
    60,362
    Dec 9, 2011
    South west Missouri
    0
    Are these rebuildable or have adjustment?
     
  4. Brandon0928

    Brandon0928 Light Load Member

    183
    105
    May 14, 2022
    0
     

    Attached Files:

  5. Shawn2130

    Shawn2130 Heavy Load Member

    870
    1,806
    Sep 20, 2015
    Ontario
    0
    Probably time to junk it and get a different brand. Like a Holland FW35 for example.

    These Fontaine’s are overly complex, require a lot of babysitting and must be clean.

    No grease allowed in the jaws. Just oil.

    If the jaws are giving trouble, the linkages and other parts are probably loose.

    We’ve rebuilt the fifth wheel once already but still have issues.

    I’ve had to deal with trailers not being able to hook, refuse to unhook, or have dropped trailers because I miss ONE check to be sure the jaws are locked.
     
  6. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

    12,000
    60,362
    Dec 9, 2011
    South west Missouri
    0
    Probably the one single piece of a truck you don’t want to risk repairs and rebuild.

    I just slammed a new one on the other year - don’t need a trailer coming loose.
     
  7. Shawn2130

    Shawn2130 Heavy Load Member

    870
    1,806
    Sep 20, 2015
    Ontario
    0
    I threw that Fontaine into the scrap yard, haven’t looked back.

    Installed a good used Holland plate and slide off of one of our trucks that was rolled and been problem free since.

    Also, to buy a new Holland plate, is only a little more money than the rebuild kit.

    Just buy a new plate.

    In Canadian dollars: $500 for a rebuild kit, $900 for a complete new Holland plate, or $2,000 for the entire plate and slide system.

    Fontaine is $1,500 for the plate alone.
     
  8. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

    4,505
    13,543
    Dec 20, 2019
    Marion Texas
    0
    May be something as simple as a spring that holds the latch or handle in full open position has broken. You need to get a parts diagram for the model you have to compare and see if anything is missing or wore on yours.
     
  9. ProfessionalNoticer

    ProfessionalNoticer Road Train Member

    2,941
    7,844
    Apr 25, 2021
    0
    I wouldn't even bother messing with it. An FW35 shouldn't be more than about 1500 installed. You'll have piece of mind and a better fifth wheel.
     
  10. Brandon0928

    Brandon0928 Light Load Member

    183
    105
    May 14, 2022
    0
    Sounds like I’ll just be getting a new fifth wheel. Thanks fellas
     
  11. Another Canadian driver

    Another Canadian driver Road Train Member

    1,181
    4,261
    Nov 14, 2021
    ALBERTA
    0
    I had one on a 2012 Volvo 780.
    It was replaced twice under warranty.
    Edit: Because dropped trailers twice. Added for context.
    The second time the replacement was an Ultra NT.
    The first version was known to drop trailers on a whim.
    They got a major recall. Horrible product.
     
    Last edited: May 14, 2022
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.