Fontaine Revolution.......

When I was in the market for my step, I've looked into: Mac, Manac, East, Reitenoir, Reinke, Jet, Chapparal, Wilson, Alurec (?) in Canada, Transcraft (no all alum at the time), Fontaine, etc...

I liked the Mac the best. I met the sales rep at Louisville show and gave him the spec I was looking for. He was more interested in the ladies (other sales rep from different vendors) than my inquiries and never go back to me. I was with Mercer at the time and he probably thought I wasn't serious. I was little ticked off about that and ruled them out.

Reitenouir has that big hump, slightly heavy, looked too "boxey" and steep $$$. (Paying more for the name??)

Easts' 1st and only quote scared me off - 52+K ($$) for a standard 53' alum step. (no bells or whistles)

Chapparals' quotes - (all alum) 48' step w/ 40' bottom, 48' step tri-axles and 53'step. I like the customization options but still - high$$.

I really really like the Alurec but not many US dealers (what happens w/ warranty items / parts availability).

Nothing really stand out in others. What I'm getting at is, there are tons of other options out there but these manufacturers quit offering the so called "options" and customizations that put them on the map or make it a real hassle to get what the buyers are looking for. No wonder they're losing businesses, bought out, bankrupt, etc... leaving rooms for foreign competitors to move in. Not everyone's shoes the same size and the same goes for everything else in the world. We're in a very competitive industry and when we make a hefty investment, we're hoping to get an extra edge (or at least I hope we do). Having the right tool, to do the job right can give us a leg up (hopefully) and help us to carve out a nitch in that competitive market while conforming to all the rules / regulations (if not all, most - maybe??) If the buyers are looking for something, why aren't the sellers offering that? Maybe when the educated buyers take their business else where, these manufacturers take heed to what the market demands instead of what's more easier to build for them.

Ok, ok. (stepping off the soap box)

 

Fontaine stands on their reputatuion, and thats it. Don't like what thye offer, then oh well is the way they operate i guess..... that being said, they must be doing something right because the majority of trailers I see going down the road are Fontaines, and they seem to do well enough that they don't even bother going to trade shows (MATS/GATS/West) they didnt have a display or booth at any of them. They said it was a waste of moeny in their eyes, they sell enough already and are on a 4 month build wait.

 

Most larger fleets get "special" pricing /warranty/preferences/quirks due to the bulk purchases and that accounts for the flood that you see out on the road. While some manufacturers may or may not "bother going to trade shows" but their dealers do - which was the case w/ that non existing 53' Fontain Hybrid step w/ container locks. If advertising was waste of $$ then I guess: BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, etc... even airlines, Microsoft, Apple and all the others who advertise in the different mediums don't have a solid reputation to stand on.

I'm not doubting the innovative advances that any company may have applied to their product lines and /or brought out to the market. Nor am I putting down their product line but I do believe many are loosing "tune" with the very customers that they've built their businesses on. That's all. As far as I know, not one single trailer manufacturer out there has cornered the market by a vast margin. Then again, what do I know?

 

I agree, you'd think they would want to sell as many as possible....

 

They put the #### old weights back up!? Bunch of monkeys I guess?

P-spindles can't add too much weight because if you click the white paper we get a revolution 52 48 footer with p-spindles and wide singles and they claim it's 7960 lbs, which again is different from their brochure.

These guys really have to get their story straight. It's kind of disappointing.

 

They've now added independent sliders to the flat:

http://www.fontainetrailer.com/index_platform.html

Interesting concept.

 

wires covered by fontine for 10 years

 

i have a eagle smart tarp on my revolution works great

 

Just spent a day at the Haleyville plant having a side rail replaced on a revolution combo step. The previous owner tried to use levelers without chaing them down and they collapsed sure enough ripping out the stake pocket. Damage was patched over....patch had begun cracking spreading through the weld across the side rail, about 8" total. Fontaine replaced the entire section from step to tail at no cost to me. I appreciate them standing behind they're product.
They now do custom orders for one unit sales - add ramps, dunnage racks, air/ electric under belly, all that good stuff....

 

Superior slide is now available for ordering on the aluminum trailers. I have 4 pictures in my inbox and it looks very nice. No idea on price or weight.