Transcraft or Fontaine

48s tend to be more available, lighter, and no need to worry about ca legal.

I pull a 53 ca fixed spread. Almost 90 percent of our freight does not need the length.

For the rare long stuff consider getting what we call a hay extender.
It is a rack that fits on the back of the trailer, hooks into stake pockets on side and back. Can get you out to 53ft, have seen a few that go to 57 Some have lights built in, most just use a tow panel hung off the back.

 

I have a fontaine. Doubt I'd buy another: lots of proprietary parts. Winches & wiring harnesses for each light jump to mind. $$$

 

I have a Fontaine as well. Overall I like the trailer. Its still new enough to where I havent had any long term issues with it yet.

But yeah I agree about those lights. Not a single light is servicable. Even the little peanut lights at the ends on the side that go deep into that hole. I had one go bad.. looked at it.... thinking oh thats an easy fix. Managed to pry it and the wire loom out. Baffled by the tube at the end of it. Instead of being able to replace it with a standard peanut LED.. I ordered 2 more incase another wet bad. I suppose I could have made something else work. Didnt really want to fool with it.

Mine now has one of the lights out in the center clearance light bar. I havent had the chance to take it off yet. But wonderinv if I can replace the single LED that out or if the whole light bar needs to be resplaced.

Also.. not sure if this is a Fontiane issue.. or Hendricks.. but my trailer is a 2013.. bought it used from my carrier. I've already had to replace the drums and had one of the hubs leak oil. Supposed to be a maintanance free hub system. Had to have it serviced already.

Other than that.. its been a good trailer. It carrys weight very well. Also with barely 3'1 bed height.. its one of the lowest I've pulled with 22.5 wheels. The Manac and Transcraft I pulled were both up near 3'8 and taller in the rear than in front.
Hurst

 

Mine was grease hubs Til last month. Changed to oil bath so I can see the window vs park w wheel in the correct direction pull plug and finger the grease hole to check it.

Wait Til you need a 4" round light. You'll see. Ball buster there. Hole doesn't accomodate a 4" light w a rubber gasket.

 

I know.. thats what I meant by none of them are servicable. They are riveted in place. I'd have to break something to get old one out. Stupid design. I would like to be able to replace my own light if it goes out.

My hubs arent servicable either. They are sealed. I'd prefer something I can service.


Hurst

 

Well removing the lights is easy. Little impact gun and a high speed drill pop pop pop but after you cut the harness and solder in the new wires, to find out the hole is 1/8" too small to accomodate the rubber gasket, and that you'll need a whole light assembly as the 4" rivet ring is attached to it n can't be reused....that. That! Is the day you say #### proprietary builders and manufacturers. This isn't major ####, lights go out. If I have to special order them and the shelf price is $42 for a STT light..... That's telling me to go #### myself as the consumer.

Clearly that incident had an impact on how I view the brand.

 

If I knew what I was looking for, I am usually pretty resourceful at finding things I need. Simply searching for LED lights will send you on a wild goose chase trying to find the exact part you need.

I had a shop I use order them directly from Fontaine.

I havent had any of the rear lights go out on me yet,.. I'm guessing I would just have a trailer shop replace them for me as I'm honestly not sure how to tackle it on my own, while out on the road and not tear something up in the process.

Hurst

 

Either is good, the fontaine and transcraft combos or all steel setups are meant to be workhorses. The transcrafts now can be had with those tiny led lights from trucklite. They are nice and I have not had one burn out on my transcraft since I bought it. I also purchased spares on the day I picked up the trailer to eliminate the hassle of finding one on the road if one burned out though i have not needed it. As long as you make sure you can source the spares or the wiring harness adapter so you can slap a regular 2 or three prong light to the stock harness you will not have an issue with warranty work on the electrical stuff. I think fontaine is doing 10 year on that. I have a few of those adapters for my reitnouer for that very reason.