| OVERVIEW | Fontaine International is a leading manufacturer of fifth
wheel coupling devices and has proven itself in the heavy truck industry
time and time again.
Fontaine's manufacturing and distribution facilities provide enough capacity to serve the entire North American fifth wheel market. The company was founded in 1940 to produce trailers for the U.S. Government . In 1942, Fontaine invented the "pressed" wheel to relieve the government of a widespread and critical shortage of cast fifth wheels. By 1950 we produced platform and heavy specialty trailers and fifth wheels for commercial use in the first plant in Birmingham, Alabama. Our experience and reliability has lead to expansion making us a leader in the industry in the North American Continent. . |
| PRODUCTS | Fifth wheel coupling devices used on Class 6, 7 and 8
truck tractors connect the trailer to the tractor. A broad range of stationary
and sliding models are offered in standard, heavy, and extra heavy duty weight
bearing capacities to meet a wide range of hauling applications. Fontaine
Fifth Wheels feature the patented No-Slack® or the newer No-Slack®
II jaw and wedge locking system which automatically adjusts for trailer king
pin wear, thus eliminating damaging fore and aft slack between the tractor
and the trailer.
Incorporating reliability and safety by design, Fontaine Fifth Wheel ensures a secure load. During a 1988 investigation the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted an in-depth study and discussions with fifth wheel manufacturers. Their findings determined that it is possible to false latch most fifth wheel designs. NHSTA, however, reported that one manufacturer, Fontaine International, produced fifth wheels "designed to prevent high hitches." A fact that remains true today. Well-maintained Fontaine fifth wheels may easily have a lifetime that extends beyond that of the tractor. |
Fontaine International is a Marmon Highway Technologies company. Marmon Highway Technologies companies support the transportation industry worldwide with a wide range of high quality products and services. Marmon Highway Technologies companies are members of The Marmon Group, an international association of manufacturing and service companies with collective sales of $6 billion.