Fontaine Fifth Wheel

What Fontaine Fifth Wheel does

Fontaine Fifth Wheel generates revenue through three principal streams, all centered on selling physical fifth wheel hardware rather than software or services. The largest stream is OEM assemblies sold directly to Class 8 truck manufacturers — Freightliner, International, Volvo Trucks North America, Mack, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Western Star, and Kenmex (Kenworth Mexico) — who install Fontaine fifth wheels as factory equipment on new trucks. The second stream is aftermarket parts and rebuild kits (bolt kits, angle iron, replacement locks, conversion kits) sold through an independent aftermarket dealer network, supplemented by a mobile app for parts ordering and order tracking, with free freight offered on orders above $3,200. The third, emerging stream is SmartConnect telematics hardware and the associated data integration (most visibly through the Aperia Technologies partnership) that pushes coupling-status data into third-party fleet management platforms. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; the site references a Good/Better/Best product tier framework and the 6000 Series price reduction promotion, with quotes handled through account managers. Distribution runs through two channels: OEM truck manufacturers (enterprise, embedded) and an independent aftermarket dealer network (SMB and owner-operator, channel/reseller), with direct account manager support and digital tools (model number search, cross-reference tools, online training and technician certification) backing both.

Name

Fontaine Fifth Wheel

Legal name

Fontaine Fifth Wheel

Website

https://fifthwheel.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Fontaine Fifth Wheel manufactures heavy-duty fifth wheel coupling assemblies for Class 8 commercial trucks under the proprietary No-Slack self-adjusting lock brand, supplying every major North American truck OEM and an independent aftermarket dealer network as a Marmon/Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Vehicle Fifth Wheel Couplings

NAICS

All Other Miscellaneous General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (333998)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559)

akta.pro primary industry

Steering Systems & Components (Columns/Racks/EPS Pumps & Motors) (IMACAIAB)

Keywords

• Heavy-duty fifth wheels
• Commercial truck couplings
• Aftermarket truck parts
• Fleet telematics hardware
• Class 8 truck components

Headquarters

HQ city

Jasper

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Fifth Wheel OEM Assemblies: Fontaine sells complete fifth wheel assemblies directly to OEM truck manufacturers (Freightliner, International, Volvo, Mack, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Western Star, Kenmex) who install them as factory equipment on new Class 8 commercial trucks.
2. Aftermarket Parts & Rebuild Kits: Replacement parts, rebuild kits, bolt kits, angle iron, and service components sold to independent aftermarket dealers and directly to fleet operators for maintenance and repair of existing Fontaine fifth wheels.
3. SmartConnect Telematics Hardware: Sale of SmartConnect monitoring hardware and associated data integration services, including partnership with Aperia Technologies for fleet management system integration.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Fontaine Fifth Wheel manufactures and sells heavy-duty fifth wheel coupling assemblies for Class 8 commercial trucks, organized into three core product lines (6000 Series stamped steel, 7000 Series cast steel, H7 Series reinforced cast steel). Its proprietary No-Slack self-adjusting lock technology underpins all main products, supplemented by add-on technologies such as SmartConnect IoT monitoring, Lock Sensing Technology (LST) electronic sensors, Air Actuated Lock, and Clean Connect low-maintenance inserts, plus a full aftermarket parts catalog and conversion kits for competitive replacement.

Product overview

Fontaine Fifth Wheel manufactures a comprehensive portfolio of heavy-duty fifth wheel assemblies for commercial trucking, featuring the proprietary No-Slack self-adjusting lock technology across three main product lines: the 6000 Series (standard/moderate-duty with stamped steel top plate), 7000 Series (heavy-duty with cast steel top plate), and H7 Series (severe-duty with reinforced cast steel top plate). The portfolio includes specialized variants such as Clean Connect for clean connection applications, Jost Upgrade for competitive replacement, and Dolly and Auto Hauler models for specific use cases. Add-on technologies include SmartConnect monitoring for fleet management integration, LST (Lock Sensing Technology) for in-cab lock status indication, and Air Actuated Lock for remote operation. The company also offers a complete range of mounting brackets including No-Tilt, Weight Savings, Sliding, and Stationary options, supported by comprehensive aftermarket parts and training resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• No-Slack®: Self-adjusting fifth wheel technology that provides a snug, secure connection
• SmartConnect
• LST (Lock Sensing Technology)
• No-Slack® 7000 Clean Connect

Products and services

• 6000 Series Fifth Wheel (No-Slack 6000) Standard/Moderate-Duty fifth wheel assembly with a stamped steel top plate, featuring the proprietary No-Slack self-adjusting lock, designed for on-highway commercial trucking applications and available in weight-savings variants.
• 7000 Series Fifth Wheel (No-Slack 7000) Heavy-duty fifth wheel assembly with a cast steel top plate and the No-Slack self-adjusting lock, providing enhanced durability for demanding commercial trucking operations.
• H7 Series Fifth Wheel (No-Slack H7) Severe-duty fifth wheel assembly with a reinforced cast steel top plate and No-Slack self-adjusting lock, engineered for the most demanding commercial trucking applications.
• No-Slack 7000 Clean Connect Fifth wheel variant designed for clean connection applications, combining the No-Slack self-adjusting lock with low-maintenance Clean Connect top plate inserts that reduce lubrication requirements and debris accumulation.
• No-Slack 7000JR Jost Upgrade Drop-in upgrade top plate designed to replace Jost JSK37USL units, bringing Fontaine's No-Slack self-adjusting lock technology to existing Jost fifth wheel installations.
• No-Slack Dolly Fifth Wheel Fifth wheel designed for dolly applications, featuring the No-Slack self-adjusting lock mechanism for converter dolly use in commercial trucking.
• CD Autohauler Fifth Wheel Fifth wheel assembly specifically designed for custom duty auto hauler applications in commercial vehicle hauling.
• SmartConnect IoT Monitoring System IoT-enabled fifth wheel monitoring system that provides real-time fifth wheel lock status data, integrating with fleet management systems (including Aperia Halo Connect) to confirm successful tractor-trailer coupling and enhance fleet safety and operational insight.
• Lock Sensing Technology (LST) Electronic sensor system installed in 7000 Series top plates that communicates with an in-cab indicator to confirm the kingpin is properly positioned in the lock, supplementing visual inspection and tug tests.
• Air Actuated Lock Air-powered (pneumatic) locking mechanism option for No-Slack fifth wheels, enabling remote or automated lock operation from outside the cab.

Quantifiable outcome

• The 6000NWB is marketed as the lightest steel fifth wheel assembly in the industry, reducing vehicle weight and improving fuel efficiency and payload capacity.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered notable and core.

• Penske Truck LeasingnotableOthers · 27 April 2026Penske Truck Leasing honored Fontaine Fifth Wheel as a 2025 Supplier of the Year, recognizing suppliers across areas including trucks, components, tires, transmissions, and services that support Penske's fleet operations. Awards were determined through surveys of Penske field service locations, corporate feedback, and supplier scorecards spanning categories such as overall performance, innovation, and specific product segments. The biennial honors were presented at Penske's supplier conference in Frisco, Texas.
• Aperia TechnologiescoreTechnology or Integration · 18 March 2026Aperia Technologies and Fontaine Fifth Wheel announced a partnership to integrate Fontaine SmartConnect fifth wheel monitoring data into Aperia's Halo Connect fleet management platform and Halo Drive app. The integration enables drivers and fleet managers to view fifth wheel lock status and confirm successful tractor-trailer coupling directly within the Halo Connect ecosystem. The collaboration aims to enhance fleet safety and operational insights by connecting Fontaine's SmartConnect system with Aperia's Halo platform during 2026.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Eaton Corporation: Eaton's Vehicle Group supplies transmissions, clutches, and powertrain components for commercial vehicles globally. It is a broad incumbent serving the same Class 8 OEM customers with chassis-adjacent products and competing for subsystem content.
• Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems: Bendix, a Knorr-Bremse subsidiary, is a broad incumbent in commercial vehicle safety systems (braking, ADAS, electronics). It competes for adjacent safety technology content on Class 8 trucks and serves overlapping OEM customers as Fontaine.
• WABCO (ZF Friedrichshafen): WABCO, now part of ZF, supplies commercial vehicle braking, stability, and fleet management systems globally. It serves the same Class 8 OEM customers and increasingly competes in connected-vehicle data services alongside Fontaine's SmartConnect offering.
• Haldex: Haldex (acquired by Concentric) makes commercial vehicle brake and air management systems. It sells to the same North American Class 8 OEMs and competes for chassis subsystem content on heavy trucks.
• Stemco (Wabtec): Stemco, a Wabtec brand, supplies wheel end, brake, and suspension components for commercial trailers and trucks. It overlaps with Fontaine at the trailer side of the tractor-trailer interface and serves similar fleet customers.
• Dana Incorporated: Dana is a major Tier 1 supplier of drivetrain, sealing, and thermal management components for commercial vehicles. It serves the same Class 8 OEM customers and competes for chassis-related subsystem content on heavy trucks.
• Meritor (Cummins): Meritor, now part of Cummins, supplies axles, brakes, and drivetrain components for Class 6-8 commercial vehicles. It is a broad incumbent serving overlapping OEM and fleet customers with chassis-related systems.

Direct peers

• Jost-Werke: Jost-Werke (operating as Jost International in North America) is the closest direct competitor in fifth wheel couplings for commercial trucks. The Fontaine website references a 'Jost Upgrade' top plate (7000JR), confirming head-to-head competition in both OEM spec and the aftermarket replacement market.
• SAF-Holland: SAF-Holland acquired the Holland fifth wheel brand and competes directly with Fontaine in OEM supply of fifth wheel couplings and related landing gear for heavy-duty trucks. Both target the same North American Class 8 OEMs with similar assembly portfolios.
• Binkley (Jost): Binkley was a legacy North American fifth wheel manufacturer and is now part of Jost-Werke. It historically competed with Fontaine on aftermarket fifth wheel replacements and OEM supply for commercial trucking applications.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fontaine Fifth Wheel