Preliminary Evaluation · Closed
5th Wheel malfunction
Manufacturer: Fontaine Fifth Wheel Company
This investigation led to a recall
NHTSA links this probe to recall campaign 15V644000.
Read the recall: what is defective and the free fix →What NHTSA is examining
Fontaine has submitted recall 15E-066 covering Ultra LT 5th wheel produced from July 29, 2009 to May 27, 2013.The affected 5th wheels may experience cumulative damage during coupling procedures that can cause the locking mechanism to not properly engage, which could increase the risk of a vehicle crash.This investigation is closed as the affected components have been recalled.In its 2014 second quarter Early Warning Report (EWR), Fontaine reported one Death & Injury (D&I) crash.The crash resulted in two fatalities.The reported crash occurred on January 24, 2014, when a semi-trailer separated from a 2012 International ProStar.The separated trailer struck two oncoming vehicles killing both drivers.After requesting and receiving additional information (including police accident reports) from Fontaine about the crash incident, ODI learned that Federal Motor Carrier Inspectors determined the 5th wheel was fully functional and the crash was most likely due to driver error where the trailer was not properly coupled to the towing vehicle prior to the crash.Before the crash in January 2014, Fontaine had issued two Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) related to potential coupling issues with the Ultra LT 5th wheel.On March 1, 2011 Fontaine issued Service Bulletin SB-10036732-7541 (ODI #10036732) describing a condition in which its Ultra LT 5th wheel could become partially closed during a trailer coupling process.The partial closing could allow a driver who only conducts a pull test…
Vehicles under investigation
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation records, updated daily. An investigation is not a determination that a defect exists; many probes close without a recall.