Fifth Wheel Cold Weather Maintenance

Special precautions should be taken during cold weather to ensure that the Fontaine No-Slack® and No-Slack® II locking mechanisms operate freely. Ice and sludge can build up and lubricants become thick and binding at low temperatures.

When the temperature drops below freezing, Fontaine® recommends 

• A thorough cleaning of the latching mechanism using a suitable cleaner or degreaser to make sure that all moving parts operate freely.
• Lubricate the fifth wheel prior to opening and closing. Refer to figures below.
• Grease the jaw and wedge on top and bottom. Separate the jaw and wedge with a large screwdriver and distribute the grease along the full length of the jaw and wedge mating surfaces.
• Open and close the fifth wheel several times to further distribute the grease.

Fontaine suggests the use of a Moly based lubricant such as Mobilgrease Moly 50 or equivalent when applying lubricant. (Areas or regions that experience extreme and/or prolonged freezing temperatures should consider using a less viscous substance such as: 90-weight oil, diesel fuel, kerosene, motor oil, etc. Doing so will help ensure proper movement/ lubrication of the latching mechanism. Fontaine suggests contacting your specific lubricant manufacturer for guidelines on mixing compatibility of any lubricant.)

The regular performance of the routine, "90-Day/ 30,000 Mile Preventative Maintenance Procedure," is also recommended.

Please refer to “Section IV – Inspection and Maintenance Procedures” of the Fontaine Fifth Wheel Instructions Handbook (LT-001) for additional maintenance recommendations.

**Special Thanks to Fontaine Fifth Wheel for this Maintenance Tip.