Hearth Record

Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly (Fontaine)

Vehicle equipment recall 15E-066. NHTSA received Fontaine Fifth Wheel Company’s report on Aug 14, 2015.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

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The short answer

NHTSA received Fontaine Fifth Wheel Company’s report on Aug 14, 2015. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.

Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.

What’s wrong with it?

If the fifth wheel and locking mechanism are sufficiently damaged, the locking mechanism may fail to operate as intended and the trailer may unexpectedly detach from the tractor, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fontaine Fifth Wheel Company (Fontaine) is recalling certain Ultra LT Fifth Wheel connectors, part number SLTPL4000, manufactured July 29, 2009 to May 27, 2013.

Over time, improper coupling techniques may result in cumulative damage to the fifth wheel and its locking mechanism, which in turn may result in the locking mechanism failing to operate or to properly engage.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • NHTSA’s part: Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly.

What should you do?

Fontaine will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fifth wheel with an Ultra NT model fifth wheel, free of charge. The recall began on November 2, 2015. Owners may contact Fontaine customer service at 1-844-597-7393 or ultraltrecall@fifthwheel.com.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Which ones are recalled?

NHTSA counts 6,800 items potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • Fontaine Ultra LT Fifth WheelBuilt from Jul 29, 2009 to May 27, 2013

Who is recalling it?

  • Made by Fontaine Fifth Wheel Company.
Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
  • Which ones, by part or lot: the recall’s report on NHTSA’s site gives them where the maker did; this file gives part numbers only where its maker listed them.
  • How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).

    Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).

Source:

Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

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Every fact names its source.

Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

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