Volvo Trucks in North America now offers a new fifth wheel option, installed directly into a truck's frame. The smaller, lighter design preserves ride and drive quality while weighing up to 100 pounds less than current standard-duty fifth wheel systems.

Working in conjunction with Fontaine Fifth Wheel on the new system, Volvo developed a new lower assembly that supports both the fifth wheel and the truck frame. This design allowed engineers to reconfigure the fifth wheel top plate as well, without sacrificing stability, strength or durability. The cast steel top plate weighs just 165 pounds.

"Fifth wheel system designs have historically been limited by the need to fit on top of the frame rails. This innovative frame-mount design eliminates unnecessary weight without sacrificing the refined ride and drive characteristics of a Volvo," said Wade Long, Volvo Trucks marketing product manager.

The integrated frame-mount system incorporates Fontaine's top plate lock design that prevents high hitching of the trailer kingpin, as well as a secondary lock. Air actuation with in-cab release - operable only when the parking brake is engaged - is an available option. The new fifth wheel can readily handle a vertical load of 50,000 pounds and a drawbar pull of 150,000 pounds, which is typical for on-highway applications.