Fontaine discontinues AWB air slide bracket, transitions to HDS
Key Highlights
- The HDS Air Slide replaces the discontinued AWB line, offering a more durable and maintenance-friendly design.
- Integrated flip-up blocking system eliminates the need for a separate pull bar, simplifying operation and storage.
- Maintenance-free liners and fewer moving parts reduce routine service requirements and long-term costs.
- Customers can convert HDS units to no-tilt mode in the field using the KIT-NO-TILT, providing operational flexibility.
- Fontaine will continue to supply replacement parts for existing AWB systems, supporting ongoing maintenance needs.
Fontaine Fifth Wheel discontinued its AWB Air Slide product line September 1 and is transitioning customers to its HDS Air Slide bracket as the company’s recommended heavy-duty solution.
Introduced in 2022, the HDS was developed as the next-generation version of the AWB platform. The bracket incorporates design changes intended to improve durability, simplify maintenance, and reduce total cost of ownership.
“The HDS Air Slide product line was developed to provide a more efficient and reliable solution for today’s fleets operating in heavy-duty applications,” said Aaron Puckett, SVP of business development. “By simplifying critical components and reducing routine maintenance requirements, the HDS delivers meaningful value to customers while providing a clear upgrade path from the AWB platform.”
One key change is an integrated flip-up blocking system for no-tilt operation. Unlike the AWB, which uses a separate pull bar to block the top plate, the HDS uses built-in flip-up blocks. This eliminates the need to store and carry a separate pull bar when the no-tilt feature is not in use.
Fleets can also convert HDS units to a no-tilt configuration in the field by installing the KIT-NO-TILT, allowing operators to change the configuration without replacing the entire assembly.
The HDS uses maintenance-free bracket liners that do not require lubrication, reducing routine service requirements. An updated cylinder and linkage design also reduces component complexity, with fewer moving parts and wear points intended to improve reliability and reduce long-term maintenance.
Fontaine recommends that customers using AWB Air Slide systems transition to the HDS platform for future replacement and service needs. The company will continue to make replacement parts available for existing AWB installations for the foreseeable future.