ChallengeFontaine Fifth Wheel is the world’s largest dedicated fifth wheel manufacturer and innovator of the only self-adjusting fifth wheel lock in the industry. Fontaine is also home to the largest research and development facility in the world focused exclusively on fifth wheel coupling technology. It was this dedication to innovation that led the development team at Fontaine to consider non-metallic options for the pneumatic cylinders in their fifth-wheel assemblies. The heavy-duty truck market is a rugged application that can expose air cylinders to excessive moisture and contaminants. Standard metallic cylinders can corrode over time and limit the ability of the air cylinder to function properly, shortening the useful life of a pneumatic cylinder. Both on and off the road there are increased chances of foreign objects coming in contact with the cylinders and damaging the cylinder housing, and when standard metallic housings become dented, it usually renders the cylinder inoperable.