An upper deck frame assembly for a trailer chassis includes a flushed floor section defining a first floor height, and a header section, with a header, forward of the flushed floor section and defining a second floor height above the first floor height. A towing assembly may be secured to the header. A reduced size header section increases usable floor space, and the towing assembly is securable to the header.

The present invention relates in general to a fifth wheel hitch and method of using a fifth wheel hitch that is mounted to a bed of a towing vehicle, and more specifically, to a fifth wheel hitch that is vertically secured to a kingpin of a fifth wheel trailer without requiring the use of adapters or extensions. One aspect of the fifth wheel hitch and method of use includes a hitch head assembly that is adjustable in height such that the fifth wheel hitch is compatible with different sizes of towing vehicles and fifth wheel trailers. The hitch head assembly also incorporates a funnel shaped design for receiving the kingpin of the fifth wheel trailer in a vertical fashion to prevent the kingpin from sliding horizontally out of the hitch head after being pulled forward by the towing vehicle. A four-way pivot joint accommodates instantaneous variations in pitch and/or roll attitudes between the towing vehicle and the fifth wheel trailer connected by the fifth wheel hitch. The hitch head assembly further includes a latching and locking mechanism that indicates whether or not a secure connection has been properly executed between the fifth wheel hitch and fifth wheel trailer to assure an operator that the towing vehicle is ready for travel.

A shock absorbing pin box system includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and an upper wall. The first sidewall defines at least a first plurality of apertures arranged in first column, and the second sidewall defines at least a second plurality of apertures arranged in a second column. A plurality of tubes extend from each of the first plurality of apertures and the second plurality of apertures. A plurality of flexible and resilient tubular bushings are received in a corresponding one of the plurality of tubes. A plurality of bolts are received within corresponding ones of the pluralities of apertures of the pin box and the plurality of tubes.

An apparatus for partially covering an end of a vehicle bed includes a tailgate comprising a frame adapted for moving between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the vehicle bed. The frame supports at least one member adapted for moving along the frame to at least partially expose the end of the vehicle bed without moving the frame to the lowered position. A plurality of movable members in the form of panels may be provided, along with actuators for rotating and/or moving one or more of the panels between the raised and collapsed configuration. A related method is also disclosed.

A tractor trailer coupling assist system includes a back-up sensor mountable to one of a rear surface of the tractor and a forward surface of the trailer. The back-up sensor is configured and disposed to determine a position of the tractor relative to the trailer. A driver feedback system is mountable to one of the tractor and the trailer. The driver feedback system is configured and disposed to provide visual feedback corresponding to the position to the driver.

A method of manufacturing a trailer hitch receiver tube with an integral reinforcing collar is described. A two piece die having an interior shape and dimensions conforming to the shape and dimensions of a selected trailer hitch receiver tube is provided, the two pieces of the die being a right half and a left half. Each of the right and left halves of the die are provided with means to forcefully move the die from an open position to a closed position around a workpiece. The die, around an upper edge thereof is provided with a relief cavity around its perimeter having the shape of a reinforcement collar. A base mandrel is provided between the right and left halves of the die, the base mandrel having a size and shape conforming to the size and shape of the interior of a trailer hitch receiver tube, and the base mandrel having a height less than the die. A steel receiver tube is positioned on the base mandrel, the tube having a height greater than the die halves. The die halves are then closed forcefully against the receiver tube. A forming mandrel is provided above the receiver tube. The forming mandrel has a longitudinal portion that conforms in shape to the interior of the receiver tube, and a lateral, forming portion for bearing against the upper edge of the receiver tube to form the upper portion of a receiver tube into a reinforcing collar by deforming the upper end of said tube into the relief cavity. An upper edge of the receiver tube is then forcefully struck with the forming portion of the forming mandrel, to form the collar, wherein the longitudinal portion of the forming mandrel closely approaches an upper surface of the base mandrel after the collar is formed.

A trailer includes: a chassis; a floating coupling apparatus coupled to the chassis, a portion of the floating coupling apparatus configured to move in a vertical direction relative to the chassis; a kingpin attached to the floating coupling apparatus; a displacement-sensing device positioned between an attachment portion on the chassis and an attachment portion on the floating coupling apparatus, the displacement-sensing device configured to sense a load acting on the displacement-sensing device; and a fluid system in fluid communication with the displacement-sensing device.

A brazing connection includes a first component comprising a first material and including a first connection portion, a second component comprising a second material and including a second connection portion, a heating element that is electrically conductive and electrically resistant positioned between the first connection portion of the first component and the second connection portion of the second component, where the heating element is configured to transmit heat when conducting an electrical current, and a brazing material configured to melt when receiving heat from the heating element, thereby connecting the first component to the second component.

A method of autonomously backing a vehicle (e.g., a tractor unit) to a trailer (e.g., a semi-trailer) comprising a trailer-mounted coupling device (e.g., a kingpin). The method includes determining, by an autonomous backing module of the vehicle, a target corresponding to the trailer-mounted coupling device; determining, by the autonomous backing module, a path to maneuver the vehicle to the target and align a vehicle-mounted coupling device (e.g., a fifth wheel) with the trailer-mounted coupling device, determining, by the autonomous backing module, commands to components of the vehicle to autonomously control the vehicle to maneuver along the determined path to the target, and transmitting, by the autonomous backing module, the commands to the components of the vehicle (e.g., a braking control module, a steering control module, and/or a torque request module). Suitably configured vehicles are also described.

An underbed hitch mounting system is described. The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch.