A cargo carrier set up system is used for installing a cargo hitch mount to a vehicle. The cargo carrier set up system includes at least one air spring detector, a cargo baseline setting device, and a fault determination system. The air spring detector is configured to detect a first vehicle air spring condition of at least one air spring of the vehicle. The cargo baseline setting device is programmed to set a baseline air spring condition that is used as a reference value for determining one or more cargo carrier set up faults. The baseline air spring condition being based on the first vehicle air spring condition. The fault determination system is programmed to determine the one or more cargo carrier set up faults based on the baseline air spring condition and a second air spring condition that is detected by the air spring detector.

A method for determining at least one articulation angle of a vehicle combination. The method includes: ascertaining of radar data by at least one radar sensor situated on a vehicle of the vehicle combination; calculating, on the basis of the ascertained radar data, at least one item of position information that relates to a vehicle position of at least one additional vehicle of the vehicle combination; and calculation of the at least one articulation angle between the vehicle and the at least one additional vehicle of the vehicle combination, using the calculated position information.

A method for determining at least one articulation angle of a vehicle combination. The method includes: ascertaining of radar data by at least one radar sensor situated on a vehicle of the vehicle combination; calculating, on the basis of the ascertained radar data, at least one item of position information that relates to a vehicle position of at least one additional vehicle of the vehicle combination; and calculation of the at least one articulation angle between the vehicle and the at least one additional vehicle of the vehicle combination, using the calculated position information.

A materials handling vehicle comprising a hitch, and a drive mechanism. The hitch comprises a latch and a receiving member. The latch is positionable between open and closed positions. The receiving member comprises a pair of inwardly curved side scoops and a central incline member provided between the pair of inwardly curved side scoops, each inwardly curved side scoop having an upper surface, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, an inner surface, an outer surface opposite the inner surface, a rear surface, and a front surface opposite the rear surface. The rear and upper surfaces of the pair of inwardly curved side scoops define an open rear end of the receiving member, the upper surface being sloped at the open rear end. The central incline member and the upper surface of the pair of inwardly curved side scoops cooperate to lead a cart hook to engage the latch.

A system and method for hitching, using a swivel pin, a tractor with a drawbar and a towable implement comprise a handheld tool for inserting the swivel pin through a pin-receiving portion of the drawbar and a hitch tongue of the implement when arranged in an aligned coupling configuration. The handheld tool has an upper end configured for gripping by a user and a lower end configured to removably receive the swivel pin. Furthermore, the handheld tool is configured to extend from the operator cab of the tractor to the pin-receiving portion of the drawbar of the tractor so that the handheld tool is usable by the operator to hitch the tractor and the implement with the swivel pin without leaving the operator cab. A novel swivel pin with arms for mating engagement with a receptacle in the lower end of the tool enables the pin to be rotationally releasably secured therein.

A system and method for hitching, using a swivel pin, a tractor with a drawbar and a towable implement comprise a handheld tool for inserting the swivel pin through a pin-receiving portion of the drawbar and a hitch tongue of the implement when arranged in an aligned coupling configuration. The handheld tool has an upper end configured for gripping by a user and a lower end configured to removably receive the swivel pin. Furthermore, the handheld tool is configured to extend from the operator cab of the tractor to the pin-receiving portion of the drawbar of the tractor so that the handheld tool is usable by the operator to hitch the tractor and the implement with the swivel pin without leaving the operator cab. A novel swivel pin with arms for mating engagement with a receptacle in the lower end of the tool enables the pin to be rotationally releasably secured therein.

A weight distribution hitch system comprising a vehicle attachment member comprising a forward end configured to rigidly attach to a vehicle, and a rearward end extending rearwardly toward a trailer, the rearward end comprising an upper portion comprising a trailer attachment member configured to pivotally attach to a coupler of the trailer, and a lower portion configured to receive a moment bar; a moment bar comprising a moment bar forward end attached to the lower portion of the rearward end of the vehicle attachment member so as to prevent rotation about a horizontal axis, and a moment bar rearward end; a tension member comprising a top end configured to be supported by a frame member of the trailer, and a bottom end configured to support the rearward end of the moment bar, and a spring, configured to bias the moment bar rearward end toward the frame member of the trailer; and wherein, when the tension member is in tension, it imposes an upward force on the moment bar rearward end, which, in turn, imposes a forward moment on the vehicle is disclosed.

A weight distribution hitch system comprising a vehicle attachment member comprising a forward end configured to rigidly attach to a vehicle, and a rearward end extending rearwardly toward a trailer, the rearward end comprising an upper portion comprising a trailer attachment member configured to pivotally attach to a coupler of the trailer, and a lower portion configured to receive a moment bar; a moment bar comprising a moment bar forward end attached to the lower portion of the rearward end of the vehicle attachment member so as to prevent rotation about a horizontal axis, and a moment bar rearward end; a tension member comprising a top end configured to be supported by a frame member of the trailer, and a bottom end configured to support the rearward end of the moment bar, and a spring, configured to bias the moment bar rearward end toward the frame member of the trailer; and wherein, when the tension member is in tension, it imposes an upward force on the moment bar rearward end, which, in turn, imposes a forward moment on the vehicle is disclosed.

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for payload estimation and fault detection using hitch integrated sensors. An example apparatus includes a pin orientation determiner to determine a first orientation of a first pin and a second orientation of a second pin, the first pin and the second pin disposed within a hitch and calculate a relative orientation of the first pin and the second pin based on the first orientation and the second orientation. The example apparatus further includes a hitch condition detector to determine if a physical change has occurred in the hitch by comparing the relative orientation to an installation orientation of the first pin and the second pin.

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for payload estimation and fault detection using hitch integrated sensors. An example apparatus includes a pin orientation determiner to determine a first orientation of a first pin and a second orientation of a second pin, the first pin and the second pin disposed within a hitch and calculate a relative orientation of the first pin and the second pin based on the first orientation and the second orientation. The example apparatus further includes a hitch condition detector to determine if a physical change has occurred in the hitch by comparing the relative orientation to an installation orientation of the first pin and the second pin.