A forward facing vehicle transport (FFVT) and return transport vehicle (RTV) combination is provided. The FFVT of the combination includes at least a main support member supported by an axle, and the axle in turn is supported by a wheel. The FFVT further provides a toe tongue that is secured to the main support member and extends in a first direction from the main support, and a pull tongue secured to the main support member and extending in a second direction from then main support. The RTV of the combination provides a return transport vehicle axle supporting a retracting bed, which includes a front section in sliding interaction with a rear section. The RTV further provides a return transport vehicle guide post secured to the axle, and a return transport vehicle vertical slide member attached to the rear section of the return transport vehicle.

The vehicle towing apparatus for use with a hook truck comprises a tow bar, a left chain, and a right chain. The front end of the tow bar comprises either a pintle hook or a lunette ring for coupling to a tow vehicle. By way of example and not of limitation, the tow vehicle may be a hooklift truck. The tow bar comprises a first section and a second section, which are slidably coupled to each other. The overall length of the tow bar may be fixed by inserting a lock pin through the tow bar. The left and right chains are safety chains that may connect between the sides of the tow bar and the tow vehicle. The vehicle towing apparatus for use with a hook truck may further comprise a clevis tow bar adapter for use with a hitch receiver of a towed vehicle.

When vehicles become disabled on a road or race track, they may be towed away to be repaired or discarded. A disabled vehicle that is repairable but severely damaged may be susceptible to further damage caused by towing it away, which may prevent conventional tow trucks from quickly and easily towing the disabled vehicle away. The presently disclosed vehicle towing system incorporates a telescoping boom extending from a tow vehicle. The telescoping boom includes a first towed vehicle attachment mechanism extending from a distal end of the telescoping boom and a second towed vehicle attachment mechanism extending from a proximal end of the telescoping boom. The first and second vehicle attachment mechanism connect the boom to the disabled vehicle and the boom is used to lift and suspend the disabled vehicle behind the tow vehicle as the disabled vehicle is towed away.

Methods and systems for enhancing the functionality of a semi-autonomous vehicle are described herein. The semi-autonomous vehicle may receive a communication from a fully autonomous vehicle within a threshold distance of the semi-autonomous vehicle. If the vehicles are travelling on the same route or the same portion of a route, the semi-autonomous vehicle may navigate to a location behind the fully autonomous vehicle. Then the semi-autonomous vehicle may operate autonomously by replicating one or more functions performed by the fully autonomous vehicle. The functions and/or maneuvers performed by the fully autonomous vehicle may be detected via sensors in the semi-autonomous vehicle and/or may be identified by communicating with the fully autonomous vehicle to receive indications of upcoming maneuvers. In this manner, the semi-autonomous vehicle may act as a fully autonomous vehicle.

Methods and systems for enhancing the functionality of a semi-autonomous vehicle are described herein. The semi-autonomous vehicle may receive a communication from a fully autonomous vehicle within a threshold distance of the semi-autonomous vehicle. If the vehicles are travelling on the same route or the same portion of a route, the semi-autonomous vehicle may navigate to a location behind the fully autonomous vehicle. Then the semi-autonomous vehicle may operate autonomously by replicating one or more functions performed by the fully autonomous vehicle. The functions and/or maneuvers performed by the fully autonomous vehicle may be detected via sensors in the semi-autonomous vehicle and/or may be identified by communicating with the fully autonomous vehicle to receive indications of upcoming maneuvers. In this manner, the semi-autonomous vehicle may act as a fully autonomous vehicle.

Trailer trolley-type conveyor system, comprising a plurality of the elongated rails adapted for installation on a trailer bed, a conveyor system frame adapted for transport back and forth along the rails within a trailer's exterior framework, a plurality of wheels mounted on the frame and adapted for rolling carriage of the frame on the rails, at least one winch adapted for mounting onto the trailer and adapted for pulling the frame with any cargo thereon back and forth along the rails; and at least one lock engaged with one of the frame, the wheels, and the rails, adapted for preventing movement of the conveyor system frame during transport of the trailer.

An electrical vehicle (EV) rescue vehicle includes a mobile platform, which further includes a winch and a ramp. The mobile platform of the rescue vehicle is deployable for retrieving a disabled EV (the rescued vehicle) thereon with said winch and said ramp and for transportation of said EV. A charging unit is associated with said mobile platform for connection to and charging of the EV, either on location or during transport. A systems analysis module can be included with the system for testing the functionality of systems and components of the EV and providing results to customers. The mobile platform can be provided as a rescue vehicle in the form of a trailer pulled by another vehicle or integrated with another vehicle (e.g., a truck). The rescue vehicle can also carry passengers associated with said EV as the EV is being transported, charged, and/or analyzed by the rescue vehicle.

Methods and systems for autonomous vehicle recharging or refueling are disclosed. Autonomous vehicles may be automatically refueled by routing the vehicles to available fueling stations when not in operation, according to methods described herein. A fuel level within a tank of an autonomous vehicle may be monitored until it reaches a refueling threshold, at which point an on-board computer may generate a predicted use profile for the vehicle. Based upon the predicted use profile, a time and location for the vehicle to refuel the vehicle may be determined. In some embodiments, the vehicle may be controlled to automatically travel to a fueling station, refill a fuel tank, and return to its starting location in order to refuel when not in use.

A recovery system for recovering wrecked vehicles in difficult-to-access locations. The recovery system generally includes a frame, a front plate, a rear plate with a mounting system for mounting the recovery system to an operating vehicle, a guide shaft and guide wheel, a boom assembly, a horse head assembly mounted in a cable sleeve in a pivot end of the boom assembly, a winch, and a cable running from the winch over and along the boom and through the horse head assembly. The horse head assembly generally comprises a clevis, a clevis pin, a sheave wheel, and a cable guide. The clevis preferably rotates within the cable sleeve with respect to the boom assembly, the cable guide preferably pivots on top of the boom assembly, and the sheave wheel and cable guide preferably freely rotate on the clevis pin and preferably translate along the clevis pin.

A trailer system includes a chassis defining an axis and having a first section and a second section removably attached to the first section. A wheel assembly is attached to the first section that includes a single wheel and a lift mechanism arranged to raise and lower the chassis relative to the single wheel.