A solar powered vehicle topper unit and systems and methods for the same are provided. A solar energy harvesting device is electrically connected to an electronic display within a housing. The solar energy harvesting device is located above the housing. The solar energy harvesting device has a first footprint, and the housing has a second footprint which is smaller than the first footprint.

A solar powered vehicle topper unit and systems and methods for the same are provided. A solar energy harvesting device is electrically connected to an electronic display within a housing. The solar energy harvesting device is located above the housing. The solar energy harvesting device has a first footprint, and the housing has a second footprint which is smaller than the first footprint.

A vehicle roof rail assembly includes a roof rail and a bracket. The roof rail is fixedly attached to the roof of a vehicle. The roof rail has a recessed portion with fastener receiving portions located therein. The bracket has an attachment flange and an accessory supporting flange rigidly fixedly attached to the attachment flange. The attachment flange is removably attached to the roof rail via first fastener members that are removably fixed to the fastener receiving portions. The attachment flange overlays a section of the recessed portion the roof rail. The accessory supporting flange has an opening defined therein for attachment of roof accessory retaining elements.

A vehicle is provided that includes a body defining a roof. A roof rack is operably coupled to the roof through a plurality of mounting features and configured to support cargo. A load cell is positioned on each of the mounting features and configured to sense a load on the roof rack associated with the cargo. A controller is in communication with the load cells and an electronic device and a light source is positioned proximate each of the mounting features. The light source is configured to emit light based on the load sensed by the load cell.

A vehicle is provided that includes a body defining a roof. A roof rack is operably coupled to the roof through a plurality of mounting features and configured to support cargo. A load cell is positioned on each of the mounting features and configured to sense a load on the roof rack associated with the cargo. A controller is in communication with the load cells and an electronic device and a light source is positioned proximate each of the mounting features. The light source is configured to emit light based on the load sensed by the load cell.

An anti-theft suction cup structure includes a suction-cup body and a pressure ring. The suction-cup body has a suction end and a braking end. The suction end has a cup groove recessed on a side thereof toward the braking end, the braking end has an exhaust part formed thereon and is normally in a closed status. The pressure ring is mounted on an outer periphery of the suction-cup body. When the suction end is used for suction, air in the cup groove is extracted to form vacuum between the cup groove and the attached object, the sidewall of the cup groove is tightly attached with the attached object. When air is injected into between the cup groove and the attached object, non-vacuum is formed between the cup groove and the attached object. In vacuum, the pressure ring is configured to press hard on the suction-cup body.

An anti-theft suction cup structure includes a suction-cup body and a pressure ring. The suction-cup body has a suction end and a braking end. The suction end has a cup groove recessed on a side thereof toward the braking end, the braking end has an exhaust part formed thereon and is normally in a closed status. The pressure ring is mounted on an outer periphery of the suction-cup body. When the suction end is used for suction, air in the cup groove is extracted to form vacuum between the cup groove and the attached object, the sidewall of the cup groove is tightly attached with the attached object. When air is injected into between the cup groove and the attached object, non-vacuum is formed between the cup groove and the attached object. In vacuum, the pressure ring is configured to press hard on the suction-cup body.

A vacuum-based hitch rack carrier system for a vehicle having a rear hitch and rear hitch receiver. The system includes a plurality of vacuum devices having a pad shaped and sized to removably seat with a vehicle to form a vacuum cavity, a plunger attached to the pad and in fluid communication with the vacuum cavity, and an indicator associated with the vacuum device to indicate the level of vacuum pressure within the vacuum. The system has a receiver hitch adapter for joining a rack configured to secure an article to the vehicle via attachment to the rear hitch receiver, a mount shaped and sized to mate and secure the article to the rack, and one or more support bars attached to said mount. At least one of the support bars contains a break and fold assembly configured to allow the carrier system to be folded.

A roof rail for a vehicle is provided that is made of only one piece and is solid across its length. The roof rail may be made using a co-injection molding process, a two-shot injection molding process or an extrusion molding process.

A roof rail for a vehicle is provided that is made of only one piece and is solid across its length. The roof rail may be made using a co-injection molding process, a two-shot injection molding process or an extrusion molding process.