A retractable trailer cover adapted for mounting to an existing boat trailer and a method for retrofitting the trailer cover to the boat trailer. The trailer cover includes multiple ribs extending from one side to the other, a flexible cover material, two elongated tracks, and multiple wheels received within the tracks. The ribs are affixed to the wheels so as to be slidably mounted to the tracks. Mounting brackets can be spaced along each of the trailer cover sides, and the tracks can be affixed to the mounting brackets. To mount the trailer cover to the boat trailer, the mounting brackets can be attached to a frame of the boat trailer. The trailer cover can selectively be expanded and retracted to cover and uncover an associated boat and boat trailer and may be used with new or used trailers.

A system and method for determining alignment of a first part relative to a second part includes an alignment gauge body including a first portion for resting against the first part and a second portion for positioning juxtaposed to the second part and a measuring device fixedly coupled to the alignment gauge body. The measuring device generates a distance signal corresponding to a distance between a first face of the first part and the second face of the second part. A controller coupled to the gauge device and a memory. The controller is programmed to store a vehicle identification number (VIN) in the memory and compare the distance. The controller associates the VIN and the distance in the memory. The controller compares the distance to a threshold and setting a flag in response to comparing. A display coupled to the controller displays an indicator corresponding to the flag.

Disclosed are a vehicle headliner assembly system and a vehicle headliner assembly method wherein position correction based on image capture and full process automation resolve nonuniformity of assembly quality which may occur if operators manually mount and assembly vehicle headliners individually with regard to various vehicle types, and manpower required for processes is reduced, thereby improving productivity.

A prefabricated vehicle may include a body module providing a vehicle body; a platform module having a battery and a driving wheel, and selectively fastened to the body module; a connecting portion that includes a magnetic module provided in any one of the body module and the platform module and an armature provided in a remaining one of the body module and the platform module, the connecting portion being configured such that the magnetic module and the armature face each other when the body module and the platform module are fastened to each other; and a controller connecting the body module and the platform module to each other to be easily replaceable by applying power to the magnetic module to allow the magnetic module and the armature to be connected to each other by a magnetic force.

A partially assembled vehicle that autonomously completes its own assembly, including a chassis, wheels that are rotationally coupled to the chassis, a drive system mounted on the chassis and in operational communication with the wheels, a navigation system, a central platform controller, and a position determining system. Added thereto is a safety sensor guidance system and a controller circuit programmed to begin a temporary takeover of the central platform controller, responsive to an external fleet control. The temporary takeover including the steps of identifying a plurality of assembly stations that the partially assembled vehicle must visit to complete its own assembly; constructing a sequence in which to visit each of the plurality of assembly stations; and commanding the drive system to propel and steer the partially assembled vehicle through the sequence of the plurality of assembly stations, responsive to sensor input from the safety sensor guidance system.

A device attachment structure includes a vehicle member having first and second threads, a device member including first and second through holes, first and second bushings respectively including first and second outer sleeves and first and second inner sleeves, and first and second fasteners. The device member includes a first surface and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface. The first through hole has a large-diameter space that opens in the first surface and to which the first outer sleeve is fitted and a small-diameter space that opens in the second surface and through which the first inner sleeve passes. The second through hole has a large-diameter space that opens in the second surface and to which the second outer sleeve is fitted and a small-diameter space that opens in the first surface and through which the second inner sleeve passes.

In one exemplary embodiment, a method of repairing a chassis rail for a vehicle includes that a marking is identified on the chassis rail. The marking indicating where to cut the chassis rail. The method also includes that the chassis rail is cut proximate the marking to form a cut chassis rail portion. The method further includes a replacement rail assembly is slid onto the cut chassis rail portion. The replacement rail assembly including a replacement rail, an inner brace portion secured within the replacement rail, and a bracket wrapped at least partially around the replacement rail and secured to the replacement rail. The bracket including one or more fastener through-passages. The method further includes the replacement rail assembly is secured to the cut chassis rail portion.

A method for manufacturing a unitary body side structural frame for a vehicle is provided. The method comprises providing a plurality of blanks, joining the blanks to each other to form a composite blank wherein joining the blanks includes forming one or more overlapping regions formed by partially overlapping two blanks and deforming the composite blank to form the unitary body side structural frame. A unitary body side structural frame as obtained by any of the methods herein described is also provided.

A method for manufacturing a unitary body side structural frame for a vehicle is provided. The method comprises providing a plurality of blanks, joining the blanks to each other to form a composite blank wherein joining the blanks includes forming one or more overlapping regions formed by partially overlapping two blanks and deforming the composite blank to form the unitary body side structural frame. A unitary body side structural frame as obtained by any of the methods herein described is also provided.

A vehicle frame rail includes a first half having a hole, a second half having a hole, a spacer locating member and a spacer. The second half is connected to the first half such that the hole in the first half is aligned with the hole in the second half and so as to form an enclosed space between the first half and the second half. The spacer locating member has a body section and a hole. The body section of the spacer locating member is spaced apart from the first half and the second half. The spacer has a first end, a second end and a bore extending from the first end to the second end. The spacer is located in the hole of the spacer locating member such that the bore is aligned with the hole in the first half and the hole in the second half.