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 connection device for connecting of electrical and pneumatic lines between a tractor and a trailer having a first end, a second end, and at least two lines connecting the two ends, wherein at least a first pneumatic plug element and at least a first electrical plug element is arranged at the first end and wherein a first plug-in unit is arranged at the second end, having at least a first pneumatic connecting element and at least a first electrical connecting element.

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 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.

In some embodiments, techniques are provided for autonomously backing a vehicle (such as a Class 8 truck) to a trailer. In some embodiments, environment sensors such as image sensors and range sensors mounted to the vehicle detect a trailer and determine distances between the trailer and the vehicle as well as relative angles of the trailer and the vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle determines a path to the trailer based on this information, and autonomously controls braking, torque, and/or steering of the vehicle to autonomously back the vehicle along the determined path.

Methods and systems are provided for a coupling device for a tractor and a trailer. In one example, a system, comprising a tractor comprising an engine, a motor, and an electrical energy storage device, a trailer comprising a battery bank and a power distribution unit, and a coupling configured to fixedly couple the trailer to the tractor and to electrically couple the power distribution unit to the electrical energy storage device.

A cast load cell comprising a load sensing portion integrally cast with a first mounting portion. The load sensing portion has a flexure portion spaced apart from the first mounting portion by a flexure gap. The load sensing portion has at least one sensor cavity above at least a portion of the flexure gap. A second mounting portion is integrally cast with the load sensing portion above the flexure gap. A load sensor is connected to the load sensor portion and positioned within the sensor cavity above a portion of the flexure gap. The first mounting portion, the load sensing portion, and the second mounting portion define an integral, low-profile, weld-free, substantially homogenous unitary cast member.