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 having a modulus of elasticity, the 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 releasable tension member comprising a top portion configured to be pivotally supported by a frame member of the trailer and configured to pivot about a horizontal axis, and a bottom portion configured to support the rearward end of the moment bar; and a moment bar preload mechanism configured to push up the moment bar rearward end to thereby preload the moment bar; wherein, when the moment bar rearward end has been preloaded, the releasable tension member can be pivoted between a first angular position and a second angular position below the preloaded moment bar; 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 having a modulus of elasticity, the 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 releasable tension member comprising a top portion configured to be pivotally supported by a frame member of the trailer and configured to pivot about a horizontal axis, and a bottom portion configured to support the rearward end of the moment bar; and a moment bar preload mechanism configured to push up the moment bar rearward end to thereby preload the moment bar; wherein, when the moment bar rearward end has been preloaded, the releasable tension member can be pivoted between a first angular position and a second angular position below the preloaded moment bar; 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 method of determining the configuration of a tow load (12) coupleable to a vehicle (10), the method comprising: controlling (116) a vehicle system to obtain an indication of the presence of a unique identifier (40) mounted on the tow load (12); retrieving data (120) encoded within the unique identifier to determine the configuration of the tow load; configuring (124) the vehicle in dependence on the determined configuration of the tow load.

A spring bar coupling device is described for coupling a spring bar of a weight distributing trailer hitch to a trailer frame. The spring bar coupling device can include a spring bar support operable to interface with and support a spring bar of a weight distributing trailer hitch. The spring bar support can have a vertical support arm having a first coupler opening, and a lower spring bar stop extending from the vertical support arm to provide a lower interface for the spring bar. The spring bar coupling device can also include a channel bracket having at least two opposing walls defining a vertically oriented channel operable to receive the vertical support arm, and a second coupler opening in at least one of the two walls. The first and second coupler openings can be configured to be aligned with one another at a first coupling location when the vertical support arm is located at least partially within the vertically oriented channel. In addition, the spring bar coupling device can include at least one coupler operable to extend into the first and second coupler openings to couple the spring bar support to the channel bracket.

A spring bar coupling device is described for coupling a spring bar of a weight distributing trailer hitch to a trailer frame. The spring bar coupling device can include a spring bar support operable to interface with and support a spring bar of a weight distributing trailer hitch. The spring bar support can have a vertical support arm having a first coupler opening, and a lower spring bar stop extending from the vertical support arm to provide a lower interface for the spring bar. The spring bar coupling device can also include a channel bracket having at least two opposing walls defining a vertically oriented channel operable to receive the vertical support arm, and a second coupler opening in at least one of the two walls. The first and second coupler openings can be configured to be aligned with one another at a first coupling location when the vertical support arm is located at least partially within the vertically oriented channel. In addition, the spring bar coupling device can include at least one coupler operable to extend into the first and second coupler openings to couple the spring bar support to the channel bracket.

Disclosed are a towing device for a vehicle and a vehicle. The towing device includes a front end portion and a rear end portion connected to the front end portion, where the front end portion is arranged on a rear floor and a rear floor cross member, so as to disperse an external force borne by the front end portion to the rear floor cross member; and the rear end portion includes a connecting seat and a tow hook connected to the connecting seat and extending out towards an exterior of the vehicle, the connecting seat being arranged on a rear anti-collision beam, so as to transmit an external force borne by the rear end portion to longitudinal members by means of the rear anti-collision beam and energy absorption boxes.

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.

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.

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.