Patent classifications
B60D1/247
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION
A weight distribution measurement system includes a portable measuring device configured to measure a linear distance and store a plurality of measurements. The portable measuring device is also configured to measure a first distance between a first location on a vehicle supported by an axle of the vehicle and a second location, wherein the first distance is measured prior to loading the vehicle. The portable measuring device is also configured to measure a second distance between the first location and the second location, wherein the second distance is measured after loading a vehicle. And the portable measuring device can measure a third distance between the first location and the second location, wherein the third distance is measured after loading a vehicle and after a weight distribution mechanism has been engaged, and then calculate the percent weight distribution over the axles of the vehicle using the portable measuring device and display the percent weight distribution.
Weight distribution tag trailer
The present invention comprises a weight distribution tag trailer, having at least some of the following features: (a) a frame assembly, including beams and cross beams and side axle beams, (b) an axle coupled to the frame assembly, (c) shims for optional position between an axle assembly and the side axle beams to allow adjustment of load and balance (d) at least two wheels rotatably mounted to the axle, wherein at least one beam includes an end complementarily sized to be received by a vehicle receiver hitch assembly, and at least one other beam includes a clamp for coupling the beam to a cross frame of the vehicle receiver hitch.
MULTI-POINT UNDERBED HITCH MOUNTING SYSTEM
An under bed hitch mounting apparatus is shown and described. The under bed hitch mounting apparatus may comprise a first bracket attachable to a frame of a vehicle below a load bed of the vehicle and a second bracket attachable to the frame of the vehicle below a load bed of the vehicle, the second bracket transversely spaced from the first bracket. The under bed hitch mounting apparatus may also include a first receiving member attached with the first bracket, the first receiving member configured to engage an accessory member, where at least a portion of the first receiving member extends above the load bed of the vehicle, and a second receiving member attached with the second bracket, the first receiving member configured to engage the accessory member, where at least a portion of the second receiving member extends above the load bed of the vehicle.
Weight distributing and sway control hitch
A weight distributing hitch for towing a trailer includes a pair of deflection bars extending rearward from a ball mount head. A distal end of each deflection bar is supported by a deflection bar support connected to the frame by a height adjustable bracket assembly. A first resistance feature on the deflection bar support engages a second resistance feature associated with the deflection bar to restrain the deflection bar from sliding relative to the deflection bar support and thereby preventing swaying of the trailer relative to the towing vehicle. A longitudinal position of the second resistance feature relative to the deflection bar or a longitudinal position of the first resistance feature relative to said deflection bar supported by said deflection bar support is adjustable to position the second resistance feature in engagement with the first resistance feature when the deflection bar is supported on the deflection bar support.
Adjustable Weight Distribution Hitch System
A weight distribution hitch system used with a hitch on a vehicle and a trailer, the system comprising a jack with a foot and a motor configured to raise and lower a front portion of the trailer; a moment bar with a forward end attached to the hitch so as to pivot about a generally vertical axis, and a rearward portion, the moment bar configured to exert a forward moment on the vehicle in response to an upward force on the rearward portion; an engagement member configured to increase the upward force on the rearward portion of the moment bar upon movement of the jack in one vertical direction and to decrease the upward force upon movement of the jack in an opposite vertical direction; a sensor configured to determine at least one of current and voltage across the motor, to thereby infer the upward force on the rearward portion; and a switch configured to turn the motor on or off depending on the inferred upward force is disclosed.
Weight Distribution Hitch System with Sway Reduction
A weight distribution system used with a hitch on a vehicle and a trailer, the weight distribution system comprising a moment bar with a forward end attached to the hitch so as to pivot about a generally vertical axis, the moment bar extending rearwardly along a center longitudinal plane of the trailer toward a rearward portion, the moment bar configured to exert a forward moment on the vehicle in response to an upward force on the rearward portion; a bracket attached to a trailer frame element, wherein the bracket is above the first rearward portion and further from the center longitudinal plane of the trailer than the rearward portion; and a tension member combined with a tension mechanism so as to increase and decrease a tensile force between the bracket and the rearward portion, to thereby increase and decrease the upward force on the rearward portion whereby sway of the trailer is reduced by biasing the system back to the centerline when the vehicle and trailer are out of alignment is disclosed.
Weight Distribution Hitch System with Engagement Member
A weight distribution system used with a hitch on a vehicle and a trailer, the weight distribution system comprising a jack with a foot attached to and configured to raise and lower a front portion of the trailer; a moment bar with a forward end attached to the hitch so as to pivot about a generally vertical axis, and a rearward portion, the moment bar configured to exert a forward moment on the vehicle in response to an upward force on the rearward portion; an engagement member positioned between the jack and the rearward portion, whereby the jack can exert the upward force on the rearward portion; wherein the engagement member comprises at least one arced surface whereby the engagement member maintains the upward force on the rearward portion despite vertical or horizontal pivoting between the vehicle and the trailer is disclosed.
Weight Distribution Hitch System with Barrel Coupling
A weight distribution hitch system comprising an attachment member with 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 with a ball mount configured to pivotably attach to a trailer coupler; a lower portion with a barrel coupling allowing pivoting about a vertical access, but not allowing pivoting about a horizontal access; and a moment bar comprising a moment bar forward end fixedly attached to the barrel coupling and a moment bar rearward end wherein the moment bar imparts a forward moment on the vehicle when an upward force is applied to the moment bar rearward end is disclosed.
Multi-point underbed hitch mounting system
An under bed hitch mounting apparatus is shown and described. The under bed hitch mounting apparatus may comprise a first bracket attachable to a frame of a vehicle below a load bed of the vehicle and a second bracket attachable to the frame of the vehicle below a load bed of the vehicle, the second bracket transversely spaced from the first bracket. The under bed hitch mounting apparatus may also include a first receiving member attached with the first bracket, the first receiving member configured to engage an accessory member, where at least a portion of the first receiving member extends above the load bed of the vehicle, and a second receiving member attached with the second bracket, the first receiving member configured to engage the accessory member, where at least a portion of the second receiving member extends above the load bed of the vehicle.
Load levelling device for towed vehicle couplings
A load levelling device for adjusting the pitch of a first towing vehicle relative to a ground surface when the first towed vehicle is coupled to a second towed vehicle includes: a towing pillar having a longitudinal axis; a towing tongue adapted for attachment to the first towing vehicle and mounted on the towing pillar for sliding engagement therewith; a clutch housing radially supported on the towing pillar beneath the towing tongue for sliding engagement with the towing pillar, the clutch housing including a blade recess in a lateral portion thereof, the blade recess extending orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the towing pillar; a tensioning blade having a leading end and a trailing end, the leading end adapted for being removably securable in the blade recess of the clutch housing and the trailing end being adapted for attachment to the second towed vehicle; and a user operational force application device for selectively applying a vertical force to the trailing edge of the tensioning blade. An upwardly applied force on the trailing edge of the tensioning blade imparts a counter-clockwise moment to the tensioning blade, which counter-clockwise moment is transmitted through the clutch housing, the towing pillar and the towing tongue, so as to level the pitch of a first towing vehicle to which the load levelling device is attached, relative to the ground surface.