A quick hitch attachment device for coupling the attachment element of a truck bed type system to a quick hitch. The attachment device includes a mounting member tube, a ball hitch assembly and two or more coupling members adapted to mount a mounting member to the quick hitch. The ball hitch assembly includes a stem configured to be slidably received in the tube.

Systems, Methods, and Apparatuses are provided for monitoring cable connections between a trailer and vehicle. The system includes a monitoring device disposed within the vehicle; and a trailer cable and a breakaway trailer cable that provide a set of cable connections, the monitoring device is configured to: monitor the set of cable connections from connection data generated by a set of multimodal sensors integrated with the vehicle about statuses of the cable connections between the trailer and the vehicle; initiate a monitor function upon detection of a presence of the trailer connected to the vehicle by at least one sensor of the set of multimodal sensors integrated with the vehicle; and determine the statuses of the cable connections by fusing together using an information fusion algorithm one or more types of signal data from the set of multimodal sensors comprising optical signal data, radio signal data, and range signal data.

A safety strap apparatus for use with a vehicle's super single tire to protect a rim of the tire from damage during a tire blowout is provided. The super single tire and rim are coupled to an axle mechanically coupled to a frame of the vehicle by a shock absorber. The safety strap apparatus includes a strap assembly having a first elongated strap coupled to a second elongated strap, the strap assembly having a left end portion having an overlapped portion with end portions of the first and second elongated straps and a right end portion including another end portion of the first elongated strap, the left and right end portions being coupled together to create a loop. The loop is disposed around top and bottom portions of the shock absorber. Tension in the strap assembly supports the rim above the ground during the tire blowout.

A hitch ball with a locking bail for use with gooseneck hitch assemblies. The hitch ball includes a hitch ball body having a ball-mount on a first end. A second end forms a base that is insertable into a mating receiver mounted in a tow vehicle. A locking bail is pivotably coupled to the hitch ball body and is moveable from an unlocked orientation overlying the ball-mount to a locked orientation extending generally transversely to the hitch ball body. The locking bail is configured to function as a handle when in the unlocked orientation to provide a clean and easily graspable structure for handling and installing the hitch ball in a tow vehicle. The locking bail prevents coupling of a trailer or hitch assembly with the hitch ball when in the unlocked orientation and provides a visual indication of the locked or unlocked state of the hitch ball.

A hitch ball with a locking bail for use with gooseneck hitch assemblies. The hitch ball includes a hitch ball body having a ball-mount on a first end. A second end forms a base that is insertable into a mating receiver mounted in a tow vehicle. A locking bail is pivotably coupled to the hitch ball body and is moveable from an unlocked orientation overlying the ball-mount to a locked orientation extending generally transversely to the hitch ball body. The locking bail is configured to function as a handle when in the unlocked orientation to provide a clean and easily graspable structure for handling and installing the hitch ball in a tow vehicle. The locking bail prevents coupling of a trailer or hitch assembly with the hitch ball when in the unlocked orientation and provides a visual indication of the locked or unlocked state of the hitch ball.

A safety device 100 for a hitch assembly 10 is provided, the safety device 100 containing a cover member or hitch clip 20 for securing a retainer pin 18 of the hitch assembly 10.

A coupler lock device is configured for use with a self-latching trailer coupler securing a hitch ball in the coupler socket. The coupler lock device has a housing that includes a top panel portion defining a cavity configured so that, when the housing is secured in position over the trailer coupler, the housing top panel prevents seating of the hitch ball in the coupler socket by restricting upward movement of the release lever when an attempt is made to insert the hitch ball into the coupler socket. Also, when the housing is secured in position over the trailer coupler with a hitch ball seated in the coupler socket, the housing top panel prevents removal of the coupler socket from the hitch ball by restricting upward movement of the release lever that would otherwise release the coupler socket from the hitch ball.

A coupler lock device is configured for use with a self-latching trailer coupler securing a hitch ball in the coupler socket. The coupler lock device has a housing that includes a top panel portion defining a cavity configured so that, when the housing is secured in position over the trailer coupler, the housing top panel prevents seating of the hitch ball in the coupler socket by restricting upward movement of the release lever when an attempt is made to insert the hitch ball into the coupler socket. Also, when the housing is secured in position over the trailer coupler with a hitch ball seated in the coupler socket, the housing top panel prevents removal of the coupler socket from the hitch ball by restricting upward movement of the release lever that would otherwise release the coupler socket from the hitch ball.

An accessory (200) comprising a collar and a cable (214), providing for secure attachment of a trailer to a tow hitch (19) of a towing vehicle. The collar comprises a first collar member (122) and a second collar member (124) which are in the form of plates which are hingedly connected at one end and releasably locked at an opposite end around a neck (20) of the tow hitch. The accessory includes a lock (236) for locking an end of the cable (214) to the collar members (122; 124) when the collar members (122; 124) are closed around the neck (20) of the tow hitch. Prior to locking the cable (214) to the collar members (122; 124), the cable (214) is passed through a handle formation (25) of trailer coupler (19) of the trailer such that after locking the cable (214) to the collar members (122; 124), the trailer is securely attached to the tow hitch.

An accessory (200) comprising a collar and a cable (214), providing for secure attachment of a trailer to a tow hitch (19) of a towing vehicle. The collar comprises a first collar member (122) and a second collar member (124) which are in the form of plates which are hingedly connected at one end and releasably locked at an opposite end around a neck (20) of the tow hitch. The accessory includes a lock (236) for locking an end of the cable (214) to the collar members (122; 124) when the collar members (122; 124) are closed around the neck (20) of the tow hitch. Prior to locking the cable (214) to the collar members (122; 124), the cable (214) is passed through a handle formation (25) of trailer coupler (19) of the trailer such that after locking the cable (214) to the collar members (122; 124), the trailer is securely attached to the tow hitch.