This disclosure relates to systems and methods of towing, hitching, and connecting devices. In particular, this disclosure relates to tow devices, hitches, and connections for towing item containers behind vehicles, both autonomous and manually guided.

Systems, assemblies, and an adapter arm are disclosed for connecting a tow bar assembly to a vehicle baseplate. The adapter arm comprises a forked end including a first prong and a second prong defining a slotted opening for receiving a lug connector of the tow bar assembly. The adapter arm further comprises a locking portion configured to removably secure the adapter arm to the vehicle baseplate.

An improved drop hitch apparatus has at least one hitch plate for coupling to a portion of a hitch assembly of a trailer, a support assembly for supporting the hitch assemblies of a trailer and a towing vehicle, and a mounting assembly for mounting the apparatus to at least a portion of a hitch assembly of a towing vehicle. The drop hitch apparatus is useful as a height adjustment adapter to couple a trailer and a towing vehicle when the trailer has a hitch assembly lower than that of the towing vehicle's hitch assembly. The mounting assembly has a mounting shelf, a mounting bar, a stability member. The support assembly has an upstanding support plate and an upstanding shaft member.

An improved drop hitch apparatus has at least one hitch plate for coupling to a portion of a hitch assembly of a trailer, a support assembly for supporting the hitch assemblies of a trailer and a towing vehicle, and a mounting assembly for mounting the apparatus to at least a portion of a hitch assembly of a towing vehicle. The drop hitch apparatus is useful as a height adjustment adapter to couple a trailer and a towing vehicle when the trailer has a hitch assembly lower than that of the towing vehicle's hitch assembly. The mounting assembly has a mounting shelf, a mounting bar, a stability member. The support assembly has an upstanding support plate and an upstanding shaft member.

A hitch ball is shown and described. The hitch ball may include a ball member, a body extending from the ball member, and a locking member in communication with the body. The hitch ball may also include a first release mechanism positioned in the ball member, the first release mechanism operatively coupled with the locking member, where positioning the first release mechanism in an first direction positions the locking member in a disengaged position, and a second release mechanism positioned in the body, the second release mechanism operatively coupled with the locking member, where positioning the second release mechanism in a second direction positions the locking member in the disengaged position.

A hitch ball is shown and described. The hitch ball may include a ball member, a body extending from the ball member, and a locking member in communication with the body. The hitch ball may also include a first release mechanism positioned in the ball member, the first release mechanism operatively coupled with the locking member, where positioning the first release mechanism in an first direction positions the locking member in a disengaged position, and a second release mechanism positioned in the body, the second release mechanism operatively coupled with the locking member, where positioning the second release mechanism in a second direction positions the locking member in the disengaged position.

In order to improve a trailer device for motor vehicles, comprising a crossmember, which is mountable on a vehicle body at the rear-end side thereof, a holding unit, which is provided on the crossmember and which carries a ball neck receiving body comprising a ball neck receptacle, into which receiving body an insertion portion of a ball neck supporting a coupling ball is insertable and fixable therein, in such a way that the ball neck receiving body is both visible and intrusive to the least possible extent when the ball neck is not inserted, it is proposed that the holding unit comprises a pivot bearing unit, by means of which the ball neck receiving body is movable from a working position, in which the ball neck is insertable into said receiving body for trailer operation, into a rest position, and that at least one stop element fixedly connected to the holding unit is provided, which stop element has a first support surface, which, in the working position, abuts against the insertion portion with the insertion portion inserted into the ball neck receptacle and thus blocks a pivoting of the ball neck receiving body in at least one pivot direction.

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.

The “Camper Cradle” device is a modular assembly for most typical pickup truck beds, which mounts to the factory tailgate hinge and latch points. The assembly consists of adjustable telescoping tube steel, 3D printed/molded hinge bushings and rubber/nylon guide rollers. Said device/assembly is designed to guide and center a typical truck mounted camper into a typical pickup truck bed. It is intended to make loading a camper less difficult as it assists the driver by means of adjustable vertical rollers which capture, center and guide the camper into the bed of the pickup while backing under.

The “Camper Cradle” device is a modular assembly for most typical pickup truck beds, which mounts to the factory tailgate hinge and latch points. The assembly consists of adjustable telescoping tube steel, 3D printed/molded hinge bushings and rubber/nylon guide rollers. Said device/assembly is designed to guide and center a typical truck mounted camper into a typical pickup truck bed. It is intended to make loading a camper less difficult as it assists the driver by means of adjustable vertical rollers which capture, center and guide the camper into the bed of the pickup while backing under.