In order to improve a holding device which is mountable on a tail region of the bodywork of a motor vehicle, comprising a swivel bearing unit which is mountable fixed to the vehicle on the tail region of a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger motor vehicle, by means of a support unit, on which swivel bearing a swivel element supporting an attachment element is mounted pivotable about a swivel axis extending transversely, in particular inclined, relative to a longitudinal central plane and is thereby pivotable from an operating position into a rest position and vice versa, such that a holding device is provided to which widely differing attachment elements are fixable, it is proposed that the swivel element is provided with an attachment element carrier having a plug-in receptacle, into which attachment element carrier an attachment element is pluggable with an end region and is fixable with positive engagement, and in that in the operating position, the plug-in receptacle extends with its central axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal central plane and, in the rest position, extends with its central axis transversely to the longitudinal central plane.

In order to improve a holding device which is mountable on a tail region of the bodywork of a motor vehicle, comprising a swivel bearing unit which is mountable fixed to the vehicle on the tail region of a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger motor vehicle, by means of a support unit, on which swivel bearing a swivel element supporting an attachment element is mounted pivotable about a swivel axis extending transversely, in particular inclined, relative to a longitudinal central plane and is thereby pivotable from an operating position into a rest position and vice versa, such that a holding device is provided to which widely differing attachment elements are fixable, it is proposed that the swivel element is provided with an attachment element carrier having a plug-in receptacle, into which attachment element carrier an attachment element is pluggable with an end region and is fixable with positive engagement, and in that in the operating position, the plug-in receptacle extends with its central axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal central plane and, in the rest position, extends with its central axis transversely to the longitudinal central plane.

A trailer coupler assembly facilitates the automatic coupling and decoupling of a trailer. A trailer coupler assembly can include a main body with a frontward-facing opening for receiving a rearwardly oriented trailer ball. A locking assembly can be integrated with the main body and can allow the rearwardly oriented trailer ball to insert into the frontward-facing opening to automatically secure a trailer to a vehicle. A release assembly can interface with the locking assembly to enable the rearwardly oriented trailer ball to be decoupled from the main body.

A trailer coupler assembly facilitates the automatic coupling and decoupling of a trailer. A trailer coupler assembly can include a main body with a frontward-facing opening for receiving a rearwardly oriented trailer ball. A locking assembly can be integrated with the main body and can allow the rearwardly oriented trailer ball to insert into the frontward-facing opening to automatically secure a trailer to a vehicle. A release assembly can interface with the locking assembly to enable the rearwardly oriented trailer ball to be decoupled from the main body.

A tow bar assembly has a shank portion for attachment to the towing vehicle hitch, a pivot joint on a trailing end of the shank, and two arms extending from the pivot joint for attachment to the towed load. A stowage block on the shank includes two transversely oriented slots, for receiving a tab on the arms and thereby hold the arms in a transverse, horizontal stowage position. The arms each telescope between extended and retracted positions. A latch, having a retention shaft with a handle, automatically engages to lock the arm in the extended position when the trailing end of the arm is pulled to the extended position. The retention shaft has a shape which, depending on its rotational position as controlled by the handle, either allows the telescoping or interferes with the telescoping, locking the arm in the extended position.

Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, vehicles, and methods for a break-away tow hook. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a tow hook configured to extend in a first direction from a surface of a vehicle and to receive a towing line. A mount is configured to displaceably secure the tow hook to the surface. The mount is configured to maintain a position of the tow hook relative to the surface in response to a pulling force being applied to the tow hook in a first direction away from the surface of the vehicle. The mount is further configured to enable the tow hook to move relative to the surface in response to the tow hook incurring a force in a second direction, wherein the second direction is at least partially toward the surface of the vehicle.

Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, vehicles, and methods for a displaceable tow hook. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a tow hook configured to extend from a surface of a vehicle in a first direction. The tow hook includes a receiving section configured to receive a towing line and a securing section configured to extend away from the receiving section. A positioning mount is configured to secure the tow hook to the surface of the vehicle and to release the tow hook in response to an impinging force on the tow hook in excess of a predetermined threshold. A load-bearing structure is configured to mechanically connect the securing section to a structural component of the vehicle. The tow hook and the load-bearing structure are configured to support a force having a component in the first direction that is at least equal to the towing weight of the vehicle.

Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, vehicles, and methods for a displaceable tow hook. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a tow hook configured to extend from a surface of a vehicle in a first direction. The tow hook includes a receiving section configured to receive a towing line and a securing section configured to extend away from the receiving section. A positioning mount is configured to secure the tow hook to the surface of the vehicle and to release the tow hook in response to an impinging force on the tow hook in excess of a predetermined threshold. A load-bearing structure is configured to mechanically connect the securing section to a structural component of the vehicle. The tow hook and the load-bearing structure are configured to support a force having a component in the first direction that is at least equal to the towing weight of the vehicle.

A trailer coupler assembly facilitates the automatic coupling and decoupling of a trailer. A trailer coupler assembly can include a main body with a frontward-facing opening for receiving a rearwardly oriented trailer ball. A locking assembly can be integrated with the main body and can allow the rearwardly oriented trailer ball to insert into the frontward-facing opening to automatically secure a trailer to a vehicle. A release assembly can interface with the locking assembly to enable the rearwardly oriented trailer ball to be decoupled from the main body.

A trailer coupler assembly facilitates the automatic coupling and decoupling of a trailer. A trailer coupler assembly can include a main body with a frontward-facing opening for receiving a rearwardly oriented trailer ball. A locking assembly can be integrated with the main body and can allow the rearwardly oriented trailer ball to insert into the frontward-facing opening to automatically secure a trailer to a vehicle. A release assembly can interface with the locking assembly to enable the rearwardly oriented trailer ball to be decoupled from the main body.