A towing assembly for a motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a longitudinal member mount configured to attach to a longitudinal member of the motor vehicle, and a pulling element configured to transmit a tensile force to the longitudinal member and to translate relative to the longitudinal member in response to a compressive force. The pulling element includes a rod portion and a hook portion vertically offset from the rod portion.

A towing assembly for a motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a longitudinal member mount configured to attach to a longitudinal member of the motor vehicle, and a pulling element configured to transmit a tensile force to the longitudinal member and to translate relative to the longitudinal member in response to a compressive force. The pulling element includes a rod portion and a hook portion vertically offset from the rod portion.

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 and methods of use are provided that includes a ball coupler, a rod member having a first end and an opposite second end, a trailer frame, a first pivot connection pivotably connecting the first end of the rod member to the ball coupler, such that the rod member can rotate within a vertical plane relative to the ball coupler, and a second pivot connection pivotably connecting the rod member to the trailer frame, such the trailer frame can rotate around the rod member. The trailer coupler assembly also includes a lock out member that is configured to releasably engage the first pivot connection to thereby restrict pivoting of the rod member relative to the ball coupler.

A trailer coupler assembly and methods of use are provided that includes a ball coupler, a rod member having a first end and an opposite second end, a trailer frame, a first pivot connection pivotably connecting the first end of the rod member to the ball coupler, such that the rod member can rotate within a vertical plane relative to the ball coupler, and a second pivot connection pivotably connecting the rod member to the trailer frame, such the trailer frame can rotate around the rod member. The trailer coupler assembly also includes a lock out member that is configured to releasably engage the first pivot connection to thereby restrict pivoting of the rod member relative to the ball coupler.

In order to improve a mounting system for a load carrier or a trailer coupling, comprising at least one mounting receptacle, which can be mounted on a rear section of a motor vehicle body, in such a way that a high weight saving is made possible, in particular in the case when a load carrier or a trailer coupling is not being used, it is proposed that the mounting system has a set of two mounting receptacles, which is configured such that each of the mounting receptacles in the mounted state is connected to the motor vehicle body by means of a mounting region for a rear-side impact or crash element provided on the motor vehicle body.

In order to improve a mounting system for a load carrier or a trailer coupling, comprising at least one mounting receptacle, which can be mounted on a rear section of a motor vehicle body, in such a way that a high weight saving is made possible, in particular in the case when a load carrier or a trailer coupling is not being used, it is proposed that the mounting system has a set of two mounting receptacles, which is configured such that each of the mounting receptacles in the mounted state is connected to the motor vehicle body by means of a mounting region for a rear-side impact or crash element provided on the motor vehicle body.

A bumper system (4) for a motor vehicle comprising a cross beam (1) which is globally orientated in a transverse direction (Y), said cross beam comprising a front wall (6) adapted to receive a crash impact force and a rear wall (5) opposed and spaced from said front wall, at least one absorber (2), at least an intermediate component (3) to attach the absorber (2) to the cross beam (1), said intermediate component (3) being connected to the rear wall (5) through a first contact area (10), distant from a longitudinal axis (LL), by an internal component distance, called L.sub.in, and an external component distance, called L.sub.out, which corresponds respectively to the minimum and maximum distance between said first contact area (10) and the longitudinal axis (LL), said longitudinal axis (LL) passing at mid width of the cross beam and being perpendicular to the transverse direction (Y), said intermediate component (3) being connected to the absorber (2) through a second contact area (20) distant from the longitudinal axis (LL) by an internal profile distance, called D.sub.in, and an external profile distance, called D.sub.out, which corresponds respectively to the minimum and maximum distance between the second contact (20) area and the longitudinal axis (LL), wherein a part of the intermediate component distant from the longitudinal axis (LL) by a distance comprised between L.sub.out and D.sub.out has a smaller bending stiffness (S.sub.interm) about a vertical axis (Z) than a part of the cross beam distant from the longitudinal axis (LL) by a distance comprised between L.sub.out and D.sub.in (S.sub.cross), said vertical axis (Z) being perpendicular to the transverse direction (Y) and the longitudinal axis (LL).

A bumper system (4) for a motor vehicle comprising a cross beam (1) which is globally orientated in a transverse direction (Y), said cross beam comprising a front wall (6) adapted to receive a crash impact force and a rear wall (5) opposed and spaced from said front wall, at least one absorber (2), at least an intermediate component (3) to attach the absorber (2) to the cross beam (1), said intermediate component (3) being connected to the rear wall (5) through a first contact area (10), distant from a longitudinal axis (LL), by an internal component distance, called L.sub.in, and an external component distance, called L.sub.out, which corresponds respectively to the minimum and maximum distance between said first contact area (10) and the longitudinal axis (LL), said longitudinal axis (LL) passing at mid width of the cross beam and being perpendicular to the transverse direction (Y), said intermediate component (3) being connected to the absorber (2) through a second contact area (20) distant from the longitudinal axis (LL) by an internal profile distance, called D.sub.in, and an external profile distance, called D.sub.out, which corresponds respectively to the minimum and maximum distance between the second contact (20) area and the longitudinal axis (LL), wherein a part of the intermediate component distant from the longitudinal axis (LL) by a distance comprised between L.sub.out and D.sub.out has a smaller bending stiffness (S.sub.interm) about a vertical axis (Z) than a part of the cross beam distant from the longitudinal axis (LL) by a distance comprised between L.sub.out and D.sub.in (S.sub.cross), said vertical axis (Z) being perpendicular to the transverse direction (Y) and the longitudinal axis (LL).