A tailgate assembly for a vehicle includes hinge and track assemblies that enable opening of the tailgate from a closed position to a horizontal open position and further to a vertical open position to enable comfortable access to items within the cargo bed.

A boarding/deboarding support structure includes a lower door having an upper end configured to be rotated and opened with respect to a bottom surface of a vehicle body, a lower trim located inside the lower door, the lower trim having an upper end configured to be rotated and opened with respect to a floor of the vehicle body, and an absorbing member having at least a portion supported by the lower door and a rear surface of the lower trim, the absorbing member being configured to absorb energy, wherein the lower trim is located between the floor of the vehicle body and an inner surface of the lower door, and wherein, when the lower door is opened, the absorbing member is deployed to be located between the lower trim and the lower door.

A corner post is for a rear door of a trailer, container or truck body. The corner post has a width when the door has been swung open 90 degrees between 0.75 inch and 1.94 inch such that the width of the opening into the trailer when both doors are open is at least 98.44 inches. The corner post includes three pieces that are attached together. The three pieces include planar sections and U-shaped sections.

A transportation vessel includes a first sidewall and an opposing second sidewall. A load bar has a first end and a second end. The load bar is movable between a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation. In the horizontal orientation, the first end is attached to the first sidewall and the second end is attached to the second sidewall, and the load bar may support cargo while the cargo is being transported in the transportation vessel. In the vertical orientation, the first end is attached to the first sidewall and the second end is unattached to the second sidewall.

A trailer includes a front section having a first floor approximately between three and six feet above a street level. A rear section has a second floor approximately between three and six feet above the street level. A horizontally-oriented platform is disposed in the middle section. At least one linear actuator is coupled to the platform and selectively raises and lowers the platform between a lower position at most two feet above the street level and an upper position approximately between three and seven feet above the street level. Warning lights indicate a position and state of motion of the platform.

A transportation vessel includes a sidewall having a vertically oriented track on an interior side of the sidewall. The track extends upwardly to a top of the sidewall. A load bar has end(s) coupled to the track such that the end of the load bar is vertically slidable along the track. A stop bracket is positioned at a top of the track. The stop bracket includes a track extension and a stop piece. The track extension accommodates sliding of the load bar upwardly above the track. The stop piece blocks upward sliding of the load bar above the track extension.

An integrated hinge and striker assembly is affixed to one of a first and second vertically aligned sidewalls of a motor vehicle for connecting a tailgate to the motor vehicle. The integrated hinge and striker assembly includes a hinge base, the hinge base being vertically aligned with a first end portion, a center portion, and a second end portion, a hinge extending from the first end portion of the hinge base, a striker extending from the second end portion of the hinge base, and wherein a vertical axis is defined parallel to the hinge base and running through the striker and the hinge. Integration ensures proper operation of a bi-directional hinge that allows the tailgate to be opened to one of two different open positions.

A tailgate assembly mounted along an open edge of a vehicle's load carrying bed includes a frame having a first or proximal lateral side adapted to be hingedly connected for opening in a swing open mode and a second or distal lateral side oppositely positioned relative to the first lateral side. The tailgate assembly further includes a reinforcement frame component overlaid onto the frame at the first lateral side to increase torsional stiffness at or near the first lateral side.

An inflatable gate seal assembly includes a dump box that is mountable on a dump truck for carrying and dumping a load. A gate is hingedly coupled to the dump box for opening and closing the dump box. A conduit is integrated into the dump box and the conduit is fluidly coupled to an air compressor of the dump truck to receive compressed air from the air compressor. A control is positioned in a cab of the dump truck and the control is in electrical communication with the air compressor. A balloon is coupled to the dump box and the balloon is in fluid communication with the conduit. The balloon is inflated when the control is put in an on condition. Thus, the balloon engages the gate when the balloon is inflated and the gate is in the closed position to inhibit debris from passing between the dump box and the gate.

A rear curbside door assembly includes a door frame, a door, and a support member. The door frame includes first and second side frame members, an upper frame member and at least one stair. The second side frame member is spaced from the first side frame member and is configured for releasable attachment to a D-pillar of a body of a vehicle. The upper frame member extends between the first and second side frame members. The at least one stair extends between the first and second side frame members and is spaced from the upper frame member. The door is pivotally coupled with the door frame. The support member is configured for releasable attachment to a body of a vehicle. The support member is releasably attached to the first side frame member. A vehicle including a rear curbside door assembly and methods thereof are also provided.