A controlled steering system includes a sliding carriage attached to the steering at least one steering rod. As the carriage slides from one side of the horizontal pivot pint of the towbar, the direction off steering with respect to the towbar reverses. Also, the distance of the sliding carriage from the horizontal pivot point controls the degree of steering. By controlling the movement of the sliding carriage in response to measurements of towbar angle, the backing process can be partially or completely automated.

A steering system for steering a heavy haul trailer dolly comprising a turntable mounted on the dolly for connecting to another trailer unit. The dolly comprising a main frame, a wheel group mounted to the main frame, and a pivot frame mounted to the main frame between the turntable and the wheel group. A counter-steering linkage connects the pivot frame and the turntable. Hydraulic cylinders connect the pivot frame and the wheel group. To automatically steer the dolly, the hydraulic cylinders are locked in length. Rotation of the turntable in one direction causes the pivot frame and the wheel group to rotate in the opposite direction. To steer the dolly directly, the hydraulic cylinders are operated to extend and retract, pushing and pulling against the pivot frame and turntable to rotate the wheel group.

An all-wheel steer trailer is disclosed which includes an elongated frame, having a forward end and a rearward end, with the forward end of the frame having the rearward end of an elongated tongue secured thereto about a horizontal axis. The rearward end of the tongue is pivotally secured, about a horizontal axis, to a pair of wheels at the forward end of the frame. The invention includes an improved structure wherein the pivoting of the front wheels of the trailer also causes the pivoting of the rear wheels of the trailer so that the rear wheels track the front wheels of the trailer as the trailer is being turned. The trailer includes an improved means for pivoting the rear wheels of the trailer with respect to the front wheels of the trailer as the trailer is being turned.

A hitch angle module determines a hitch angle based on an input from at least one of a vehicle rear camera and a hitch angle sensor. The hitch angle is an angle between a longitudinal centerline of a trailer and a longitudinal centerline of a vehicle. A trailer load sensor measures a load on a trailer hitch of the vehicle. A trailer wheel speed sensor measures a wheel speed of the trailer. A trailer dimension module determines at least one of a width of the trailer, a mass of the trailer, a drawbar length of the trailer, a height of the trailer, and a trailer hitching length of the vehicle based on at least one of the hitch angle, the trailer load, and the trailer wheel speed. The trailer hitching length is a distance from a rear axle of the vehicle to a distal end of the trailer hitch.

Apparatus and methods are provided to eliminate transient swaying of a towed vehicle imparted upon the towed vehicle during a towing operation by decoupling the towing and towed vehicles rotationally from each other. In one embodiment this is accomplished through the use of a doubly hinged tow bar and to steer the towed vehicle based upon the relative angular deflections of the two vehicles while subtracting out transient rotations of the towing vehicle.

A steerable semi-trailer including first and second steering axles arranged in a tandem configuration; a first turning block coupled with the first steering axle and first and second steering cylinders; a second turning block coupled with the second steering axle; a synchronizing member coupling rotational movement of the first and second turning blocks; and a kingpin assembly having a steering arm connected to a pivoting lever, and first and second command cylinders connected to opposing ends of the lever and hydraulically coupled to the first and second steering cylinders in which movement of the steering arm causes pivoting movement of the lever, thereby actuating the first and second command cylinders thereby causing actuation of the first and second steering cylinders and consequential steering of the first and second steering axles.

A control device and method for controlling a tag axle steering system, configured to steer tag axle wheels of a tag axle, are provided. The method comprises, when the steering angle of the tag axle wheels is offset from a steering angle of a neutral position of the tag axle wheels and in response to a fault signal indicating malfunction of the tag axle steering system, locking the position of the tag axle wheels at a current steering angle of the tag axle wheels. A computer program and a computer-readable medium, as well as a vehicle, are also disclosed.

A multi-axle transport trailer having a plurality of axles includes a suspension comprising air bags associated with each axle, the air bags in communication with an air source, wherein air bags associated with different axles are capable of having different air pressures therein. The trailer further optionally includes a steering system associated with at least one axle, the axle including a tie rod connected between wheels on both ends of the axle, the steering system comprising cylinders configured to articulate the wheels, and a sensing device configured to monitor movement of the tie rod and facilitate actuating the cylinders to turn the wheels.

Snow-clearing trailer (1) having a chassis (5) extending longitudinally in a chassis direction (I-I) and having a drawbar (9). Pivoting means (11) allow the selective pivoting movement of the chassis (5) and the drawbar (9) with respect to one another. A drawbar locking bar (12) of fixed length can be attached to the drawbar (9) and to the chassis (5) so as to immobilize the drawbar (9) on the chassis (5) in a transport position. Detection means (13) generate an attachment signal when the drawbar locking bar (12) is attached to the drawbar (9) and to the chassis (5). The detection means (13) and disabling means are arranged in such a way that when the detection means (13) generate an attachment signal, the disabling means prevent any actuation of the pivoting means (11).

A sensor system, for determining an angular change between a utility vehicle and a coupled vehicle trailer, includes a sensor unit having a wheel mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis, and a rotary encoder connected to the wheel and configured to detect a change in position of the wheel. The sensor system further includes a mount having at least one first fixed part configured to connect the sensor system to the utility vehicle or a part thereof, and at least one movable part connected to the sensor unit and mounted so as to be movable on the fixed part. In addition, the sensor system includes a positioning mechanism configured to provide sprung bearing of the movable part in an operating position such that the wheel of the sensor unit can be moved into contact with a vehicle trailer or a part of the vehicle trailer.