A fifth wheel lubricant applicator tool, kit, and method of use are disclosed. The lubricant applicator tool comprises a handle portion and an operative portion. The handle portion has a first width and a defined length. The operative portion extends out from the defined length of the handle portion such that a second width of the operative portion remains less than a length of the lubricant applicator tool. The operative portion comprises a working edge equipped with a plurality of indentations that are identical and evenly spaced. The width and the height of each of the plurality of indentations permits an application of a lubricant in parallel beads, each spaced apart from adjacent beads by a defined distance that is substantially same as a distance between two adjacent indentations.

A flagpole adapter for a gooseneck hitch is provided. The flagpole adapter can include a shank that is configured to insert into the receiver of a gooseneck hitch. The flagpole adapter can also include a tube that extends upwardly from the shank and that is configured to receive a flagpole. The flagpole adapter can further include a flagpole securing assembly for securing a flagpole that is inserted into the tube. Because the flagpole adapter is inserted into the receiver of a gooseneck hitch, flags flown using the flagpole adapter will be positioned centrally within the bed of the truck.

A flagpole adapter for a gooseneck hitch is provided. The flagpole adapter can include a shank that is configured to insert into the receiver of a gooseneck hitch. The flagpole adapter can also include a tube that extends upwardly from the shank and that is configured to receive a flagpole. The flagpole adapter can further include a flagpole securing assembly for securing a flagpole that is inserted into the tube. Because the flagpole adapter is inserted into the receiver of a gooseneck hitch, flags flown using the flagpole adapter will be positioned centrally within the bed of the truck.

The present invention relates in general to a fifth wheel hitch and method of using a fifth wheel hitch that is mounted to a bed of a towing vehicle, and more specifically, to a fifth wheel hitch that is vertically secured to a kingpin of a fifth wheel trailer without requiring the use of adapters or extensions. One aspect of the fifth wheel hitch and method of use includes a hitch head assembly that is adjustable in height such that the fifth wheel hitch is compatible with different sizes of towing vehicles and fifth wheel trailers. The hitch head assembly also incorporates a funnel shaped design for receiving the kingpin of the fifth wheel trailer in a vertical fashion to prevent the kingpin from sliding horizontally out of the hitch head after being pulled forward by the towing vehicle. A four-way pivot joint accommodates instantaneous variations in pitch and/or roll attitudes between the towing vehicle and the fifth wheel trailer connected by the fifth wheel hitch. The hitch head assembly further includes a latching and locking mechanism that indicates whether or not a secure connection has been properly executed between the fifth wheel hitch and fifth wheel trailer to assure an operator that the towing vehicle is ready for travel.

A system for checking an operating state of a component on a vehicle, in particular on a commercial vehicle, comprising a detection device which detects information in the form of a data set, in particular an image data set, in a defined region on the vehicle, the defined region comprising the component to be checked, and an evaluation device to which the data set is provided, wherein the evaluation device is configured to determine the operating state of the component on the basis of the detected data set, wherein the detection device is arranged outside the vehicle.

A method for determining a position of a fifth wheel on a vehicle. The method includes receiving, at a processor aboard the vehicle, input features associated with ongoing movement of the vehicle during a period of time; executing, via the processor, a first reinforcement learning model. Inputs to the first reinforcement learning model comprise the input features and at least one feedback from the driver indicating if a previous output of the first reinforcement learning model was correct. The outputs of the first reinforcement learning model comprising a current driving cycle of the vehicle and a current driving application of the vehicle. A second reinforcement learning model is executed. Inputs to the second reinforcement learning model include the outputs of the first reinforcement learning model and the input features. Output of the second reinforcement learning model is a desired fifth wheel position.

The technology relates to autonomous vehicles having hitched or towed trailers for transporting cargo and other items between locations. Aspects of the technology provide a smart hitch connection between the fifth-wheel of a tractor unit and the kingpin of a trailer. This avoids requiring a person to make physical pneumatic and electrical connections between the fifth-wheel and kingpin using external hoses and cables. Instead, the necessary connections are made internally, autonomously. For instance, the fifth-wheel may provide air pressure via one or more slots arranged on a connection surface, and the trailer is configured to receive the air pressure through one or more openings on a contact surface of the kingpin. An electrical connection section of the fifth-wheel may also provide electrical signals and/or power to an electrical contact interface of the kingpin. Rotational information about relative alignment of the trailer to the tractor unit may also be provided.

A trailer control box may receive a wireless message from a controller of the tractor. The trailer control box may validate and authenticating the message. The trailer control box may control an emergency-brake valve based on the message when the message is an emergency-brake command. The trailer control box may control a service-brake valve based on the message when the message is a service-brake command. The trailer control box may control at least one switch to operate trailer lights based on the message when the message is a light command. In certain embodiments, autonomous-capable socket is mounted to a trailer and includes: a chamfered outer casing, a plurality of electrical connectors, a service-brake air aperture, and an emergency-brake air aperture. The autonomous-capable socket required a single autonomous connection by an autonomous tractor.

A trailer control box may receive a wireless message from a controller of the tractor. The trailer control box may validate and authenticating the message. The trailer control box may control an emergency-brake valve based on the message when the message is an emergency-brake command. The trailer control box may control a service-brake valve based on the message when the message is a service-brake command. The trailer control box may control at least one switch to operate trailer lights based on the message when the message is a light command. In certain embodiments, autonomous-capable socket is mounted to a trailer and includes: a chamfered outer casing, a plurality of electrical connectors, a service-brake air aperture, and an emergency-brake air aperture. The autonomous-capable socket required a single autonomous connection by an autonomous tractor.

A dolly adapted to be coupled to a semitrailer, where the dolly comprises a first steerable axle and a second axle provided with a drive unit, and where the dolly comprises a fifth wheel and a drawbar, where the dolly further comprises a cover having a front compartment in front of the first axle, where the front compartment comprises a first radiator and where the cover comprises a first air opening adjacent the drawbar. In this way, a dolly with integral cooling is provided.