A weight distribution hitch system comprising a vehicle attachment member comprising a forward end configured to rigidly attach to a vehicle, and a rearward end extending rearwardly toward a trailer, the rearward end comprising an upper portion comprising a trailer attachment member configured to pivotally attach to a coupler of the trailer, and a lower portion configured to receive a moment bar; a moment bar comprising a moment bar forward end attached to the lower portion of the rearward end of the vehicle attachment member so as to prevent rotation about a horizontal axis, and a moment bar rearward end; a tension member comprising a top end configured to be supported by a frame member of the trailer, and a bottom end configured to support the rearward end of the moment bar, and a spring, configured to bias the moment bar rearward end toward the frame member of the trailer; and wherein, when the tension member is in tension, it imposes an upward force on the moment bar rearward end, which, in turn, imposes a forward moment on the vehicle is disclosed.

A weight distribution hitch system comprising a vehicle attachment member comprising a forward end configured to rigidly attach to a vehicle, and a rearward end extending rearwardly toward a trailer, the rearward end comprising an upper portion comprising a trailer attachment member configured to pivotally attach to a coupler of the trailer, and a lower portion configured to receive a moment bar; a moment bar having a modulus of elasticity, the moment bar comprising a moment bar forward end attached to the lower portion of the rearward end of the vehicle attachment member so as to prevent rotation about a horizontal axis, and a moment bar rearward end; a releasable tension member comprising a top portion configured to be pivotally supported by a frame member of the trailer and configured to pivot about a horizontal axis, and a bottom portion configured to support the rearward end of the moment bar; and a moment bar preload mechanism configured to push up the moment bar rearward end to thereby preload the moment bar; wherein, when the moment bar rearward end has been preloaded, the releasable tension member can be pivoted between a first angular position and a second angular position below the preloaded moment bar; wherein, when the tension member is in tension, it imposes an upward force on the moment bar rearward end, which, in turn, imposes a forward moment on the vehicle is disclosed.

An coupling apparatus for towing is provided which in some embodiments may be a ball hitch coupler configured to accept a ball hitch which is attached to a towing vehicle. The apparatus may include one or more projections that may be flat-topped with rounded corners and separated by valleys having a tapered profile. This configuration reduces and transfers stress away from the connection point of a mounting section, such as a removable tube which is then attached the towed vehicle. The apparatus may be sized and shaped so as to accept a multitude of different styled and shaped mounting sections. The projections sit atop a flange that may be configured to reduce the compression load on the apparatus. The apparatus may utilize a clamping force style fastener to be used to attach the mounting section to the apparatus, providing for maximum versatility of said apparatus.

A system and method of raising and lowering a ball coupler for coupling to a ball hitch is provided. A combination of hydraulic pump and hydraulic piston are employed to raise and lower the ball coupler of a gooseneck trailer. Both custom and off the shelf parts combine to create a user friendly system to couple and uncouple a gooseneck trailer to the truck. The system described herein replaces the need to raise and lower a gooseneck trailer's coupling system by hand crank and gear box and even the need to climb into the back of the truck bed. Varying trailer frame configurations and ball coupler sizes can be employed with the present invention. Also described and shown in this provisional is a non-rotating free end hydraulic piston device and method. Also described and shown is a coupling bushing device and method for securing a conventional coupler to piston rod.

A weight distribution hitch system comprising a vehicle attachment member comprising a forward end configured to rigidly attach to a vehicle, and a rearward end extending rearwardly toward a trailer, the rearward end comprising an upper portion comprising a trailer attachment member configured to pivotally attach to a coupler of the trailer, and a lower portion configured to receive a moment bar, a moment bar forward end attached to the lower portion of the rearward end of the vehicle attachment member so as to prevent rotation about a horizontal axis, and a moment bar rearward end; a tension member comprising a top end configured to be supported by a frame member of the trailer, and a bottom end configured to support the rearward end of the moment bar, and wherein, when the tension member is in tension, it imposes an upward force on the moment bar rearward end, which, in turn, imposes a forward moment on the vehicle; and wherein the length of the moment bar is less than 28 inches is disclosed.

A trailer hitch system of the present disclosure includes a power through ball hitch and a power through trailer coupler equipped with electronic connectors such that an electric connection between a tow vehicle and a trailer is automatically made when the trailer coupler is attached to the ball hitch. The trailer hitch system may further include a power through hitch receiver (e.g., for bumper pull hitch systems) whereby an electrical connection is made between the hitch receiver and the ball hitch automatically when the ball hitch is installed in the hitch receiver.

A weight distribution hitch system comprising a vehicle attachment member comprising a forward end configured to rigidly attach to a vehicle, and a rearward end extending rearwardly toward a trailer, the rearward end comprising an upper portion comprising a trailer attachment member configured to pivotally attach to a coupler of the trailer, and a lower portion configured to receive a moment bar; a tension member comprising a top end configured to be supported by a frame member of the trailer, and a bottom end, and a moment bar, the moment bar comprising a first end configured to either be attached the lower portion of the rearward end of the vehicle attachment member or to be supported by the bottom end of the tension member, a second end also configured to either be attached to the lower portion of the rearward end of the vehicle attachment member or to be supported by the bottom end of the tension member, a first major face configured to face either generally upward or generally downward, a second major face opposite the first major face and also configured to face either generally upward or generally downward, and a bend between the first end and the second end; wherein, when the tension member is in tension, it imposes an upward force on the end of the moment bar that is supported by the tension member, which, in turn, imposes a forward moment on the vehicle; and wherein a preload on the moment bar is varied depending on whether the first major face faces generally upward or generally downward is disclosed.

A weight distribution hitch system comprising a vehicle attachment member comprising a forward end configured to rigidly attach to a vehicle, and a rearward end extending rearwardly toward a trailer, the rearward end comprising an upper portion comprising a trailer attachment member configured to pivotally attach to a coupler of the trailer, and a lower portion configured to receive a moment bar; a moment bar comprising a moment bar forward end attached to the lower portion of the rearward end of the vehicle attachment member so as to prevent rotation about a horizontal axis, and a moment bar rearward end; a tension member comprising a top end configured to be supported by a frame member of the trailer, and a bottom end configured to support the rearward end of the moment bar, and a spring, configured to bias the moment bar rearward end toward the frame member of the trailer; and wherein, when the tension member is in tension, it imposes an upward force on the moment bar rearward end, which, in turn, imposes a forward moment on the vehicle is disclosed.

A multiple hitch assembly and method of use thereof including a hitch platform having a channel member and multiple hitch member having a block base. A dampening member may be affixed such that coupling of the multiple hitch member by locked engagement of received through holes of the block base and paired side holes disposed in flanges of the channel member compresses the dampening member upon the recessed column of the hitch platform to absorb and thus attenuate the load and associated torque imparted by movement and rub between the hitch platform and multiple hitch member to thereby reduce associated rattle noise, and vibration.

A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller acquiring image data from the vehicle and deriving a vehicle path to align a center of a hitch ball of the vehicle with a centerline of a trailer coupler within the image data. The controller also outputs a video image including a representation of a simplified path from the hitch ball to the coupler and outputs a steering signal to cause the vehicle to steer along the vehicle path.