A towing attachment assembly, a method of using the towing attachment assembly, and a removable towing coupler are provided. The towing attachment assembly comprising: a removable towing coupler, the removable towing coupler defining a hitch receiver end and a hitch coupling end, and wherein the hitch coupling end comprises a selectively dis-engageable coupling mechanism configured to be selectively dis-engaged from the removable towing coupler and to be coupled with a trailer hitch of a towing vehicle; and a towing coupler lock that secures the hitch receiver end within the hitch receiver.

A trailer positioning apparatus for aiding in aligning a trailer with a tow vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pinion plate which is attached to the landing gear of a trailer; and a rack plate for contacting the ground. The rack plate and pinion plate are pivotally attached at one end. At another end, a pinion engages a series of holes in the rack plate in order to create relative movement between the rack plate and the pinion plate when a force is applied by a user. The trailer may be moved into alignment with the tow vehicle, simplifying the process of attaching the trailer to the tow vehicle.

A trailer positioning apparatus for aiding in aligning a trailer with a tow vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pinion plate which is attached to the landing gear of a trailer; and a rack plate for contacting the ground. The rack plate and pinion plate are pivotally attached at one end. At another end, a pinion engages a series of holes in the rack plate in order to create relative movement between the rack plate and the pinion plate when a force is applied by a user. The trailer may be moved into alignment with the tow vehicle, simplifying the process of attaching the trailer to the tow vehicle.

A vertically articulating trailer hitch assembly for use with a vehicle, and particularly for use with an autonomous vehicle. The trailer hitch assembly is pivotally attached to the vehicle frame. The hitch assembly is allowed to swing away from the vehicle frame from a lowered position in which the trailer ball is uncoupled from the hitch coupler of the trailer to a raised position in which the trailer ball is coupled to the hitch coupler. The hitch assembly typically includes a receiver that has a long axis. The vehicle frame has a long axis. When the hitch assembly is in its lowered position, the long axis of the receiver is out of alignment with the long axis of the frame. When the hitch assembly is in its raised position, the long axis of the receiver is aligned with the long axis of the frame.

A vertically articulating trailer hitch assembly for use with a vehicle, and particularly for use with an autonomous vehicle. The trailer hitch assembly is pivotally attached to the vehicle frame. The hitch assembly is allowed to swing away from the vehicle frame from a lowered position in which the trailer ball is uncoupled from the hitch coupler of the trailer to a raised position in which the trailer ball is coupled to the hitch coupler. The hitch assembly typically includes a receiver that has a long axis. The vehicle frame has a long axis. When the hitch assembly is in its lowered position, the long axis of the receiver is out of alignment with the long axis of the frame. When the hitch assembly is in its raised position, the long axis of the receiver is aligned with the long axis of the frame.

A quick disassembly tool for fixedly mounting a connection module is provided according to the present application, including a pressing block and a fixing block for press-fitting the connection module. A press-fitting end face of the fixing block is provided with a press-fitting hole, and a press-fitting post inserted into the press-fitting hole protrudes from the pressing block; the quick disassembly tool further includes a locking device respectively pressing on an end of the pressing block and an end of the fixing block, and the locking device includes an elastic pressing device configured to adjust a press-fitting space between the pressing block and the fixing block. The pressing block and the fixing block are connected and transversely position-limited through the press-fitting hole and the press-fitting post, the locking of the pressing block and the fixing block in a pressing direction is achieved by a locking device.

A quick disassembly tool for fixedly mounting a connection module is provided according to the present application, including a pressing block and a fixing block for press-fitting the connection module. A press-fitting end face of the fixing block is provided with a press-fitting hole, and a press-fitting post inserted into the press-fitting hole protrudes from the pressing block; the quick disassembly tool further includes a locking device respectively pressing on an end of the pressing block and an end of the fixing block, and the locking device includes an elastic pressing device configured to adjust a press-fitting space between the pressing block and the fixing block. The pressing block and the fixing block are connected and transversely position-limited through the press-fitting hole and the press-fitting post, the locking of the pressing block and the fixing block in a pressing direction is achieved by a locking device.

An aligning hitch device prevents a pin from being lifted inadvertently resulting in undesired disengagement of the hitch connection. The device includes a hitch frame including a guide plate. A hitch pin is slidably coupled to the hitch frame. An index collar has a notch. The hitch pin is slidable to fully clear a hitch space in the hitch frame only when the notch is aligned with and receives the guide plate. A biasing spring extends between the index collar and the hitch frame wherein the biasing spring urges the index collar away from the guide plate.

A lift and tow module for use with a trailer and method of towing a trailer with a truck. The module has an arm having a connection point for securing to a tow vehicle and a lift body having a connection point for securing the lift body to a trailer. The connection point comprises at least two connection mechanisms spaced apart on the main body for connection to corresponding mechanisms on the trailer. A support plate is extendable from and operably supported by the main body and the lift body is movable in reciprocal directions. Mechanical actuators are operably coupled to the body and the arm for controlling respective movement, which allows the module to jack up a trailer, connect to a trailer, and/or tow a trailer.

A lift and tow module for use with a trailer and method of towing a trailer with a truck. The module has an arm having a connection point for securing to a tow vehicle and a lift body having a connection point for securing the lift body to a trailer. The connection point comprises at least two connection mechanisms spaced apart on the main body for connection to corresponding mechanisms on the trailer. A support plate is extendable from and operably supported by the main body and the lift body is movable in reciprocal directions. Mechanical actuators are operably coupled to the body and the arm for controlling respective movement, which allows the module to jack up a trailer, connect to a trailer, and/or tow a trailer.