The vehicle system can include: a set of vehicle couplings (e.g., a tractor interface, a trailer interface, etc.); a chassis, a battery pack, an electric powertrain, a sensor suite, and a controller. The modular vehicle system can optionally include landing gear, a suspension, and any other suitable set of components. The vehicle system functions to structurally support and/or tow a trailer – such as a Class 8 semi-trailer – and/or to augment/supplement a tractor propulsive capability (e.g., via a diesel/combustion engine) with a supplementary electric drive axle(s).

A method of supporting a trailer using a portable trailer stabilizer, the method comprising: (i) contacting a trailer engagement element of a portable trailer stabilizer with a forward end portion of a parked trailer using a tractor coupled to the portable trailer stabilizer; (ii) compressing a hydraulic cylinder containing pressurized hydraulic fluid and directing the pressurized hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic accumulator via an open isolation valve by pressing the trailer engagement element against the forward end portion of the parked trailer to compress the hydraulic cylinder to move the trailer engagement element from the fully extended configuration to a partially extended configuration by positioning the portable trailer stabilizer at least partially beneath and the forward end portion of the parked trailer using the tractor, the hydraulic cylinder operatively coupled to extend the trailer engagement element relative to a support surface engagement element, the isolation valve fluidically interposing the hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic accumulator; (iii) extending the hydraulic cylinder while maintaining contact between the trailer engagement element and the forward end portion of the parked trailer by lowering the support surface engagement element to engage a support surface beneath the trailer; and (iv) shutting the isolation valve and securing the trailer engagement element against the forward end portion of the trailer by disengaging the tractor from the portable trailer stabilizer, shutting the isolation valve preventing compression of the hydraulic cylinder, where disengaging the tractor from the portable trailer stabilizer actuates a valve operator mechanism operatively coupled to the isolation valve, the valve operator mechanism being operative to open the isolation valve when the portable trailer stabilizer is coupled to the tractor and to shut the isolation valve when the portable trailer stabilizer is uncoupled from the tractor, and where the hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic accumulator, and the isolation valve are operatively connected in a closed hydraulic system.

A trailer stabilizing device for stabilizing a parked freight trailer, the trailer stabilizing device comprising a frame separate from the support frame of the parked freight trailer, the stabilizing device frame having mounted thereto wheels and a hitch, the stabilizing device including a repositionable jack.

A trailer stabilizing device for stabilizing a parked freight trailer, the trailer stabilizing device comprising a frame separate from the support frame of the parked freight trailer, the stabilizing device frame having mounted thereto wheels and a hitch, the stabilizing device including a repositionable jack.

A jack assembly is shown and describe. The jack assembly may include a first tube having first and second end portions and a central portion between the first and second end portions, and a second tube positioned within the first tube and movable with respect to the first tube. The jack assembly may also include an expanded portion on the first tube, the expanded portion having a larger inner diameter than an inner diameter of the central portion, and a bushing attached to the expanded portion, where the bushing generally prevents contact between the first and second tubes.

A motor vehicle includes apparatus for towing a trailer with a retractable drop leg. A backup camera captures a detection image with a field of view including the trailer. A vehicle controller detects an initiation of driving with the trailer being connected. A pattern memory prestores at least one image pattern indicative of an extended position or a retracted position of the drop leg. An image scanner receives the detection image when the initiation of driving is detected, wherein the image scanner compares the detection image and the at least one image pattern to detect whether the drop leg is in the extended position. A notification device responsive to the image scanner alerts a driver if the extended position is detected.

A wheeled trailer jack including a first foot pad and a second foot pad. The first foot pad including a first base and the second foot pad including a second base. The first and second foot pads rotatable between an engaged position and an unengaged position. When in the engaged position, the first base of the first foot pad and the second base of the second foot lie in substantially the same plane to act as a flat foot pad to stabilize the wheeled trailer jack and wheel chock to prevent a wheel of the wheeled trailer jack from moving. When in the unengaged position, the wheel of the wheeled trailer jack is free to move.

A swivel trailer is described that can include a swivel hitch and swivel axle configuration which prevents a vehicle and trailer from jackknifing.

A wheeled trailer jack including a first foot pad and a second foot pad. The first foot pad including a first base and the second foot pad including a second base. The first and second foot pads rotatable between an engaged position and an unengaged position. When in the engaged position, the first base of the first foot pad and the second base of the second foot lie in substantially the same plane to act as a flat foot pad to stabilize the wheeled trailer jack and wheel chock to prevent a wheel of the wheeled trailer jack from moving. When in the unengaged position, the wheel of the wheeled trailer jack is free to move.

A hydraulic lifting mechanism for a large vehicle trailer comprises a square tubular metallic frame having a base and an upright support structure. A pair of pivoting wheels are disposed at a first base side of the base while a pair of wheels upon an axle are disposed upon a second base side of the base opposite the pivoting wheels. A four armed hydraulic lift is secured upon the upright support structure. At a distal end of the four armed hydraulic lift is a trailer hitch ball. The device is removably securable to a tractor.