Embodiments described herein include a visual guidance system for a boat trailer that can include a housing defining a cavity, the housing having a plurality of openings such that fluid can pass into the cavity, a first track and a second track, where the first track and the second track have a substantially vertical orientation, and a laser head mounted on the first track and the second track that can include a housing, a laser module positioned within the housing that is configured to provide a first illumination beam, and a float.

A vehicle operational diagnostics and condition response system includes at least an axle supporting a cargo transport unit frame, a suspension disposed between and secured to each the cargo transport unit frame and the axle, a load detection device interacting with the suspension and communicating with a system controller, wherein the system controller is supported by the cargo transport unit frame, and a cargo transport unit health status system supported by the cargo transport unit and configured to communicate with the system controller. The cargo transport unit health status system provides state status information for monitored operational elements of the cargo transport unit.

A sheet of polymeric material that is constructed to be coiled into a roll while in a substantially flat configuration. The sheet is positionable over a load bearing surface and at least partially around side surfaces of a bunk of a trailer. The sheet of polymeric material has at least two living hinges that are disposed along a length of the sheet and are substantially parallel to opposing side edges. The living hinges provide areas for the sheet to flex which allows the sheet of material to be manipulated about the trailer bunk. The sheet includes a top surface is configured to contact the trailer bunk where the top surface includes a plurality of ribs extending parallel to the opposing side edges and along a length of the sheet. The plurality of ribs is spaced apart and defines channels there-between that are configured to drain water from the trailer bunk.

An improved trailer chassis assembly primarily constructed from extruded components including an extruded chassis rail component, a cross member component and a connector component. The component has a wall surface defining an interior channel and an opening in the wall surface extending through the wall surface to the interior channel. The connector component has a first region adapted to engage with the interior space of the chassis rail component, and a second region adapted to engage with the cross member component. The interior space of the chassis rail component is adapted to capture movement of the first region of the connector component in vertical and horizontal planes, and yields movement in the axial plane.

The present invention concerns a handling system and method for use with a carrier vehicle or structure for unloading from, loading to and storing a smaller vehicle or body aboard the carrier vehicle or structure. The system includes a cradle for supporting a smaller vehicle or body therein. The cradle is mounted to a carrier vehicle or structure and is configured to be pivotable between a tilted position in which a smaller vehicle or body can be unloaded from or loaded into the cradle and a level position in which said smaller vehicle or body is stored aboard the carrier vehicle or structure. The system also includes at least one linear actuator for driving movement of the cradle between said tilted position and said level position.

An adapter for mounting to a bow eye of a boat and receiving a latch for securing the boat to a trailer is provided. The adapter includes a receiving member defining an aperture for receiving the latch, first and second mounting plates extend from the receiving member, a first fastener extends through the first mounting plate, the bow eye, and the second mounting plate for securing the adapter to the bow eye. The receiving member may include a base attached to an at least partially straight engaging leg which together at least partially define the aperture. The base and engaging leg may be a substantially U-shaped member such as a U-shaped bolt. A damper may be attached to one or more portions of the receiving member to prevent damage to the boat and/or the bow eye.

A small craft includes a craft body, a propulsion device configured to propel the craft body, a position acquisition portion configured to acquire positional information about a trailer on which the craft body is loadable, and a controller configured to control the propulsion device on the basis of the positional information about the trailer acquired by the position acquisition portion during an operation for releasing the craft body from the trailer and/or an operation for attaching the craft body to the trailer.

A boat trailer and a method of backing up a boat on a trailer. The boat trailer includes a trailer back-up system having a first image capture device, a second image capture device, and a transmitter. The first image capture device is mounted on a left guide pole of the trailer in a rear-facing direction, and the second image capture device is mounted on a right guide pole of the trailer in a rear-facing direction. The transmitter is in communication with each of the first image capture device and the second image capture device and configured to transmit live video images from the first image capture device and from the second image capture device to a display device. The method includes moving the trailer with a boat loaded on the trailer in a rearward direction and capturing, in real-time, a first view and a second view.

Vessel transfer systems are provide herein. The systems include bogies, including a pivoting bogie and a rack and pinion bogie, as well as associated cradles, carriages, and power and control units. The pivoting bogie includes a first side frame, a second side frame, at least one wheel coupled with each of the first and second side frames, and a lift member coupled with each of the first and second side frames. The lift member is pivotably coupled to the first side frame. The rack and pinion bogie includes a frame and pinion gears coupled with the frame. The pinion gears can be selectively coupled with a gear rack, such as at a shipyard. Also provided herein are methods of use of one or both of the bogies and associated equipment, such as for moving vessels within a shipyard.

Vessel transfer systems are provide herein. The systems include bogies, including a pivoting bogie and a rack and pinion bogie, as well as associated cradles, carriages, and power and control units. The pivoting bogie includes a first side frame, a second side frame, at least one wheel coupled with each of the first and second side frames, and a lift member coupled with each of the first and second side frames. The lift member is pivotably coupled to the first side frame. The rack and pinion bogie includes a frame and pinion gears coupled with the frame. The pinion gears can be selectively coupled with a gear rack, such as at a shipyard. Also provided herein are methods of use of one or both of the bogies and associated equipment, such as for moving vessels within a shipyard.