A retrofit trailer board system for vehicles is disclosed, including a trailer board carrying a plurality of signalling lights on a surface thereof, and a relaying control unit which is connected between the trailer board and a plurality of optical sensors. Each optical sensor is arranged for removable connection to the exterior surface of respective vehicle lights, each sensor being configured to issue a signal responsive to operation of a vehicle light.

A portable apparatus for mounting lights is described. The portable apparatus may include an attachment frame configured to removably mount to and be supported by a 3-point hitch connection of a tractor, a generally vertical main post having an upper end and a lower end, where a lower portion of the main post is rigidly coupled to the attachment frame, and a generally horizontal mounting beam rigidly coupled to the upper end of the main post at a center portion of the beam, and where the mounting beam includes a plurality of vertical light mounting bars, where each light mounting bar is coupled to the mounting beam.

A tractor controller for controlling trailer brake applications comprises an input for receiving a signal indicative of a trailer brake application and control logic. The control logic receives a signal indicating a trailer brake application is requested, compares the trailer brake signal to a predetermined signal profile, applies the trailer service brakes in response to the trailer brake signal meeting the signal profile and compares a duration of the trailer brake signal to first predetermined time. A warning is provided in response to the duration of the trailer brake signal being greater than a first predetermined time and the control logic discontinues the trailer service brake application in response to duration of trailer brake signal being greater than the second predetermined time.

A vehicle comprises a control system. The control system is connectable to a trailer and includes a trailer connection checking mode in which the control system actuates trailer lights of the trailer in a predetermined sequence. The control system makes a trailer presence determination of whether the trailer is connected to the control system. According to the trailer presence determination, the control system performs the trailer connection checking mode.

An embodiment of a lighting device for a lift gate includes one or more sensors, each sensor configured to generate an output signal based on motion and/or orientation thereof, wherein each sensor is coupled to a movable member of the lift gate to generate an output signal indicating a motion and/or position state of said movable member of the lift gate; a controller circuit coupled to each sensor to receive an output signal from each sensor, wherein the controller circuit is configured to generate one or more control signals for controlling operation of one or more lighting elements; and one or more lighting elements coupled to the controller circuit to receive control signals from the controller circuit; wherein the controller circuit is configured to generate one or more control signals in response to the output signals from each sensor, for controlling operation of one or more lighting elements based on sensed state of the moveable member.

A method for trailer lighting recognition by a control unit for trailer lighting control of a towing vehicle, in particular for trailer lighting recognition during or after the coupling of the trailer to the towing vehicle, wherein the control unit has, for each light of the trailer lighting system, a voltage supply connection that is connected by an actuator to a voltage supply of the towing vehicle in order to switch on the light of the trailer associated with the voltage supply connection.

A safety turn panel system comprising a base member configured to be attached to a tractor unit of a semi-trailer truck; an arm member rotationally attached to the base member; a sign attached to the arm member, wherein the sign includes flashing lights in a warning text configuration and at least one reflecting panel; and a remote control unit configured to control the sign from a deactivated to an activated position.

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, which can comprise a platform. The platform can comprise a pair of brackets via which said platform is coupleable to corresponding flanges of a vehicle. The platform, once coupled, can extend a bed of the vehicle such that, if one or more transported items are larger than the bed of the vehicle, the one or more transported items are transportable via the vehicle.

A method and system for communication between a vehicle and trailer over existing power lines, such as by using a power line communication (PLC) arrangement. A PLC modem may convey data over electrical power that is supplied on the power lines and/or may elicit data from electrical power supplied on the power lines. This enables one or more electronic control units (ECUs) on the vehicle to communicate with input/output devices on the trailer, such as rearward-facing cameras or braking devices, without having to provide separate, dedicated communication lines therebetween.

Provided are a towing accessory for vehicles and method of operating them. The accessory comprises a mounting frame; suction cups, mounted to the frame in a spaced-apart arrangement; and a ferromagnetic attachment member attached to the frame at a side opposite the suction cups. Magnetic tow light system may thus attach to vehicles surfaces that are not magnetic via the accessory. The accessory has rotatable adjustments to enable the lights to face the required direction and mount to contours of the vehicle.