A hitch cross path alert system for a vehicle is presented. A first sensor may detect whether a hitch is connected to a hitch receiver connected to the vehicle. A second sensor may identify a pedestrian in proximity to the vehicle. A processor may be configured to predict a path of the pedestrian based on data captured by the second sensor and to cause the vehicle to output an audio or visual warning to the pedestrian.

A towing vehicle includes a towing control unit with circuitry to detect whether a light is connected to the electrical harness electrically coupling the vehicle to the trailer. The towing control unit may include lamp connectivity circuits for, for example, the left turn signal and the right turn signal. To determine whether the turn light is connected, the corresponding connectivity circuit periodically generates a test signal. Based on characteristics of a response signal to the test signal. The connectivity circuit determines whether the corresponding turn signal light of the trailer is connected based on a response to the test signal. The connectivity circuit may distinguished whether an incandescent-based turn signal light, a light emitting diode (LED)-based turn signal light, and an open circuit is sensed based on the characteristics of the response signal.

Exterior lighting systems are provided for towed vehicles, such as towed RVs, which includes a control module for receiving conventional illumination signals from the towing vehicle through a conventional trailer plug, and supplementing those conventional illumination signals with synchronized supplemental LED lighting. That supplemental lighting can include “constant-on” flashing LEDs indicative of operator intentions in the towing vehicle, either at locations adjacent conventional exterior lighting or other locations on the trailer. The control module can also support supplemental exterior illumination of the RV when the towed vehicle is stationary and in use for camping or advertisement. The control module includes a failsafe mode in the event of a fault in the supplemental lighting (so as to maintain conventional exterior lighting capability), diagnostic LED output for troubleshooting, and an automatic reset feature.

There is disclosed a communication system for delivering power and control signals to control the activation of electrical components in a vehicle comprising: a power source for generating a power signal to supply power to the electrical components; a computer controller for generating control signals to control operation of the electrical components; a slave unit operatively connected to both the power source and the computer controller to receive the control signals and to convert the control signals into data signals for transmission to the electrical components; a power supply line for carrying the power signal, or the power signal and the data signals, from the slave unit to each electrical component; and a master unit located remote from said slave unit and configured to receive the data signals from the slave unit and to verify the data signals for further delivery to the required electrical component.

The present invention relates generally to a novel fifth-wheel towing apparatus. More specifically, the invention relates to a fifth-wheel towing apparatus that allows a single individual to more easily tow a semi-truck with another semi-truck by utilizing the fifth wheel attachment points of both trucks. The fifth-wheel towing apparatus is also a cost-effective device that can be easily operated, attached/detached, and stored by a single individual.

A safety lighting system for use with trailers is described herein. In some embodiments, the trailer lighting system comprises a sensor, a controller, and safety lights. The safety lighting system may be used for illuminating trailers while being towed, for example, in shipping yards, construction yards, and shipping and receiving docks. The safety lighting system may be activated upon connection of a pneumatic system with a spotting tractor and deactivated upon establishing an electrical connection from a tractor to the trailer.

A safety lighting system for use with trailers is described herein. In some embodiments, the trailer lighting system comprises a sensor, a controller, and safety lights. The safety lighting system may be used for illuminating trailers while being towed, for example, in shipping yards, construction yards, and shipping and receiving docks. The safety lighting system may be activated upon connection of a pneumatic system with a spotting tractor and deactivated upon establishing an electrical connection from a tractor to the trailer.

Exterior lighting systems are provided for towed vehicles, such as towed RVs, which includes a control module for receiving conventional illumination signals from the towing vehicle through a conventional trailer plug, and supplementing those conventional illumination signals with synchronized supplemental LED lighting. That supplemental lighting can include “constant-on” flashing LEDs indicative of operator intentions in the towing vehicle, either at locations adjacent conventional exterior lighting or other locations on the trailer. The control module can also support supplemental exterior illumination of the RV when the towed vehicle is stationary and in use for camping or advertisement. The control module includes a failsafe mode in the event of a fault in the supplemental lighting (so as to maintain conventional exterior lighting capability), diagnostic LED output for troubleshooting, and an automatic reset feature.

A method for enabling a V2V communications link between a trailer and a first tow vehicle including receiving a towing system activation control signal, transmitting a tow vehicle request, receiving a first tow vehicle response including a first tow vehicle location and a first tow vehicle identifier, determining a first distance between the first tow vehicle and the trailer, and enabling the V2V communications link in response to the first distance being less than a threshold distance.

Breakaway detection and alerting is described for a towed vehicle. In one example, a system includes a wired breakaway detector having a detector to generate an electric breakaway detection signal when a breakaway cable is not in a breakaway cable socket and an electrical cable to indicate the electric breakaway detection signal, and a wireless interface configured to be attached to the towed vehicle outside of the interior driver's area, to receive the electric breakaway detection signal from the breakaway detector and having a wireless transceiver to transmit a wireless breakaway alert signal in response to receiving the electric breakaway detection signal. A portable brake activation system receives the wireless breakaway alert signal from the wireless interface in the interior driver's area of the towed vehicle and activates the towed vehicle braking system through the attached brake pedal in response to the wireless breakaway alert signal.