A frame mounted vehicle lift system and method of use are described. The system and method of use are designed to provide a simple, reliable, and safe means for persons operating a motor vehicle to elevate one or more of the vehicle's wheels from the ground for a variety of purposes, such as changing a flat tire, for example. The system comprises one or more frame-mounted vehicle jacks and an automatic spare tire dispenser. Components of the invention are driven by actuators powered by the vehicle's battery and activated by a dashboard or other switch on the vehicle, or remotely by a FOB.

A frame mounted vehicle lift system and method of use are described. The system and method of use are designed to provide a simple, reliable, and safe means for persons operating a motor vehicle to elevate one or more of the vehicle's wheels from the ground for a variety of purposes, such as changing a flat tire, for example. The system comprises one or more frame-mounted vehicle jacks and an automatic spare tire dispenser. Components of the invention are driven by actuators powered by the vehicle's battery and activated by a dashboard or other switch on the vehicle, or remotely by a FOB.

The invention relates to a vehicle jack 12 integrated into a chassis of a vehicle 10 and comprises two jack assemblies 12.1, 12.2 arranged in end-to-end fashion along each side of the vehicle. Each jack assembly includes an elongate drive screw 20 and a pair of legs 9, one of which is pivotally connected to a screw follower 22. In addition, the jack 12 Includes a drive mechanism 14 comprising a bevel gear arrangement which is drivingly connected to the respective drive screws 20. Upon actuation of the drive mechanism 14, the pairs of legs 9 are simultaneously, pivotally displaced relative to the chassis between a retracted position, in which the legs 9 are substantially aligned and disposed at least partially within or around the chassis, thereby not to adversely affect the ground clearance, and an extended position.

The invention relates to a vehicle jack 12 integrated into a chassis of a vehicle 10 and comprises two jack assemblies 12.1, 12.2 arranged in end-to-end fashion along each side of the vehicle. Each jack assembly includes an elongate drive screw 20 and a pair of legs 9, one of which is pivotally connected to a screw follower 22. In addition, the jack 12 Includes a drive mechanism 14 comprising a bevel gear arrangement which is drivingly connected to the respective drive screws 20. Upon actuation of the drive mechanism 14, the pairs of legs 9 are simultaneously, pivotally displaced relative to the chassis between a retracted position, in which the legs 9 are substantially aligned and disposed at least partially within or around the chassis, thereby not to adversely affect the ground clearance, and an extended position.

Disclosed are various embodiments of an automated system for moving an input shaft associated with landing gear of a platform, for example, a trailer or ramp, along its longitudinal axis in order to switch gears. One such system, among others, has a controller that is electrically coupled to a gear shifter. The controller is capable of causing the gear shifter to move the landing gear input shaft in first and second opposing longitudinal directions in order to shift between the gears. The gear shifter may implement the longitudinal movement via a linear actuator, solenoid actuator, or other suitable device.

Disclosed are various embodiments of an automated system for moving an input shaft associated with landing gear of a platform, for example, a trailer or ramp, along its longitudinal axis in order to switch gears. One such system, among others, has a controller that is electrically coupled to a gear shifter. The controller is capable of causing the gear shifter to move the landing gear input shaft in first and second opposing longitudinal directions in order to shift between the gears. The gear shifter may implement the longitudinal movement via a linear actuator, solenoid actuator, or other suitable device.

A system for retrofitting a trailer having a crank jack with a jack housing and a drop leg includes a hydraulic cylinder including a main cylinder and a ram piston extending outwardly therefrom as the main cylinder is filled with pressurized fluid, a first mounting ear on the hydraulic cylinder and a second mounting ear on the hydraulic cylinder, the first mounting ear opposite the second mounting ear, a cylinder port positioned orthogonally to the first mounting ear and the second mounting ear and positioned between the first mounting ear and the second mounting ear, and a conversion foot sized and shaped to fit within the jack housing and adapted to support the hydraulic cylinder.

A convertible trailer includes a frame including a tongue portion arranged to facilitate towing by a vehicle, a main portion supported by the frame and defining a portion of a space, and an end portion coupled to the main portion and cooperating with the main portion to define the space. A porch cover is pivotably coupled to the main portion for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position and a porch floor is pivotably coupled to the main portion for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position, the porch cover and the porch floor cooperating to define a porch when in the deployed position. A front door is formed as part of the main portion and provides a passage between the space and the porch. An end door is formed as part of the end portion and is arranged to provide access to the space. A plurality of removable support members is positioned beneath the porch floor and arranged to support the porch floor in the deployed position.

A convertible trailer includes a frame including a tongue portion arranged to facilitate towing by a vehicle, a main portion supported by the frame and defining a portion of a space, and an end portion coupled to the main portion and cooperating with the main portion to define the space. A porch cover is pivotably coupled to the main portion for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position and a porch floor is pivotably coupled to the main portion for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position, the porch cover and the porch floor cooperating to define a porch when in the deployed position. A front door is formed as part of the main portion and provides a passage between the space and the porch. An end door is formed as part of the end portion and is arranged to provide access to the space. A plurality of removable support members is positioned beneath the porch floor and arranged to support the porch floor in the deployed position.

Aspects herein relate to using a three points to control the angular orientation of a structure via three or more jacks, and then stabilizing the structure via one or more stabilizers. In some aspects, the foregoing structure may include, for example, a motor home, recreational vehicle, travel trailer or fifth wheel trailer.