A towed vehicle hitch tongue includes movably connected front and rear tongue members, and a fully exposed master cylinder connected at opposite ends thereof to the tongue members such that a rearward force urging the front tongue member toward the rear tongue member forces pressurized braking fluid out of a port thereof into a braking circuit configured to exert a braking force. The braking circuit prevents braking until the rearward force warrants braking, provides dampening of the brake action, allows the towed vehicle to reverse, and can provide emergency stopping and dampening of movement of the hitch tongue. Instead of using movable front and rear tongue members, sensors can detect what the towed vehicle is doing, and apply appropriate braking force in response.

A towed vehicle hitch tongue includes movably connected front and rear tongue members, and a fully exposed master cylinder connected at opposite ends thereof to the tongue members such that a rearward force urging the front tongue member toward the rear tongue member forces pressurized braking fluid out of a port thereof into a braking circuit configured to exert a braking force. The braking circuit prevents braking until the rearward force warrants braking, provides dampening of the brake action, allows the towed vehicle to reverse, and can provide emergency stopping and dampening of movement of the hitch tongue. Instead of using movable front and rear tongue members, sensors can detect what the towed vehicle is doing, and apply appropriate braking force in response.

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for engaging the brake pedal of a vehicle using only the weight of the device, allowing a single person to check for proper functioning of the vehicle's brake lights without having to further attach the device to a seat or steering wheel of the vehicle, and methods of using the same. The device may include an elongated arm or lever, an attachment member at one end of the arm for engaging it with the brake pedal, and a weighted member at the opposite end of the arm for providing downward force against the brake pedal. The attachment member may comprise a bracket with one or more widths, allowing the device to securely engage with brake pedals of varying sizes and thicknesses, such that the same bracket may be used to engage a relatively small and thin brake pedal of a car, or a larger, thicker brake pedal of a commercial vehicle such as a bus or a semi-truck.

A tow bar assembly for use in connecting a towing vehicle to a towed vehicle. The tow bar assembly includes a drawbar and a housing assembly capable of being configured with a supplemental braking system. A connector secures the housing to a tow hitch member, such that two separate, non-planar perpendicular axes of pivotal rotation are created. The tow hitch assembly includes at least one arm with an inner and outer portion, wherein the inner portion rotates about a central axis relative to the inner portion within the outer portion. A fourth pivotal axis is created by a connection of mounting brackets to the tow hitch member.

A low-pressure vehicle braking system and method of operation that controls the supply of brake fluid based on the pressure differential between left and right master cylinders associated with the different wheel brakes allowing for pressure harmonization between the left and right wheel brake circuits and a brake system module suitable for installation on an existing vehicle.

A overrun brake system includes a gas spring with a gas-tight cylinder and a piston with holes allowing gas to slip through so that the pressure is the same on both sides. Since the free end of the piston has a larger area than the side where the piston rod is located, the gas spring will act as a compression spring. To prevent the overrun brakes from being activated during reversing, the gas spring has a solenoid controlled valve receiving current from the reverse light circuit and closing the flow of gas through the piston when the towing unit's gear is set into reverse. When the gear is set into forward position the solenoid loses its current and a mechanical return spring opens the valve, so that the overrun brakes may act normally again.

A overrun brake system includes a gas spring with a gas-tight cylinder and a piston with holes allowing gas to slip through so that the pressure is the same on both sides. Since the free end of the piston has a larger area than the side where the piston rod is located, the gas spring will act as a compression spring. To prevent the overrun brakes from being activated during reversing, the gas spring has a solenoid controlled valve receiving current from the reverse light circuit and closing the flow of gas through the piston when the towing unit's gear is set into reverse. When the gear is set into forward position the solenoid loses its current and a mechanical return spring opens the valve, so that the overrun brakes may act normally again.

Systems and methods are provided for controlling operation of a trailer brake system associated with an agricultural vehicle-trailer combination, comprising: determining abase value for a temperature associated with the trailer brake system; determining coupling force between the vehicle and the trailer; determining a corrected value for the temperature associated with the trailer brake system in dependence on the determined coupling force; and controlling one or more components of the vehicle trailer combination in dependence on the corrected value.

Systems and methods are provided for controlling operation of a trailer brake system associated with an agricultural vehicle-trailer combination, comprising: determining abase value for a temperature associated with the trailer brake system; determining a coupling force between the vehicle and the trailer; determining a corrected value for the temperature associated with the trailer brake system in dependence on the determined coupling force; and controlling one or more components of the vehicle trailer combination in dependence on the corrected value.

Systems and methods are provided for controlling operation of a trailer brake system associated with an agricultural vehicle-trailer combination. A HMI component used by the operator to provide a deceleration input to the trailer brake system is identified. Based on this a pressure level to be provided in one or more fluid lines of the trailer brake system is determined. A trailer brake signal for is generated and output controlling the trailer brake system to provide the determined pressure.