A booster for a trailer system is provided comprising a control system in communication with a sensor(s) for determining the direction and speed of the booster when in motion. The control system comprises instructions corresponding to one or more booster operations such as: detection of a reverse state, retraction of a suspension system when the reverse state is detected; engagement of a steer axle lock when the reverse state is detected; detection of a forward state; extension of the suspension system when the forward state is detected; disengagement of the steer axle lock when the forward state is detected; detection of a high-speed forward state; engagement of the steer axle lock when the high-speed forward state is detected; detection of a low-speed forward state; and disengagement of the steer axle lock when the low-speed forward state is detected.

A trailer moveable by a cab includes: a first section including a cavity and a second section at least partially positioned within the cavity, where the second section is longitudinally movable relative to the first section, such that a length of the trailer is variable. The second section includes a cart including at least one wheel configured to roll along a floor of the cavity and a height-variable member co-acting with the at least one wheel. The second section is configured to move longitudinally relative to the first section by the cart rolling along the floor of the cavity. A towing system and a method for adjusting a length of a trailer moveable by a cab are also disclosed.

A trailer having a hitch assembly, a deck assembly, an axle assembly and a structural joint positioned between the deck assembly and the axle assembly is provided. The deck assembly having a first support beams and a second support beams supporting decking. The first support beam and the second support beam can have a positive camber. At least one shim plate can be rotatable between a joint position, wherein the at least one shim plate is positioned in the structural joint, and a storage position, wherein the at least one shim plate is rotated out of the structural joint to adjust the amount of camber in the support beams.

A trailer is provided for having a self-propelled swather mounted thereon. The trailer includes first and second caster wheel supports and first and second drive wheel supports. The caster wheel supports are selectively movable being stowed and support positions. The drive wheel supports are selectively movable between horizontally disposed and vertically disposed positions. Each of the caster wheel supports includes a caster wheel turning assembly to partially pivot the associated caster wheel as the swather is backed onto the trailer. The trailer also includes extenders for attachment to first and second ramps. The extenders may be stowed on the bumper.

A pair of elongate attachment members, or “Z-rails” for attaching an end of a trailer crossmember to a flanged beam each include a first end section, an L-shaped portion comprising a horizontal leg and a vertical leg extending from the first end section, and a second end section extending from the vertical leg. The horizontal leg has a bottom surface with a width equal to the distance between the web of the flanged beam and the end of the flange. The vertical leg has an outer surface with a width equal to the width of the end of the flange. The Z-rails are attached to opposite ends of the crossmember to form a subassembly. The subassembly is fixed to and between the flanged beams by welding the first end sections to the web of the corresponding beam, with the horizontal leg on the flange, without directly heating the flange, thereby not diminishing the toughness of the flange.

A trailer neck reinforcement structure includes a first beam reinforcement structure that includes: (i) a first beam inner insert connected to an inner side of the first beam; and, (ii) and a first beam outer insert connected to an outer side of the first beam. A second beam reinforcement structure includes: (i) a second beam inner insert connected to an inner side of the second beam; and, (ii) and a second beam outer insert connected to an outer side of the second beam. Internal cross members extend between the first beam inner insert and the second beam inner insert. A first group of external cross members are located between the first beam outer insert and the left side rail, and a second group of external cross members are located between the second beam outer insert and the right side rail. Each external cross member comprises an inner segment connected to an outer segment.

Disclosed is a trailer including a bed portion. The bed portion includes a deck, a front extension, and a rear extension. The deck has a first end and a second end. The front extension is slideably engaged with the first end of the deck, and the rear extension is slideably engaged with the second end of the deck. The trailer is a double stretch trailer that is extendable from both ends of the deck. A towing system including a cab and the trailer is also disclosed.

An upper coupler for a semi-trailer has a generally planar bottom plate. A kingpin attaches thereto to couple with a fifth wheel of a tractor. A reinforcement member extends across a width of the bottom plate to reduce bending of the bottom plate as it rests on the fifth wheel of the tractor. Along the reinforcement member's length, the reinforcement member has varying second moments of area taken in cross sections perpendicular to the reinforcement member's length.

A powered trailer hitch apparatus is provided. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a casing fixedly mounted to a frame of the vehicle and a ram at least partially disposed within the casing. The ram includes an extension member and a trailer-connecting member. The trailer-connecting member is external to the casing and fixed to an end of the extension member. The trailer-connecting member is configured to be selectively coupled to the trailer.

One or more flatbed trailers, load placement devices and/or collapsible bulkheads are provided. The flatbed trailer may have a lowered center of gravity and may comprise a plurality of load placement devices and a collapsible and/or crushable bulkhead disposed on a deck of the flatbed trailer to provide improved load transportation safety.