A trailer spotter and transport assembly comprises a first end comprising an axle, the axle comprising at least two wheels; a second end comprising a mover attachment mechanism for attaching to a mover; and a trailer attachment mechanism located between the first and second ends for attaching to a trailer. The trailer spotter and transport assembly further comprises two air tanks for releasing the air brakes on a trailer.

A single axle dolly vehicle unit for a heavy duty vehicle combination, the dolly vehicle unit comprising an electrical energy source arranged to power at least one electric machine configured to drive left and right wheels of the single axle, the dolly vehicle unit further comprising a drawbar and a fifth wheel connection for mating with first and second trailer units, respectively, wherein the fifth wheel connection is arranged to be adjusted in height over ground by a variable height suspension system, the dolly vehicle unit further comprising a control unit arranged to control the variable height suspension system.

A trailer platform system with independent propulsion and control includes a steerable first axle connected to a pair of first wheels, a second axle connected to a pair of second wheels, and at least one electric traction motor configured to drive the steerable first axle and/or the second axle. A high voltage battery system is configured to power the at least one electric traction motor. A load platform is supported by a chassis and a suspension, wherein the load platform is a wagon-style platform with the first and second wheels located at the four corners of the load platform. A lead vehicle hitch connection is configured to removably couple to a lead vehicle.

A method for automatically verifying a coupling between a tractor and a first trailer unit, the method comprising engaging a wheel brake on the first trailer unit, generating a propulsion torque by the tractor, determining a first coupling force between the tractor and the first trailer unit, and verifying the coupling between the tractor and the first trailer unit based on the determined first coupling force.

The disclosure is directed at an apparatus, method and computer readable medium for a self-powered towed vehicle in a road train or tractor-trailer vehicle configuration to detect and respond to forward jack-knifing risk conditions. The apparatus may detect jack-knifing risk conditions based on sensors and information including sensors to detect an angle of misalignment between the towed vehicle and the vehicle directly in front of it in the road train. The apparatus may respond to the presence of a jack-knifing risk condition by reducing or eliminating the motive rotational force applied to the wheels of the towed vehicle.

A portable dolly for use in towing a tractor including at least one wheel for moving the dolly, a first king pin configured for placement in a mating engagement with a fifth wheel on the tractor, a second king pin configured for placement in a mating engagement with a fifth wheel on the tractor, and a plurality of chains for connecting the dolly to the tractor, wherein the dolly is configured to assist a tow truck with towing the tractor from the tractor's front end without removing the front drive axle and drive shaft on the tractor. A lift mechanism is provided for lifting the tractor off the ground into a position that is suitable for towing.

A method of supporting a trailer using a portable trailer stabilizer, the method comprising: (i) contacting a trailer engagement element of a portable trailer stabilizer with a forward end portion of a parked trailer using a tractor coupled to the portable trailer stabilizer; (ii) compressing a hydraulic cylinder containing pressurized hydraulic fluid and directing the pressurized hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic accumulator via an open isolation valve by pressing the trailer engagement element against the forward end portion of the parked trailer to compress the hydraulic cylinder to move the trailer engagement element from the fully extended configuration to a partially extended configuration by positioning the portable trailer stabilizer at least partially beneath and the forward end portion of the parked trailer using the tractor, the hydraulic cylinder operatively coupled to extend the trailer engagement element relative to a support surface engagement element, the isolation valve fluidically interposing the hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic accumulator; (iii) extending the hydraulic cylinder while maintaining contact between the trailer engagement element and the forward end portion of the parked trailer by lowering the support surface engagement element to engage a support surface beneath the trailer; and (iv) shutting the isolation valve and securing the trailer engagement element against the forward end portion of the trailer by disengaging the tractor from the portable trailer stabilizer, shutting the isolation valve preventing compression of the hydraulic cylinder, where disengaging the tractor from the portable trailer stabilizer actuates a valve operator mechanism operatively coupled to the isolation valve, the valve operator mechanism being operative to open the isolation valve when the portable trailer stabilizer is coupled to the tractor and to shut the isolation valve when the portable trailer stabilizer is uncoupled from the tractor, and where the hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic accumulator, and the isolation valve are operatively connected in a closed hydraulic system.

An auxiliary dolly is attachable to the rear of a primary trailer. The auxiliary dolly includes a first portion attachable to the primary trailer; a second portion comprising a chassis with one or more axles with wheels and a payload portion on the chassis. The payload portion is configured to pivot relative to the chassis with one or more axles with wheels of the second portion. A pivot point is at the point where the first portion is coupled to and movable relative to the second portion. Two or more cylinders are configured to pivot the payload portion of the second portion relative to the chassis with one or more axles with wheels of the second portion he pivot allows the payload portion to be substantially aligned with the primary trailer while turning.

A computer-implemented method is performed by a system for controlling at least two axles including an individually, electronically controlled suspension in different operational modes of an electrically powered dolly comprising a fifth wheel. The method includes setting the dolly in a towed operational mode if the dolly is connected to a preceding vehicle, or setting the dolly in a towing operational mode if the dolly is not connected to a preceding vehicle, controlling the height and/or axle-load distribution of each axle by adjusting the suspension of each axle for each operational mode, wherein in the towed operational mode, a fifth wheel height is controlled to a predetermined height above ground and the axle-load distribution is set to a target value. In the towing operational mode, the dolly is controlled to be essentially parallel with the surface on which it is standing.

The present disclosure is directed to a trailer stand for a semi-trailer comprising a frame having a front end, a back end, the front end having a pair of front legs and the back end having a pair of back legs; a wheel assembly having a wheel assembly frame, the wheel assembly frame comprising at least two wheels; a pair of stepped assemblies, each of the pair of stepped assemblies connected to the top of one of the pair of front legs and one of the pair of back legs, the pair of stepped assemblies providing a plurality of landing areas for an underside of the semi-trailer; and a lifting system connected to the wheel assembly and to the frame, the lifting system configured to raise and lower the frame relative to the wheel assembly.