The disclosure is directed at an apparatus for an active converter dolly for use in a tractor-trailer configuration. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a system to connect a first trailer towed behind a towing vehicle to a second trailer. The apparatus further includes a kinetic energy recovery device for translating the mechanical motions or actions of the dolly into electricity or electrical energy so that this energy can be used to charge a battery or to power other functionality for either the dolly or the tractor-trailer. The active dolly may also operate to assist in shunting the tractor-trailer. The active dolly is operable in a number of modes to increase vehicle performance and efficiency.

The invention relates to a method for transforming between a long vehicle combination (10) and a platoon (12) on the move. The present invention also relates to vehicles (14a-b; 14b-c) for such a method.

An unmanned and self-powered vehicle or Towable Autonomous Dray (TOAD) may follow a vehicle and tow a trailer, haul a load, and/or recharge a pilot vehicle. The TOAD may be semi-autonomous and may attach to a pilot vehicle by an electronic identification. Further, wireless charging of the pilot vehicle may be provided by the TOAD. Smart trailer brakes, electric trailer axles, and a mechanically coupled tow vehicle may be provided by the TOAD in combination with additional units. A smart trailer controller may include a smart head unit and a smart tail unit in a trailer that may offer trailer security and increased safety. A smart trailer brake controller on the pilot vehicle and a smart module on the trailer may be applied where no unmanned vehicle is employed, such as, in a classic pick-up/trailer combination.

The disclosure is directed at a method and apparatus for an active convertor dolly for use in a tractor-trailer configuration. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a system to connect a tractor to a trailer. The apparatus further includes a charge generating system for translating the mechanical motions or actions of the dolly into electricity or electrical energy so that this energy can be used to charge a battery or to power other functionality for either the dolly or the tractor-trailer. The active dolly may also operate to assist in shunting the tractor-trailer.

The present invention relates to an urban vehicle for transporting large volume and light weight cargo that is subdivided into two: a mini-tractor unit and a lightweight semi-platform. These are coupled by means of a fifth wheel with a kingpin, allowing transporting high cubic coefficient products including long formats. The mini-tractor unit of the invention is shorter between the steering and drive axles compared with a vehicle for transporting cargo of the common type. The wheelbase between the steering (front) and driving (rear) axles of the mini-tractor unit is 1.3 to 1.7 times the width of the steering axle. With these proportions, the wheelbases or measurements between the front steering axle and the rear drive axle are determined; the drive shaft between the gearbox output and the transmission crown where the semi-drive axles are located is shorter between 40% and 60% with respect to the common type vehicle drive shaft, which facilitates the reduction of the total length of the original chassis, including the elimination of the rear overhang, achieving a shorter total length in a range that varies from 15% to 25%.

A hydraulic lifting mechanism for a large vehicle trailer comprises a square tubular metallic frame having a base and an upright support structure. A pair of pivoting wheels are disposed at a first base side of the base while a pair of wheels upon an axle are disposed upon a second base side of the base opposite the pivoting wheels. A four armed hydraulic lift is secured upon the upright support structure. At a distal end of the four armed hydraulic lift is a trailer hitch ball. The device is removably securable to a tractor.

The disclosure is directed at an apparatus for an active converter dolly for use in a tractor-trailer configuration. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a system to connect a first trailer towed behind a towing vehicle to a second trailer. The apparatus further includes a kinetic energy recovery device for translating the mechanical motions or actions of the dolly into electricity or electrical energy so that this energy can be used to charge a battery or to power other functionality for either the dolly or the tractor-trailer. The active dolly may also operate to assist in shunting the tractor-trailer. The active dolly is operable in a number of modes to increase vehicle performance and efficiency.

A load-bearing trailer dolly which connects a tongue-type boat, utility or other trailer to a towing tandem trailer and bears weight from the trailer during towing. In a preferred embodiment, the trailer dolly is characterized by an axle mounted on a pair of wheels. A dolly frame height-adjustable trailer hitch centered coaxial above the axle axis and midway point framed dolly plate mount by operation of an adjustable sleeve reducer fastened by pinning and lock. Includes dual connecting adjustable height tongues for attachment to rear end trailer hitches on the tandem towing trailer at which a pair of hitch fasteners for engaging the trailer dolly tongues are attached to the rear of the tandem trailer. The adjustable tongue hitches on trailer dolly will give ability to horizontal level tandem dolly. A shock-absorbing spring is fitted between the axle mount and the dolly frame for cushioning the dolly frame on the axle mount as the trailer is towed behind the towing tandem trailer. In the industry of dollies, the car dolly has no shock-absorbing function, just square axle with hubs for wheels, axle is attached to car dolly frame. There is an option with shock-absorbing mechanism or s non shock-absorbing option.

The disclosure is directed at a method and apparatus for an active convertor dolly for use in a tractor-trailer configuration. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a system to connect a tractor to a trailer. The apparatus further includes a charge generating system for translating the mechanical motions or actions of the dolly into electricity or electrical energy so that this energy can be used to charge a battery or to power other functionality for either the dolly or the tractor-trailer. The active dolly may also operate to assist in shunting the tractor-trailer.

Example portable trailer stands for supporting parked trailers are disclosed herein. Some example portable trailer stands disclosed herein comprise two telescopic posts supporting a generally horizontal beam. Some examples include spring-loaded retractable wheels for selectively installing and removing the trailer stand from underneath a trailer left parked on a driveway. After being positioned under the trailer, the posts extend to lift the beam solidly up against the underside of the trailer. To accommodate conditions where the driveway is not parallel to the trailer's underside, some example posts can be lengthened independently and have angular play that allows the beam to tilt. In some examples, the horizontal axle of the trailer stand wheels is perpendicular to the beam so that the trailer stand can be readily installed from either the front or side of the trailer. Some examples have a kingpin-receiving groove in the beam or have some other kingpin-receiving feature.