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.

Systems are provided for assisting in towing a trailer by a lead vehicle. A wheeled tow assist unit couples between the lead vehicle and the trailer. A drive unit onboard the tow assist unit drives the wheels in response to a force between the trailer and the tow assist unit. The tow assist unit bears at least a portion of the force required to tow the trailer.

Power dollies can be used for moving moveable objects such as trailers. A power dolly could include a frame, a mount and a plurality of wheel sets. The mount could couple the power dolly to a moveable object. One or more of the plurality of wheels sets could be powered. The plurality of wheels sets could be separated into a primary wheel set and one or more support wheel sets. The wheels of the primary wheel set could extend farther from the frame that the wheels of the support wheel sets.

A trailer stand positionable by a shunt truck is disclosed. The trailer stand includes a leg assembly having a front pair of legs and a back pair of legs, the front pair of legs connected by a front cross support and the back pair of legs connected by a back cross support, a wheel assembly having a wheel assembly frame that has a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the back pair of legs, the second end retaining an axle, the axle rotatably retaining at least two wheels, a stepped assembly having a front end, a back end, a top, and a bottom, the front end connected to the front cross support, the back end connected to the back cross support, the top of the stepped assembly providing a plurality of landing areas for an end of the semi-trailer, and a lifting frame.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods, apparatuses, and systems for receiving feedback during transport. Embodiments include a transportation system comprising a tractor, a trailer, and a sensor feedback system. Sensor feedback system may include a tilt sensor system mounted on at least one of the tractor, a dolly, a first trailer, and a second trailer, and a user feedback system mounted within the tractor. Tilt sensor system may measure tilt of at least one of the dolly, first and second trailers, and first and second containers attached to the first and second trailers, to obtain tilt information, and send tilt information to the user feedback system via a communication system. User feedback system may receive the tilt information and alert a driver of the tractor if the tilt information is above a predetermined level.

An intermodal transportation system is provided having interconnected railcars adapted for transporting interconnected freight trailers where the freight trailers remain connected while being transported on the railcars. Individual trailers are dropped off at a railyard by over-the-road tractors and are then transported onto the railcars using various means as makes sense due to weather, location, and other factors.

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%.

Power dollies can be used for moving moveable objects such as trailers. A power dolly could include a frame, a mount and a plurality of wheel sets. The mount could couple the power dolly to a moveable object. One or more of the plurality of wheels sets could be powered. The plurality of wheels sets could be separated into a primary wheel set and one or more support wheel sets. The wheels of the primary wheel set could extend farther from the frame that the wheels of the support wheel sets.

A terminal tractor includes four independently steerable wheels, each with their own dedicated drive motor and each with their own dedicated steering device. The terminal tractor includes a controller operable to provide input commands to the drive motors and to the steering devices to operate the terminal tractor. The terminal tractor also includes a fifth wheel coupling which includes a lifting mechanism capable of raising and lowering the fifth wheel coupling a in single vertical direction.

A method is provided for controlling a hydraulic hybrid vehicle, the hydraulic hybrid vehicle including: a first pair of wheels and a second pair of wheels; an internal combustion engine connected to the first pair of wheels for propelling the hydraulic hybrid vehicle; and a hydraulic propulsion system including a first hydraulic machine connected to the second pair of wheels, the method including the steps of; receiving a signal indicative of a driving condition, including vehicle speed, of the hydraulic hybrid vehicle; comparing the vehicle speed of the driving condition of the hydraulic hybrid vehicle with an upper predetermined threshold speed limit; determining if the vehicle speed of the driving condition is higher than the upper predetermined threshold speed limit; and when the vehicle speed is higher than the upper predetermined threshold speed determining, based on the driving condition, control parameters for operating the first hydraulic machine; and controlling the control parameters of the first hydraulic machine for operating the first hydraulic machine. The invention also relates to a control unit and a hydraulic hybrid vehicle.