A lift and tow module for use with a trailer and method of towing a trailer with a truck. The module has an arm having a connection point for securing to a tow vehicle and a lift body having a connection point for securing the lift body to a trailer. The connection point comprises at least two connection mechanisms spaced apart on the main body for connection to corresponding mechanisms on the trailer. A support plate is extendable from and operably supported by the main body and the lift body is movable in reciprocal directions. Mechanical actuators are operably coupled to the body and the arm for controlling respective movement, which allows the module to jack up a trailer, connect to a trailer, and/or tow a trailer.

A Remote Trailer Maneuvering (RTM) system includes a mobile device app that identifies and processes environmental information from a photo, to identify obstacles such as walls, surrounding objects, etc. When the RTM system detects a boat, a trailer, and a boat ramp, it calculates a travel distance to drive the trailer into the water for unloading the boat. The RTM system identifies obstructions, outputs information and warnings, and prompts for information and user control feedback. Once the photo is processed, the RTM system sends control instructions to an RTM controller onboard the vehicle. The vehicle may send a responsive message to the mobile device indicating that the RTM system is ready to proceed with the maneuvering function. The RTM controller maneuvers the trailer, using an autonomous vehicle controller, to the target position using the control instructions.

A Remote Trailer Maneuvering (RTM) system includes a mobile device app that identifies and processes environmental information from a photo, to identify obstacles such as walls, surrounding objects, etc. When the RTM system detects a boat, a trailer, and a boat ramp, it calculates a travel distance to drive the trailer into the water for unloading the boat. The RTM system identifies obstructions, outputs information and warnings, and prompts for information and user control feedback. Once the photo is processed, the RTM system sends control instructions to an RTM controller onboard the vehicle. The vehicle may send a responsive message to the mobile device indicating that the RTM system is ready to proceed with the maneuvering function. The RTM controller maneuvers the trailer, using an autonomous vehicle controller, to the target position using the control instructions.

A vehicle hitch assistance system includes a first image sensor in connection with a portion of the vehicle and positioned forward of a forward hitch disposed in a cargo bed of the vehicle. The system further includes a controller configured to capture first image data with the first image sensor. The first image data depicts a coupler of a trailer. The controller is further configured to identify a trailer type of the trailer based on the first image data. The trailer type is configured to connect to the forward hitch. The controller is further configured to acquire position data identifying a coupler position of the coupler in the first image data, derive a vehicle path aligning the forward hitch with the coupler, and control a maneuvering system driving the vehicle along the vehicle path.

A vehicle hitch assistance system includes a first image sensor in connection with a portion of the vehicle and positioned forward of a forward hitch disposed in a cargo bed of the vehicle. The system further includes a controller configured to capture first image data with the first image sensor. The first image data depicts a coupler of a trailer. The controller is further configured to identify a trailer type of the trailer based on the first image data. The trailer type is configured to connect to the forward hitch. The controller is further configured to acquire position data identifying a coupler position of the coupler in the first image data, derive a vehicle path aligning the forward hitch with the coupler, and control a maneuvering system driving the vehicle along the vehicle path.

A remotely releasable tow line is provided. The tow line has a releasable latch at a distal end that is removably connected to a race car. The releasable latch is operatively associated with a cable handle adjacent to a proximal end of the tow line. Accordingly, a user disposed on a tow vehicle, to which the proximal end is connected, may manipulate the cable handle so that the release latch disconnects from the race car, in such a way that while the race car is still being towed it is unhooked from the tow vehicle, thereby saving time in getting the race car in a pit area where the race car can be tended to before its soon-approaching next race.

A remotely releasable tow line is provided. The tow line has a releasable latch at a distal end that is removably connected to a race car. The releasable latch is operatively associated with a cable handle adjacent to a proximal end of the tow line. Accordingly, a user disposed on a tow vehicle, to which the proximal end is connected, may manipulate the cable handle so that the release latch disconnects from the race car, in such a way that while the race car is still being towed it is unhooked from the tow vehicle, thereby saving time in getting the race car in a pit area where the race car can be tended to before its soon-approaching next race.

A hitch assembly includes a tubular shank, a tongue, at least one hitch ball, and a pin retractor assembly. The shank extends longitudinally from a first to second end. The shank also defines a pair of through holes. The pin retractor assembly includes a pull plate and a pin assembly. The pull plate is moveable in a longitudinal direction between a first position and a second position. The pin assembly includes at least two engagement pins operatively coupled to the pull plate. Each engagement pin is moveable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction between an extended position, in which each engagement pin protrudes through a corresponding one of the pair of through holes defined by the shank, and a retracted position. Actuation of the pull plate from the first position to the second position causes the engagement pins to move from the extended position to the retracted position.

A method for assisting a coupling procedure at an agricultural implement interface includes determining via a control unit whether a set-down procedure associated with unhitching the implement is being executed, determining cartographically via the control unit in communication with a position detection unit a set-down location of the implement and a driving trajectory travelled by the agricultural tractor from the set-down location along a defined route, storing via the control unit the set-down location and the driving trajectory as an associated dataset in a memory unit together with type information about the implement provided by an information unit, retrieving via the control unit the associated dataset to re-hitch the implement, and guiding via the control unit the agricultural tractor back from a defined start position along the driving trajectory to the set-down location by issuing associated control commands.

An article of manufacture for providing a theft-proof trailer hitch tongue is disclosed. The trailer hitch tongue has two or more mating receivers coupled to a trailer each of the two or more mating receivers having a plurality of locking notches about an inside surface of each mating receiver in a specific orientation, two or more removable arms for engaging the two or more mating receiver, each of the removable arms having a hitch tongue end and a connecting end and together form a split tongue of the trailer hitch, a plurality of locking pegs arranged on each of the two or more removable arms, the plurality of locking pegs being configured to simultaneously engage the plurality of locking notches when the hitch tongue end of the removable arms are inserted in the corresponding mating receiver, and locking latches components on the connecting end of each of the removable arms, the locking latches couple together after the hitch tongue end of the removable arms are inserted in the corresponding mating receiver.