A hitch system for distributing weight from a trailer to the wheels of a towing vehicle. The system has a hitch head that is pivotally connected to a hitch bar and is pivotable about a hitch head axis with respect to the hitch bar. A hitch pin is rotatably fixed to the hitch head and the hitch pin is rotatable with respect to the hitch head about a hitch pin axis. The hitch pin axis is transverse to the hitch head axis. A single spring is pivotally connected to the hitch head and is pivotable with respect to the hitch head about a spring axis. A distal end of the spring spaced from the spring axis is connectable to the trailer when the trailer is connected to the hitch pin and the spring can provide a biasing force when the distal end of the spring is moved nearer the trailer.

A method for dampening trailer sway, includes: receiving, by a controller of a vehicle system that is coupled to a trailer, a vehicle speed signal of the vehicle system, wherein the vehicle speed signal is indicative of a vehicle speed of the vehicle system; determining a friction force to be applied to the trailer by an actuator using the vehicle speed of the vehicle system and a graph that establishes a relationship between the friction force to be applied to the trailer and the vehicle speed; and adjusting, by the controller, the graph that establishes the relationship between the friction force and the vehicle speed using the decay rate of the plurality of oscillation amplitudes to create an updated graph.

The present disclosure is directed toward sway control systems for adjustably controlling sway between a trailer and towing vehicle through use of frictional forces that include a tow bar assembly, a connector assembly, a tensioner spanning the width of the housing of the tow bar assembly, and a crank assembly. Within the tow bar assembly, a slide bar is frictionally engaged with the housing, and the relative friction may be controlled by increasing or decreasing compression of the at least one brake pad through adjustment of the compression plate toward or away from the interconnecting web. The present disclosure attempts to improve ease of use by utilizing a single adjustment point.

A sway bar connectable between a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle includes a telescoping framework with an outer body and a slide bar. The outer body and slide bar include one each of a trailer connector and a tow connector. The outer body has a plurality of air vents. An air inlet opening in the telescoping framework is connected to an airflow path extending along the outer body and through the air vents. A spring clamp compresses friction pads between the outer body and the slide bar. An adjustment bolt in connection with the spring clamp is used to adjust the friction coefficient. The design allows for ventilation of the towing bar during use, which reduces the buildup of heat within the system.

A method for dampening trailer sway, includes: receiving, by a controller of a vehicle system that is coupled to a trailer, a vehicle speed signal of the vehicle system, wherein the vehicle speed signal is indicative of a vehicle speed of the vehicle system; determining a friction force to be applied to the trailer by an actuator using the vehicle speed of the vehicle system and a graph that establishes a relationship between the friction force to be applied to the trailer and the vehicle speed; and adjusting, by the controller, the graph that establishes the relationship between the friction force and the vehicle speed using the decay rate of the plurality of oscillation amplitudes to create an updated graph.

A hitch system for distributing weight from a trailer to the wheels of a towing vehicle. The system has a hitch head that is pivotally connected to a hitch bar and is pivotable about a hitch head axis with respect to the hitch bar. A hitch pin is rotatably fixed to the hitch head and the hitch pin is rotatable with respect to the hitch head about a hitch pin axis. The hitch pin axis is transverse to the hitch head axis. A single spring is pivotally connected to the hitch head and is pivotable with respect to the hitch head about a spring axis. A distal end of the spring spaced from the spring axis is connectable to the trailer when the trailer is connected to the hitch pin and the spring can provide a biasing force when the distal end of the spring is moved nearer the trailer.

A weight distributing anti-sway trailer hitch has a pair of spring arms extending rearwardly from the head unit and a pair of hookup brackets for connecting a remote end of each spring arm to a trailer. The hookup brackets have a hookup plate and a hookup strap that sandwich a trailer frame therebetween to secure the bracket to the trailer, and further have a clamp that can be opened and closed to secure the remote end of the spring arm to the trailer frame during towing.

An apparatus for reducing sway between a towing vehicle and a trailer is disclosed. The apparatus may comprise a bracket assembly that attaches to a tongue of a trailer. The bracket assembly may include a surface for supporting a spring arm extending from a weight distribution hitch installed on a tow vehicle. The bracket assembly may include a clamp that is able to apply a frictional force to thereby oppose movement of the spring arm. The clamping force applied by the clamp may be variable to ensure proper operation.

An apparatus for reducing sway between a towing vehicle and a trailer is disclosed. The apparatus may comprise a bracket assembly that attaches to a tongue of a trailer. The bracket assembly may include a surface for supporting a spring arm extending from a weight distribution hitch installed on a tow vehicle. The bracket assembly may include a clamp that is able to apply a frictional force to thereby oppose movement of the spring arm. The clamping force applied by the clamp may be variable to ensure proper operation.

A height adjustable tow mount assembly wherein locked engagement of corresponding through holes disposed in a tow mount member and an elongate member compresses a dampener member between an abutting front surface of the hitch platform elongate member and a rear surface of the tow mount member to thereby reduce movement and associated vibration between the hitch platform and tow mount member.