A vehicle having a retractable towing hitch includes a towing hitch assembly. The towing hitch assembly includes a coupler portion. The coupler portion is configured to be movable relative to a bumper of the vehicle such that the coupler portion is positioned farther from the bumper when the coupler portion is in an extended position than when the coupler portion is in a towing position and a retraction mechanism.

A vehicle having a retractable towing hitch includes a towing hitch assembly. The towing hitch assembly includes a coupler portion. The coupler portion is configured to be movable relative to a bumper of the vehicle such that the coupler portion is positioned farther from the bumper when the coupler portion is in an extended position than when the coupler portion is in a towing position and a retraction mechanism.

A hitch assembly for coupling a trailer to a tow vehicle comprises a king ball including a base and a king pin extending vertically from a top surface of the base, the king pin including a ball positioned on a distal end opposite the base, the ball adapted to be pivotally received into a hitch of the trailer. A hitch block includes a draw bar and a housing, the drawbar adapted to be horizontally inserted into a receiver mounted onto the tow vehicle, the housing including a throat adapted to receive the base of the king ball. A locking mechanism is adapted to automatically engage the king pin when the base of the king ball is inserted into the throat of the housing to secure the base of the king ball within the throat of the housing and locking the king ball and the hitch block together.

A hitch assembly for coupling a trailer to a tow vehicle comprises a king ball including a base and a king pin extending vertically from a top surface of the base, the king pin including a ball positioned on a distal end opposite the base, the ball adapted to be pivotally received into a hitch of the trailer. A hitch block includes a draw bar and a housing, the drawbar adapted to be horizontally inserted into a receiver mounted onto the tow vehicle, the housing including a throat adapted to receive the base of the king ball. A locking mechanism is adapted to automatically engage the king pin when the base of the king ball is inserted into the throat of the housing to secure the base of the king ball within the throat of the housing and locking the king ball and the hitch block together.

A hitch assembly for coupling a trailer to a tow vehicle comprises a king ball including a base and a king pin extending vertically from a top surface of the base, the king pin including a ball positioned on a distal end opposite the base, the ball adapted to be pivotally received into a hitch of the trailer. A hitch block includes a draw bar and a housing, the drawbar adapted to be horizontally inserted into a receiver mounted onto the tow vehicle, the housing including a throat adapted to receive the base of the king ball. A locking mechanism is adapted to automatically engage the king pin when the base of the king ball is inserted into the throat of the housing to secure the base of the king ball within the throat of the housing and locking the king ball and the hitch block together.

A hitch assembly for coupling a trailer to a tow vehicle comprises a king ball including a base and a king pin extending vertically from a top surface of the base, the king pin including a ball positioned on a distal end opposite the base, the ball adapted to be pivotally received into a hitch of the trailer. A hitch block includes a draw bar and a housing, the drawbar adapted to be horizontally inserted into a receiver mounted onto the tow vehicle, the housing including a throat adapted to receive the base of the king ball. A locking mechanism is adapted to automatically engage the king pin when the base of the king ball is inserted into the throat of the housing to secure the base of the king ball within the throat of the housing and locking the king ball and the hitch block together.

In a measuring device for measuring an articulation angle between a tractor vehicle which has a longitudinal axis, and a trailer which has a longitudinal axis, with a trailer coupling which trailer coupling includes a coupling ball, a ball receptacle which serves to receive the coupling ball, and at least one magnetic sensor it is proposed that the coupling ball have a ball opening, that a magnet be mounted in the ball opening, and that the ball receptacle have a recess, and that the at least one magnetic sensor be mounted in the recess, wherein changes in a magnetic field generated by the magnet are sensed by the magnetic sensor.

The invention is an extendable winch assembly, that include a winch, having a drum for winding and unwinding a line and a first motor for driving the drum about a winding axis. The assembly also includes a winch mount for mounting the winch to a vehicle, the winch mount. The winch mount includes a base attached to the vehicle and extendable arm attached at one end to the base, wherein the extendable arm is configured to move the winch from a retracted position proximate the vehicle to an extended position spaced from the vehicle. The winch mount also includes a plate attached at an other end of the extendable arm, wherein the winch is attached to the plate in such a way as to allow the winch to pivot about a pivot axis perpendicular to the winding axis.

The invention is an extendable winch assembly, that include a winch, having a drum for winding and unwinding a line and a first motor for driving the drum about a winding axis. The assembly also includes a winch mount for mounting the winch to a vehicle, the winch mount. The winch mount includes a base attached to the vehicle and extendable arm attached at one end to the base, wherein the extendable arm is configured to move the winch from a retracted position proximate the vehicle to an extended position spaced from the vehicle. The winch mount also includes a plate attached at an other end of the extendable arm, wherein the winch is attached to the plate in such a way as to allow the winch to pivot about a pivot axis perpendicular to the winding axis.

In a measuring device for measuring an articulation angle between a tractor vehicle which has a longitudinal axis, and a trailer which has a longitudinal axis, with a trailer coupling which trailer coupling includes a coupling ball, a ball receptacle which serves to receive the coupling ball, and at least one magnetic sensor it is proposed that the coupling ball have a ball opening, that a magnet be mounted in the ball opening, and that the ball receptacle have a recess, and that the at least one magnetic sensor be mounted in the recess, wherein changes in a magnetic field generated by the magnet are sensed by the magnetic sensor.