A trailer retainer assembly having a riser section extending above a ball mount area and a retainer member arranged to move along the riser section from an upper position to a lower position; wherein when the retainer member is placed in a lower position it at least partially covers the ball mount area such that a trailer coupler secured to the ball mount area is retained by the retainer member.

A storage container securing system, in one embodiment, may include a base for receiving at least a portion of a storage container, such as a cooler, and a shelf adjustably positioned within the base to adjust the location of the storage container. In another embodiment, a storage container securing system is described having slidable inserts configured to matingly engage a slot in a storage container. In another embodiment, a storage container securing system is described having a receiving slot configured to receive a protrusion of a storage container.

A trailer coupler assembly and methods of use are provided that includes a ball coupler, a rod member having a first end and an opposite second end, a trailer frame, a first pivot connection pivotably connecting the first end of the rod member to the ball coupler, such that the rod member can rotate within a vertical plane relative to the ball coupler, and a second pivot connection pivotably connecting the rod member to the trailer frame, such the trailer frame can rotate around the rod member. The trailer coupler assembly also includes a lock out member that is configured to releasably engage the first pivot connection to thereby restrict pivoting of the rod member relative to the ball coupler.

A materials handling vehicle comprising a hitch, and a drive mechanism. The hitch comprises a latch and a receiving member. The latch is positionable between open and closed positions. The receiving member comprises a pair of inwardly curved side scoops and a central incline member provided between the pair of inwardly curved side scoops, each inwardly curved side scoop having an upper surface, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, an inner surface, an outer surface opposite the inner surface, a rear surface, and a front surface opposite the rear surface. The rear and upper surfaces of the pair of inwardly curved side scoops define an open rear end of the receiving member, the upper surface being sloped at the open rear end. The central incline member and the upper surface of the pair of inwardly curved side scoops cooperate to lead a cart hook to engage the latch.

A weight distribution hitch system used with a hitch on a vehicle and a trailer, the system comprising: a jack with a foot and a motor configured to raise and lower a front portion of the trailer; a moment bar with a forward end attached to the hitch so as to pivot about a generally vertical axis, and a rearward portion, the moment bar configured to exert a forward moment on the vehicle in response to an upward force on the rearward portion; an engagement member configured to increase the upward force on the rearward portion of the moment bar upon movement of the jack in one vertical direction and to decrease the upward force upon movement of the jack in an opposite vertical direction; a sensor configured to determine at least one of current and voltage across the motor, to thereby infer the upward force on the rearward portion; and a switch configured to turn the motor on or off depending on the inferred upward force is disclosed.

A weight distribution hitch system used with a hitch on a vehicle and a trailer, the system comprising a jack with a foot and a motor configured to raise and lower a front portion of the trailer; a moment bar with a forward end attached to the hitch so as to pivot about a generally vertical axis, and a rearward portion, the moment bar configured to exert a forward moment on the vehicle in response to an upward force on the rearward portion; an engagement member configured to increase the upward force on the rearward portion of the moment bar upon movement of the jack in one vertical direction and to decrease the upward force upon movement of the jack in an opposite vertical direction; a sensor configured to determine at least one of current and voltage across the motor, to thereby infer the upward force on the rearward portion; and a switch configured to turn the motor on or off depending on the inferred upward force is disclosed.

A ball hitch coupler includes a body having a socket therein, the socket sized for receiving a ball on a ball hitch. The body includes an opening through an upper surface of the body into the socket. A latch release is pivotably mounted on the upper surface of the body, and may include a drain hole or trough forming a catch for tips of the latch release when in the open position. A latch rod extends through the opening through the upper surface of the body and connected at a first end that is external to the body to the latch release. A latch is secured to a second end of the latch rod inside the socket, the latch including a tab projecting from a rear surface of the latch and received by a slot within the body to guide movement of the latch.

A safety chain tie down assembly is shown and described. The safety chain tie down assembly may comprise a body member, a pin member, and a securing member. The pin member may include a plunging portion configured to engage with a receiver of an under bed hitch mounting device. The pivot motion of the plunging portion may position the pin member between an unlocked position and a locked position. The safety chain tie down assembly may include a securing member that includes a lever, in which actuation of the lever positions the securing member into a secured configuration.

A trailer hitch apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tubular receiving member, a base, an arm extending from the base, a first tow ball having a threaded shaft, and a second tow ball having a threaded opening configured to selectively couple to the threaded shaft of the first tow ball. The tubular receiving member is configured to be removably attached to a vehicle. A retainer assembly is configured to be selectively engage the first tow ball.

A weight distribution system used with a hitch on a vehicle and a trailer, the weight distribution system comprising a moment bar with a forward end attached to the hitch so as to pivot about a generally vertical axis, the moment bar extending rearwardly along a center longitudinal plane of the trailer toward a rearward portion, the moment bar configured to exert a forward moment on the vehicle in response to an upward force on the rearward portion; a bracket attached to a trailer frame element, wherein the bracket is above the first rearward portion and further from the center longitudinal plane of the trailer than the rearward portion; and a tension member combined with a tension mechanism so as to increase and decrease a tensile force between the bracket and the rearward portion, to thereby increase and decrease the upward force on the rearward portion whereby sway of the trailer is reduced by biasing the system back to the centerline when the vehicle and trailer are out of alignment is disclosed.