A vehicular trailering assist system includes at least one camera disposed at a trailer hitched to a hitch of a vehicle, and an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU determines, during a first stage of a calibration maneuver of the vehicle and trailer, image coordinates of at least one ground feature point. The ECU, responsive to determining image coordinates of the at least one ground feature point, estimates orientation parameters of the camera based at least on the determined image coordinates and intrinsic camera parameters. As the vehicle and trailer travel further along the ground surface during a second stage of the calibration maneuver of the vehicle and trailer, and based on the estimated orientation parameters of the at least one camera, the vehicular trailering assist system determines misalignment of the at least one camera at the trailer.

A vehicular trailering assist system includes at least one camera disposed at a trailer hitched to a hitch of a vehicle, and an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU determines, during a first stage of a calibration maneuver of the vehicle and trailer, image coordinates of at least one ground feature point. The ECU, responsive to determining image coordinates of the at least one ground feature point, estimates orientation parameters of the camera based at least on the determined image coordinates and known intrinsic camera parameters. Responsive to estimating the orientation parameters of the camera, and based on the determined parameters of the camera, the ECU determines location of the at least one camera at the trailer.

A method for controlling steering of a self-powered steerable dolly vehicle during a maneuver, the method comprising determining an articulation angle associated with a drawbar of the dolly vehicle, determining a longitudinal velocity of the dolly vehicle, and controlling the steering of the dolly vehicle based on the articulation angle and on the longitudinal velocity of the dolly vehicle, wherein the controlling comprises initially steering the dolly vehicle in a direction of the articulation angle direction in case the longitudinal velocity of the dolly vehicle is above a velocity threshold.

The present invention relates to entering data into a trailer backup guidance system. In particular, the present invention relates to storing data in the components of a trailer backup guidance system corresponding to a plurality of trailer and vehicle combinations to better facilitate sharing those components across a plurality of trailers and vehicles.

A steering system for a trailer is disclosed. A drawbar is attached to an elongated slide, with the slide attached to the trailer for rotation about a pivot axis. A carriage is mounted for movement along the slide and between ends of the slide. At least one control rod extends between the carriage and a steered wheel of the trailer. With the carriage positioned to one side of the pivot axis, the trailer wheels are steered in the direction of sideways towbar displacement when towed, and with the carriage positioned to the other side of the pivot axis, the trailer wheels are steered in the opposite direction of sideways towbar displacement when backed. An electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic or manual actuator may be used to move and position the carriage on the slide.

A steerable cart or trailer is towed by another vehicle. A reverse linkage made up of arms that crisscross one another extends between the tow vehicle and the steerable trailer. The linkage arms are parallel a distance from the tow vehicle before crisscrossing with one another towards the trailer. The linkage arms are rotatable at each end. This allows the arms to rotate in a manner in which the trailer will more closely follow the path of the tow vehicle, especially when the tow vehicle is in the process of turning. The trailer will follow in a manner that reduces compaction and provides a simpler overall operation of equipment.

A steering system for steering a heavy haul trailer dolly comprising a turntable mounted on the dolly for connecting to another trailer unit. The dolly comprising a main frame, a wheel group mounted to the main frame, and a pivot frame mounted to the main frame between the turntable and the wheel group. A counter-steering linkage connects the pivot frame and the turntable. Hydraulic cylinders connect the pivot frame and the wheel group. To automatically steer the dolly, the hydraulic cylinders are locked in length. Rotation of the turntable in one direction causes the pivot frame and the wheel group to rotate in the opposite direction. To steer the dolly directly, the hydraulic cylinders are operated to extend and retract, pushing and pulling against the pivot frame and turntable to rotate the wheel group.

A multi-axle transport trailer having a plurality of axles includes a suspension comprising air bags associated with each axle, the air bags in communication with an air source, wherein air bags associated with different axles are capable of having different air pressures therein. The trailer further optionally includes a steering system associated with at least one axle, the axle including a tie rod connected between wheels on both ends of the axle, the steering system comprising cylinders configured to articulate the wheels, and a sensing device configured to monitor movement of the tie rod and facilitate actuating the cylinders to turn the wheels.

A multi-axle assembly includes an axle frame configured to move in a first travel configuration, a first axle assembly attached to the axle frame and including a first axle, and a second axle assembly attached to the axle frame and including a second axle. A common axis of rotation passes through both the first axle and the second axle in the first travel configuration. A first axle mount that operably couples the first axle assembly to the axle frame, and a second axle mount that operably couples the second axle assembly to the axle frame. Both the first axle assembly and the second axle assembly may be repositioned to a second travel configuration in which the first axle and the second axle are rotationally offset from the common axis of rotation.

A multi-axle assembly includes an axle frame configured to move in a first travel configuration, a first axle assembly attached to the axle frame and including a first axle, and a second axle assembly attached to the axle frame and including a second axle. A common axis of rotation passes through both the first axle and the second axle in the first travel configuration. A first axle mount that operably couples the first axle assembly to the axle frame, and a second axle mount that operably couples the second axle assembly to the axle frame. Both the first axle assembly and the second axle assembly may be repositioned to a second travel configuration in which the first axle and the second axle are rotationally offset from the common axis of rotation.