The technology relates to autonomous vehicles having hitched or towed trailers for transporting cargo and other items between locations. Aspects of the technology provide a smart hitch connection between the fifth-wheel of a tractor unit and the kingpin of a trailer. This avoids requiring a person to make physical pneumatic and electrical connections between the fifth-wheel and kingpin using external hoses and cables. Instead, the necessary connections are made internally, autonomously. For instance, the fifth-wheel may provide air pressure via one or more slots arranged on a connection surface, and the trailer is configured to receive the air pressure through one or more openings on a contact surface of the kingpin. An electrical connection section of the fifth-wheel may also provide electrical signals and/or power to an electrical contact interface of the kingpin. Rotational information about relative alignment of the trailer to the tractor unit may also be provided.

A jackknife prevention apparatus configured to be mounted intermediate the trailer and cab of a tractor-trailer rig extending bilaterally wing-like from the tractor's frame rails to which it is hinged horizontally. The jackknife prevention apparatus can swing up or down on its hinge between lowest and highest positions by action of a motor which responds to tractor conditions so as to promote safety, maneuverability and convenience. Specifically, when the tractor is parked, the apparatus tilts down near the ground and constitutes a stairway from ground up to the frame-rail tops. When the tractor is unparked, the apparatus swings up to near horizontal, where it is inactive. If tractor speeds exceed perhaps 20 or 30 mph, the apparatus rises to its highest position where it blocks further nearing of a trailer's front corner to the tractor's cab at a tractor-trailer angle of perhaps 15 to 20 degrees, thereby preventing a jackknife accident.

The technology relates to autonomous vehicles having hitched or towed trailers for transporting cargo and other items between locations. Aspects of the technology provide a smart hitch connection between the fifth-wheel of a tractor unit and the kingpin of a trailer. This avoids requiring a person to make physical pneumatic and electrical connections between the fifth-wheel and kingpin using external hoses and cables. Instead, the necessary connections are made internally, autonomously. For instance, the fifth-wheel may provide air pressure via one or more slots arranged on a connection surface, and the trailer is configured to receive the air pressure through one or more openings on a contact surface of the kingpin. An electrical connection section of the fifth-wheel may also provide electrical signals and/or power to an electrical contact interface of the kingpin. Rotational information about relative alignment of the trailer to the tractor unit may also be provided.

A fifth wheel hitch assembly for mounting to a towing vehicle and receiving a kingpin of a trailer incorporating a comfort assembly is provided. The fifth wheel hitch assembly may comprise a kingpin receiving assembly attached to a mounting rail via a comfort assembly. The comfort assembly may include one or more pivot bushing assemblies, as well as vertically adjustable, anti-rattle attachment systems. These attachment systems may include a cam assembly and/or a T-pin assembly.

A hitch mounting system integrated into to a vehicle, where the vehicle includes a frame and a body, including a load bed having an integrated mounting apparatus. The hitch mount system includes a receiving member, which may be a receiving member that is integrated with the frame of a vehicle capable of attaching to a fifth wheel or a gooseneck trailer attachment through the body or bed of the vehicle.

A hitch mounting system integrated into to a vehicle, where the vehicle includes a frame and a body, including a load bed having an integrated mounting apparatus. The hitch mount system includes a receiving member, which may be a receiving member that is integrated with the frame of a vehicle capable of attaching to a fifth wheel or a gooseneck trailer attachment through the body or bed of the vehicle.

A fifth wheel coupling with a camera, including a coupling plate and a bearing element, with which the coupling plate can be secured to a towing vehicle, wherein the coupling plate has a centrally arranged locking region for receiving a king pin, as well as an insertion opening running along a longitudinal axis (x) and bordered on both sides by two insertion flanges. The camera is mounted in a position in the region of the fifth wheel coupling with the lowest possible risk of soiling and damage, with the camera being secured to the bearing element.

A fifth wheel hitch may include at least one support frame capable of engaging with a towing vehicle. The fifth wheel hitch may further include a cross-member attached to the support frame and an isolation system operatively coupled with the cross-member. The isolation system may include a beam engaged with the cross-member about a first axis, where rotation of the beam about the first axis is dampened via a cross-member isolator. The isolation system may also include a skid plate engaged with the beam about a second axis, where rotation of the skid plate about the second axis is dampened via a wing isolator.

A fifth wheel hitch may include at least one support frame capable of engaging with a towing vehicle. The fifth wheel hitch may further include a cross-member attached to the support frame and an isolation system operatively coupled with the cross-member. The isolation system may include a beam engaged with the cross-member about a first axis, where rotation of the beam about the first axis is dampened via a cross-member isolator. The isolation system may also include a skid plate engaged with the beam about a second axis, where rotation of the skid plate about the second axis is dampened via a wing isolator.

A pin box assembly having a column connected to a skid plate with an upper and lower surface. A kingpin is affixed to and extends from the skid plate. The skid plate is restrained from movement with respect to the column, and the column is for being connected to a towable RV. A strain gauge may be mounted to an upper surface of the skid plate. As an alternative to mounting the strain gauge to the skid plate, the strain gauge may be mounted to the column of the pin box. The strain gauges in the aforementioned locations measure strain as the weight of a towable RV is placed upon a fifth wheel hitch.