The present disclosure relates generally to a fifth wheel hitch and, more particularly, to a fifth wheel hitch having a latching system that is viewable to a user. In another instance, the present disclosure relates to a fifth wheel hitch having a latching system that permits a user to restrict movement of the fifth wheel hitch in at least two different planes of motion.

A kingpin assembly includes a housing having a recess located therein, a kingpin having at least a portion located within the recess of the housing, wherein the kingpin is secured within the recess of the housing, and wherein the kingpin includes an axis extending along a length of the kingpin, and a sensor arrangement configured to sense a force exerted on the kingpin in a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

A safety apparatus for a fifth wheel coupling having locking jaws arranged to detachably couple to a trailer having spring applied air brakes, the fifth wheel coupling comprising a locking component that is moveable between a first position whereat the locking jaws are in a coupled state and a second position whereat the locking jaws are in a decoupled state, the safety apparatus comprising a pneumatic valve arrangement pneumatically coupled to both a constant air pressure supply and an air park brake supply that supplies pressurised air to the spring applied air brakes, and a mechanical actuator mechanically coupled to the locking component and configured to mechanically actuate the pneumatic valve arrangement when the locking component moves from the first position to the second position, thereby causing the pneumatic valve arrangement to block flow in an air park brake supply line for preventing the spring applied air brakes from releasing.

A kingpin assembly includes a housing having a recess located therein, a kingpin having at least a portion located within the recess of the housing, wherein the kingpin is secured within the recess of the housing, and wherein the kingpin includes an axis extending along a length of the kingpin, and a sensor arrangement configured to sense a force exerted on the kingpin in a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

A method for monitoring a coupling connection between vehicle parts of a vehicle combination including the steps: reading of a load change time at which a load change is initiated and/or takes place at a tractor vehicle, a tractor vehicle acceleration changing as a result of the load change; monitoring of a jerk value after the load change time, the jerk value characterizing a tractor vehicle jerk of the tractor vehicle and/or a trailer jerk of a trailer; determining whether, on account of a preceding load change at a jerk time, a tractor vehicle jerk occurs at the tractor vehicle and/or a trailer jerk occurs at the trailer; and, identifying a degree of wear of the coupling connection in dependence upon the jerk time and/or a time delay between the load change time and the jerk time and/or of the jerk value at the jerk time.

The present disclosure relates to a method for selecting and identifying a powered dolly vehicle for forming a vehicle combination with a primary vehicle and one or more trailers. The method includes receiving a request from a primary vehicle to select a powered dolly vehicle among a group of powered dolly vehicles based at least in part on a mission-characteristic for a vehicle combination; evaluating the operational characteristic of each one of the powered dolly vehicles based on the mission-characteristic; selecting a powered dolly vehicle among the group of powered dolly vehicles based at least in part on the evaluation; locating the selected powered dolly vehicle in the geographical area based at least in part on the identification information; and communicating the location of the selected powered dolly vehicle to the primary vehicle or operating the powered dolly vehicle to primary vehicle.

A rear trailer hostler can be used to move a parked trailer without otherwise disengaging pneumatic brakes thereof. For example, the rear trailer hostler can lift the wheels of the trailer off of the ground, thereby allowing a front hostler to move the trailer without a gladhands connection to the trailer pneumatic lines. Alternatively, the rear trailer hostler can move the trailer independently. For example, the trailer can be parked atop the rear trailer hostler and disconnected from the truck. With the rear trailer hostler supporting the locked wheels and the landing gear, the trailer can be moved without requiring the pneumatic brakes to be disengaged. The rear trailer hostler can also provide one or more safety or convenience features, such as a bridging platform or a safety door stop.

The present disclosure relates generally to a fifth wheel hitch and, more particularly, to a fifth wheel hitch having a latching system that is viewable to a user. In another instance, the present disclosure relates to a fifth wheel hitch having a latching system that permits a user to restrict movement of the fifth wheel hitch in at least two different planes of motion.