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.

Devices are for compensating for the roll of a fifth-wheel coupling, such as on a prime mover towing a semi-trailer. An automated compensation system for a fifth-wheel coupling mounted on a towing vehicle unit includes a first pivoting support to support one lateral side of the fifth-wheel coupling; a second pivoting support to support an opposite lateral side of the fifth-wheel coupling; an actuator configured to cause movement of the first and second pivoting supports; a sensor to sense a parameter relevant to determining whether roll compensation is required for the vehicle; a controller configured to receive a sensor output of the sensor and to determine whether roll compensation is required based on the sensor output, the controller being further configured to issue a control signal to cause the actuator to move the first and second pivoting supports when the controller determines that roll compensation is required.

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.

A shock absorbing pin box system includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and an upper wall. The first sidewall defines at least a first plurality of apertures arranged in first column, and the second sidewall defines at least a second plurality of apertures arranged in a second column. A plurality of tubes extend from each of the first plurality of apertures and the second plurality of apertures. A plurality of flexible and resilient tubular bushings are received in a corresponding one of the plurality of tubes. A plurality of bolts are received within corresponding ones of the pluralities of apertures of the pin box and the plurality of tubes.

A fifth wheel lubricant applicator tool, kit, and method of use are disclosed. The lubricant applicator tool comprises a handle portion and an operative portion. The handle portion has a first width and a defined length. The operative portion extends out from the defined length of the handle portion such that a second width of the operative portion remains less than a length of the lubricant applicator tool. The operative portion comprises a working edge equipped with a plurality of indentations that are identical and evenly spaced. The width and the height of each of the plurality of indentations permits an application of a lubricant in parallel beads, each spaced apart from adjacent beads by a defined distance that is substantially same as a distance between two adjacent indentations.

Fifth wheel plate with a sliding plate having a top surface and a bottom surface. The sliding plate is detachably secured to the fifth wheel plate by at least one screw connection, the screw connection including a fastening means having a screw head and a threaded shank. The fifth wheel plate screw connection includes a form-fit element which bears against the bottom surface of the sliding plate and which has a form-fit means. The form-fit means cooperates with the sliding plate and forms a form-fit connection acting in the direction of a horizontal plane.

A shock absorbing pin box system includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and an upper wall. The first sidewall defines at least a first plurality of apertures arranged in first column, and the second sidewall defines at least a second plurality of apertures arranged in a second column. A plurality of tubes extend from each of the first plurality of apertures and the second plurality of apertures. A plurality of flexible and resilient tubular bushings are received in a corresponding one of the plurality of tubes. A plurality of bolts are received within corresponding ones of the pluralities of apertures of the pin box and the plurality of tubes.

A fifth wheel includes a top plate having a throat that is adapted to receive a kingpin of a trailer. A pair of locking jaws are pivotally connected to the top plate and pivotal between a closed configuration where the pair of locking jaws block passage of a kingpin out of the throat and the locking jaws are held primarily in compression and an open configuration where a kingpin may pass into and out of the throat. Each of the pair of locking jaws has an engagement surface adapted to engage a kingpin positioned in the throat when the pair of locking jaws are in the closed configuration. A locking member is movably attached to the top plate and a mechanism urges the locking member into engagement with the pair of locking jaws when the pair of locking jaws are in the closed configuration.

A terminal tractor includes a fifth wheel coupling which is rotatable relative to a longitudinal axis of the terminal tractor such that an opening in the fifth wheel coupling may be reoriented depending on the terminal tractor's direction of approach to a semi-trailer.

A terminal tractor includes a fifth wheel coupling which is rotatable relative to a longitudinal axis of the terminal tractor such that an opening in the fifth wheel coupling may be reoriented depending on the terminal tractor's direction of approach to a semi-trailer.