Abstract: A locking mechanism for an articulating trailer of the type which couples to a king-pin plate provides an arrangement for locking the trailer in a non-articulated position while allowing the king-pin plate to continue pivoting. One or more apertures are formed on one of the trailer and the trailer-pulling unit, and one or more powered locking members are disposed on the other of the trailer and trailer-pulling unit. Each member is moveable between an extended position, wherein it engages with a respective aperture, and a retracted position, wherein the member is disengaged from the aperture. Each member is positioned along a line parallel to the axis about which the king-pin plate pivots, enabling the plate to continue pivoting even when the members are extended. The aperture is also preferably oval shaped to allow for unimpeded pivoting of the trailer attached to the king-pin plate while the locking member is engaged within the aperture.

Abstract: A roll-off trailer includes an articulating hinge and at least one hydraulic cylinder associated therewith to control the relative movement of fore and aft sections between a first position wherein the fore and aft sections lie substantially in the same horizontal plane during container transport, and a second position wherein the fore and aft sections are articulated to facilitate container loading, unloading and dumping. A pair of fore and aft winches and appropriate cabling may be used to transfer containers on the leveled trailer bed, or alternatively, powered rollers and/or a slide assembly may be used. To assist in dumping and to facilitate loading and unloading in low-ceiling environments, the aft section may be fitted with an optional extensible tail section.