Abstract: A trailer hitch system for equalizing trailer loads and reducing trailer sway. The trailer hitch system may include spring bars that may be attached to a hitch head using a trunnion style connection. The spring bars may be attached to the trailer using rigid brackets that reduce swinging of the spring bars. The rigid brackets having a plurality of contact points may include an upward extending portion for attaching to the trailer tongue, and a lateral extending portion for receiving the spring bars thereupon. The rigid brackets may include a spacing member and an attachment member.

Abstract: A hydraulic jack having a piston, configured to lift at least a portion of a vehicle or trailer, and a housing, where the housing includes a high pressure fluid chamber configured to receive at least a portion of the piston, and where increasing fluid pressure within the high pressure chamber moves the piston further out of the housing. The hydraulic jack also includes a weight gauge attached to the housing and in fluid communication with the high pressure fluid chamber, wherein the weight gauge is configured and calibrated to measure and display the weight of the vehicle or trailer being lifted by the piston.

Abstract: A hydraulic jack having a piston, configured to lift at least a portion of a vehicle or trailer, and a housing, where the housing includes a high pressure fluid chamber configured to receive at least a portion of the piston, and where increasing fluid pressure within the high pressure chamber moves the piston further out of the housing. The hydraulic jack also includes a weight gauge attached to the housing and in fluid communication with the high pressure fluid chamber, wherein the weight gauge is configured and calibrated to measure and display the weight of the vehicle or trailer being lifted by the piston.

Abstract: A weight distribution measurement system includes a portable measuring device configured to measure a linear distance and store a plurality of measurements. The portable measuring device is also configured to measure a first distance between a first location on a vehicle supported by an axle of the vehicle and a second location, wherein the first distance is measured prior to loading the vehicle. The portable measuring device is also configured to measure a second distance between the first location and the second location, wherein the second distance is measured after loading a vehicle. And the portable measuring device can measure a third distance between the first location and the second location, wherein the third distance is measured after loading a vehicle and after a weight distribution mechanism has been engaged, and then calculate the percent weight distribution over the axles of the vehicle using the portable measuring device and display the percent weight distribution.

Abstract: A trailer hitch system may include a scale ball mount for supporting a hitch ball as part of a trailer hitch system, and for measuring the tongue weight of a trailer. The scale ball mount may comprise a trailer hitch ball mount. In an embodiment, the scale ball mount may include a biasing component disposed below a hitch ball and a gauge for displaying downward force applied at the hitch ball. The biasing component may be a urethane spring. An indicator may be disposed between the biasing component and the hitch ball, and the indicator may be viewable through an opening in the gauge.

Abstract: A system for automated trailer weight distribution, including: A system for automated trailer weight distribution, having a tow vehicle with a hitch mount having a spring bar. The system may also include a trailer and a spring bar mount disposed on the trailer and having an initial position relative to the trailer, where the spring bar mount is configured to receive and engage the spring bar.

Abstract: A system for powered trailer weight distribution having a hitch mount with a spring bar, and a trailer with a spring bar mount disposed on the trailer and having an initial position relative to the trailer, wherein the spring bar mount is configured to receive and engage the spring bar, and a weight distribution actuator configured and arranged to adjust a position of the spring bar mount relative to the spring bar while engaged with the spring bar, wherein the weight distribution actuator is connected to a power source that provides power to the weight distribution actuator, facilitating the adjustment of the position of the spring bar mount.

Abstract: A weight distribution measurement system includes a portable measuring device configured to measure a linear distance and store a plurality of measurements. The portable measuring device is also configured to measure a first distance between a first location on a vehicle supported by an axle of the vehicle and a second location, wherein the first distance is measured prior to loading the vehicle. The portable measuring device is also configured to measure a second distance between the first location and the second location, wherein the second distance is measured after loading a vehicle. And the portable measuring device can measure a third distance between the first location and the second location, wherein the third distance is measured after loading a vehicle and after a weight distribution mechanism has been engaged, and then calculate the percent weight distribution over the axles of the vehicle using the portable measuring device and display the percent weight distribution.

Abstract: A trailer force measurement system includes a tow hitch, a hitch mount connected to the tow hitch and a spring bar connected to the hitch mount. The trailer force measurement system also includes a trailer having a frame, where the spring bar is connected to the trailer frame via a bracket. A hitch coupler is then connected to the trailer frame and configured to releasably couple the trailer frame to the hitch mount. A force measurement device is then disposed on the bracket and configured to measure force exerted on the bracket by the spring bar.

Abstract: A trailer hitch system may include a scale ball mount for supporting a hitch ball as part of a trailer hitch system, and for measuring the tongue weight of a trailer. The scale ball mount may comprise a trailer hitch ball mount. In an embodiment, the scale ball mount may include a biasing component disposed below a hitch ball and a gauge for displaying downward force applied at the hitch ball. The biasing component may be a urethane spring. An indicator may be disposed between the biasing component and the hitch ball, and the indicator may be viewable through an opening in the gauge.

Abstract: A trailer hitch system for attaching a trailer to a tow vehicle, is disclosed having a shank attachable a trailer, the shank having a nose at a terminal end of the shank and a mid-shank extending in a substantially horizontal direction immediately adjacent to the nose, the nose and mid-shank being configured to be received in a receiver attachable to said tow vehicle. The shank also includes a vertical adjustment extending in a substantially vertical direction, a depth stop connected to the shank and configured to abut the receiver to limit a depth that the shank extends within the receiver. The mid-shank includes step reduction which decreases a cross-sectional area of the mid-shank immediately adjacent to the nose, and the nose is configured to reduce in cross-sectional area toward the terminal end of the shank. The shank also includes an alignment indicator connected to the shank, such that the alignment indicator to provide a visual indicator of the orientation of the shank.

Abstract: A trailer force measurement system includes a tow hitch, a hitch mount connected to the tow hitch and a spring bar connected to the hitch mount. The trailer force measurement system also includes a trailer having a frame, where the spring bar is connected to the trailer frame via a bracket. A hitch coupler is then connected to the trailer frame and configured to releasably couple the trailer frame to the hitch mount. A force measurement device is then disposed on the bracket and configured to measure force exerted on the bracket by the spring bar.

Abstract: A trailer hitch system for equalizing trailer loads and reducing trailer sway. The trailer hitch system may include spring bars that may extend from a hitch head. The spring bars may be attached to the trailer using rigid brackets that reduce swinging of the spring bars. The rigid brackets may include an upward extending portion for attaching to the trailer tongue, and a lateral extending portion for receiving the spring bars thereupon. Pins may be utilized to secure the spring bars on the lateral extending portion of the brackets. The pins may each include a spring loaded clip that is rotatably between an unlocked position and a locked position.

Abstract: A trailer hitch system for equalizing trailer loads and reducing trailer sway. The trailer hitch system may include spring bars that may extend from a hitch head. The spring bars may be attached to the trailer using rigid brackets that reduce swinging of the spring bars. The rigid brackets may include an upward extending portion for attaching to the trailer tongue, and a lateral extending portion for receiving the spring bars thereupon. Pins may be utilized to secure the spring bars on the lateral extending portion of the brackets. The pins may each include a spring loaded clip that is rotatably between an unlocked position and a locked position.

Abstract: A trailer hitch system for equalizing trailer loads and reducing trailer sway. The trailer hitch system may include spring bars that may be attached to a hitch head using a trunnion style connection. The spring bars may be attached to the trailer using rigid brackets that reduce swinging of the spring bars. The rigid brackets may include an upward extending portion for attaching to the trailer tongue, and a lateral extending portion for receiving the spring bars thereupon. The brackets may have a contact surface on the lateral extending portion that may be free from a coating such that a metal on metal contact is made between the spring bars and the brackets. Portions of the brackets beyond the contact surface may be covered with a protective coating.

Abstract: An accessory for trailer hitch systems having components for equalizing loads and reducing trailer sway. The accessory includes a jacket for attaching to a bracket that supports a load equalizing spring bar. The bracket may include a lateral extending portion for supporting the spring bar. The jacket may include a socket for receiving the lateral extending portion of the bracket, such that the jacket may be removably installed on the bracket. The jacket may include a contact surface for contacting the spring bar. The contact surface may include a different coefficient of friction or a different shape, as compared to the lateral extending portion of the bracket, such that movement of the spring bar with respect to the bracket may be altered as compared to conditions in which the spring bar is supported on the bracket without the jacket.

Abstract: An accessory for trailer hitch systems having components for equalizing loads and reducing trailer sway. The accessory includes a jacket for attaching to a bracket that supports a load equalizing spring bar. The bracket may include a lateral extending portion for supporting the spring bar. The jacket may include a socket for receiving the lateral extending portion of the bracket, such that the jacket may be removably installed on the bracket. The jacket may include a contact surface for contacting the spring bar. The contact surface may include a different coefficient of friction or a different shape, as compared to the lateral extending portion of the bracket, such that movement of the spring bar with respect to the bracket may be altered as compared to conditions in which the spring bar is supported on the bracket without the jacket.

Abstract: A trailer hitch system for equalizing trailer loads and reducing trailer sway. The trailer hitch system may include spring bars that may be attached to a hitch head using a trunnion style connection. The spring bars may be attached to the trailer using rigid brackets that reduce swinging of the spring bars. The rigid brackets may include an upward extending portion for attaching to the trailer tongue, and a lateral extending portion for receiving the spring bars thereupon. The brackets may have a contact surface on the lateral extending portion that may be free from a coating such that a metal on metal contact is made between the spring bars and the brackets. Portions of the brackets beyond the contact surface may be covered with a protective coating.