Abstract: The present invention is a device for aligning the trailer hitch ball on the towing vehicle, and for lifting the trailer hitch on and off the ball. The device comprises a swiveling vertical post assembly in close proximity to the hitch ball. The swiveling vertical post assembly pivots at its attachment point with the towing vehicle, thereby allowing the user to load or unload a trailer from the vehicle even when the trailer is not perfectly aligned directly behind the vehicle. The swiveling vertical post assembly has a pivotal arm which can be moved from an upper pivot point position to a lower pivot point position. In both the upper position and the lower position, the pivotal arm is allowed to rotate from a generally vertical position to a rearwardly inclined position in order to provide a moving cable guide that helps determine the location and direction of movement of the cable and hence the forces exerted on the tongue end.

Abstract: A method of producing an aluminum product comprising providing stock including an aluminum alloy comprising about 4.0 to 4.4 wt. % copper, about 1.25 to 1.5 wt. % magnesium, about 0.35 to 0.5 wt. % manganese, not more than 0.12 wt. % silicon, not more than 0.08 wt. % iron, not more than 0.06 wt. % titanium, the remainder substantially aluminum, incidental elements and impurities; hot working the stock; annealing at 725-875.degree. F.; cold rolling; solution heat treating; cooling; holding for at least 12 hours at room temperature; and cold working from about 4% to 7% thereby producing a product having increased strength and toughness properties.

Abstract: A device for aligning the tongue and hitch first portion on a trailer (trailer hitch) with the receiver and hitch second portion (ball) on a towing vehicle, and for lifting the trailer hitch on and off the ball. The device comprises a vertical post on the towing vehicle in front of and in close proximity to the ball. The post has a pivotal arm which can rotate from a vertical position to a rearwardly inclined position. The post has a cable guide at or near its top surface. The pivotal arm also has a cable guide at or near its top surface. The cable guides are for receiving and guiding a cable connected to a winch on the tongue of the trailer. The tongue of the trailer also has a cable guide in front of the winch near the front end of the tongue. The invention has two (2) modes of operation (please refer to FIGS. 1 and 2): 1) on-loading the trailer hitch onto the ball; and, 2) off-loading the trailer hitch from the ball.