Abstract: A hitch assembly adapted for securement in a tube receiver connected to a towing vehicle below its bumper includes a hitch base with a recessed profile. The hitch base includes a shaft sized for reception in the tube receiver and a draw bar connected to the shaft. The shaft is connected at a first end to an upper portion of the draw bar. The draw bar includes a plurality of pin receiving apertures extending laterally through a lower portion of the draw bar in vertical spaced alignment. The upper portion of the draw bar includes a recessed geometry or reduced profile relative to the lower portion of the draw bar.

Abstract: A weight distributing hitch system for towing a trailer behind a vehicle includes a trailer having a trailer frame and a coupler mounted on the front end of the trailer frame, a hitch ball mount, a spring arm assembly, and a linear actuator assembly. The spring arm assembly includes first and second spring arms, each having a first end connected to a first engaging structure configured to engage with the hitch ball mount, and a second end connected to a second engaging structure configured to serve as an actuator mount. The first engaging structure is configured to slidably engage with the hitch ball mount. The linear actuator assembly comprises a linear actuator having a first end connected to the actuator mount of the spring arm assembly and a second end connected to the trailer frame, wherein the linear actuator applies a load to the spring arm assembly.

Abstract: A hitch assembly adapted for securement in a tube receiver connected to a towing vehicle below its bumper includes a hitch base with a recessed profile. The hitch base includes a shaft sized for reception in the tube receiver and a draw bar connected to the shaft. The shaft is connected at a first end to an upper portion of the draw bar. The draw bar includes a plurality of pin receiving apertures extending laterally through a lower portion of the draw bar in vertical spaced alignment. The upper portion of the draw bar includes a recessed geometry or reduced profile relative to the lower portion of the draw bar.

Abstract: A hitch assembly adapted for securement in a tube receiver connected to a towing vehicle below its bumper includes a hitch base with a recessed profile. The hitch base includes a shaft sized for reception in the tube receiver and a draw bar connected to the shaft. The shaft is connected at a first end to an upper portion of the draw bar. The draw bar includes a plurality of pin receiving apertures extending laterally through a lower portion of the draw bar in vertical spaced alignment. The upper portion of the draw bar includes a recessed geometry or reduced profile relative to the lower portion of the draw bar.

Abstract: A hitch assembly adapted for securement in a tube receiver connected to a towing vehicle below its bumper includes a hitch base with a recessed profile. The hitch base includes a shaft sized for reception in the tube receiver and a draw bar connected to the shaft. The shaft is connected at a first end to an upper portion of the draw bar. The draw bar includes a plurality of pin receiving apertures extending laterally through a lower portion of the draw bar in vertical spaced alignment. The upper portion of the draw bar includes a recessed geometry or reduced profile relative to the lower portion of the draw bar.

Abstract: A weight distributing hitch assembly for towing a trailer behind a towing vehicle is disclosed having spring arms pivotally mounted to a hitch head so that the distal ends of the spring arms may be rotated downward relative to a spring arm support mounted on a side of the trailer for loading the spring arm on the spring arm support. The spring arms are preferably rotated using an actuator connected between the hitch head and at least one of the spring arms for applying a downward rotational force on the spring arm relative to said spring arm support.

Abstract: A weight distributing hitch for towing a trailer includes a pair of deflection bars extending rearward from a ball mount head. A distal end of each deflection bar is supported by a deflection bar support connected to the frame by a height adjustable bracket assembly. A first resistance feature on the deflection bar support engages a second resistance feature associated with the deflection bar to restrain the deflection bar from sliding relative to the deflection bar support and thereby preventing swaying of the trailer relative to the towing vehicle. A longitudinal position of the second resistance feature relative to the deflection bar or a longitudinal position of the first resistance feature relative to said deflection bar supported by said deflection bar support is adjustable to position the second resistance feature in engagement with the first resistance feature when the deflection bar is supported on the deflection bar support.

Abstract: A hitch assembly adapted for securement in a tube receiver connected to a towing vehicle below its bumper includes a hitch base with a recessed profile. The hitch base includes a shaft sized for reception in the tube receiver and a draw bar connected to the shaft. The shaft is connected at a first end to an upper portion of the draw bar. The draw bar includes a plurality of pin receiving apertures extending laterally through a lower portion of the draw bar in vertical spaced alignment. The upper portion of the draw bar includes a recessed geometry or reduced profile relative to the lower portion of the draw bar.

Abstract: A weight distributing hitch for towing a trailer includes a pair of deflection bars extending rearward from a ball mount head. A distal end of each deflection bar is supported by a deflection bar support connected to the frame by a height adjustable bracket assembly. A first resistance feature on the deflection bar support engages a second resistance feature associated with the deflection bar to restrain the deflection bar from sliding relative to the deflection bar support and thereby preventing swaying of the trailer relative to the towing vehicle. A longitudinal position of the second resistance feature relative to the deflection bar or a longitudinal position of the first resistance feature relative to said deflection bar supported by said deflection bar support is adjustable to position the second resistance feature in engagement with the first resistance feature when the deflection bar is supported on the deflection bar support.

Abstract: A tie-down apparatus securable within a slot of a slotted receiver includes a pedestal, a safety chain connector and a locking member pivotally connected to the safety chain connector. A vertical bore extends through the pedestal and two legs depend from the pedestal body on opposite sides of the bore. Each leg is narrower in width than a width of the slot so that the legs may be inserted widthwise into the slot to prevent the pedestal from rotating in the slot. The safety chain connector includes a bail and a downwardly extending latching member extending through the bore in the pedestal and is rotatable relative to the base to rotate the latching member into engagement with the slotted receiver whereupon the locking member pivots into engagement with the pedestal preventing rotation of the safety chain connector out of latching engagement with the slotted receiver.

Abstract: A hitch ball with a locking bail for use with gooseneck hitch assemblies. The hitch ball includes a hitch ball body having a ball-mount on a first end. A second end forms a base that is insertable into a mating receiver mounted in a tow vehicle. A locking bail is pivotably coupled to the hitch ball body and is moveable from an unlocked orientation overlying the ball-mount to a locked orientation extending generally transversely to the hitch ball body. The locking bail is configured to function as a handle when in the unlocked orientation to provide a clean and easily graspable structure for handling and installing the hitch ball in a tow vehicle. The locking bail prevents coupling of a trailer or hitch assembly with the hitch ball when in the unlocked orientation and provides a visual indication of the locked or unlocked state of the hitch ball.

Abstract: A tie-down apparatus securable within a slot of a slotted receiver includes a pedestal, a safety chain connector and a locking member pivotally connected to the safety chain connector. A vertical bore extends through the pedestal and two legs depend from the pedestal body on opposite sides of the bore. Each leg is narrower in width than a width of the slot so that the legs may be inserted widthwise into the slot to prevent the pedestal from rotating in the slot. The safety chain connector includes a bail and a downwardly extending latching member extending through the bore in the pedestal and is rotatable relative to the base to rotate the latching member into engagement with the slotted receiver whereupon the locking member pivots into engagement with the pedestal preventing rotation of the safety chain connector out of latching engagement with the slotted receiver.