Abstract: A tie down apparatus that may be utilized for securing an item, such as a safety chain, wherein the tie down apparatus may be used with a hitch mounting system. In one embodiment, the tie down apparatus may include a receiving member, a tie down member, and a locking member. The receiving member may include an opening located there through. The tie down member may include at least one aperture, wherein the locking member may extend therethrough. The locking member may selectively engage the receiving member. The locking member may include a head that engages with a safety chain member positioned on the tie down apparatus to prevent disengagement between the locking member and the receiving member.

Abstract: A receiver pin lock for insertion into first and second sized opposed engaging apertures of first and second hitch receivers is shown and described. The receiver pin lock may include a stem, a first stepped portion extend from the stem, and a lock member selectively engageable with the stem, the lock member preventing removal of stem from either of the first and second hitch receivers. In one embodiment, the receiver pin lock may further include a plurality of plunger members axially spaced and radially disposed on the stem. The plurality of plunger members may include a diameter larger than the first stepped portion and selectively engage with the second hitch receiver. In another embodiment, the receiver pin lock may further include an offset portion bent radially outward from the stem. Yet, in some embodiments, the receiver pin lock may further include a spiral portion bent radially outward and extending rotatably from the stem.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adjustable hitch assembly for coupling a towed vehicle to a load to be towed. The adjustable hitch assembly includes an elongated housing having an elongated interior. A threaded shaft extends within the interior of the housing. A carriage member includes a base, a coupling member and an attachment member, wherein the base is at least partially within the elongated housing and threadably received on said shaft for translation within the housing, the coupling member is attached to the base, the attachment member is selectively secured to the coupling member. A locking member may selectively attach or secure the coupling member to the attachment member. The locking member may be selectively lockable to prevent or allow said locking member from being removed from the coupling member and the attachment member.

Abstract: Towed vehicles can be extremely heavy. Accordingly, it is too much of a burden to the braking system of a towing vehicle to not have brakes on the towed vehicle. Controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle must be accurately applied otherwise undesirable conditions can be created. There is a need for a method for controlling braking of a towed vehicle. This method comprises receiving a first signal via a communication bus of a towing vehicle, the first signal relating to at least one operating condition of at least one the towing vehicle and a towed vehicle, sending a second signal to brakes of the towed vehicle, the second signal based on said first signal.

Abstract: A controller for an electric trailer is disclosed. A trailer controller assembly includes a force transducer and a controller. The force transducer measures an inter-trailer force between a trailer and a towing vehicle. The controller is communicatively coupled to the force transducer and wheel controllers. The controller includes a brake controller that controls brakes of the trailer. The controller adjust the speed of the trailer using the brake controller and the wheel controllers based on the inter-trailer force.

Abstract: A safety chain tie down assembly is shown and described. The safety chain tie down assembly may comprise a body member, a pin member, and a securing member. The pin member may include a plunging portion configured to engage with a receiver of an under bed hitch mounting device. The pivot motion of the plunging portion may position the pin member between an unlocked position and a locked position. The safety chain tie down assembly may include a securing member that includes a lever, in which actuation of the lever positions the securing member into a secured configuration.

Abstract: System, method, and devices related to a wheel speed sensor that includes a wireless communication device and a motion sensor. The motion sensor includes an accelerometer. The wireless communication device and motion sensor are disposed in a housing. The housing is attached to an attachment member. The attachment member is selectively attached to a wheel of a towed vehicle.

Abstract: A diagnostic circuit for an electronic control unit comprises a field-effect transistor device, a comparator circuit, and a microprocessor. The diagnostic circuit detects a short to ground detection and turns off the field-effect transistor device. The diagnostic circuit may include redundant or dual short to ground protection for a field-effect transistor device. The comparator circuit generates an interrupt signal based on comparing a sensed parameter of an output signal of the field-effect transistor device to a threshold value. The microprocessor samples output from the field-effect transistor device and compares the sampled output to a power limit threshold. The microprocessor turns off the field-effect transistor device based on receiving the interrupt signal or comparison of the sampled output to the power limit threshold. Detection or prevention of a short to ground protects the field-effect transistor device.

Abstract: A hitch mounting system capable of attaching to a vehicle, where, the vehicle includes a frame and a load bed is disclosed. The hitch mounting system may include at least one rail, the rail being a generally continuous member, where the rail includes at least one end portion, and where the end portion is deformed in a shape capable of attaching to the frame of the vehicle. The hitch mounting system may also include at least one mounting aperture located in the rail, the mounting aperture capable of having secured thereto an accessory.

Abstract: An underbed hitch mounting system is described. The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to a cargo platform designed to be used in connection with a trailer hitch and, more particularly, to a cargo platform designed to be collapsible. A cargo platform has an open position and a closed position. The cargo platform includes a frame with a front portion, a rear portion, first and second stationary side portions coupled to the front portion, first and second rotatable side portions, a first hinge element to rotatably could the first rotatable side portion to the rear portion, a second hinge element to rotatably could the second rotatable side portion to the rear portion, and a foldable floor. The foldable floor includes a first floor, second floor rotatably connected to the first floor, and a third floor rotatably connected to the second floor. The first floor is coupled to the front portion. The third floor is coupled to the rear portion.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch is shown and described. The fifth wheel hitch may include a base frame configured to be secured to a load bed of a towing vehicle, a trolley operatively engaged with the base frame, the trolley adapted to move along the base frame between first and second positions, and a cam member attached with the base frame, the cam member having a cam path. The fifth wheel hitch may also include a cam follower coupled with the trolley, the cam follower operatively engaged with the cam path, and a fifth wheel head pivotally coupled with the trolley, where the trolley is moved between the first and second positions in response to pivoting of the fifth wheel head.

Abstract: A trailer mounted proportional brake controller for a towed vehicle and a method of controlling the brakes of a towed vehicle is described. The brake control unit may control the brakes of a towed vehicle. The brake control unit may include a power control unit and a hand control unit. The power control unit may be connected to the brakes of the towed vehicle and the power control unit may be capable of selectively controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle based on a set of braking parameters. The hand control unit may be configured to remotely communicate with the power control unit. The hand control unit may be capable of transmitting information to the power control unit to adjust at least one of the braking parameters and receiving information from the power control unit.

Abstract: Provided are gooseballs with various integrated locking mechanisms. The gooseballs are capable of being utilized in gooseneck hitches and other hitch assemblies or coupling devices that use a hitch ball. The integrated locking mechanisms of the gooseballs may allow for ease in selectively engaging and disengaging the gooseball from the gooseneck hitch by a user while ensuring secure attachment of the gooseball to the gooseball hitch to facilitate towing of a load attached to the gooseneck hitch by the gooseball.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system, method, and device related to data collection and communication related to after-market and external vehicle systems, such as towing systems, cargo carrying systems, trailer breakaway systems, brake systems, braking control systems, and the like. Data is sensed, processed, shared, and further leveraged throughout the discrete components of the system, and possibly via internet and other communications' links, to effect various beneficial actions with minimal driver/user interaction or intervention. In the same manner, data from the system may be used for diagnostic reasons, safety controls, and other purposes.

Abstract: A safety chain engaging device for a towing vehicle having a gooseneck hitch attached with a rail of the towing vehicle is shown and described. The safety chain engaging device may include a first bracket configured to be secured with the rail of the towing vehicle, and a second bracket attached with the first bracket, the second bracket including a plate member spaced from the first bracket. The safety chain engaging device may also include at least one safety chain engaging member secured with the plate member, where the safety chain engaging member is configured to be laterally spaced from the rail upon securement of the first bracket with the rail.

Abstract: A tie down apparatus that may be utilized for securing an item, such as a safety chain, wherein the tie down apparatus may be used with a hitch mounting system. In one embodiment, the tie down apparatus may include a receiving member, a tie down member, and a clocking member. The receiving member may include an opening located there through. The tie down member may include at least one aperture, wherein the tie down member may be capable of being located and rotated within the receiving member. The tie down member may be rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise. The locking member may include at least one leg capable of being housed within the aperture. The locking member may engage the receiving member once the tie down member is rotated, thereby trapping the item within the tie down apparatus.

Abstract: An under bed hitch mounting apparatus is shown and described. The under bed hitch mounting apparatus may comprise a first bracket attachable to a frame of a vehicle below a load bed of the vehicle and a second bracket attachable to the frame of the vehicle below a load bed of the vehicle, the second bracket transversely spaced from the first bracket. The under bed hitch mounting apparatus may also include a first receiving member attached with the first bracket, the first receiving member configured to engage an accessory member, where at least a portion of the first receiving member extends above the load bed of the vehicle, and a second receiving member attached with the second bracket, the first receiving member configured to engage the accessory member, where at least a portion of the second receiving member extends above the load bed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hitch mount configured to be selectively attached to a vehicle, the vehicle having an under bed hitch mounting system is shown and described. The hitch mount may include at least one transverse member, at least one longitudinal member attached with the at least one transverse member, the at least one longitudinal member including first and second apertures, the first and second apertures of different size, and first and second fastening devices configured to selectively engage the under bed hitch mounting system and the first and second apertures, respectively. The hitch mount may also include first and second biasing members operatively engaged with the first and second fastening, the biasing members applying a load against the under bed hitch mounting system, and first and second handles pivotally and rotatably attached with the first and second fastening devices, the handles having a camming surface configured to engage the first and second biasing members.