Abstract: A fifth wheel mounting bracket includes a mounting bracket including a coupling portion configured to pivotally couple to a fifth wheel hitch plate, the mounting bracket including an innermost surface and an outermost surface defining a mounting bracket thickness, at least one isolation area having isolation area thickness that is less than the mounting bracket thickness, and at least one strain gauge positioned within the at least one isolation area and configured to measure a strain of the fifth wheel mounting bracket arrangement.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension includes at least one anchor bar, at least one axle lift spring, an auxiliary drop-type axle which may be selectively lifted or lowered and a single, integrated support attaching the at least one axle lift spring and the at least one anchor bar to the auxiliary drop-type axle, wherein the single, integrated support provides the only attachment of the at least one axle lift spring and the at least one anchor bar to the auxiliary drop-type axle, and wherein the support includes an open area configured to allow the passage of a cardan.

Abstract: A landing gear assembly includes a leg assembly including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first and second portions of the leg assembly telescopingly engage one another, a gear assembly operably coupled to the first and second leg portions and configured to telescopingly move the first and second leg portions with respect to one another, the gear assembly including an input shaft, and a drive assembly coupled to the gear assembly comprising a gear arrangement configured to drive the drive shaft of the gear assembly at a first speed and at a second speed that is different than the first speed, an electric motor configured to drive the gear arrangement, and a battery configured to provide power to the motor.

Abstract: A landing gear assembly includes a leg assembly including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first and second portions of the leg assembly telescopingly engage one another, a gear assembly operably coupled to the first and second leg portions and configured to telescopingly move the first and second leg portions with respect to one another, and a drive assembly operably coupled to the gear assembly, and including a planetary gear arrangement configured to drive the gear assembly at a first speed and at a second speed that is different than the first speed, and a motor configured to drive the planetary gear assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension arrangement includes a mounting bracket, a trailing arm, an air spring assembly configured to bias a second end of the trailing arm from a vehicle frame member, an axle assembly couple to the trailing arm, and a trailing arm connection assembly that includes a connector having a first portion received within an aperture of the mounting bracket, and a second portion extending outwardly from the first portion and including an aperture, a bushing member received within a first end of the trailing arm, a pin member received within the bushing member and including a first aperture, and a first mechanical fastener received within the first aperture of the pin member and within the aperture of the second portion of the first connector, thereby pivotably securing the trailing arm to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch assembly includes a fifth wheel hitch plate having a body portion and a pair of extensions extending outwardly from the body portion, wherein the extensions cooperate to form a throat therebetween, a locking arrangement moveable between an unlocked position where a kingpin may be moved into and out of the throat, and a locked position where the kingpin is prevented from being removed from within the throat, and a sensor arrangement that includes at least one sensor located within at least one component of the locking arrangement, wherein the at least one sensor includes an accelerometer configured to sense vibrational movement of the at least one component of the locking arrangement.

Abstract: A vehicle accessory mounting assembly for mounting a vehicle accessory to a vehicle fame assembly includes first and second support members adapted to couple to the frame assembly, a support assembly that includes first and second portions respectively slidably positionable along a length of the first and second support members and selectively engaging the first and second support members to lock the first and second portions at a selected position along the length of the first and second support members, a center portion having first and second portions, wherein the first and second ends of the center portion are adapted to couple with the first and second portions subsequent to the first and second portions being positioned along the length of the first and second portions, and a vehicle accessory arrangement coupled to the support assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension arrangement includes a mounting member, a trailing arm pivotably coupled to the mounting member, an axle assembly coupled to the trailing arm moveable in a vertical direction, an air spring arrangement biasing the trailing arm from the vehicle frame assembly, and a charging arrangement having a first portion operably coupled with the second end of the trailing arm such the first portion is fixed for vertical movement with the trailing arm, and a second portion that is operably coupled with the vehicle frame assembly such that the second portion is fixed for vertical movement with the vehicle frame assembly, wherein the charging arrangement is configured to generate an electrical charge when the first portion of the charging arrangement moves relative to the second portion of the charging arrangement.

Abstract: A vehicle component actuation arrangement includes a vehicle component movable between a first configuration and a second configuration, an actuator configured to move the vehicle component between the first configuration and the second configuration, and a pneumatic valve arrangement pneumatically coupled to a vehicle air supply line, a vehicle pneumatic source and the actuator, where the valve arrangement is configured to move the vehicle component between the first and second configurations via the actuator when an air pressure is removed from within the vehicle air supply line.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes a mounting bracket adapted to couple to a vehicle frame assembly, a trailing arm having a first end pivotably coupled to the first mounting bracket, and a second end, an axle member coupled to the second end of the trailing arm, the axle member configured to support a tire, an actuator operably coupled to the trailing arm and operable between a first state configured to lift the tire away from a ground surface and a second state configured for the tire to contact the ground surface, and an actuator arrangement configured to move from a first position where the actuator arrangement couples the actuator to the trailing arm when the actuator is in the first state, and a second position where the actuator arrangement uncouples the actuator from the trailing arm when the actuator is in the second state.

Abstract: A fifth wheel assembly safety coupling arrangement includes a fifth wheel hitch including a top support surface and a recess configured to receive a kingpin member therein, a locking arrangement moveable between a locked position, wherein the kingpin is prevented from being removed from within the recess by the locking arrangement, and an unlocked position, wherein the kingpin is not prevented from being removed from within the recess by the locking arrangement, and a pneumatic cylinder assembly configured to receive a first pneumatic input from a first air supply exerting a first force on the pneumatic cylinder assembly, and a second pneumatic input from a second air supply exerting a second force on the pneumatic cylinder assembly, wherein the pneumatic cylinder assembly prevents the locking arrangement from moving from the locked position to the unlocked position when the sum of the biasing force and the first force is greater than the second force.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch assembly is provided that includes a mounting bracket adapted to support a fifth wheel hitch plate and having a substantially vertical surface, a vehicle frame rail having a substantially horizontal portion and a substantially vertical portion; and a support bracket having a first portion secured to the substantially vertical portion of the vehicle frame rail and a second portion secured to the substantially vertical surface of the mounting bracket, and having a plurality of mounting positions spaced longitudinally along the support bracket from one another, wherein the mounting bracket is releasably secured to less than a total number of the mounting positions.

Abstract: A storage arrangement for at least one line from a tractor truck to a trailer including at least one of an electrical line, a first pneumatic line and a second pneumatic line includes a housing member configured to be secured to the truck external to a cab of the truck, a first receiver connected to the housing and configured to couple to a select one of the electrical line, the first pneumatic line and the second pneumatic line, and an air pump positioned within the housing and pneumatically coupled to a pneumatically-driven assembly of the trailer.

Abstract: A powered vehicle suspension assembly includes a mounting bracket configured to be attached to a powered vehicle frame rail, a trailing arm assembly including a substantially rigid trailing arm having a first end pivotably coupled with the mounting bracket and a second end, where the trailing arm assembly is configured to operably couple with a powered vehicle axle arrangement, a spring arrangement supported by the second end of the trailing arm, and a structural reinforcement cross-member configured to extend between and couple with a pair of powered vehicle frame rails.

Abstract: A storage arrangement for lines from a tractor truck includes a housing member secured external to a cab of the truck, a receiver connected to the housing and configured to couple to a select one of an electrical line and first and second pneumatic lines, and a control arrangement coupled to the receiver such that upon coupling of one of the lines with the first receiver the control arrangement activates a status indicator that provides the operator with an indication of a coupling status of the select one of the electrical line, the first pneumatic line and the second pneumatic line with the storage arrangement.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch assembly is provided. The assembly includes at least one mounting bracket adapted to support a hitch plate and a vehicle frame rail having a vertical portion and at least one horizontal portion, wherein the at least one mounting bracket is disposed on the at least one horizontal portion. Also included is a support bracket having a lower portion and an upper portion, wherein the lower portion is releasably secured to the vertical portion of the vehicle frame rail and the upper portion is releasably secured to the at least one mounting bracket.

Abstract: A brake adapter arrangement includes a bearing hub that includes a body portion having a first end, a second end and a longitudinally-extending axis extending between the first and second ends, wherein the first end includes at least one first protuberance extending radially outward from the body portion and the second end includes at least one second protuberance extending radially outward from the body portion, and wherein the at least one first protuberance is at least partially linearly misaligned from the at least one second protuberance, and a friction ring having a central opening that receives at least a portion of the bearing hub therein, wherein the friction ring at least partially surrounds the second protuberance of the bearing hub.