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 allows an operator to at least one of release brakes of the truck, release brakes of a trailer, and unlock a kingpin from a fifth wheel hitch plate assembly, wherein the control arrangement prevents the operator from the at least one releasing the brakes of the truck, releasing the brakes of the trailer, and unlocking the kingpin from the fifth wheel hitch plate assembly prior to one of the lines being coupled with the receiver.

Abstract: An axle lift assembly includes a vehicle configured to support a load. A slide assembly has a member that is movable along a longitudinal extent of the vehicle. The slide assembly is operable to secure the member relative to the vehicle at a select position along the longitudinal extent of the vehicle. A swing arm has a first end pivotally coupled with the member and an opposing second end biased away from the vehicle. The swing arm is configured to support a wheel assembly with a tire for contacting a ground surface. An actuator is operably interconnecting the member and the swing arm for raising the wheel assembly toward the vehicle to lift the tire away from the ground surface. The slide assembly and the actuator are configured to respectively adjust longitudinal and vertical positions of the wheel assembly relative to the vehicle for accommodating a condition of the load.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a trailer hitch assembly includes a first sensor sensing the position of a kingpin of a trailer relative to a throat of a hitch plate, a second sensor sensing a position of the locking mechanism movable between locked and unlocked positions, a control circuit coupled with the first sensor and determining whether the first sensor indicates a proper location of the kingpin relative to the throat and whether the second sensor indicates that the locking mechanism is in the locked position, and a light source proximate the throat of the kingpin and activated when the control circuit determines that the kingpin is properly located and that the locking mechanism is in the locked position, such that the light source illuminates the throat and the kingpin assisting visual inspection of the position of the kingpin relative to the throat.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes providing an axle assembly having a first end including a first mounting structure and a second end, providing a first bearing block and a second bearing block, forming a first aperture in the first bearing block and a second aperture in the second bearing block, attaching the first and second bearing blocks to the first mounting structure subsequent to forming the first and second apertures; and providing a first spindle assembly coupled to the first mounting structure by a first spherical bearing located within the first aperture and a second spherical bearing located within the second aperture, wherein a first kingpin assembly extends through the first and second spherical bearings, thereby coupling the first spindle with the first mounting structure.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes providing an axle assembly having a first end including a first mounting structure and a second end, providing a first bearing block and a second bearing block, forming a first aperture in the first bearing block and a second aperture in the second bearing block, attaching the first and second bearing blocks to the first mounting structure subsequent to forming the first and second apertures; and providing a first spindle assembly coupled to the first mounting structure by a first spherical bearing located within the first aperture and a second spherical bearing located within the second aperture, wherein a first kingpin assembly extends through the first and second spherical bearings, thereby coupling the first spindle with the first mounting structure.

Abstract: A suspension assembly includes an axle member, a first trailing beam assembly and a second trailing beam assembly. The first trailing beam assembly and the second trailing beam assembly each include a first end operably coupled to a vehicle frame and a second end that includes a downwardly opening recess, wherein the recess includes an outer periphery, the axle member is positioned within the recess, and wherein a weld extends about a periphery of the recess, thereby securing the trailing beams to the axle member.

Abstract: An axle lift assembly includes a vehicle configured to support a load. A slide assembly has a member that is movable along a longitudinal extent of the vehicle. The slide assembly is operable to secure the member relative to the vehicle at a select position along the longitudinal extent of the vehicle. A swing arm has a first end pivotally coupled with the member and an opposing second end biased away from the vehicle. The swing arm is configured to support a wheel assembly with a tire for contacting a ground surface. An actuator is operably interconnecting the member and the swing arm for raising the wheel assembly toward the vehicle to lift the tire away from the ground surface. The slide assembly and the actuator are operable to respectively adjust longitudinal and vertical positions of the wheel assembly relative to the vehicle for accommodating a condition of the load.

Abstract: A vehicle impact energy absorption arrangement includes a vehicle frame, a slider suspension arrangement coupled to the vehicle frame and including an axle member, and a spring member biasing the axle member, and an impact force absorbing arrangement that includes a mounting member coupled to the vehicle frame, first and second pivot members each pivotably coupled to the mounting member, and an elastically deformable biasing member positioned between each of the pivot members and the mounting member, wherein each of the pivot members is configured to pivot and elastically deform the at least one biasing member when impacted.

Abstract: An axle assembly includes an axle member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a first axle hub assembly operably coupled to the first end of the axle member, and a second hub assembly operably coupled to the second end of the axle member and including an axle hubcap coupled to the second end of the axle member by a first coupling arrangement located at a first position. The axle assembly further includes a mounting bracket coupled to the second hub assembly by a second coupling arrangement located at a second position that is at least a select one of inwardly and outwardly radially spaced from the first position, and a hubometer attached to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A suspension assembly includes an axle member, a first trailing beam assembly and a second trailing beam assembly. The first trailing beam assembly and the second trailing beam assembly each include a first end operably coupled to a vehicle frame and a second end that includes a downwardly opening recess, wherein the recess includes an outer periphery, the axle member is positioned within the recess, and wherein a weld extends about the entire periphery of the recess, thereby securing the trailing beams to the axle member.

Abstract: An axle assembly includes an elongated axle body, axle spindles coupled to ends of the axle body, and axle hub assemblies each comprising a hub housing having an interior space that receives one of the spindles therein, the hub housing including a radially extending drum brake mounting flange adapted to have a brake drum assembly mounted thereto, and a disc brake mounting portion separate from the drum mounting flange and adapted to have a disc brake assembly mounted thereto, and a first bearing assembly rotationally supporting the first hub housing from the first axle spindle, whereby the brake drum assembly and the disc brake assembly may alternatively be mounted to the drum brake mounting flange and the disc brake mounting portion of the hub housing, respectively.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes an axle member movable between a first position and a second position, mounting brackets adapted to couple to a vehicle frame assembly, trailing arms pivotably coupled to mounting brackets and pivotably coupled to the axle member, a lift arrangement including a pair of diaphragm chambers each having a push plate and a flexible bladder, the push plate of the diaphragm chamber dividing the associated diaphragm chamber into a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment of each diaphragm chamber being adjustably pressurized to move the push plate of the associated diaphragm chamber, and at least one push rod defining a single longitudinal axis and connected to each push plate such that pressurization of the diaphragm chambers cause a translational movement of the at least one push rod, thereby causing the axle member to move between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A hitch coupler, comprising a frame is disclosed, wherein the frame includes a plurality of vertically spaced apart plates having apertures disposed there through. A vertically extending clevis pin is adapted to slide within the apertures of the vertically spaced apart plates between an extended position and a retracted position. The pin further includes a pin housing having a guide slot, wherein the guide slot has an offset portion used to lock the pin in either the extended position or the retracted position. Further, the pin houses an internal spring having a torsional bias that urges the pin to a locked position in either the extended or retracted position.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch assembly includes a support bracket operably coupled to a vehicle frame member; a hitch plate that has a throat adapted to receive a kingpin and a rear portion, wherein the hitch plate is pivotably coupled to the support bracket for pivoting between a first and second positions; a stabilizer assembly coupled to the hitch plate, the stabilizer assembly operating between an unlocked position, wherein the hitch plate pivots between the first and second positions, and the locked position, wherein the stabilizer assembly is coupled with the rear portion and a select one of the vehicle frame and the support bracket, thereby restricting pivotable movement of the hitch plate; and a remotely located controller that operates the stabilizer assembly between the unlocked and locked positions.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch includes a locking member that engages surfaces of a pair of jaws to retain the jaws in a closed position. A release handle is operably connected to the locking member whereby movement of the release handle shifts the locking member out of engagement with the jaws to permit movement of the jaws to an open position. A ratchet type mechanism retains the locking member in an engaged position relative to the jaws and compensates for wear of the components and/or differences in size between kingpins.

Abstract: A kingpin assembly comprises a housing having a recess located therein, a kingpin having at least a portion located within the recess of the housing, a coupler member operably coupled to the kingpin, and a collet member engaging the housing and the kingpin, and engaging the coupler member such that an uncoupling of the coupler member from the kingpin at least partially disengages the collet member from the kingpin.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes first and second mounting brackets each adapted to couple to a vehicle frame assembly, first and second trailing arms each having a first end pivotably coupled to the mounting brackets, and a second end located outboard of the first end of the associated trailing arm; an axle member having a first end and a second end; an integrated first mounting arrangement and an integrated second mounting arrangement coupled to the associated ends of the axle member, wherein the mounting arrangements pivotably couple the second end of the associated trailing arm to one of the ends of the axle member, and wherein the mounting arrangements couple one of the ends of the axle member to the spindle assembly.