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 collar member operably coupled to the kingpin, and a collet member extending about the kingpin and frictionally engaging the housing and the kingpin.

Abstract: A suspension assembly includes a pair of frame brackets adapted to couple to a vehicle frame, an axle assembly, a torsional member having reliefs located proximate each end thereof, and a pair of trailing arms each operably coupled to the axle assembly, and pivotably coupled to one of the frame brackets by an associated bushing assembly, wherein each bushing assembly includes a pin member and a flexibly resilient bushing member extending about at least a portion of the pin member, and wherein the pin member of each bushing assembly extends into one of the reliefs of the torsional member, and wherein each pin member is secured to one of the frame brackets.

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: A lift gate assembly for a vehicle that includes a platform assembly with a platform member. The assembly also includes a linkage assembly pivotally connected to the platform member and operably coupled to a vehicle, such that the platform member is pivotally moveable between a storage position and an in-use position. The assembly further includes a pedal opener coupled to the platform member at a location above the first pivot point when the platform member is in the storage position. The pedal opener also has a rearwardly disposed, upwardly facing surface configured to receive a generally downward applied force that assists pivotal movement of the platform member from the storage position to the in-use position.

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 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 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 collar member operably coupled to the kingpin, and a collet member extending about the kingpin and frictionally engaging the housing and the kingpin.

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: An axle lift assembly includes a beam slidably coupled with and extending on a longitudinal extent of a vehicle frame. A trailing arm has a first end pivotably coupled with the beam. An axle is rotatably coupled with an intermediate portion of the trailing arm. An air spring is disposed between a second end of the trailing arm and the beam for absorbing an upward force from the axle. A support bracket extends down from the beam proximate the first end of the trailing arm. A pneumatic actuator is disposed between the support bracket and the trailing arm for raising the axle from a deployed position to a retracted position that substantially eliminates the upward force on the air spring from the axle.

Abstract: The latch assembly of a fifth wheel hitch plate comprises a latch member movable between lock and unlocked positions, a plunger member movable between engaged and unengaged positions, an actuator movable between coupled and uncoupled positions, a locking member movable between first and second positions, and a biasing member that biases the locking member from the disengaged position to the engaged position, wherein the latch member abuts the locking member as the latch member is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position, thereby moving the locking member from the first position to the second position.

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 sliding fifth wheel hitch assembly includes a longitudinal rail having a substantially vertical side member, a first end portion, and a second end portion. At least one carriage bracket is slidably engaged with the longitudinal rail. The carriage bracket is adapted to support a hitch plate. An engagement assembly is coupled with the carriage bracket for releasably engaging the longitudinal rail along a length of the longitudinal rail between the first and second end portions. At least one slide stop laterally extends from the substantially vertical side member of the longitudinal rail proximate at least a select one of the first end portion and the second end portion. The slide stop is positioned to abut the carriage bracket, thereby limiting a sliding motion of the hitch plate with respect to the longitudinal rail.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a fifth wheel hitch assembly includes a support bracket adapted to operably couple with a vehicle frame. The hitch assembly also has a hitch plate that includes a throat adapted to receive a kingpin of a trailer and a rear portion. The hitch plate is pivotably coupled with the support bracket and is pivotable between a first position and a second position. Further, the hitch assembly has a limiter linkage that includes a first end pivotably coupled with the rear portion. A second end of the limiter linkage is movable between a stowed and a deployed position. In the stowed position the second end is spaced from the vehicle frame. In the deployed position the second end of the limiter linkage is detachably coupled with the vehicle frame, thereby limiting movement of the hitch plate between the first and second positions.

Abstract: An axle lift assembly includes a beam slidably coupled with and extending on a longitudinal extent of a vehicle frame. A trailing arm has a first end pivotably coupled with the beam. An axle is rotatably coupled with an intermediate portion of the trailing arm. An air spring is disposed between a second end of the trailing arm and the beam for absorbing an upward force from the axle. A support bracket extends down from the beam proximate the first end of the trailing arm. A pneumatic actuator is disposed between the support bracket and the trailing arm for raising the axle from a deployed position to a retracted position that substantially eliminates the upward force on the air spring from the axle.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch mounting assembly for mounting a fifth wheel hitch plate to a vehicle frame assembly includes a first and second frame members each having substantially vertically extending mounting portions each having an inwardly facing surface, comprises a first support member adapted to couple to the inwardly facing surface of the mounting portion of the first frame member, a second support member adapted to couple to the inwardly facing surface of the mounting portion of the second frame member, a cross member extending between and coupled to the first support member and the second support member, a first mounting member coupled with a first support member and including an inwardly exposed aperture adapted to receive a mounting pin therein for pivotally coupling a fifth wheel hitch plate to the first mounting bracket, and a second mounting member coupled to the second support member and including an inwardly exposed aperture adapted to receive a mounting pin therein for pivotally coupling the fifth w

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 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.

Abstract: A vehicle brake assembly including a brake element which is movable between a first position, wherein the brake element is closed, and a second position, wherein the brake element is open, an actuator shaft having an actuator located along the length thereof and adapted to actuate the brake element from the first position to the second position, and an integral, single-piece brake spider that includes a first portion operably coupled with an axle, a second portion operably coupled to the brake element and a third portion that receives the actuator shaft therein, wherein the third portion extends along a majority of the length of the actuator shaft.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch plate support assembly includes a rack member adapted to be mounted to a vehicle frame member, a mounting member slidably engaging the rack member and selectively repositionable along a length of the rack member, wherein the mounting member is adapted to pivotably support a fifth wheel hitch plate therefrom, a bracket member separated from the mounting member and slidably engaging the rack member, and a stop assembly operably supported by the bracket member and adapted to abut the fifth wheel hitch plate to limit a pivoting movement of the fifth wheel hitch plate with respect to the mounting member.