Abstract: A kingpin assembly includes a housing having a recess located therein, a kingpin having at least a portion located within the recess of the housing, wherein the kingpin is secured within the recess of the housing, and wherein the kingpin includes an axis extending along a length of the kingpin, and a sensor arrangement configured to sense a force exerted on the kingpin in a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A kingpin assembly includes a housing having a recess located therein, a kingpin having at least a portion located within the recess of the housing, wherein the kingpin is secured within the recess of the housing, and wherein the kingpin includes an axis extending along a length of the kingpin, and a sensor arrangement configured to sense a force exerted on the kingpin in a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A kingpin assembly includes a housing having a recess located therein, a kingpin having at least a portion located within the recess of the housing, wherein the kingpin is secured within the recess of the housing, and wherein the kingpin includes an axis extending along a length of the kingpin, and a sensor arrangement configured to sense a force exerted on the kingpin in a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension position adjustment arrangement including a frame member having a plurality of apertures, and a trailing arm having a first end pivotally coupled to a slide member and a second end biased away from the frame member. A locking pin movable between an unlocked position where the locking pin is withdrawn from one of the apertures and the slide member is free to slide along the frame member, and a locked position where the locking pin engages one of the apertures preventing the slide member from sliding along the frame member, and a plurality of sensors spaced along the frame member, wherein a single sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to sense both the locking condition of the locking pin and the location of the locking pin along the frame member.

Abstract: A vehicle electrical power supply arrangement includes a towing vehicle, a primary power supply source position within the towed vehicle, a towed vehicle operably coupled to the towing vehicle for towing behind the towing vehicle, wherein the towed vehicle is configured to be electrically coupled and uncoupled from the towing vehicle, an auxiliary power supply source positioned within the towed vehicle and configured to store an electronic charge, a sensor arrangement attached to the towed vehicle and configured to monitor a vehicle operating parameter, and an electronic control unit operably coupled to the sensor arrangement, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to receive an electrical charge from at least one of the primary power source and the auxiliary power source when the towed vehicle is electrically coupled to the towing vehicle, and from the auxiliary power source when the towed vehicle is electrically uncoupled from the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension position adjustment arrangement including a frame member having a plurality of apertures, and a trailing arm having a first end pivotally coupled to a slide member and a second end biased away from the frame member. A locking pin movable between an unlocked position where the locking pin is withdrawn from one of the apertures and the slide member is free to slide along the frame member, and a locked position where the locking pin engages one of the apertures preventing the slide member from sliding along the frame member, and a plurality of sensors spaced along the frame member, wherein a single sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to sense both the locking condition of the locking pin and the location of the locking pin along the frame member.

Abstract: A kingpin assembly includes a housing having a recess located therein, a kingpin having at least a portion located within the recess of the housing, wherein the kingpin is secured within the recess of the housing, and wherein the kingpin includes an axis extending along a length of the kingpin, and a sensor arrangement configured to sense a force exerted on the kingpin in a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A brake assembly includes a brake pad mounting member, a brake pad mounted to the brake pad mounting member, and a sensor arrangement that includes a sensor housing extending through the brake pad mounting member and including an interior space, a temperature sensor extending at least partially through the interior space and located proximate a brake pad mounting member, the temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the brake pad mounting member, and a wear sensor extending at least partially through the interior space and located proximate the brake pad, the wear sensor configured to sense a wear of the brake pad.

Abstract: A vehicle electrical power supply arrangement includes a towing vehicle, a primary power supply source position within the towed vehicle, a towed vehicle operably coupled to the towing vehicle for towing behind the towing vehicle, wherein the towed vehicle is configured to be electrically coupled and uncoupled from the towing vehicle, an auxiliary power supply source positioned within the towed vehicle and configured to store an electronic charge, a sensor arrangement attached to the towed vehicle and configured to monitor a vehicle operating parameter, and an electronic control unit operably coupled to the sensor arrangement, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to receive an electrical charge from at least one of the primary power source and the auxiliary power source when the towed vehicle is electrically coupled to the towing vehicle, and from the auxiliary power source when the towed vehicle is electrically uncoupled from the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch adjustment arrangement for adjusting a position of a fifth wheel hitch plate along a length of a vehicle frame, the fifth wheel hitch adjustment arrangement including a fifth wheel hitch plate, a support arrangement coupled to the fifth wheel hitch plate such that the fifth wheel hitch plate can be moved between a first position along a length of a vehicle frame and a second position along the length of the vehicle frame that is different than the first position, and a drive assembly adapted to couple to a vehicle frame and coupled to the support arrangement, the drive assembly including a rack-and-pinion arrangement, the rack-and-pinion arrangement including a rack member engaging at least one pinion member, the at least one pinion member engaging the rack member of the support arrangement to move the fifth wheel hitch plate between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A trailer hitch arrangement control system including a trailer sensor for sensing the position of a trailer relative to a trailer hitch assembly, a lock sensor for sensing the position of a locking mechanism, a control valve in fluid communication with a brake assembly of a trailer and operable between closed and open positions, wherein the brake assembly is engaged and disengaged, respectively, and wherein the brake assembly is positively biased toward the engaged position, and a controller coupled to the trailer sensor, the lock sensor and the control valve for determining whether the trailer hitch assembly is properly coupled to the hitch and generating a control signal to the control valve to actuate the control valve from the open position to the closed position when the trailer hitch assembly is improperly coupled to the hitch, such that the brake assembly remains in the engaged position.

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 trailer hitch arrangement control system including a trailer sensor for sensing the position of a trailer relative to a trailer hitch assembly, a lock sensor for sensing the position of a locking mechanism, a control valve in fluid communication with a brake assembly of a trailer and operable between closed and open positions, wherein the brake assembly is engaged and disengaged, respectively, and wherein the brake assembly is positively biased toward the engaged position, and a controller coupled to the trailer sensor, the lock sensor and the control valve for determining whether the trailer hitch assembly is properly coupled to the hitch and generating a control signal to the control valve to actuate the control valve from the open position to the closed position when the trailer hitch assembly is improperly coupled to the hitch, such that the brake assembly remains in the engaged position.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch adjustment arrangement for adjusting a position of a fifth wheel hitch plate along a length of a vehicle frame, the fifth wheel hitch adjustment arrangement including a fifth wheel hitch plate, a support arrangement coupled to the fifth wheel hitch plate such that the fifth wheel hitch plate can be moved between a first position along a length of a vehicle frame and a second position along the length of the vehicle frame that is different than the first position, and a drive assembly adapted to couple to a vehicle frame and coupled to the support arrangement, the drive assembly including a rack-and-pinion arrangement, the rack-and-pinion arrangement including a rack member engaging at least one pinion member, the at least one pinion member engaging the rack member of the support arrangement to move the fifth wheel hitch plate between the first and second positions.

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.