Abstract: An offset gooseneck ball hitch has a shank received in a vertical OEM gooseneck socket and an offset hitch ball provided on an offset body. A frame connection structure allows the offset gooseneck ball hitch to mate into at least two different OEM puck spacings relative to the vertical OEM gooseneck socket. The frame connection structure preferably includes a driver side transverse anchor assembly having a driver side anchor, a passenger side transverse anchor assembly having a passenger side anchor, and a longitudinal connection weldment securable to the driver side transverse anchor assembly, to the passenger side transverse anchor assembly, and to the offset body. The offset body preferably includes a pivot handle for securing the shank in the vertical OEM gooseneck socket, and the anchors preferably each include a T-bolt with a handle for pivoting the T-bolt within the OEM puck socket.

Abstract: A weight distribution hitch system has a head and a horn which are readily separable. The horn is attachable to the towing vehicle. Forward of the hitch ball, the head includes a downwardly projecting hook portion. The head defines a head hitch pin opening spaced from the hook portion, and the mating interaction between the hook portion and the rest recess allow the horn hitch pin opening to be aligned relative to the head hitch pin opening to allow insertion of a hitch pin to complete the hitching connection. Two snap-up brackets are attached to the trailer frame and used to lift the weight distribution spring bars each using a handle. The head with its hitch ball and weight distribution spring bars as well as the snap-up brackets can be left attached to the trailer frame even when not being towed.

Abstract: A removable gooseneck hitch ball has a hitch ball extending over a neck and supported by a shank, possibly with the hitch ball on a pivoting head. The shank has a plurality of arc contact surfaces (such as four) collectively defining a cylinder centered on the shank's central axis. Flat contact surfaces extend parallel to the shank's central axis and inside the cylinder defined by the arc contact surfaces (such as four flat contact surfaces defining a square). The shank can be matingly received in a cylindrical socket of the towing vehicle with the arc surfaces in contact with the cylindrical socket or can be matingly received in a prism shaped (square in horizontal cross-section) socket with the flat surfaces in contact with the prism shaped socket.

Abstract: A tow bar assembly has a shank portion for attachment to the towing vehicle hitch, a pivot joint on a trailing end of the shank, and two arms extending from the pivot joint for attachment to the towed load. A stowage block on the shank includes two transversely oriented slots, for receiving a tab on the arms and thereby hold the arms in a transverse, horizontal stowage position. The arms each telescope between extended and retracted positions. A latch, having a retention shaft with a handle, automatically engages to lock the arm in the extended position when the trailing end of the arm is pulled to the extended position. The retention shaft has a shape which, depending on its rotational position as controlled by the handle, either allows the telescoping or interferes with the telescoping, locking the arm in the extended position.

Abstract: A vibration minimization towing hitch includes a shank attachable into the receiver tube the towing vehicle, and a separately formed head, such as for supporting a tow ball. The head is pivotable through a partial range of motion relative to the head, such as allowing the tow ball to pivot up to 7° downward or up to 3° upward. One or more compressible inserts are disposed in a pocket between the shank and the head, for resisting the limited pivotal motion of the head relative to the shank. A user performs a part of the assembly using two insertable pins or bolts, with insertion of the second pin compressing a compressible bumper which is separate from the insert(s).

Abstract: A tri-ball trailer hitch coupler lock has three differently sized ball substitute members. A lanyard extends in two directions off a portion which adjoins the ball substitute members, with mating portions of a lock permanently attached to each free end of the lanyard. One portion of the lock terminates in a pin sized to fit in the latch pin opening of the coupler, and the other portion of the lock is matably lockable onto the pin after the pin has been extended through the coupler pin opening. The lanyard preferably passes through an opening in the adjoinment portion offset from the center.

Abstract: A bike rack which is mountable from a traditional hitch receiver and includes a main beam extending upwardly and rearwardly off a post. The main beam includes a lower section which is hinged to the post and holds one or more preferably two bikes each with their top tube extending horizontally and transversely under the lower section, as well as an upper section which is hinged to the lower section and holds one or more preferably two bikes each with their top tube similarly under the upper section. Each bike is placed with its top tube received in two pivotable, spaced oblong mounts. Two bikes can be mounted while the upper section is folded over, before unfolding/extending the upper section to mount the third and fourth bikes.

Abstract: A towing electrical connection, for at least four different wires, is made by face contact elements exposed on one side of a housing, such as in an adapter piece having a standard configuration of prongs/sockets on a back side. The adapter piece can be plugged onto the standard electrical plug of a towing vehicle or trailer a single time, leaving the face contact elements exposed for repeated connection and disconnection each time the trailer is connected or disconnected from the towing vehicle. A magnetic attraction force is used to pull and hold the face contact elements in electrical connection, such as by magnets insert molded into a housing of the adapter piece(s) immediately adjacent the exposed face contact elements. A short twisting rotation of the adapter piece about a longitudinal axis is preferably used during connection and disconnection.

Abstract: A quick mount hitch connection for supports a towing accessory from a towing vehicle. An accessory shank is received within a sloped channel structure rising upwardly and rearwardly from horizontal. One of the faces defining the channel is open. A pivot bearing is provided along a bottom of the channel, such as by a pivot bar supported by the side walls of the channel structure and extending into the channel. A securing connector is provided at a location spaced from the pivot bearing, which can be removably fastened to simultaneously hold the accessory shank against the pivot bearing and to prevent the accessory shank from pivoting in the channel. The connection allows quick attachment, quick lowering, and changing the accessory from a usage position to a stowage position all by hand and without any tools.

Abstract: A bike rack is mountable from a traditional receiver hitch and utilizes at least one of the two pedal crank arms of the bike for securing and supporting the bike. The pedal crank arm is received in a pedal crank receiver which tightens to the pedal crank arm and holds the pedal crank arm in a set rotational position. The pedal crank receiver is connected to a main shank of the bike rack for supporting the weight of the bike from the receiver hitch. The bike rack also includes a cradle supporting the bottom bracket shell of the bike, and a second support structure which holds the bike at a location spaced from the pedal crank receiver, both connected to the main shank.

Abstract: A vibration minimization towing hitch includes a shank attachable into the receiver tube the towing vehicle, and a separately formed head, such as for supporting a tow ball. The head is pivotable through a partial range of motion relative to the head, such as allowing the tow ball to pivot up to 7° downward or up to 3° upward. One or more compressible inserts are disposed in a pocket between the shank and the head, for resisting the limited pivotal motion of the head relative to the shank. A user performs a part of the assembly using two insertable pins or bolts, with insertion of the second pin compressing a compressible bumper which is separate from the insert(s).

Abstract: A vibration minimization towing hitch includes a shank attachable into the receiver tube the towing vehicle, and a separately formed head, such as for supporting a tow ball. The head is pivotable through a partial range of motion relative to the head, such as allowing the tow ball to pivot up to 7° downward or up to 3° upward. One or more compressible inserts are disposed in a pocket between the shank and the head, for resisting the limited pivotal motion of the head relative to the shank. A user performs a part of the assembly using two insertable pins or bolts, with insertion of the second pin compressing a compressible bumper which is separate from the insert(s).

Abstract: A tow bar assembly has a shank portion for attachment to the towing vehicle hitch, a pivot joint on a trailing end of the shank, and two arms extending from the pivot joint for attachment to the towed load. A stowage block on the shank includes two transversely oriented slots, for receiving a tab on the arms and thereby hold the arms in a transverse, horizontal stowage position. The arms each telescope between extended and retracted positions. A latch, having a retention shaft with a handle, automatically engages to lock the arm in the extended position when the trailing end of the arm is pulled to the extended position. The retention shaft has a shape which, depending on its rotational position as controlled by the handle, either allows the telescoping or interferes with the telescoping, locking the arm in the extended position.

Abstract: A trailer coupler body is formed from sheet metal with walls defining a recess having a contact surface for bearing against the tow ball during towing. A latch pin opening is positioned in the right side wall and the left side wall of the trailer coupler body behind the recess and lower than the tow ball equator. A latch pin reinforcement crossmember is separately formed from sheet metal, and welded to extend between the right and left side walls adjacent the latch pin opening. When a latch pin is transversely inserted into the latch pin opening, it contacts the tow ball and holds the tow ball in place within the trailer coupler recess, in a position where the latch pin reinforcement crossmember will support the latch pin against deflection opposite the tow ball due to towing forces transmitted to or from the tow ball.

Abstract: A tri-ball trailer hitch coupler lock has three differently sized ball substitute members. A lanyard extends in two directions off a portion which adjoins the ball substitute members, with mating portions of a lock permanently attached to each free end of the lanyard. One portion of the lock terminates in a pin sized to fit in the latch pin opening of the coupler, and the other portion of the lock is matably lockable onto the pin after the pin has been extended through the coupler pin opening. The lanyard preferably passes through an opening in the adjoinment portion offset from the center.

Abstract: A vibration minimization towing hitch includes a shank attachable into the receiver tube the towing vehicle, and a separately formed head, such as for supporting a tow ball. The head is pivotable through a partial range of motion relative to the head, such as allowing the tow ball to pivot up to 7° downward or up to 3° upward. One or more compressible inserts are disposed in a pocket between the shank and the head, for resisting the limited pivotal motion of the head relative to the shank. A user performs a part of the assembly using two insertable pins or bolts, with insertion of the second pin compressing a compressible bumper which is separate from the insert(s).

Abstract: A chain attachment insert has a body with a flat underside, and provides an open loop chain attachment for receiving a chain or hook in a socket in the bed of a truck. A T-bolt portion of the chain attachment insert is received in the socket. A hole through the body extends parallel to the axis of rotation defined by the T-bolt portion, and an interference peg is vertically slidable into the hole after rotation of the chain attachment insert relative to the socket. The interference peg then rests with a portion of the interference peg in the socket to interfere with and prevent the chain attachment insert from rotating relative to the socket. A lock secures the interference peg within the hole in the body.

Abstract: A mounting bracket cantilevers a support arm off the side of a receiver tube of a hitch, using flats on the receiver tube or receiver tube lip to support the cantilevered weight. The support arm is configured to receive and support one or more mating electrical connection structures, with a plug/unplug direction matching the fore/aft direction of the towing vehicle. Flanges of the mounting bracket are pulled toward each other around the receiving tube using mounting bolts which extend on right and left sides of the receiving tube. The mounting bracket is preferably formed from stamped and bent sheet metal.

Abstract: A ball hitch has an actuator substantially disposed in a towing ball member. The actuator includes a pivotable handle, which in the stowed position forms part of the outer profile of the ball, but which can be pivoted upward to be used to rotate a shaft portion of the actuator. As the shaft rotates, it rotates a paddle with a cam surface housed in a support base for the ball hitch, which pushes on two interference balls. In the stowed position, the cam surface maintains the interference balls projecting outward from openings in the support base to secure the ball hitch into the towing vehicle. When the actuator turns the shaft, the cam surface allows the balls to retract into the support base without changing elevation of the shaft and cam surface.

Abstract: A chain attachment insert has a body with a flat underside, and provides an open loop chain attachment for receiving a chain or hook in a socket in the bed of a truck. A T-bolt portion of the chain attachment insert is received in the socket. A hole through the body extends parallel to the axis of rotation defined by the T-bolt portion, and an interference peg is vertically slidable into the hole after rotation of the chain attachment insert relative to the socket. The interference peg then rests with a portion of the interference peg in the socket to interfere with and prevent the chain attachment insert from rotating relative to the socket. A lock secures the interference peg within the hole in the body.