Abstract: A towed vehicle braking system and method for applying brakes to a towed vehicle. The towed vehicle braking system may include a master controller, a brake pedal activation device, and a breakaway cable. The master controller may be mountable in a towing vehicle and may be selectively placed in a trailer mode or a powered vehicle mode. A brake signal wire used to apply braking power to trailer brakes may be used for communication between the master controller and the brake pedal activation device. The brake pedal activation device may use a force sensor to determine that a force applied to a brake pedal of the towed vehicle corresponds to a desired amount of braking force as indicated by the master controller. The breakaway cable may be a combination of a traditional breakaway switch and an electrical cord between the towed and towing vehicles.

Abstract: A scraper comprising an elongated handle, a blade head at a first end of the elongated handle, and a set of brush bristles at a second end of the elongated handle is provided. The blade head includes first and second scraping edges spaced from each other and extending parallel to the brush bristles. The elongated handle may be held in a right handed orientation in which the first scraping edge may engage a surface to be scraped or a left handed orientation in which the second scraping edge may engage the surface to be scraped for comfortably removing ice, snow, or debris from the surface.

Abstract: An auxiliary braking system and method of controlling the braking a towed vehicle is provided that includes a remote control that is in selective communication with an auxiliary braking unit positioned in a towing vehicle. More specifically, it is often desirable for the operator of the towing vehicle to assess the performance of the auxiliary braking apparatus positioned in a towed vehicle. In addition, it is often advantageous for the operator to perform real time adjustments to the performance parameters of the auxiliary braking apparatus positioned in the towing vehicle without having to cease driving and physically access the auxiliary braking device.

Abstract: An auxiliary braking system and method of controlling the braking a towed vehicle is provided that includes a remote control that is in selective communication with an auxiliary braking unit positioned in a towing vehicle. More specifically, it is often desirable for the operator of the towing vehicle to assess the performance of the auxiliary braking apparatus positioned in a towed vehicle. In addition, it is often advantageous for the operator to perform real time adjustments to the performance parameters of the auxiliary braking apparatus positioned in the towing vehicle without having to cease driving and physically access the auxiliary braking device.

Abstract: An auxiliary braking system and method of controlling the braking a towed vehicle is provided that includes a remote control that is in selective communication with an auxiliary braking unit positioned in a towing vehicle. More specifically, it is often desirable for the operator of the towing vehicle to assess the performance of the auxiliary braking apparatus positioned in a towed vehicle. In addition, it is often advantageous for the operator to perform real time adjustments to the performance parameters of the auxiliary braking apparatus positioned in the towing vehicle without having to cease driving and physically access the auxiliary braking device.

Abstract: A trailer hitch apparatus for mechanically and electrically coupling a towing vehicle to a towed vehicle includes: a receiver and a trailer mount. The receiver has a receiver tube with an open end; a first electrical connector having a plurality of electrical contacts for attaching to the towing vehicle electrical system; and a second electrical connector having a plurality of electrical contacts electrically connected to the plurality of electrical contacts of the first electrical connector.

Abstract: A sway sensing and notification device includes a sway sensor for sensing swaying of a towed vehicle and generating corresponding sway data; and a computing device coupled with the sway sensor for analyzing the sway data and determining when the swaying of the towed vehicle could result in an unstable driving condition. The device may also include a notification device coupled with the computing device for alerting an operator when the computing device determines that the swaying of the towed vehicle could result in an unstable driving condition.

Abstract: A trailer hitch apparatus for mechanically and electrically coupling a towing vehicle to a towed vehicle includes: a receiver and a trailer mount. The receiver has a receiver tube with an open end; a first electrical connector having a plurality of electrical contacts for attaching to the towing vehicle electrical system; and a second electrical connector having a plurality of electrical contacts electrically connected to the plurality of electrical contacts of the first electrical connector.

Abstract: A GPS data based towed vehicle braking control system and related methods are provided. In operation, an auxiliary braking system for positioning within a towed vehicle and for actuation of the brakes thereof, is provided. The system is designed to activate the auxiliary braking system only when brakes of a towing vehicle are themselves actuated. The system includes a sensing mechanism with integrated logic mechanism. The system also has a power mechanism associated with the sensing mechanism. Further, a brake actuation mechanism is associated with the sensing mechanism. In operation, the sensing mechanism employs a global positioning system (GPS) sensing device that senses the location of the auxiliary braking system. Integrated logic mechanism can then provide information to the brake actuation mechanism to selectively cause the auxiliary braking system to apply force to brakes associated with a towed vehicle.

Abstract: An auxiliary braking system and method of controlling the braking a towed vehicle is provided that includes a remote control that is in selective communication with an auxiliary braking unit positioned in a towing vehicle. More specifically, it is often desirable for the operator of the towing vehicle to assess the performance of the auxiliary braking apparatus positioned in a towed vehicle. In addition, it is often advantageous for the operator to perform real time adjustments to the performance parameters of the auxiliary braking apparatus positioned in the towing vehicle without having to cease driving and physically access the auxiliary braking device.

Abstract: A wiring receiver (10) that may be mounted on a towing vehicle without the use of tools. The receiver (10) broadly comprises a plurality of terminals (22) for transferring signals from the towing vehicle to a towed vehicle, a main body (20) housing the terminals (22), and a cover (24) that mates to the main body (20), thereby securing the receiver (10) to a bracket (12) of the towing vehicle. The main body (20) includes a contact surface (30) with four protrusions (34) extending through the bracket 12. The cover (24) includes a contact surface (44) having arcuate slots (54) operable to slide around the protrusions (34), thereby securing the main body (20) to the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A wiring receiver (10) that may be mounted on a towing vehicle without the use of tools. The receiver (10) broadly comprises a plurality of terminals (22) for transferring signals from the towing vehicle to a towed vehicle, a main body (20) housing the terminals (22), and a cover (24) that mates to the main body (20), thereby securing the receiver (10) to a bracket (12) of the towing vehicle. The main body (20) includes a contact surface (30) with four protrusions (34) extending through the bracket 12. The cover (24) includes a contact surface (44) having arcuate slots (54) operable to slide around the protrusions (34), thereby securing the main body (20) to the towing vehicle.

Abstract: An electrical interface device (10) for towing, operable to facilitate releasably coupling one or more electrical subsystems of a towing vehicle (12) and a towed vehicle, and including associated modular, removable circuitry (24). The circuitry (24) may provide overload, short-circuit, and reverse connection protection and power signal filtering. Alternative or additional circuitry may be added to support other functionality, including interfacing a brake control subsystem. Circular receptacle and flat plug connectors (20,22) are provided to accommodate without modification a variety of electrical connectors. Covers (32,33) are also provided to protect unused connectors from adverse environmental conditions.