Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a bicycle having wheels and a frame relative to a cargo bed of a pickup truck having a tailgate, spaced sidewalls and a front wall. The apparatus comprises holders for associating with the spaced sidewalls and adapted for engaging one of the wheels of the bicycle. The apparatus further includes a support for associating with the front wall to support the frame of the bicycle. The holders and support may be height-adjustable to accommodate a variety of bicycle shapes and sizes.

Abstract: An accessory support for a vehicle cargo area includes a guide assembly adapted to provide vertical and lateral adjustability and at least one support member slidably carried by the guide assembly. The guide assembly includes a first pair of guide rails each including one or more vehicle z-axis oriented guide channels and a second pair of guide rails each including one or more vehicle y-axis oriented guide channels.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a bicycle having wheels and a frame relative to a cargo bed of a pickup truck having a tailgate, spaced sidewalls and a front wall. The apparatus comprises a carrier adapted for receiving and supporting the bicycle frame and a guide for mounting to the sidewall for guiding movement of the carrier in the travel direction. The guide may comprise parallel rails for slidably engaging a connector of the carrier. The carrier may be adapted for moving, such as by pivoting, between a stowed position aligned with the travel direction and an extended position transverse to the travel direction.

Abstract: A vehicle processor, in response to a follow request from a mobile device, senses a location of an object associated with the mobile device relative to the vehicle and execute a series of autonomous drive commands based on the relative location such that the vehicle tracks movements of the object to follow the object along a route traveled by the object.

Abstract: A trailer hitch cover assembly is provided. That trailer hitch cover assembly includes a guide track and two cooperating doors received for sliding movement in the guide track and displaceable between a closed position and an open position. A motor vehicle incorporating the trailer hitch cover assembly and a method of hiding a hitch receiver are also disclosed.

Abstract: An accessory support for a vehicle cargo area includes a guide assembly adapted to provide vertical and lateral adjustability and at least one support member slidably carried by the guide assembly. The guide assembly includes a first pair of guide rails each including one or more vehicle z-axis oriented guide channels and a second pair of guide rails each including one or more vehicle y-axis oriented guide channels.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a bicycle having wheels and a frame relative to a cargo bed of a pickup truck having a tailgate, spaced sidewalls and a front wall. The apparatus comprises a carrier adapted for receiving and supporting the bicycle frame and a guide for mounting to the sidewall for guiding movement of the carrier in the travel direction. The guide may comprise parallel rails for slidably engaging a connector of the carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a bicycle having wheels and a frame relative to a cargo bed of a pickup truck having a tailgate, spaced sidewalls and a front wall. The apparatus comprises holders for associating with the spaced sidewalls and adapted for engaging one of the wheels of the bicycle. The apparatus further includes a support for associating with the front wall to support the frame of the bicycle. The holders and support may be height-adjustable to accommodate a variety of bicycle shapes and sizes.

Abstract: A roof-mounted bicycle rack assembly for a motor vehicle includes a deployable bicycle carrier slidably attached to an underside of a roof panel of the motor vehicle. The bicycle carrier includes at least one bicycle support configured to deploy from and retract into a cooperating holder disposed on the roof panel underside. The bicycle support may include at least one tube or rail and the cooperating holder may include at least one sleeve or track configured to receive at least a portion of the at least one tube or rail therein.

Abstract: An attachment system for a removable vehicle component includes a fixed fastener associated with a first element, a cooperating receiver associated with a second element, and an aperture or port configured for providing access to the fixed fastener. The first element may be one of a vehicle fascia or a removable vehicle component, and the second element may be another of the vehicle fascia or the removable vehicle component. Vehicle fascia assemblies and methods of attaching a removable component to a vehicle fascia using the attachment system are described.

Abstract: A rainwater collection system is provided for a motor vehicle. That rainwater collection system includes a rainwater collector, a gate for the rainwater collector and a controller. The controller is configured to open and close the gate in response to data input respecting the occurrence of precipitation, a level of windshield washer fluid in a windshield washer system of the motor vehicle and in accordance with other monitored parameters including motor vehicle speed and battery voltage level. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle includes: a tire monitor, located in a wheel arch and configured to: project beam(s) onto a tire, measure reflection(s) of the beam(s); memory, processor(s) configured to, based on the reflection(s): build a two-dimensional (2D) profile of the tire, compare depths of the built profile to depths of a preloaded profile, assess tire wear based on the comparison.

Abstract: A trailer hitch cover assembly is provided. That trailer hitch cover assembly includes a roller and a flexible cover that is received on the roller. The flexible cover is displaceable between a retracted position wherein the flexible cover is wound onto the roller so as to provide access to a hitch receiver and a deployed position wherein the flexible cover extends from the roller so as to conceal the hitch receiver.

Abstract: A rainwater collection system is provided for a motor vehicle. That rainwater collection system includes a rainwater collector, a gate for the rainwater collector and a controller. The controller is configured to open and close the gate in response to data input respecting the occurrence of precipitation, a level of windshield washer fluid in a windshield washer system of the motor vehicle and in accordance with other monitored parameters including motor vehicle speed and battery voltage level. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A trailer hitch cover assembly is provided. That trailer hitch cover assembly includes a roller and a flexible cover that is received on the roller. The flexible cover is displaceable between a retracted position wherein the flexible cover is wound onto the roller so as to provide access to a hitch receiver and a deployed position wherein the flexible cover extends from the roller so as to conceal the hitch receiver.

Abstract: A trailer hitch cover assembly is provided. That trailer hitch cover assembly includes a guide track and two cooperating doors received for sliding movement in the guide track and displaceable between a closed position and an open position. A motor vehicle incorporating the trailer hitch cover assembly and a method of hiding a hitch receiver are also disclosed.

Abstract: A roof-mounted bicycle rack assembly for a motor vehicle includes a deployable bicycle carrier slidably attached to an underside of a roof panel of the motor vehicle. The bicycle carrier includes at least one bicycle support configured to deploy from and retract into a cooperating holder disposed on the roof panel underside. The bicycle support may include at least one tube or rail and the cooperating holder may include at least one sleeve or track configured to receive at least a portion of the at least one tube or rail therein.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for covering a hitch receiver. That apparatus includes a rotating cover displaceable between a first position concealing a hitch receiver from view and a second position allowing access to the hitch receiver. In one embodiment the cover includes two cooperating lugs and pivots about two pivot pins. In another embodiment the cover slides along opposed guide channels.

Abstract: A body on frame vehicle includes a SORB impact load management system including front blocker structures for limiting transfer of the SORB impact loads from being transferred to the passenger compartment area. A SORB impact load transfer apparatus in the form of a cable extends between the front end horns of the side rails of the frame to transfer SORB impact loads from the impacted side across the vehicle frame. In a second embodiment of the impact load transfer apparatus, the ends of the cables are coupled to the front sides of the front blocker structures and the cable is routed through the front end horns of the side rails of the frame to transfer SORB impact loads from the impacted side across the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A body on frame vehicle includes a SORB impact load management system including front blocker structures for limiting transfer of the SORB impact loads from being transferred to the passenger compartment area. A SORB impact load transfer apparatus in the form of a cable extends between the front end horns of the side rails of the frame to transfer SORB impact loads from the impacted side across the vehicle frame. In a second embodiment of the impact load transfer apparatus, the ends of the cables are coupled to the front sides of the front blocker structures and the cable is routed through the front end horns of the side rails of the frame to transfer SORB impact loads from the impacted side across the vehicle frame.