HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.

A remotely-engaging handle for a fifth wheel hitch system is provided. The remotely-engaging handle may comprise a body and a latching assembly that may be securely attached to the body and capable of engaging with a fifth wheel hitch. The latching assembly may comprise a locking member and an actuating member. The actuation of the actuating member may position a portion of the locking member from an unlocked position to a locked position. The locking member may comprise a latching arm rotating about a pivot point and a biasing member operatively attached the body. The biasing member may bias the locking member into a transitory position. In one embodiment, the actuating member may further comprise an electrically-operated button or a software-based interface. In particular embodiment, the locking member may further actuated by a solenoid and the connecting member may further comprise a wireless device.

A fifth wheel hitch assembly is shown and described. The fifth wheel hitch system may comprise a jaw fixed about a pivot pin and a biasing member biasing the jaw to a closed position. The fifth wheel hitch assembly may also include a kingpin guide positioned opposite the jaw, where the kingpin guide is adapted to engage and retain a kingpin against the jaw.

A towed vehicle controller integrates trailer braking, lighting, and battery charging functions into a single unit communicatively coupled to a towing vehicle data bus. The controller includes a processor, a trailer brake controller component, a trailer lighting component with multiple light drivers, and a trailer battery charge component. The processor receives inputs via the vehicle communication bus and other interfaces, executes brake control algorithms, coordinates activation of trailer lamps, and manages trailer battery charging, including foregoing charging based on braking state or vehicle conditions. Integration of these functions reduces wiring and component count, facilitates OEM or aftermarket installation, and enables coordinated control, diagnostics, and display of trailer status through the towing vehicle's existing electronic systems.

This disclosure relates to remote control of a brake controller for a towed vehicle. An example communication system includes a controller management application operating on a mobile device and a brake controller that includes a wireless network controller to communicatively couple to the mobile device. The controller management application manages a plurality of profiles. Each profile includes characteristics of a corresponding towed vehicle. The controller management application receives a selection of one of the plurality of profiles, and determines braking characteristics based on the selected one of the plurality of profiles. The brake controller controls a braking signal to brakes of the towed vehicle according to the braking characteristics.

A non-invasive wire testing device includes a handle portion having a jaw assembly. The jaw assembly has a fixed jaw with a U-shaped ferrite defining a channel, and a pivot jaw with a ferrite block rotatably coupled to the handle portion. The pivot jaw selectively rotates to and from the fixed jaw to enclose the channel or open the channel for receiving a wire. In a closed position, the ferrite block moves against the U-shaped ferrite to form a magnetic loop surrounding the opening. The magnetic loop magnifies a magnetic field from current in the wire for reading by a Hall effect sensor. Circuitry connected to the Hall effect sensor generates a signal indicative of the measured current.

The present disclosure includes a system, method, and device related to controlling brakes of a towed vehicle. A brake controller system includes a brake controller that controls the brakes of a towed vehicle based on acceleration. The brake controller is in communication with a speed sensor. The speed sensor determines the speed of a towing vehicle or a towed vehicle. The brake controller automatically sets a gain or boost based on the speed and acceleration.

The present invention relates generally to a weight distribution system, and; more specifically, the present invention relates to a system of distributing weight of a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle and controlling sway of the towed vehicle relative to the towing vehicle. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to various different embodiments of a variable load rating spring arm (or spring bar) for a weight distribution systems.

A towed vehicle controller combines a trailer brake controller and lighting driver. The towed vehicle controller can include a trailer battery charging circuit. The towed vehicle controller operates towed vehicle braking, towed vehicle lighting and towed vehicle battery charge functions.