Vehicle with tunable hitch-mounted container

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a vehicle with a tunable hitch mounted container. A motor vehicle has a hitching member mounted to a rear end of the motor vehicle; a vehicle power management system is configured to detect a power or energy level of the motor vehicle and generate feedback indicative of aerodynamics of the motor vehicle. A container bracket is mounted to the hitching member. The container carrier has an adjustable container and an actuator configured to move the container relative to the motor vehicle. A controller controls the actuator to move the container based on feedback from the vehicle power management system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to motor vehicles equipped with cargo box brackets, and more specifically to motor vehicles having adjustable cargo boxes with hooks mounted on the motor vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Motor vehicles often use external cargo trays. For example, a cargo tray may be mounted to a hook at the rear of the motor vehicle and used for transporting goods. Typically, a cargo tray has a lower hook that is fixedly connected to the hook on the motor vehicle. It may be desirable to provide a cargo tray arrangement on a motor vehicle that is adjustable to enhance aerodynamics during transport. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, a motor vehicle has a hitch mounted to the rear end of the motor vehicle. A vehicle power management system is configured to detect the power or energy level of the motor vehicle and generate feedback indicative of the aerodynamics of the motor vehicle. A cargo box bracket is mounted to the hitch. The cargo box bracket has an adjustable cargo box and an actuator configured to move the cargo box relative to the motor vehicle. A controller controls the actuator to move the cargo box based on feedback from the vehicle power management system.

[0004] Embodiments of the first aspect of this disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0005] - The controller actuates the cargo box from a first position to a second position and determines the power change due to aerodynamic drag, and wherein the controller also selects one of the first position or the second position based on the power change indicating minimum aerodynamic drag;

[0006] -The actuator actuates the cargo box between a rearward position and a forward position along the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle;

[0007] - A yaw sensor, the yaw sensor being used to sense the yaw of the motor vehicle, wherein the controller further determines the position of the cargo box based on the sensed yaw;

[0008] - The sensed yaw rate is an estimated yaw angle;

[0009] - The sensed yaw indicates the crosswind load on the vehicle;

[0010] - A vehicle speed sensor, wherein the controller determines when the motor vehicle is parked and also detects a request to open the rear liftgate, and wherein the controller actuates the actuator to move the cargo box to a rearward position;

[0011] -The cargo box bracket also includes a pull rod configured to be mounted to the hook;

[0012] -The actuator includes an electric motor and a screw jack;

[0013] - The cargo box has a power cable connected to an electrical connector on the motor vehicle; and

[0014] - The electrical connector includes a trailer connector electrical plug.

[0015] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, a motor vehicle has a hitch mounted to the rear end of the motor vehicle. A vehicle power management system is configured to detect the power or energy level of the motor vehicle and generate feedback indicative of the aerodynamics of the motor vehicle. A cargo box carrier has a pull rod connected to the hitch and an adjustable cargo box coupled to the pull rod. The cargo box carrier has an actuator and a controller, the actuator being configured to move the cargo box relative to the motor vehicle between a forward position and a rearward position, and the controller being configured to control the actuator to move the cargo box based on feedback from the vehicle power management system.

[0016] Embodiments of the second aspect of this disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0017] - The controller actuates the cargo box from a first position to a second position and determines the power change due to aerodynamic drag, and wherein the controller also selects one of the first position or the second position based on the power change indicating minimum aerodynamic drag;

[0018] -The actuator actuates the cargo box between a rearward position and a forward position along the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle;

[0019] - A yaw sensor, the yaw sensor being used to sense the yaw of the motor vehicle, wherein the controller further determines the position of the cargo box based on the sensed yaw;

[0020] - The sensed yaw rate is an estimated yaw angle;

[0021] - A vehicle speed sensor, wherein the controller determines when the motor vehicle is parked and also detects a request to open the rear liftgate, and wherein the controller actuates the actuator to move the cargo box to a rearward position;

[0022] -The actuator includes an electric motor and a screw jack;

[0023] - The cargo box has a power cable connected to an electrical connector on the motor vehicle; and

[0024] - The electrical connector includes a trailer connector electrical plug.

[0025] These and other features, advantages and objectives of this disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon reference to the following specification, claims and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0026] In the attached diagram:

[0027] Figure 1A It is a side view of a motor vehicle having an aerodynamically adjustable cargo box bracket with a hook mounted to the rear end of the motor vehicle, wherein the cargo box is shown in a first position.

[0028] Figure 1B It is a side view of a motor vehicle having a cargo box shown in an extended second position;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating a cargo box carrier positioning system with controls for controlling the position of the cargo box, according to an example; and

[0030] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the procedure used to control the position of the cargo box to enhance vehicle aerodynamics. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of this disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Where possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. In the drawings, structural elements are depicted not to scale, and some parts are enlarged relative to others for emphasis and understanding purposes.

[0032] Detailed embodiments of this disclosure are disclosed herein as needed; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of this disclosure and may be implemented in various and alternative forms. The accompanying drawings are not necessarily detailed designs; some schematic diagrams may be enlarged or minimized to show a functional overview. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but rather serve only as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to employ this disclosure in different ways.

[0033] For descriptive purposes, the terms “up,” “down,” “right,” “left,” “back,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and their derivatives are intended to refer to the concepts of orientation shown in Figure 1. However, it should be understood that the concepts may present various alternative orientations unless explicitly stated otherwise. It should also be understood that the specific apparatus and processes shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept defined in the appended claims. Therefore, unless otherwise expressly stated in the claims, the specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting.

[0034] The embodiments illustrated in this invention primarily concern combinations of method steps and equipment components related to vehicles with adjustable cargo box brackets. Therefore, equipment components and method steps have been indicated by conventional symbols in the accompanying drawings where appropriate, with only those specific details relevant to understanding the embodiments of this disclosure shown, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details readily apparent to those skilled in the art who benefit from the description herein. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same elements in the specification and drawings.

[0035] As used herein, the term "and / or" when used with two or more listed items means that any one of the listed items may be used alone, or any combination of two or more of the listed items may be used. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition may contain: A only; B only; C only; a combination of A and B; a combination of A and C; a combination of B and C; or a combination of A, B, and C.

[0036] In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom are used individually to distinguish one entity or action from another, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprising,” “including,” or any other variation thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article of manufacture, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article of manufacture, or apparatus. Unless otherwise specified, an element preceded by “comprising…” does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article of manufacture, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0037] As used herein, the term "about" means that a quantity, dimension, formulation, parameter, and other quantity and characteristic is not precise, nor is it required to be precise, but may be approximate and / or larger or smaller as needed to reflect tolerances, conversion factors, rounding, measurement errors, and other factors known to those skilled in the art. When the term "about" is used to describe an endpoint of a value or range, this disclosure should be understood to include both the specific value and the mentioned endpoint. Whether or not the endpoint of a numerical value or range in this specification is referred to as "about," the endpoint is intended to include both embodiments: one modified by "about" and one not modified by "about." It should also be understood that each endpoint of a range is significant both in relation to and independent of another endpoint.

[0038] As used herein, the terms “substantially,” “basically,” and variations thereof are intended to indicate that the described feature is equal to or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a “substantially planar” surface is intended to indicate a planar or approximately planar surface. Additionally, “substantially” is intended to mean that two values ​​are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, “substantially” may indicate that the values ​​are within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

[0039] Unless explicitly indicated otherwise, as used herein, the terms “the,” “an,” or “a” mean “at least one” and should not be limited to “only one.” Thus, for example, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, references to “component” include embodiments having two or more such components.

[0040] Referring to Figure 1, a motor vehicle 10, configured as a sport utility vehicle (SUV) according to an example, is generally shown. The motor vehicle 10 has a body 12 that generally defines a passenger compartment 14. The body 12 generally has body panels, windows, a windshield, and includes a front end 20, a rear end 24, side doors 16, and a roof 22. The motor vehicle 10 is also equipped with a plurality of wheels and tire assemblies 18 that roll on the ground or road. The passenger compartment 14 generally defines a passenger compartment, which typically includes a plurality of seat assemblies for accommodating a driver and passengers. It should be understood that the motor vehicle 10 may be equipped with various accommodations and accessories and may be configured in other vehicle forms, such as sedans, trucks, vans, buses, motorhomes, or other configurations of motor vehicles.

[0041] Motor vehicle 10 is shown equipped with a hitch 26 at its rear end 24. The motor vehicle 10 shown and described herein has a hitch 26 configured such that it can be used as a towing hitch to tow a trailer or to receive and hold a hitch-mounted device, such as a cargo box bracket 30. The hitch 26 is mounted to the frame near the rear end 24 of the motor vehicle 10 via welding or fasteners and extends rearward from the motor vehicle 10 below the rear bumper. The vehicle hitch 26 includes a hitch receiver 27 that generally extends rearward from the motor vehicle 10. The hitch receiver 27 is configured to receive a hitch connector, such as a pull rod 32 that can be securely attached with a locking pin. The pull rod 32 may be configured with a hitch ball, which is configured to connect to a drawbar of a trailer that can be towed by the motor vehicle 10, or may be part of a cargo box bracket 30 having a cargo box 34 configured to transport goods or articles.

[0042] Additionally, the hook-up 26 includes an electrical connector 28 configured to connect to an electrical connector on the cargo box carrier 30. The electrical connector 28 typically includes electrical contacts for supplying power to and controlling trailer lights (such as brake lights and turn signals) and for braking when connected to the trailer. When connected to the cargo box carrier 30, the electrical connector 16 connects to a cable 42, which in turn supplies vehicle power to an actuator 36 that actuates movement of the cargo box 34. The cable 42 may also include communication signals for transmitting the position of the cargo box 34 relative to the lever 32 and controlling movement of the cargo box carrier 30.

[0043] Motor vehicle 10 Figure 1A and Figure 1B The image shows an adjustable cargo tray 30 connected to a hook-up 26 and specifically mounted to a hook-up receiver of the hook-up 26. The adjustable cargo tray 30 includes a cargo box 34, which is typically configured to hold one or more goods for transport using the motor vehicle 10. The cargo box 34 can have various shapes and sizes and may affect vehicle aerodynamics depending on its shape and size and its position relative to the motor vehicle 10. The adjustable cargo tray 30 has a pull rod 32 configured to engage matingly with the hook-up receiver of the hook-up 26, such that the adjustable cargo tray 30 is fixedly connected to the rear end 24 of the motor vehicle 10 once installed. According to one example, the adjustable cargo tray 30 has an actuator 36, which may include an electric motor. The actuator 36 is operatively coupled to a rotation-to-linear conversion device, such as a screw jack 40. The screw jack 40 can be used to convert the rotational movement of the motor output shaft into linear movement, so that the cargo box 34 moves along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Figure 1A The forward position shown is Figure 1BThe cargo box 34 can move between the rear-forward position and any intermediate position as shown. In doing so, the motor actuator 36 may have an output shaft that rotates the helical jack 40, which in turn causes the cargo box 34 to move linearly forward or backward across the vehicle. Other examples of actuators may include the use of rollers on guide rails and magnetic actuators. It should be understood that the cargo box 34 on the adjustable cargo box carrier 30 can be positioned... Figure 1A The most forward position shown or in Figure 1B The most rearmost position shown, or any position between the first and second positions.

[0044] An adjustable cargo box carrier 30 is controlled by a controller to move the cargo box 34. The controller, based on feedback from the vehicle power management system and other sensors indicative of vehicle aerodynamics, controls the actuator 36 to translate and thus move the cargo box 34 between multiple positions to enhance aerodynamics by reducing or minimizing the combined aerodynamic drag of the vehicle 10 and the cargo box carrier 30. As the vehicle 10 moves, the adjustable cargo box carrier 30 can be actuated to move the cargo box 34 between different positions, and feedback received from the vehicle power management system and other sensors can be used to determine the energy usage or power level of the vehicle 10, which at least partially indicates the aerodynamic drag load on the vehicle 10. The controller can actuate the adjustable cargo box carrier 30 to move the cargo box 34 from a first position to a second position and monitor feedback to determine whether the vehicle has high or low drag. The controller then selects the position of the cargo box 34 with low drag as the new default position. The controller can repeatedly actuate the cargo box 34 between different positions and monitor feedback to find the optimal position while the vehicle 10 is in motion.

[0045] The vehicle 10 uses a cargo box positioning control system to control the position of the cargo box 34 of the adjustable cargo box carrier 30 to minimize the aerodynamic drag of the vehicle 10 and the cargo box carrier 30. This allows for the determination of increased driving range based on external airflow conditions as air flows around the vehicle 10 and the cargo box carrier 30 during operation. The cargo box 34 can be moved rearward closer to the aerodynamic wake shear layer to help stabilize the wake and thus reduce aerodynamic drag under nominal external airflow conditions. When the vehicle 10 is traveling at higher speeds (such as highway speeds), the vehicle dynamics management system can monitor and calculate the lowest energy and / or power position of the cargo box 34. The lowest energy or power position can be compared with different positions of the cargo box 34 to determine which position achieves the lowest drag. It should be understood that external aerodynamic conditions such as crosswinds can affect the optimal position of the cargo box 34. For example, in light winds, the cargo box 34 can extend rearward to a position where aerodynamic power is minimized, while in strong winds or strong crosswinds, the cargo box 34 can retract forward toward the vehicle, thereby moving forward to reduce the distance between the vehicle 10 and the cargo box 34 to reduce drag.

[0046] refer to Figure 2 The cargo box positioning control system 60 is generally shown as having a controller 50 configured to receive various inputs and control an actuator motor 36 to move the cargo box 34. According to one example, the controller 50 may be located on the vehicle 10 and may include a shared or dedicated controller. According to another example, the controller 50 may be located on an adjustable cargo box carrier 30 and configured to communicate with a vehicle power management system and sensors on the vehicle 10. The controller 50 may include a microprocessor or other analog and / or digital control circuitry. In the example shown, the controller 50 has a microprocessor 52 and a memory 54. A lookup table 56, a baseline position 58, and a control program 100 are stored in the memory 54 and executed by the microprocessor 52. The lookup table 56 may include aerodynamic drag values ​​from various feedback received from the vehicle power management system and other sensors. For example, the lookup table may include preferred positions for the cargo box 34 relative to certain parameters of the vehicle and cargo box carrier for different speeds, crosswinds, slopes, and other factors that may affect the aerodynamics of the vehicle and cargo box. The baseline position 58 may include a default position and an updated position for the adjustable cargo box 34.

[0047] The controller 50 receives a vehicle speed signal from the vehicle speed sensor 62 and an estimated yaw signal from one or more aerodynamic yaw sensors 64. A vehicle dynamics management system 66 is shown providing feedback input to the controller 50. The controller 50 may also receive a road gradient signal from a road gradient sensor, which may include the tilt angle of the vehicle while in motion. Furthermore, the controller 50 receives an acceleration signal from an acceleration sensor 70 indicating acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle 10. Finally, the controller 50 receives a steering signal from a steering input 72 indicating the steering angle of the vehicle. The controller 50 processes the various inputs and, based on the control program 100, lookup table 56, and baseline position 58, determines the position of the cargo box 34 of the adjustable cargo box carrier 30 and controls the actuator 36 to move the cargo box 34 to the optimal position.

[0048] refer to Figure 3 The diagram illustrates a control procedure 100 for controlling an adjustable cargo box carrier 30 according to one embodiment. The control procedure 100 begins at step 102 and proceeds to a decision step 104 to determine whether the vehicle is parked or moving at a low speed, for example, less than ten miles per hour. If the vehicle is parked or moving slowly at less than ten miles per hour, the procedure 100 proceeds to a decision step 106 to determine whether the customer user has pressed the rear liftgate button to open the rear liftgate, and if so, moves the cargo box to its furthest rearward position at step 110. This allows the liftgate to open without any interference from the cargo box.

[0049] If the customer does not press the liftgate button, control procedure 100 proceeds to step 108 to move the cargo box to its furthest forward position, and then returns to step 128. Therefore, when the vehicle is stationary or moving slowly at less than ten miles per hour and the liftgate is not open, the cargo box initially remains in its furthest forward position closest to the vehicle. This minimizes the overall length of the vehicle for low-speed driving, turning, and parking situations.

[0050] If it is determined that the vehicle is moving at a speed greater than ten miles per hour, control procedure 100 proceeds to decision step 124 to determine whether the vehicle has sensed crosswinds using one or more aerodynamic yaw sensors. If no crosswinds are sensed, procedure 100 proceeds to step 112 to deploy the cargo box to the ideal aerodynamic position and uses tracking to find the vehicle's low energy usage. Proceeding to step 114, the tracking system temporarily repositions the cargo box to the new location and measures the vehicle's power demand to determine whether aerodynamic drag has increased or decreased. If the vehicle senses crosswinds, procedure 100 proceeds to step 126 to deploy the cargo box to the ideal aerodynamic position, uses a lookup table to estimate aerodynamic yaw, and uses the tracking system to find the vehicle's low energy usage.

[0051] According to one example, aerodynamic yaw can be estimated using one or more vehicle yaw rate sensors combined with sensed vehicle road slope and steering wheel input to determine when the vehicle experiences unexpected yaw rates caused not by road slope or steering wheel input but by aerodynamic crosswinds. According to another example, aerodynamic yaw can be estimated using two or more aerodynamic pressure sensors and by detecting the difference between sensed pressures on either side of the vehicle. Therefore, the estimated aerodynamic yaw can be used to adjust the cargo box position to achieve an enhanced aerodynamic positioning.

[0052] Once the tracking system temporarily shifts the cargo box to a new position in step 114 and measures the vehicle's power demand to determine whether aerodynamic drag has increased or decreased, control program 100 proceeds to step 116 to control the actuator to move the cargo box to the new position. The new position of the cargo box can be an incremental movement of the cargo box, or it can be any movement between a fully forward position and a fully backward position. Next, at determination step 118, control program 100 determines whether the vehicle's power has increased or decreased due to aerodynamic drag. It should be understood that aerodynamic drag may not include power increases or decreases originally achieved due to road gradient or other road loads. If the vehicle's power has increased, control program 100 proceeds to step 122 to return the cargo box to its original position, which was last set as the default baseline position, and instructs the controller to translate the cargo box in the opposite direction and repeat the logic. If the vehicle's power has decreased in the new position, the new position is set as the new baseline position, and the cargo box continues to be translated in the same direction, and the controller is instructed to repeat the logic. Thus, the controller can continuously move the position of the cargo box and test for a decrease in aerodynamic drag to determine the new baseline position of the cargo box.

[0053] Therefore, the motor vehicle 10 advantageously provides an adjustable cargo box bracket 30, which can be mounted to the hook-up 26 of the motor vehicle 10 and has an actuator 36 to move the cargo box 34 relative to the motor vehicle 10 between a forward position and a rearward position to enhance aerodynamics and minimize drag on the motor vehicle 10. This can result in enhanced motor vehicle performance, such as increased driving range and reduced energy consumption. It should also be understood that the actuator 36 can be configured to move the adjustable cargo box 34 in other directions to further enhance the aerodynamics of the motor vehicle 10.

[0054] It should be understood that changes and modifications may be made to the foregoing structures without departing from the concept of this disclosure, and it should also be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless otherwise expressly stated in their language.

[0055] According to the present invention, a motor vehicle is provided, the motor vehicle comprising: a hitch attached to the rear end of the motor vehicle; a vehicle power management system configured to detect the power or energy level of the motor vehicle and generate feedback indicative of the aerodynamics of the motor vehicle; a cargo box bracket attached to the hitch, the cargo box bracket having an adjustable cargo box and an actuator configured to move the cargo box relative to the motor vehicle; and a controller for controlling the actuator to move the cargo box based on feedback from the vehicle power management system.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the controller actuates the cargo box from a first position to a second position and determines the power change due to aerodynamic drag, wherein the controller also selects one of the first position or the second position based on the power change indicating minimum aerodynamic drag.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the actuator actuates the cargo box along the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle between a rearward position and a forward position.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a yaw sensor for sensing the yaw of the motor vehicle, wherein the controller further determines the position of the cargo box based on the sensed yaw.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the sensed yaw is an estimated yaw angle.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the sensed yaw indicates the crosswind load on the motor vehicle.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a vehicle speed sensor, wherein the controller determines when the motor vehicle is parked and also detects a request to open the rear liftgate, and wherein the controller actuates the actuator to move the cargo box to a rearward position.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the cargo box bracket further includes a pull rod configured to be mounted to the hook.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the actuator includes an electric motor and a screw jack.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the cargo box has a power cable connected to an electrical connector on the motor vehicle.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the electrical connector includes a trailer connector electrical plug.

[0066] According to the present invention, a motor vehicle is provided, the motor vehicle having: a hitch attached to the rear end of the motor vehicle; a vehicle power management system configured to detect the power or energy level of the motor vehicle and generate feedback indicative of the aerodynamics of the motor vehicle; a cargo box bracket having a pull rod connected to the hitch and an adjustable cargo box coupled to the pull rod, the cargo box bracket having an actuator and a controller, the actuator being configured to move the cargo box relative to the motor vehicle between a forward position and a rearward position, the controller being configured to control the actuator to move the cargo box based on feedback from the vehicle power management system.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the controller actuates the cargo box from a first position to a second position and determines the power change due to aerodynamic drag, wherein the controller also selects one of the first position or the second position based on the power change indicating minimum aerodynamic drag.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the actuator actuates the cargo box along the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle between a rearward position and a forward position.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a yaw sensor for sensing the yaw of the motor vehicle, wherein the controller further determines the position of the cargo box based on the sensed yaw.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the sensed yaw is an estimated yaw angle.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a vehicle speed sensor, wherein the controller determines when the motor vehicle is parked and also detects a request to open the rear liftgate, and wherein the controller actuates the actuator to move the cargo box to a rearward position.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the actuator includes an electric motor and a screw jack.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the cargo box has a power cable connected to an electrical connector on the motor vehicle.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the electrical connector includes a trailer connector electrical plug.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle comprising: A mounting bracket, which is installed at the rear end of the motor vehicle; A vehicle power management system configured to detect the power or energy level of the motor vehicle and generate feedback indicative of the aerodynamics of the motor vehicle. A cargo box carrier, the cargo box carrier being mounted to the hook, the cargo box carrier having an adjustable cargo box and an actuator configured to move the cargo box relative to the motor vehicle; as well as A controller for controlling the actuator to move the cargo box based on feedback from the vehicle power management system.

2. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the controller actuates the cargo box from a first position to a second position and determines a power change due to aerodynamic drag, and wherein the controller further selects one of the first position or the second position based on the power change indicating minimum aerodynamic drag.

3. The motor vehicle of claim 2, wherein the actuator actuates the cargo box along the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle between a rearward position and a forward position.

4. The motor vehicle of claim 3, further comprising a yaw sensor for sensing the yaw of the motor vehicle, wherein the controller further determines the position of the cargo box based on the sensed yaw.

5. The motor vehicle of claim 4, wherein the sensed yaw is an estimated yaw angle.

6. The motor vehicle of claim 4, wherein the sensed yaw indicates the crosswind load on the motor vehicle.

7. The motor vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a vehicle speed sensor, wherein the controller determines when the motor vehicle is parked and also detects a request to open the rear liftgate, and wherein the controller actuates the actuator to move the cargo box to a rearward position.

8. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the cargo box bracket further includes a pull rod configured to be mounted to the hook.

9. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises an electric motor and a screw jack.

10. The motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the cargo box has a power cable connected to an electrical connector on the motor vehicle.

11. The motor vehicle of claim 10, wherein the electrical connector comprises a trailer connector electrical plug.

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