Dual Trailer System With Convertible Coupling For Pickup Towing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current trailer systems for semi-trailer tractor trucks do not adequately address the need for increased capacity when adapted for towing with a pickup truck, particularly in terms of flexibility and independent usage of trailers.
Innovation Solution
A dual trailer system comprising a lead trailer with a gooseneck-mounted kingpin for coupling to a pickup truck's fifth wheel and a tail trailer with a secondary coupler for independent attachment, allowing for flexible configuration and independent operation of each trailer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a dual trailer system is designed for pickup truck towing, then towing capacity is increased, but device complexity increases due to multiple coupling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The lead trailer is designed with dual functionality: it can be towed by a pickup truck via gooseneck coupling, and simultaneously serve as a towing vehicle for the tail trailer via its own fifth wheel coupling. This multi-functionality allows one trailer to perform multiple roles, increasing overall system capacity without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The trailer system is divided into separate modular units (lead trailer and tail trailer) that can be independently configured. Each trailer has its own coupling mechanisms but can operate independently or in combination, allowing flexible deployment that optimizes capacity while managing complexity through modularity
2Adaptability or versatility
If each trailer can be used independently, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple coupling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
Each trailer is equipped with universal coupling capabilities: the lead trailer has both gooseneck kingpin (for pickup towing) and fifth wheel coupling (for towing tail trailer), while the tail trailer has kingpin (for being towed by lead trailer) and optional secondary coupler (for independent towing). This universality enables each trailer to adapt to different towing scenarios independently or in combination
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling configuration is dynamic and flexible rather than fixed. The trailers can be coupled in different arrangements (pickup-lead-tail, pickup-lead-only, pickup-tail-only) depending on operational needs. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize for different scenarios without requiring complex permanent configurations
Data Source
AI summary
The dual trailer system adapted to be towed by a pick-up truck having a fifth wheel on a bed thereof, the dual trailer system comprising: a lead trailer having a wheeled frame with a gooseneck-mounted kingpin at a front end thereof, for coupling to the fifth wheel of the pick-up truck, and a lead trailer fifth wheel at the rear of the lead trailer; a tail trailer having a wheeled frame with a tail trailer kingpin at a front end thereof, the primary trailer hitch having a kingpin matching the lead trailer fifth wheel for attachment thereto. The lead trailer can have an extendible portion at the rear to allow selectively extending and retracting the fifth wheel for use together with or independently from the tail trailer, and the tail trailer can also be usable independently from the lead trailer such as by way of an additional coupler which can also be provided on an extendible frame.