TOWING KIT HAVING A MULTI-HITCH

Towing kits and towing components are described. A towing kit can include a hitch mount to connect a pintle adapter and a multi-hitch to a tow vehicle. The pintle adapter can include an adapter channel to receive the hitch mount and a latch mechanism to retain a pintle loop when the towing kit is in a pintle towing mode. The multi-hitch can include a ball mount section having one or more hitch balls. The hitch balls can retain the pintle loop in the pintle towing mode, or receive a ball hitch when the towing kit is in a ball hitch towing mode. The multi-hitch can also include a clevis mount section having shear plates to hold a clevis pin when the towing kit is in a clevis towing mode. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

BACKGROUND

Field

Embodiments related to towing hitches, are disclosed. More particularly, embodiments related to towing hitches having several hitch balls, are disclosed.

Background Information

A towing kit can be used to pull a load, such as a trailer, by a vehicle, such as a truck or tractor. Towing kits can include a drawbar to attach to a receiver tube on the vehicle. The drawbar can also include (or be attached to) a towing component, such as a towball. The towing component can connect to a hitch on the load, such as a ball hitch. A size of the hitch can vary from load to load. For example, heavier trailers may have larger ball hitches, that must be pulled by a larger towball. Accordingly, a driver may store several towing components in the vehicle to adapt the drawbar to differently-sized loads.

SUMMARY

Towing kits and towing components are described. In an embodiment, a towing kit includes a hitch mount having an elongated mounting tube. The towing kit includes a pintle adapter that includes a latch mechanism and is mountable on the mounting tube. The towing kit includes a multi-hitch that includes a ball mount section and a clevis mount section, and is mountable on the mounting tube. The ball mount section can have several hitch balls, and the clevis mount section can have several shear plates. The pintle adapter, multi-hitch, and mounting tube can be interconnected by one or more tow pins to pull a load in one of several modes. In a pintle hitch towing mode, the ball mount section can be extended forward and the latch mechanism can be advanced to hold a pintle loop between the pintle adapter, the mounting tube, and a ball hitch. In a ball hitch towing mode, the ball mount section can be extended forward and the latch mechanism can be retracted to hold a ball coupler on a hitch ball. In a clevis hitch towing mode, the clevis mount section can be extended forward to hold a tongue between the shear plates. The towing kit is therefore adaptable to tow loads in any of several modes using the same components, which may remain mounted together on a tow vehicle.

In an embodiment, a tow pin includes a pin portion and a head portion. The pin portion includes a shaft extending from a shaft base. The head portion includes a head sidewall and a head base. The shaft of the pin portion extends through a hole in the head base, and the head sidewall extends from the head base around the shaft base. Accordingly, the pin portion and the head portion are coupled to one another such that the head portion can rotate freely relative to the pin portion when the pin portion is holding several components of a towing kit together. The relative movement between the head portion and the pin portion can avoid tangling of a tether that connects the head portion to the towing kit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments describe a towing kit having a multi-hitch and a pintle adapter that can be simultaneously mounted on a hitch mount in several configurations to allow the towing kit to pull a load in a pintle hitch towing mode, a ball hitch towing mode, or a clevis hitch towing mode. The towing kit can be used to connect an automotive vehicle to a trailer. The towing kit may, however, be used to connect other vehicles to other loads, such as for connecting a boat to a barge, or any other vehicle-to-load combination.

In various embodiments, description is made with reference to the figures. However, certain embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or in combination with other known methods and configurations. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth, such as specific configurations, dimensions, and processes, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. In other instances, well-known processes and manufacturing techniques have not been described in particular detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the description. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, configuration, or characteristic described is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearance of the phrase “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or the like, in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, configurations, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

The use of relative terms throughout the description may denote a relative position or direction. For example, “distal” may indicate a first direction away from a reference point, e.g., away from a tow vehicle. Similarly, “proximal” may indicate a location in a second direction opposite to the first direction, e.g., toward the tow vehicle. Such terms are provided to establish relative frames of reference, however, and are not intended to limit the use or orientation of a towing kit to a specific configuration described in the various embodiments below.

When a user stores several towing components, such as different hitch balls, in a cab or a bed of a tow vehicle, there is a risk that one or more of the towing components may be lost through theft or misplacement. Furthermore, hitch pins used to respectively connect the different towing components to a drawbar may be lost. Accordingly, the separation between towing components, which is inherent in existing towing kits, can cause increased costs and inconvenience for the user.

In an aspect, a towing kit having a mounting tube, a multi-hitch, and a pintle adapter is provided. The multi-hitch and the pintle adapter can be mounted together on the mounting tube in different towing configurations. For example, when the pintle adapter is mounted with a latch mechanism in an extended state, and the multi-hitch is mounted with a clevis mount section in a rearward position, the towing kit can be used in a pintle hitch towing mode. When the pintle adapter is mounted with the latch mechanism in a retracted state, and the multi-hitch is mounted with the clevis mount section in a rearward position, the towing kit can be used in a ball hitch towing mode. When the pintle adapter is mounted with the latch mechanism in a retracted state, and the multi-hitch is mounted with the clevis mount section in a forward position, the towing kit can be used in a clevis hitch towing mode. Accordingly, the towing kit can be used to tow several different load types while retaining all of the towing components, including hitch pins, on the receiver tube of the vehicle.

Referring toFIG. 1, a perspective view of a towing kit is shown in accordance with an embodiment. A towing kit100can include several components that are combined to form a towing assembly. For example, towing kit100can include a hitch mount102, a pintle adapter104, and a multi-hitch106, each of which is described in more detail below. Pintle adapter104and multi-hitch106may be mounted on hitch mount102in several configurations. For example, hitch mount102may have a mounting tube108extending along a longitudinal axis110, and mounting tube108can be received within respective channels of pintle adapter104and multi-hitch106. More particularly, pintle adapter104can include an adapter wall112extending completely or partially around an adapter channel114, and adapter channel114can receive mounting tube108as shown. Similarly, multi-hitch106can include a collar section116having a collar tube117, and collar tube117may surround a collar channel118sized to receive mounting tube108. Accordingly, both pintle adapter104and multi-hitch106can be simultaneously mounted on mounting tube108.

As described below, hitch mount102, pintle adapter104, and multi-hitch106can include respective holes arranged along respective axes. When the holes are coaxially aligned, a tow pin122can be inserted through the holes to lock the respective components together. For example, an adapter pin124may be inserted through coaxially aligned holes in adapter wall112and mounting tube108to secure pintle adapter104to hitch mount102. Similarly, a hitch pin126may be inserted through coaxially aligned holes in collar tube117and mounting tube108to secure multi-hitch106to hitch mount102. The tow pins122can be held in place by a split pin (not shown) inserted through a split pin hole128located near the ends of the tow pins122. Accordingly, towing kit100can include hitch mount102, pintle adapter104, and multi-hitch106held together in a towing assembly by tow pins122.

The towing assembly can be connected to a vehicle. For example, a proximal end120of mounting tube108can be inserted into a receiver tube of the vehicle. Mounting tube108can be locked to the receiver tube by a pin. Accordingly, towing kit100can be fastened to the vehicle to pull a load.

Towing kit100can be reconfigured depending on the load type to be pulled by the vehicle. Still referring toFIG. 1, towing kit100is configured with a ball mount section130of multi-hitch106in a distalmost position on mounting tube108, and a latch mechanism132of pintle adapter104in an extended state. The pictured configuration can be referred to as a pintle hitch towing mode because a pintle loop attached to the load can be retained between an extended latch bolt134of latch mechanism132, a hitch ball136of multi-hitch106, an upper surface of collar tube117, and a distal surface137of adapter wall112while pulling the load. Latch bolt134of latch mechanism132can be retracted, and multi-hitch106can be removed reoriented and repositioned on mounting tube108to reconfigure towing kit100in a different towing mode. For example, towing kit100may be configured in a ball hitch towing mode (FIG. 12) to pull a load having a ball hitch, or a clevis hitch towing mode (FIG. 13) to pull a load having a tongue hitch.

Referring toFIG. 2, a side view of a towing kit is shown in accordance with an embodiment. Multi-hitch106includes collar section116between ball mount section130and a clevis mount section202. Clevis mount section202is partially hidden, but as described below, may include one or more shear plate204. In an embodiment, ball mount section130includes a mounting wall206extending from a first end208of collar tube117. For example, in the pintle hitch towing mode, mounting wall206extends in a distal direction (away from proximal end120) from first end208of collar section116. By contrast, shear plate(s)204of clevis mount section202extends from a second end210of collar tube117. For example, in the pintle hitch towing mode, shear plate(s)204can extend in a proximal direction from second end210of collar section116.

In an embodiment, latch mechanism132is mounted on adapter wall112. More particularly, latch mechanism132can be mounted on a top surface of pintle adapter104. Thus, when latch bolt134is extended, a vertical gap is disposed between latch bolt134and collar section116of multi-hitch106.

Mounting wall206can receive hitch ball136along the hitch ball axis212. For example, hitch ball136may be welded to a top surface of mounting wall206, or hitch ball136may have a threaded shank that is fastened within a hole formed in the top surface of mounting wall206. Thus, hitch ball axis212may be perpendicular to longitudinal axis110and distal to a front edge214of adapter wall112. Accordingly, a horizontal gap may be disposed between front edge214and hitch ball136. The vertical gap between latch pin and collar section116, and the horizontal gap between adapter wall112and hitch ball136can provide a space to receive a pintle loop attached to a load being towed.

Referring toFIG. 3, a top view of a towing kit is shown in accordance with an embodiment. As described above, the towing components can be held together by adapter pin124and hitch pin126inserted through corresponding holes in hitch mount102, pintle adapter104, and multi-hitch106. The tow pins122can be removed to allow the towing components to be repositioned with respect to each other. During this repositioning, it may be useful to retain tow pins122, e.g., to avoid losing or dropping the tow pins122. In an embodiment, towing kit100includes a tether302to attach a corresponding tow pin122to a corresponding towing component. For example, tether302may be a cord, a cable, or rope, a chain, etc., having a first tether end304attached to adapter pin124or hitch pin126, and a second tether end306attached to pintle adapter104. A single tether may be connected to both tow pins124,126. For example, tether302may pass through lateral sides of adapter wall112and be connected at each tether end to a respective tow pin. When a tow pin122is removed to unfasten the corresponding towing component, e.g., to disconnect pintle adapter104from hitch mount102, the tow pin122can hang from pintle adapter104by tether302. Accordingly, adjustment and reconfiguration of towing kit100can be performed while tow pin122is safely retained at the worksite.

Referring toFIG. 4, a perspective view of a hitch mount is shown in accordance with an embodiment. Mounting tube108of hitch mount102can be an elongated tube having any tubular cross-sectional profile. For example, mounting tube108may be a square tube having a cross-sectional profile that has four sides of equal lengths, such as 2-inch lengths to fit within standard vehicle receiver tubes. The cross-sectional profile may vary, however, depending on a size or shape of the receiver tube. For example, mounting tube108may be a circular tube having an annular cross-sectional profile.

Hitch mount102may include one or more hole pairs in mounting tube108. The term “hole pair” as used throughout the description may refer to a first hole in a first wall of the structure coaxially aligned with a second hole in a second wall of the structure. The first wall and the second wall may be parallel walls, such as in the case of a tube having a rectangular profile. The first wall and the second wall, however, may not be parallel walls, such as in the case of a tube having a circular or triangular profile. In any case, the first hole and the second hole of the hole pair can be aligned along a respective axis. Furthermore, the holes of the hole pair can be sized to receive a predetermined tow pin122. Accordingly, a corresponding tow pin122can be advanced through the hole pair along the respective axis.

In an embodiment, four mounting hole pairs402are disposed in mounting tube108. Each pair of mounting holes is aligned along a respective mounting hole axis404. For example, the mounting hole axes may extend through lateral walls of mounting tube108perpendicular to longitudinal axis110, and the mounting hole pairs402may be formed in the lateral walls. Mounting hole axes may be parallel to each other and longitudinally spaced apart from each other. Accordingly, hitch mount102can receive a tow pin122at different longitudinal locations within each of the mounting hole pairs402.

Mounting holes in hitch mount102may have a same or a different size from each other. In an embodiment, a proximal-most mounting hole pair402can include holes having a diameter of 0.75 inch to receive a pin to latch mounting tube108to a receiver tube of the vehicle. By contrast, one or more mounting hole pairs402distal to the proximal-most mounting hole pair402may include holes having a larger diameter to receive adapter pin124or hitch pin126. For example, the three mounting hole pairs402distal to the proximal-most mounting hole pair402may include holes having a diameter of 1.0 inch to receive adapter pin124or hitch pin126. Accordingly, at least two of the three mounting hole pairs402distal to the proximal-most mounting hole pair402may be used in the different towing modes.

Referring toFIG. 5, a front perspective view of a pintle adapter is shown in accordance with an embodiment. Pintle adapter104can include a pair of adapter holes to align with one of the mounting hole pairs of hitch mount102. In an embodiment, adapter hole pair502is formed in adapter wall112. For example, holes may be drilled through opposite lateral sides of adapter wall112along an adapter hole axis504. Adapter hole axis504can be perpendicular to longitudinal axis110. Thus, adapter hole axis504may be aligned with mounting hole axis404such that adapter pin124can be inserted through the lateral walls of both pintle adapter104and hitch mount102to hold the towing components together. By way of example, adapter pin124can be inserted through adapter hole pair502and the mounting hole pair402nearest to the proximal-most mounting hole pair402to hold pintle adapter104in a medial location on mounting tube108. Adapter pin124may also pass through holes in shear plate(s)204located between adapter wall112and hitch mount102to hold multi-hitch106in place.

Latch mechanism132can be mounted on adapter wall112above adapter channel114. Accordingly, latch bolt134of latch mechanism132may be spaced above longitudinal axis110and/or mounting tube108when hitch mount102is received within adapter channel114. By positioning latch mechanism132above longitudinal axis110, a pintle loop may be held above mounting tube108, i.e., higher than an axis extending through a receiver tube on a tow vehicle. As such, the pintle loop can be spaced apart from the ground by sufficient distance to avoid scraping the towing kit100when driving over bumps or through potholes.

Latch mechanism132can include a bolt receiver506mounted on adapter wall112. For example, bolt receiver506may be welded to the top of pintle adapter104, or otherwise attached to adapter wall112. Latch bolt134may be slidably disposed within bolt receiver506. That is, latch bolt134may be moved relative to bolt receiver506between an extended state (FIG. 5) and a retracted state (FIG. 12.) In an embodiment, latch bolt134has a cylindrical body extending longitudinally. The cylindrical body can be moved axially between the extended state and the retracted state. Axial movement of latch bolt134may be modulated, however, by an arm508extending laterally from latch bolt134. Arm508may extend from latch bolt134through a wall of bolt receiver506to allow a user to grip and move arm508. Movement of arm508can effect rotational or axial movement of latch bolt134. More particularly, arm508may extend through a locking channel510in the wall of bolt receiver506. Locking channel510may have a longitudinal portion between a distal locking notch and a proximal locking notch. Arm508is shown resting in the distal locking notch of locking channel510inFIG. 5and in the proximal locking notch inFIG. 12. When arm508is positioned in the distal locking notch, axial movement of arm508is restricted, and latch bolt134is locked in the extended state. When a user rotates arm508upward from the distal locking notch and pulls arm508proximally within the longitudinal portion, latch bolt134is retracted to the retracted state. Arm508can be rotated downward into the proximal locking notch to lock latch bolt134in the retracted state. The bolt action movement can be reversed to advance latch bolt134into the extended state.

Referring toFIG. 6, a rear perspective view of a pintle adapter is shown in accordance with an embodiment. Adapter channel114defined by adapter wall112may have a profile that is larger than an outer profile of mounting tube108. To maintain a close fit between pintle adapter104and hitch mount102, pintle adapter104may include an adapter receiver hole602in a rear wall604. Rear wall604may extend across a backside of pintle adapter104, e.g., orthogonal to adapter wall112holding latch mechanism132. Adapter receiver hole602may be sized to receive and conform to an outer profile of mounting tube108. For example, adapter receiver hole602may be a square hole having 2 inch long sides. Accordingly, mounting tube108may extend through adapter channel114into adapter receiver hole602to be received by rear wall604in a sliding fit.

Pintle adapter104can have adapter channel114larger than mounting tube108to create an annular gap between an inner surface of adapter wall112and an outer surface of mounting tube108. The annular gap can be a rectangular annular gap with a gap distance large enough to receive a portion of multi-hitch106. One or more shear plates204of multi-hitch106may extend into the annular gap between adapter wall112and mounting tube108in certain towing configurations. For example, when towing kit100is in the pintle hitch towing mode, shear plate(s)204of multi-hitch106may be disposed between adapter wall112of pintle adapter104and mounting tube108of hitch mount102.

Referring toFIG. 7, a perspective view of a multi-hitch is shown in accordance with an embodiment. Collar section116of multi-hitch106can be fastened to mounting tube108in several rotational configurations. Collar section116can include a collar tube117that extends around and conforms to mounting tube108of hitch mount102. Collar section116can include a first pair of collar holes702in collar tube117. First pair of collar holes702can include a first collar hole and a second collar hole in walls of collar tube117on opposite sides of longitudinal axis110. First pair of collar holes702may be aligned along a first collar hole axis704extending perpendicular to longitudinal axis110. First collar hole axis704may be aligned with a mounting hole axis404and mounting tube108. The collar hole axis and mounting hole axis404may be horizontal such that, when a tow pin122is inserted through the aligned holes, hitch ball136may extend along hitch ball axis212in a vertical direction. Accordingly, when collar section116is mounted on mounting tube108in a first rotational configuration, hitch ball136may be used to pull a load having a ball hitch of a first size.

Collar section116can include two pairs of collar holes, e.g., first pair of collar holes702and a second pair of collar holes706in collar tube117. The two pairs of collar holes may be aligned along respective collar hole axes. For example, whereas first pair of collar holes702is aligned along first collar hole axis704, second pair of collar holes706may be aligned along a second collar hole axis708extending perpendicular to longitudinal axis110. Second collar hole axis708may also be perpendicular to first collar hole axis704, i.e., first collar hole axis704and second collar hole axis708may be perpendicular to each other. Accordingly, when first collar hole axis704extends in the horizontal direction, second collar hole axis708extends in the vertical direction. By rotating collar section116about mounting tube108, e.g., by removing multi-hitch106from hitch mount102, rotating multi-hitch106by 90 degrees, and placing multi-hitch106back onto mounting tube108, the orientation of second collar hole axis708may be changed into the horizontal direction.

Ball mount section130includes mounting wall206, which may extend partly or completely around longitudinal axis110. For example, mounting wall206may be a tubular wall to receive mounting tube108of hitch mount102. That is, when ball mount section130of multi-hitch106is mounted on mounting tube108, mounting wall206may extend completely around mounting tube108.

Mounting wall206can receive a second hitch ball710. Second hitch ball710may extend from mounting wall206along a second hitch ball axis712. Second hitch ball axis712may be parallel to first collar hole axis704, and thus, second hitch ball axis712may extend perpendicular to both longitudinal axis110and hitch ball axis212. Accordingly, when second collar hole axis708is oriented in the horizontal direction, second hitch ball710can extend upward (or downward) from ball mount section130in the vertical direction. Accordingly, when collar section116is mounted on mounting tube108in a second rotational configuration, second hitch ball710may be used to pull a load having a ball hitch of a second size.

Mounting wall206of ball mount section130may receive a third hitch ball714and/or a fourth hitch ball (not shown) on different surfaces of mounting wall206. For example, the third hitch ball714can extend along an axis that is coaxial with second hitch ball axis712. Accordingly, by rotating collar section116about mounting tube108in a third rotational configuration, third hitch ball714may be oriented upward to pull a load having a ball hitch of a third size.

In an embodiment, clevis mount section202includes a pair of shear holes in the shear plates204that cantilever from second end210of collar section116. Shear holes may be aligned along a shear hole axis (FIG. 8). The shear hole axis may extend parallel to first collar hole axis704. For example, the shear hole axis and first collar hole axis704may be parallel within a horizontal plane, such that the horizontal plane passes through shear holes716and first pair of collar holes702.

Referring toFIG. 8, a top view of a multi-hitch is shown in accordance with an embodiment. Clevis mount section202may include a first shear plate802extending from second end210of collar tube117on a first side of longitudinal axis110, and a second shear plate804extending from second end210on a second side of longitudinal axis110. The first shear hole716A may extend through first shear plate802and a second shear hole716B may extend through second shear plate804. The pair of shear holes can be aligned along a shear hole axis806that extends perpendicular to longitudinal plane810. In an embodiment, first shear plate802and second shear plate804are parallel plates separated by a gap808. Longitudinal axis110may pass through gap808. Similarly, a longitudinal plane810that contains longitudinal axis110may extend through gap808. The shear plates204may include respective inner surfaces812facing each other across gap808. Shear hole axis806may extend perpendicular to inner surfaces812of shear plates204, and thus, inner surfaces812may be parallel to longitudinal plane810. For example, longitudinal plane810may bisect gap808, and thus, longitudinal plane810may pass through hitch ball136extending along an axis212perpendicular to longitudinal axis110.

As described above, each hitch ball136mounted on mounting wall206can have a different ball size. For example, first hitch ball136, second hitch ball710, and third hitch ball714may each have ball sizes corresponding to a different type of trailer ball hitch. In an embodiment, hitch ball136extending along hitch ball axis212that is contained within longitudinal plane810has a largest ball size. For example, the first hitch ball136may have a ball diameter of 2⅝ inches. By comparison, second hitch ball710and third hitch ball714may have diameters of 1⅞ inches and 2 inches, respectively.

Mounting the largest hitch ball136along longitudinal plane810may be advantageous in the pintle hitch towing mode. The pintle hitch towing mode may be used to carry heavier loads, and thus, mounting the largest hitch ball136on the top surface of mounting wall206can configure towing kit100to be arranged in a strongest configuration in the pintle hitch towing mode.

Referring toFIG. 9, a side view of a multi-hitch is shown in accordance with an embodiment. A longitudinal spacing between shear hole axis806and collar hole axis704can be equal to a longitudinal spacing between two sets of mounting hole pairs402in mounting tube108. Accordingly, when multi-hitch106is inserted over mounting tube108, tow pins122may be placed through mounting tube108and both collar section116and clevis mount section202of multi-hitch106. For example, in the pintle hitch towing mode, shear plates204of clevis mount section202may insert into the annular gap between adapter wall112and mounting tube108. Furthermore, the shear holes716extending through clevis mount section202may be aligned with both of adapter holes502in adapter wall112and mounting holes402in mounting tube108. Adapter pin124may be inserted through adapter holes502, shear holes716, and mounting holes402. Similarly, in the pintle hitch towing mode, hitch pin126may be inserted through first pair of collar holes702and mounting holes402in mounting tube108. Accordingly, axial loading on multi-hitch106by a load being towed can be distributed to the surfaces of collar section116and clevis mount section202. More particularly, the shear force applied by the load can be shared by both adapter pin124and hitch pin126. Multi-hitch106can be coupled to mounting tube108at both clevis mount section202and collar section116in a ball hitch towing mode as well. For example, when latch bolt134is retracted and a load is being towed by hitch ball, which may be the largest hitch ball136, the load can be distributed to the surfaces of collar section116and clevis mount section202. Such load distribution can increase an overall strength of towing kit100in the pintle hitch towing mode and the ball hitch towing mode, which are generally the modes used to pull the heaviest types of loads.

Referring toFIG. 10, a perspective view of a tow pin is shown in accordance with an embodiment. The illustrated tow pin122can be adapter pin124, hitch pin126, or any other tow pin included in towing kit100. In an embodiment, tow pin122includes two portions that are rotationally coupled to one another. Tow pin122can include a pin portion1002having a shaft1004that is inserted into any of the hole pairs described above. For example, tow pin122may be adapter pin124, and shaft1004may be inserted through adapter wall112, shear plates204, and mounting tube108to fasten pintle adapter104and multi-hitch106to hitch mount102.

Tow pin122may also include a head portion1006having a head sidewall1008. In an embodiment, head portion1006includes a tubular section having head sidewall1008, and thus, an outer surface of head sidewall1008may be cylindrical. Head sidewall1008may be coaxial with an outer surface of shaft1004. Head sidewall1008can have a larger dimension than shaft1004. For example, shaft1004may have a shaft dimension1010, e.g., a diameter, sized smaller than a corresponding hole pair. By contrast, head sidewall1008may have a head dimension1012, e.g., a head diameter, sized larger than the corresponding hole pair. Thus, when shaft1004is inserted through the hole pair, head portion1006may not fit through the hole pair and may retain pin portion1002.

Shaft1004may be retained within head portion1006. For example, a head hole1014may extend through head portion1006, and shaft1004may extend through head hole1014. Shaft1004may be rotatable within head hole1014such that pin portion1002rotates relative to head portion1006about a common axis.

Referring toFIG. 11, a sectional view, taken about line A-A ofFIG. 10, of a tow pin is shown in accordance with an embodiment. Pin portion1002and head portion1006of tow pin122can have respective bushings that make contact with one another and can slide over each other when pin portion1002rotates relative to head portion1006. For example, shaft1004may extend from a shaft base1102, which may be a first bushing of the sliding joint. Shaft base1102may be an annular section welded or press fit onto an end of shaft1004. Accordingly, shaft1004may extend from shaft base1102through head hole1014of head portion1006. Similarly, head sidewall1008may extend from a head base1104, which may be a second bushing of the sliding joint. Head base1104may be an annular section welded or press fit into an end of head sidewall1008. Head base1104can be mounted on shaft1004such that shaft1004extends through head hole1014. Shaft base1102can have a shaft base dimension1120, and shaft base dimension1120may be larger than shaft dimension1010of shaft1004. Accordingly, shaft base1102can be contained within an inner volume of head sidewall1008, and may contact head base1104. That is, shaft base1102may be retained within head portion1006, and may have a distal face1108in sliding contact with a proximal face1110of head base1104.

When shaft1004rotates within head hole1014, pin portion1002can rotate relative to head portion1006. As described above, tether302may be attached to tow pin122, and more particularly, a tether302may have an end attached to head sidewall1008. Accordingly, when pin portion1002rotates during operation, head portion1006may rotate freely to allow tether302to sag downward and not become wrapped around tow pin122or towing kit100.

In an embodiment, axial movement between pin portion1002and head portion1006may be restricted. More particularly, tow pin122may include one or more retainers1122to constrain shaft base1102near head base1104. Head sidewall1008may extend from head base1104around shaft base1102. Accordingly, an inner surface1121of head sidewall1008can extend around shaft base1102. In an embodiment, a retainer1122extends inward from head sidewall1008. Shaft base1102may be disposed between retainer1122and head base1104. Thus, axial movement of shaft1004relative to head portion1006can be restricted to a distance that exists between retainer1122and proximal face1110. Similarly, a retainer1122may extend from an outer surface of shaft1004on an opposite side of head base1104than shaft base1102. That is, retainer1122may extend outward from shaft1004, and head base1104may be disposed between retainer1122and shaft base1102. Thus, axial movement of shaft1004relative to head portion1006can be restricted to a distance that exists between retainer1122and distal face1108.

Referring toFIG. 12, a side view of a towing kit in a ball hitch towing mode is shown in accordance with an embodiment. The pictured configuration can be referred to as a ball hitch towing mode because a ball coupler of a ball hitch (not shown) attached to the load can be retained on hitch ball136extending upward from mounting wall206. The ball coupler can rest on hitch ball136such that a portion of the coupler is in a space between hitch ball136and latch bolt134. More particularly, latch bolt134may be retracted to allow the ball coupler to fit into the space. The ball coupler can conform to an outer surface of hitch ball136. Accordingly, the load having the ball coupler can be pulled by the tow vehicle connected to towing kit100.

Referring toFIG. 13, a side view of a towing kit in a clevis hitch towing mode is shown in accordance with an embodiment. The pictured configuration can be referred to as a clevis hitch towing mode because clevis mount section202extends forward to receive a tongue (not shown) attached to the load. The tongue can fit between inner surfaces812. A clevis pin1302can be dropped through shear holes in the shear plates204to engage a corresponding hole in the tongue. Similarly, hitch pin126may be inserted through second pair of collar holes706and a corresponding mounting hole pair402to fix multi-hitch106to hitch mount102. Accordingly, the load having the tongue can be pulled by the tow vehicle connected to towing kit100.