Abstract:
A trailer with interchangeable cargo specific pods positionable into alignment with a flatbed of the trailer and including fasteners in vertical alignment with fasteners of the trailer. The cargo specific pods may carry cargo such as bicycles, kayaks, canoes, skis, sailboats, skidoos, luggage, seadoos, surfboards, livestock, scoreboards, advertising panels, rowing sculls, contractor&#39;s equipment, camping units, and camper trailer pods. One or more pods may be placed on the flatbed at a time for transport by the trailer. One cargo pod includes doors to allow for easy access to cargo. A bicycle pod includes an arrangement of inclined grooved supports for receiving bicycle tires. Sets of hooks may be staggered in height from highest to lowest. Each grooved support includes a hook for hooking about a bicycle tire. A watercraft pod comprises a ladder assembly having opposing ladder towers, each tower including at least one support formed from a rung which pairs with an opposing rung. The ladder towers are supported by an adjustable brace assembly.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 60/656,312, filed Feb. 25, 2005 which is hereby incorporated by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates generally to the field of cargo transport, and more particularly to an apparatus for transporting interchangeable cargo pods and to interchangeable cargo pods. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Trailers are commonly used to transport various types of cargo as they are towed behind vehicles. However, many of the prior art trailers are suited for towing a specific type of cargo. Therefore, often times, one must use a different trailer to transport different types of cargo. Using different trailers to transport different types of cargo can be quite costly. 
   Flatbed trailers are utilized to transport different types of cargo. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0155748 to Picard et al. describes a modular trailer including a base frame for receiving modular carrier assemblies. 
   However, prior art trailers may be complicated, cumbersome, and difficult to handle. Much time and effort is required to assemble and to utilize such trailers. 
   Further, some prior art cargo pods, holding cargo such as bicycles, do not make efficient use of the pod space. Additionally, when transported by trailers, these pods do not make efficient use of the space on the trailer. 
   Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus capable of efficiently transporting various types of cargo. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for transporting interchangeable cargo. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved apparatus for easily transporting one or more cargo pods. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a bicycle pod for efficient storage and/or transport of bicycles. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved bicycle pod. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a watercraft pod for storage and transport of watercraft items and/or any other desired items. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved interchangeable cargo pod. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   These and other objects have been achieved by a system including a trailer having a flatbed with bolt (or other fastener) openings at a desired location (for example, at or near the corners of the flatbed) and at least one cargo pod that is supported by the flatbed having length and width dimensions the same as the trailer flatbed and bolt openings in vertical alignment with the bolt openings of the flatbed. The bolt openings may be flush with a surface of the flatbed and a surface of the cargo pod(s). Thus, each cargo pod is fully supported by the flatbed and is easily connected to and disconnected from the flatbed as the bolt openings are in vertical alignment and only one bolt is needed to secure the pod to the flatbed at each bolt opening. The trailer further includes an axle and wheel located beneath the flatbed for movement of the trailer and a hitch for connection to a transport vehicle. The flatbed may further include lighting elements to provide for night travel and traffic signals. 
   The cargo pods transport various types of cargo including, but not limited to bicycles, canoes, luggage, sail boats, kayaks, skis, skidoos, seadoos, surfboards, contractor&#39;s equipment, livestock, rowing sculls, scoreboards, and advertising panels, camper units, and camper trailer pods (including, for example, windows, bed, kitchen, shower, and toilet). 
   In one embodiment of the present invention, a first interchangeable cargo pod comprises side or top doors for easy access to cargo. Its length and width dimensions are the same as the trailer flatbed. 
   In another embodiment of the present invention, a bicycle pod supporting bicycles includes one or more arrangements of inclined grooved supports for supporting bicycles. Each grooved support includes a groove receiving bicycle tires and includes a hook for hooking about a bicycle tire. In one example of a grooved support arrangement, half of the grooved supports are arranged in a row and are inclined upwardly at a same or substantially same angle. In the same arrangement, the other half of the grooved supports are arranged in a second row, and alternatively dovetail with the opposite grooved support of an equal numbered position in the opposing row, and incline upwardly at a same or a similar angle measured from the opposing side. 
   Each grooved support includes a hook at a high end of each grooved support. Each hook and grooved support accommodates one bicycle. The hooks each hold a bicycle wheel (typically a front wheel). The front wheel is engaged by the hook and the grooved support and the bicycle&#39;s back wheel is secured lower down in the same grooved support, thus immobilizing the bicycle in the grooved support such that it is unable to substantially move up or down the grooved support. In one example, the hooks are staggered in height across each row of grooved supports. Typically, one hook differs in height from the neighboring hook disposed on a similarly or same sloped grooved support. For example, the hooks may differ in height placement as compared to the neighboring hook by 6 inches. The height pattern of the hooks may be repeated. For example in a repeating set of three hooks, if one hook is at an elevation of 7 feet, the neighboring hook would be disposed at a height of 7 feet, six inches, and the next neighboring hook would be disposed at a height of 8 feet. The next neighboring hook would be disposed again at a height of 7 feet and the pattern would repeat. 
   Each bicycle supported by the bicycle pod may further be secured by a rotatable swivel including a retrievable and retractable dowel having a fastener for fastening to the bike, in addition to other fasteners. 
   The bicycle pod stores bicycles and allows for easy transport of the bicycles. The bicycle pod is an example of an interchangeable cargo pod that may be transported by the trailer system described above. In one example, the bicycle pod includes a frame having the same length and width dimensions as the trailer flatbed and fastener openings disposed in vertical alignment with fastener openings of the trailer flatbed. This allows for easy connection and disconnection of the bicycle pod to the trailer. 
   In another embodiment of the present invention, an interchangeable pod comprises a watercraft pod. The watercraft pod is, for example, formed on a frame having the same length and width dimension of a trailer flatbed used for transport. The watercraft pod comprises a ladder assembly having first and second ladder towers opposing each other. Each ladder tower includes a support formed with one or more rungs extending from a spacer that pair with an opposing rung thus providing a support surface for a desired item, such as a canoe or kayak. The ladder assembly is supported by a brace assembly including two adjustable braces forming a “v” shaped support structure. The “v” shaped support structure is connected to the ladder assembly at the high ends of the “v”. The braces connect to each other and to the flatbed or other interchangeable pod at the low end of the “v” shaped support structure. 
   The braces are adjustable, for example by threading one brace member into or out of the other, and into or out of a threadable sleeve, as well as, for example, by using pin-connectors for step adjustments. 
   In one example, the first interchangeable cargo pod is disposed between the trailer flatbed and a second cargo pod, such as the bicycle pod or the watercraft pod. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a trailer and an interchangeable cargo pod of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2   a  is a perspective view of the cargo pod of  FIG. 1  coupled to the trailer of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2   b  is a perspective view of a side opening cargo pod coupled to the trailer of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3   a  is a top view of the trailer of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3   b  is a side view of the trailer of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the trailer of  FIG. 1 , the cargo pod of  FIG. 2   b , and a partial view of a bicycle pod of the present invention not showing a turret swivel rod. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the trailer of  FIG. 1  and the bicycle pod of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  is a rear view of the bicycle pod of  FIGS. 4 and 5  with an optional support structure and support stand and showing the turret swivel rod. 
       FIG. 7  is a rear view of a bicycle pod of the present invention with an optional support structure and support stand and showing a turret swivel rod. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a portion of a bicycle pod of the present invention and a magnified view of a bicycle tire fastening device used in the bicycle pod. 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of a portion of one row of grooved supports of the bicycle pod of  FIG. 6  including the turret swivel rod. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a trailer and watercraft pod of the present invention supporting water vehicles. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective partial view of the watercraft pod of  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a portion of a ladder tower of  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an adjustable brace of  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a trailer hitch used with a trailer of the present invention showing how tongue extension is accomplished for loads such as a sail boat. 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the frame of the watercraft pod of  FIG. 10  which itself can be used as an interchangeable pod. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   With reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3   a , and  3   b  of the present invention, there is seen a trailer  10  of the present invention and an interchangeable cargo pod  12  to be transported by the trailer. The trailer features a flatbed  14  upon which the cargo pod  12  and/or other interchangeable cargo pods rest. The trailer includes an axle  16 , such as a torsion axle, on a bottom surface of the flatbed with a pair of wheels  18  for trailer movement. The trailer also includes a front hitch  20  for hitching the trailer to a vehicle (not shown) for transport. Hitch  20  is described in greater detail below with regard to  FIG. 14 . Each interchangeable pod described below may have a corner “pipe mount” jacking point welded in place. When these four points are engaged by rollable top winding jacks, any pod can be lifted and wheeled away quickly and efficiently. 
   The flatbed  14  and the cargo pod  12  have a same length and width. In one example, the flatbed is 12 feet long and 6 feet wide, and the cargo pod  12  has those same dimensions. The flatbed  14  and the cargo pod  12  include bolt openings or openings for other fastening means/fasteners  22 . The fastener openings, for example bolt openings, of the cargo pod  12  are in vertical alignment with the bolt openings of the trailer  10 . In one example, the bolt openings of the trailer  10  and the cargo pod  12  are at or near the corners of the trailer  10  and the cargo pod. Bolt openings, in one example, are a pair of plates, such as semi-circular plates  24 , which may be flush against an upper and/or lower surface of the flatbed and an upper and/or lower surface of the cargo pod. In one example, “pipe mount” jacking points are welded to or near each pod&#39;s four corners. Lights  26  may be disposed on the flatbed  14  to provide for night travel and traffic signals light. Bolts  28  are inserted within the bolt openings to secure the cargo pod to the flatbed of the trailer. Nuts  30  secure the bolts. 
   Interchangeable cargo pod  12  stores items such as luggage, or any other desired items. It includes doors  32  which hinge open or shut via hinges  34 . Downward opening side doors, as seen in  FIG. 2   b  and  FIG. 4 , allow access to the cargo pod  12  and, once opened, may serve as cooking or serving platforms in a camp or other setting. Side doors also allow for removal of items within cargo pod  12  without having to remove any pod disposed on top of pod  12 .  FIG. 4  shows a rear side opening door opposing front side opening door  32  in a closed position. Alternatively doors  32  may open from the top as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2   a . Cargo pod  12  may be the only pod transported by the trailer, as seen in  FIG. 1 , or it may be transported with another interchangeable pod, such as a bicycle pod  38  ( FIG. 4 ), a bicycle pod  68  ( FIG. 7 ), a watercraft pod  116  ( FIG. 10 ), or a frame pod  120  ( FIG. 15 ). Alternatively, the bicycle pod  38 , a portion of which is seen in  FIG. 5 , bicycle pod  68 , or other types of cargo pods, may be transported by the trailer without an additional cargo pod. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , interchangeable bicycle pod  38  includes a first row  40  of grooved supports  42  and a second row  44  of grooved supports  46 . In the pictured exemplary grooved support arrangement, half of the grooved supports  42  arranged in row  40  are inclined upwardly at a same or substantially same angle θ 1  (typically a steep angle). In the same example, the other half of the grooved supports  46  arranged in row  44 , each alternate with an opposite grooved support  42  of an equally numbered position in the opposing row, and incline upwardly at an opposing or substantially opposing angle θ 2 . For example, grooved supports  46  each form a 45 degree angle θ 2  (or approximately a 45 degree angle) with the flatbed where the opposing grooved supports  42  each have a 135 degree angle θ 1  (or approximately 135 degrees). 
   In one example, the distance between each grooved support in the same row  40  or  44  is 10 inches, from center to center. In the same example, the grooved supports  42  are disposed at, for example, a 5 inch distance from their opposing grooved support  46 . In one example, each grooved support is connected to an opposing grooved support via a connection such as a dovetailing connection known in the art. The grooved supports connect to each other at a lower portion of the supports to strengthen the connection. 
   As seen in  FIG. 6 , each grooved support  42  and  46  include, in one example, support structures  54  and  52 , respectively, to provide further support to each grooved support. Support structures may include, for example, supportive rails. Rows of support stands  48  and  50  are used, in one example, to support the grooved supports. 
   Referring back to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , any number of inclined grooved supports which can be accommodated by a frame, such as frame  60 , may be used in the interchangeable pod. Frame  60  may include internal frame members  61  upon or with which grooved supports may rest or form a connection, such as a dovetail connection. Each row of inclined grooved supports may be braced at internal length-wise members  61 . Only one width-wise internal member  61  is shown but multiple width-wise members may be used to support the grooved supports. In the pictured example of  FIG. 4 , fifteen grooved supports per row are used to support up to fifteen bicycles  56  and  58  ( FIG. 6 ) on each row  40  and  44 , respectively. Alternatively, other numbers of grooved supports per row may be used to accommodate a corresponding number of bicycles. 
   The grooved supports are connected to the removable frame  60  for support and are separable from the trailer  10  and/or the cargo pod  12  (if cargo pod  12  is present beneath the bicycle pod and above the flatbed). The size of the frame and the distance between and size of each grooved support  42  and  46  determines the number of bicycles that may be accommodated. Frame  60  of the pod  38  has length and width dimensions that are the same as flatbed  14 . The fastener openings that are disposed on the frame and flatbed and that are in vertical alignment  24  may comprise part of a plate, such as semi-circular plate  24 . Other types of cargo pods may be used with the trailer  10  instead of, or in addition to the bicycle pod  38 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , each grooved support  42  and  46  includes a hook  62  at a high end of each grooved support. Each hook  62  and grooved support  42  or  46  accommodates one bicycle,  56  or  58 , respectively. The hooks  62  each hold a bicycle wheel (typically a front wheel). For example, a front wheel  64  is engaged by hook  62  and the grooved support  46  and the bicycle&#39;s back wheel  65  is secured lower down in the same grooved support  46 , thus immobilizing the bicycle  56  in the grooved support  46  such that it is unable to move up or down the grooved support. Bicycle  58  is immobilized similarly in grooved support  42 . 
   In one example, the hooks  62  are staggered in height across each row of grooved supports  42  and  46 . Typically, one hook  62  differs in height from the neighboring hook disposed on a similarly or same sloped grooved support  42  or  46 . For example, the hooks may differ in height as compared to the neighboring hook on the same row by 6 inches. 
   The height pattern of the hooks may be repeated. For example, in a repeating set of three hooks, if one hook is at a height of 7 feet, the neighboring hook would be disposed at a height of 7 feet, six inches, and the next neighboring hook would be disposed at a height of 8 feet. After that, the next neighboring hook would be disposed at a height of 7 feet and the pattern of increasing in height by 6 inches would repeat. 
   In the depicted example of  FIG. 6 , the hooks are staggered in height from highest to lowest in a repeat pattern including sets of three hooks. Therefore, only three hooks per row are visible in this view. In  FIG. 6 , tire  64  of bicycle  56  is hooked by the lowest hook  62  (row  44 ). A tire of bicycle  58  (not seen and located behind tire  64 ) is hooked by the lowest hook  62  (row  40 ). 
   With reference to  FIG. 7 , staggered hooks  74  of a single row of inclined grooved supports  70  of bicycle pod  68  are seen. An arrangement of bicycle pod  68  features single row  70  of three inclined supports  72  having hooks  74  staggered in height in a set of three from highest to lowest. Each hook hooks about a bicycle tire to support a bicycle. Only one of the grooved supports  72  is seen because the others are in height and angle alignment with and behind the front grooved support. A tire  75  of a first bicycle  76  is supported by the lowest hook  74  and is received by a grooved support  72 . A tire  79  of a second bicycle  80  depicted in phantom lines is supported by the highest hook  74  and a grooved support (last in the row) and a lower tire  81  is supported in the same grooved support. It is seen that the handlebars  82  and  86  of the bicycles are not entangled due in part to the staggered hook height. A third bike (not shown) is supported by the middle hook  74  of the pod  68  and a middle grooved support  72 . The handlebars of the various bicycles are in nestled relation. Any desired number of hooks may be disposed on any desired number of grooved supports in various heights. One or more stands  84  may support row  70 . 
   Typically, the grooved support with highest hook is engaged by a bicycle first, the middle hook second, and the lowest hook third. For instance, where there are two sets of three hooks staggered in height from highest to lowest, two users may each engage the highest of the hooks with a bicycle tire for ease in loading. 
   Typically, when loading a bicycle onto a bicycle pod of the present invention, the bicycle is loaded front wheel first so that a hook can readily be hooked about a tire (typically the front tire) and so that both bicycle tires can be received by an inclined grooved support. 
   With reference to  FIG. 8 , a portion of an inclined grooved support  88  belonging to any bicycle pod of the present invention is seen featuring a groove  90 . A bicycle tire  92  is shown disposed within the groove. Front and rear tires of a bicycle fit snugly within the grooves of a bicycle pod of the present invention as seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , and one or more of the tires are secured to the groove by a tire fastening device. In one example, the fastening device comprises a first strap  94  and a second strap  96  for wrapping about the grooved support  88  and the bicycle tire  92 , typically a rear tire. The straps comprise, for example, VELCRO or nylon webbing. The straps  94  and  96  are attached to a strip of material  98  which is adhered to a bottom surface of the inclined grooved support  88 . The material comprises, for example, Velcro. 
   With reference to  FIG. 9 , inclined grooved supports  46  are seen in conjunction with a turret swivel rod  102  extending across the row of grooved supports. Each row of grooved supports in any bicycle pod of the present invention may include the rod  102 . In the depicted example, the rod extends across grooved support row  44 , partially depicted, and may extend across any grooved support. The rod is, for example, plastic coated metal. The rod may be affixed to a rear surface of the grooved supports. A plurality of turret swivels  104  is rotatable about the rod  102 . Each swivel includes a holder  106  for a dowel  108 . The dowel is retrievable from and retractable into the turret swivel holder. The turret swivel and rod arrangement may be used with any bicycle pod of the present invention. After the bicycle tires, for example tires  64  and  65  of  FIG. 6 , have been received within the grooved support  46 , the turret swivel  104  is rotated about the rod  102  and the dowel  108  is pulled out of the holder  106  to make contact with a desired bicycle component such as a bike frame  67  ( FIG. 6 ). As seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , each dowel  108  is attached to the desired point on the bicycle frame  67 , frame  68 , or frame  69 . The dowel  108  may be fastened to the bicycle frame by a Velcro strap  110 . A lock, such as a quick release cam  112 , is used to lock the dowel to its desired position. The turret swivel and rod arrangement provides lateral stabilization of the bicycle which it engages. The turret swivel and dowel may be comprised of any sufficiently strong material. One turret swivel and dowel arrangement is typically used per bicycle on the bicycle pod. In one example, neoprene washers, one of which  114  is seen, are disposed on either side of each turret swivel and serve to silence or reduce any noise associated with rotation of the turret swivel, especially when traveling free of bikes. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , there is seen an interchangeable watercraft pod  116  of the present invention. Ladder tower assembly  118 , including two ladder towers,  124   a  and  124   b , and one adjustable brace assembly  121  comprising two adjustable braces  122   a  and  122   b , comprise one watercraft pod  116 . Any desired number of watercraft pods may be accommodated on an appropriately sized trailer. The watercraft pod may be used to transport, for example, water vehicles and/or accessories used for water sports and water vehicles in addition to other items. 
   The ladder tower assembly  118  of the watercraft pod may include frame  120 . Frame  120  of the pod rests upon the trailer bed  14  and includes length and width dimensions that are the same or substantially the same as the length and width of flatbed  14 . Fastener openings  24  and plates  22  (as described above) for fastening or other fastening means which may be disposed on the frame  120 , align with the fastener openings  24  and/or plates  22  of the trailer bed  14  and/or other cargo pods that may be present. 
   With reference to  FIG. 12 , a part of one ladder tower  124   a  is shown. Ladder tower  124   b  ( FIG. 11 ) has the same components, thus, only ladder tower  124   a  will be described in detail. Ladder tower  124   a  is connected to a part of frame  120 . A first rung  126   a  and a second rung  128   a  extending in an opposite direction connected to rung spacers  130   a  and  131   a  are pictured. Any number of rungs and opposing rungs may be used to build each ladder tower. 
   Rungs  126   a  and  128   a  are connected to base  124   a  and to each other via rungs spacers and other spacers  132   a  and  133   a  via by either sleeving each rung spacer onto other spacers, or vice-versa. Rung spacer  130   a  is connected to a spacer  132   a  which sleeves, for example, onto another lower spacer  133   a  or vice versa. Lower spacer  133   a  sleeves over onto and down the base spacer  124   a . Rung spacer  131   a  for rung  128   a  is sleeved onto rung spacer  130   a  for rung  126   a . The shape of the spacers are depicted as rectangular, but may be any other shape, such as cylindrical. A lockdown  134   a  for an adjustable brace assembly  94  described below, completes each ladder tower and sleeves onto rung spacer  131   a  for rung  128   a , completing the ladder assembly. The lockdown, has a height of, for example, 3 inches. This arrangement of rung spacers  130  and spacers  132  may be repeated a desired number of times to form a ladder tower of a desired height. To make a taller tower to accommodate more items, the series of spacers  132   a ,  130   a , and  131   a  may be repeated, or an alternate arrangement of spacers may be used. 
   Spacers range, for example in height from 1 inch to 1 foot, and are typically 1 inch, 2 inch, 3 inch, or 1 foot spacers. In the depicted example, the base spacer  124   a  has a height of 2 feet, lower spacer  133   a  has a height of 3 inches, higher spacer  132   a  has a height of 1 foot, and rung spacers have a height of 3 inches. 
   The ladder tower  124   a  includes, in one embodiment, a height increaser assembly  136   a  which includes a height bar  138   a  stored within base spacer  124   a . The height bar includes a lower fastener opening  139   a  which aligns with fastener opening  140   a  of base spacer  124   a  and an upper fastener opening  139   a  which aligns with lower fastener opening of upper height spacer  125   a . The upper spacer  125   a  has the same cross-sectional dimensions as the base spacer. Thus, spacers which are able to slide over the base spacer, can also slide over the upper spacer. The lengths of the base spacer and upper spacer may vary from each other depending on the desired length of the extension of the base spacer. The base spacer  124   a  is a standard size and each spacer other than the base and height spacer has, for example, an opening larger than the opening of base spacer  124   a  to sleeve down over base spacer  124   a  and spacer  125   a , if present. The height bar and the upper height spacer disposed above the height bar increase the height of the base over which other spacers slide. Upper spacer  125  acts as an extension of the base. When secured, with fastener such as  143   a , the height bar provides added height to the ladder tower. 
   Referring back to  FIG. 10 , each rung  126  and  128  has a free end and extends in an opposite direction from the other. Each of rungs  126   a  and  128   a  (if present) pairs with an opposing, parallel, or substantially parallel rung  126   b  and  128   b , respectively, to form a rung pair  142  that provides a support surface for a desired item. For example, rung pair  142  is formed by parallel and opposing rungs  126   a  and  126   b . In another example, a rung pair is formed by parallel and opposing rungs  128   a  and  128   b . Rungs  126   a  and  126   b  may be present with or without rungs  128   a  and  128   b  and vice-versa. 
   Distances between a higher rung pair and a lower rung pair may be changed to accommodate larger or smaller items. Items may also be stored on rung pairs  128   a  and  128   b  disposed on the other side of the ladder towers  124   a  and  124   b . In the pictured example, the items are only stored on one side of the ladder tower assembly, however, the other side of the ladder tower assembly is free to receive items. 
   Rope or tie downs may be used to secure boats or other items to the pod. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 10 ,  11 , and  13 , adjustable brace assembly  121  which is disposed between the two ladder towers  124   a  and  124   b  ( FIG. 10 ) is seen. The adjustable brace assembly includes two adjustable braces  122   a  and  122   b  which provide support to a ladder tower assembly of varying size. The adjustable braces  122   a  and  122   b  each include a male member  152  insertable into a female member  154 . The braces join with each other at the male ends to form a “v” shaped support structure. 
   The “v” shaped support structure connects to each ladder tower at the high ends of the “v” via the female members  154   a  and  154   b  and to the trailer flatbed  14  (or other interchangeable pod, such as pod  12 ) at the point of the “v” structure via the male members  152   a  and  152   b . The male members connect to the flatbed via frame  120 . In one example, a fastener ring  162  on the frame is used to fasten the braces  122   a  and  122   b  to each other and to the frame via the fastener openings  159   a  and  159   b  of the male members  152   a  and  152   b . Any desired fastening means may be used. Fastener openings  158   a  and  158   b  and fasteners  160 , such as nuts and bolts, are used to secure each female member to a ladder tower and to secure the male members to each other and to the trailer flatbed. Female members  154   a  and  154   b  of the brace are each connected to the adjustable brace lockdown  134   a  and  134   b  of each ladder tower  124   a  and  124   b.    
   The elements of adjustable brace  122   a  are the same elements of adjustable brace  122   b , thus only the elements of  122   a  will be discussed with regard to  FIGS. 12 and 13 . Adjustable brace lockdown  134   a  ( FIG. 12 ) includes a fastener plate  166   a  and an opening  168   a  to receive fastening means to fasten the female member and thus the brace  122   a  to it and the ladder tower assembly  118 . The female member  154   a  engages male member  152   a  by means of a movable pin  153 . Each male and female member include pin holes  157  (twelve exemplary pin holes are pictured) which allow for a multitude of length choices and may result in large or “macro” length changes. The male member  152   a  may comprise, for example, two tubes  170   a  and  172   a , each threadable within the other within sleeve  174  having threads. The male member  152   a  is, for example, solid within tube  170   a . Threading one or both of the tubes  170   a  and  172   a  in a direction into or out of the sleeve  174  allows for length adjustments of the brace, such as “micro” adjustments, to be made. Thus, for a taller ladder tower assembly, each brace of the brace assembly may be lengthened and for a shorter ladder tower assembly each brace of the brace assembly may be shortened. 
   If desired, each pod of the present invention may be secured directly onto the trailer flatbed without the use of a frame. 
   With reference to  FIG. 14 , hitch  20 , which may be used in conjunction with the trailer  10  of the present invention is seen. The hitch includes fastening means  178  for connecting hitch members  180  and  182  to one another. 
   With reference to  FIG. 15 , frame support  120 , which can be used as a frame of the interchangeable watercraft pod of the present invention, or other pod, is seen. It includes internal frame members  121 . It also includes fastener plates  24  and fastener openings  22 . The fastener openings are in alignment with fastener openings of the flatbed  14  upon which the frame support  120  rests. The frame support on its own may be used to carry luggage and other miscellaneous items.