Patent Publication Number: US-2019176699-A1

Title: Method of hitching a tow vehicle to a trailer, and vehicle therefor

Description:
INTRODUCTION 
     The disclosure generally relates to a method of hitching a tow vehicle to a trailer, and a vehicle operable to implement the method. 
     Tow vehicles are coupled to trailers through interlocking engagement of a hitch on the tow vehicle, and a coupler on the trailer. There are several different types and/or configurations of hitches and couplers used, but the process for connecting the hitch to the coupler, regardless of the type of hitch/coupler, includes backing the tow vehicle up to the trailer to position the hitch on the tow vehicle in proper position relative to the trailer so that the coupler may engage the hitch. This is a challenging task, and for many hitch/coupler configurations, the hitch and coupler are out of view of the tow vehicle operator. 
     In order to maneuver the tow vehicle into the proper position to connect the hitch to the coupler, the tow vehicle operator may rely on an assistant located outside of the tow vehicle to guide them into position. In order to simplify the hitching process, some tow vehicles have incorporated rearview cameras, which capture an image facing rearward of the tow vehicle. The image captured from the rearview camera is displayed on a display screen for the tow vehicle operator to see. However, when the tow vehicle gets close to the trailer, the coupler on the trailer often goes below and out of the field of view of the rearview camera, or due to the extreme angle, the depth perception provided by the captured video becomes very skewed, such that the tow vehicle operator must get out of the vehicle and verify the actual distance between the hitch and the coupler. 
     SUMMARY 
     A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a body that extends along a central longitudinal axis, between a forward end and a rearward end. The body includes a tailgate that is disposed at the rearward end of the body. The tailgate is moveable between a first position and a second position. A hitch is attached to the body adjacent the rearward end of the body. The hitch is configured for connection to a coupler on a trailer. A rearview camera is mounted to and moveable with the tailgate. The rearview camera includes a field of view that changes perspective with movement of the tailgate between the first position and the second position. A vehicle controller includes a processor and a memory. The memory has a coupler viewing algorithm stored thereon. The processor is operable to execute the coupler viewing algorithm to assist in a method hitching the vehicle to the trailer. More specifically, the processor is operable to execute the coupler viewing algorithm to determine a distance between the coupler on the trailer and the hitch. The coupler viewing algorithm moves the tailgate and the rearview camera from the first position into the second position when the determined distance between the coupler on the trailer and the hitch is equal to or less than a predefined distance. 
     In one aspect of the vehicle, the processor is operable to execute the coupler viewing algorithm to capture a video of the coupler with the rearview camera. The coupler viewing algorithm further displays the captured video on a display screen of the vehicle. 
     In another aspect of the vehicle, the processor is operable to execute the coupler viewing algorithm to identify the coupler on the trailer in the captured video, and indicate a message that the tailgate may be lowered. 
     In another aspect of the vehicle, the vehicle includes a transmission that is selectively positionable in a reverse drive mode. The processor is operable to execute the coupler viewing algorithm to determine if the transmission is positioned in the reverse drive mode, or if the transmission is not positioned in the reverse drive mode. 
     In another aspect of the vehicle, the coupler viewing algorithm is operable to determine if the determined distance between the coupler on the trailer and the hitch is greater than the predefined distance, or if the determined distance between the coupler on the trailer and the hitch is equal to or less than the predefined distance. 
     In another aspect of the vehicle, the processor is operable to execute the coupler viewing algorithm to identify an object in a path of the tailgate that may interfere with movement of the tailgate from the first position into the second position. 
     In another aspect of the vehicle, the vehicle includes a tailgate actuator that interconnects the tailgate and the body. The tailgate actuator is operable to move the tailgate between the first position and the second position in response to a control signal. 
     A method of hitching a tow vehicle to a trailer is also provided. The method includes providing the tow vehicle with a rearview camera mounted on a tailgate. The rearview camera is moveable with the tailgate between a first position and a second position. A distance between a coupler on the trailer and a hitch on the tow vehicle is determined with a vehicle controller. A video of the coupler on the trailer is captured with the rearview camera. The captured video is displayed on a display screen of the tow vehicle. The tailgate and the rearview camera are moved from the first position into the second position when the determined distance between the coupler on the trailer and the hitch on the tow vehicle is equal to or less than a predefined distance. 
     The tow vehicle includes a transmission that is selectively positionable in either a reverse drive mode, or a non-reverse drive mode. In one aspect of the method, the vehicle controller determines if the transmission of the tow vehicle is positioned in the reverse drive mode, or if the transmission is not positioned in the reverse drive mode. 
     In one aspect of the method, when the transmission of the tow vehicle is positioned in the reverse drive mode, the method includes activating a coupler viewing algorithm operable on the vehicle controller of the tow vehicle. In another aspect of the method, the method includes deactivating the coupler viewing algorithm. Deactivating the coupler viewing algorithm may include an operator of the tow vehicle commanding the vehicle controller to deactivate the coupler viewing algorithm, or the operator of the tow vehicle positioning the transmission of the tow vehicle in a mode other than the reverse drive mode. In another aspect of the method, the vehicle controller may move the tailgate and the rearview camera from the second position to the first position in response to deactivation of the coupler viewing algorithm. 
     In another aspect of the method of hitching the tow vehicle to the trailer, the vehicle controller indicates a message that the tailgate may be lowered. 
     In another aspect of the method of hitching the tow vehicle to the trailer, the vehicle controller identifies the coupler on the trailer in the captured video. The vehicle controller may determine if the determined distance between the coupler on the trailer and the hitch on the tow vehicle is greater than the predefined distance, or if the determined distance between the coupler on the trailer and the hitch on the tow vehicle is equal to or less than the predefined distance. 
     In another aspect of the method, positioning the tailgate and the rearview camera in the second position when the determined distance between the coupler on the trailer and the hitch on the tow vehicle is equal to or less than the predefined distance, includes moving the tailgate and the rearview camera from the first position to the second position when the determined distance is reduced to the predefined distance. Moving the tailgate and the rearview camera from the first position to the second position may include automatically engaging a tailgate actuator of the tow vehicle, with the vehicle controller, to move the tailgate and the rearview camera. In an alternative embodiment, the vehicle controller may indicate a signal requesting the operator of the tow vehicle manually lower the tailgate and the rearview camera from the first position to the second position. 
     In another aspect of the method, the vehicle controller may identify an object in a path of the tailgate that may interfere with movement of the tailgate from the first position into the second position. 
     Accordingly, the method of hitching the tow vehicle to the trailer, which may be implemented by the vehicle described above, includes positioning the tailgate and the rearview camera in the second position when the tow vehicle is close to the trailer. The first position of the tailgate may be defined as a generally vertical or upright position, whereas the second position may be defined as a lowered or partially lowered position of the tailgate, in which the tailgate forms an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane. By moving the tailgate and the rearview camera into the second position as the tow vehicle nears the trailer, the perspective of the field of view of the rearview camera is changed to provide a more top-down view of the hitch and coupler, which provides a better perspective for the operator of the tow vehicle, thereby improving the hitching process. 
     The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present teachings are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the teachings when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic side view of a tow vehicle and a trailer, with a tailgate of the tow vehicle in a first position. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic side view of the tow vehicle and the trailer, with the tailgate in a second position. 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart representing a method of hitching the tow vehicle to the trailer. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as “above,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” “top,” “bottom,” etc., are used descriptively for the figures, and do not represent limitations on the scope of the disclosure, as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, the teachings may be described herein in terms of functional and/or logical block components and/or various processing steps. It should be realized that such block components may be comprised of a number of hardware, software, and/or firmware components configured to perform the specified functions. 
     Referring to the FIGS., wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a vehicle is generally shown at  20 . The exemplary embodiment of the vehicle  20  shown in the FIGS. is embodied as a pick-up truck. However, it should be appreciated that other embodiments of the vehicle  20  may be configured differently than the exemplary embodiment shown and described herein. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the vehicle  20  is shown near a trailer  22 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the vehicle  20  includes a body  24 , which extends along a central longitudinal axis  26  between a forward end  28  and a rearward end  30 . As used herein, the body  24  of the vehicle  20  includes, but is not limited to, the panels forming the exterior shape of the vehicle  20 , and the underlying support structure and framework to which the panels are attached. As shown in the exemplary embodiment, the body  24  includes a truck bed  32  having side walls  34  and a tailgate  36 . The tailgate  36  is disposed at the rearward end  30  of the body  24 . The tailgate  36  is rotatably attached to the truck bed  32  for rotation between a first position (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and a second position (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The first position may be defined as a closed position, in which the tailgate  36  is disposed in a generally vertical or upright orientation relative to a horizontal plane of the vehicle  20 . The horizontal plane of the vehicle  20  may be defined as a plane defined by the central longitudinal axis  26  and a central transverse axis of the vehicle  20 . The second position may be defined as an open position, in which the tailgate  36  is not disposed in the first position. The second position may include a position in which the tailgate  36  forms an acute angle  40  relative to the horizontal plane of the vehicle  20 . When positioned in the first position, the tailgate  36  may be latched to the truck bed  32  to secure the tailgate  36  in position relative to the truck bed  32 . Upon being unlatched, the tailgate  36  may rotate rearward about a rotation axis  42  to a fully opened position (not shown), in which the tailgate  36  is generally parallel with the horizontal plane of the vehicle  20 . The second position may include a position of the tailgate  36  other the first position, i.e., between the first position and the fully opened position. Additionally, the second position may include and be defined as the fully opened position. 
     In other embodiments, the first position may be defined as a position in which the tailgate  36  forms a first angle relative to the horizontal plane, and the second position may be defined as a position in which the tailgate  36  forms a second angle relative to the horizontal plane, with the first angle being greater or larger than the second angle. In other words, the first position is a more upright position, and the second position is a more lowered position. 
     The vehicle  20  may include a tailgate actuator  44 . The tailgate actuator  44  interconnects the tailgate  36  and the body  24 . The tailgate actuator  44  is operable to move the tailgate  36  between the first position and the second position in response to a control signal from a vehicle controller  46 . The tailgate actuator  44  may include a device or system capable of moving the tailgate  36 . For example, the tailgate actuator  44  may include, but is not limited to, an electric motor for winding a cable. The electric motor is engaged in response to the control signal to wind or unwind the cable, which in turn raises or lowers the tailgate  36 . It should be appreciated that the tailgate actuator  44  may include some other structure, device, system, etc., other than the exemplary embodiment noted above. The specific type, construction, and operation of the tailgate actuator  44  are not pertinent to the teachings of this disclosure, are understood by those skilled in the art, and are therefore not described in detail herein. 
     A hitch  48  is attached to the body  24  of the vehicle  20 . The hitch  48  is disposed adjacent the rearward end  30  of the body  24 , and is generally positioned underneath or at a lower elevation than the tailgate  36 . The hitch  48  is configured for connection to a coupler  50  on the trailer  22 . The hitch  48  and the coupler  50  may be configured in a suitable manner capable of securely coupling the trailer  22  to the truck. There are many different styles of hitch  48  and coupler  50 . The specific type, style, configuration, and operation of the hitch  48  and the coupler  50  are not pertinent to the teachings of this disclosure, are understood by those skilled in the art, and are therefore not described in detail herein. 
     A rearview camera  52  is mounted to and moveable with the tailgate  36 . The rearview camera  52  includes a field of view  54  that changes perspective with movement of the tailgate  36  between the first position and the second position. For example, when the tailgate  36  is disposed in the first position, the rearview camera  52  is facing generally rearward of the vehicle  20 . However as the tailgate  36  rotates downward from the first position into the second position, the field of view  54  of the rearview camera  52  will also rotate downward. Accordingly, the further the tailgate  36  and the rearview camera  52  rotate away from the first position, the field of view  54  of the rearview camera  52  will change to a more downward direction. It should be appreciated, that when the tailgate  36  is in the fully closed position, the field of view  54  of the rearview camera  52  would be generally vertical, pointing downward toward a ground surface  56 . 
     The rearview camera  52  may include a device capable of capturing and electronically communicating a picture and/or a video. The rearview camera  52  is connected with the vehicle controller  46 , and transmits pictures/video to the vehicle controller  46 . The rearview camera  52  may be used by other systems of the vehicle  20  as well, such as but not limited to an automatic driver assist function of the vehicle  20 . The specific type, style, and operation of the rearview camera  52  are not pertinent to the teachings of this disclosure, are understood by those skilled in the art, and are therefore not described in detail herein. 
     The vehicle  20  further includes a display screen  58 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in the FIGS., the display screen  58  is positioned within a cab  60  of the vehicle  20 , and is viewable by an operator of the vehicle  20 . The display screen  58  is disposed in communication with the vehicle controller  46 , and displays the photo/video from the rearview camera  52 . The display screen  58  may include a device capable of displaying a representation of the image(s) from the rearview camera  52 . The specific type, style, and configuration of the display screen  58  are not pertinent to the teachings of this disclosure, are understood by those skilled in the art, and are therefore not described in detail herein. 
     The vehicle  20  further includes a transmission  62 . The transmission  62  is selectively positionable in one of a plurality of drive modes. More specifically, the transmission  62  may be positioned in a reverse drive mode, or in a non-reverse drive mode. The transmission  62  may include a style of transmission suitable for the vehicle  20 . For example, the transmission  62  may include, but is not limited to, an automatic transmission, a manual transmission, a dual clutch transmission, or a continuously variable transmission. An operator selects a desired drive mode for the transmission  62 . Exemplary drive modes may include, but are not limited to, the reverse drive mode, a forward drive mode, a park mode, and a neutral mode. For the purposes of this disclosure, the drive modes of the transmission  62  may be considered the reverse drive mode, and the non-reverse drive modes. The non-reverse drive modes may include the available drive modes other than the reverse drive mode. The specific type, style and operation of the transmission  62  are not pertinent to the teachings of this disclosure, are understood by those skilled in the art, and are therefore not described in detail herein. 
     The vehicle controller  46  may be referred to as a controller, a vehicle  20  control module, a control module, a computing device, or a computer, etc. The vehicle controller  46  is operable to control certain components of the vehicle  20 , such as but not limited to the rearview camera  52 , the display screen  58 , and the tailgate actuator  44 . The vehicle controller  46  may include a computer and/or processor  66 , and include software, hardware, memory, algorithms, connections, sensors, etc., for managing and controlling the operation of the vehicle  20 . As such, a method described below and generally shown in  FIG. 3  may be embodied as a program or algorithm operable on the vehicle controller  46 . It should be appreciated that the vehicle controller  46  may include a device capable of analyzing data from various sensors, comparing data, making the decisions required to control the operation of the various components of the vehicle  20 , and executing the required tasks for controlling the operation of the various components of the vehicle  20 . 
     The vehicle controller  46  may be embodied as one or multiple digital computers or host machines each having one or more processors  66 , read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), electrically-programmable read only memory (EPROM), optical drives, magnetic drives, etc., a high-speed clock, analog-to-digital (A/D) circuitry, digital-to-analog (D/A) circuitry, and required input/output (I/O) circuitry, I/O devices, and communication interfaces, as well as signal conditioning and buffer electronics. 
     The computer-readable memory may include a non-transitory/tangible medium which participates in providing data or computer-readable instructions. Memory may be non-volatile or volatile. Non-volatile media may include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Example volatile media may include dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which may constitute a main memory. Other examples of embodiments for memory include a floppy, flexible disk, or hard disk, magnetic tape or other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, and/or other optical medium, as well as other possible memory devices such as flash memory. 
     The vehicle controller  46  includes tangible, non-transitory memory  68  on which are recorded computer-executable instructions, including a coupler viewing algorithm  70 . The processor  66  of the vehicle controller  46  is configured for executing the coupler viewing algorithm  70 . The coupler viewing algorithm  70  may be used to implement a method of hitching the vehicle  20  to the trailer  22 . More specifically, the processor  66  is operable to execute the coupler viewing algorithm  70  to capture a video of the coupler  50  with the rearview camera, as the vehicle  20  backs up toward the trailer  22 . As described below, the vehicle  20  may alternatively be referred to herein as the tow vehicle  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the method of hitching the tow vehicle  20  to the trailer  22 , as implemented by the coupler viewing algorithm  70 , may include determining if the transmission  62  of the tow vehicle  20  is positioned in the reverse drive mode, or if the transmission  62  of the tow vehicle  20  is positioned in the non-reverse drive mode, i.e., if the transmission  62  is not positioned in the reverse drive mode. The step of determining if the transmission  62  is in the reverse drive mode is generally indicated by box  100  in  FIG. 3 . As is understood by those skilled in the art, the process of hitching the tow vehicle  20  to the trailer  22  includes backing or reversing the tow vehicle  20  up to the trailer  22 , so that the hitch  48  on the tow vehicle  20  is properly aligned with the coupler  50  on the trailer  22 . In order to ensure that the process described below is not inadvertently executed, the vehicle controller  46  may require that the transmission  62  of the vehicle  20  is positioned in the reverse drive mode, such as would be the position when backing the tow vehicle  20  up to the trailer  22 . The vehicle controller  46  may determine the drive mode of the tow vehicle  20  in a suitable manner, such as by querying a transmission controller or a transmission control module of the vehicle  20 . 
     If the vehicle controller  46  determines that the drive mode of the transmission  62  is in the non-reverse drive mode, i.e., is not in the reverse drive mode, generally indicated at  102  in  FIG. 3 , then the vehicle controller  46  ends the coupler viewing algorithm  70 , and continues to monitor the position of the transmission  62  to determine when the transmission  62  is repositioned into the reverse drive mode. If the vehicle controller  46  determines that the transmission  62  of the vehicle  20  is positioned in the reverse drive mode, generally indicated at  104  in  FIG. 3 , then the vehicle controller  46  enables activation of the remaining processes of the coupler viewing algorithm  70 . 
     If the vehicle controller  46  has determined that the transmission  62  of the vehicle  20  is positioned in the reverse drive mode, an operator of the tow vehicle  20  may then activate the coupler viewing algorithm  70 . The step of activating the coupler viewing algorithm  70  is generally indicated by box  106  in  FIG. 3 . The operator may activate the coupler viewing algorithm  70  in a suitable manner, such as by inputting a command into the vehicle controller  46 . The command may be input into the vehicle controller  46  in a suitable manner, such as but not limited to, pressing a button, toggle switch, etc., inputting the command via a touch screen display, a vocal command, or by some other input device. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the coupler viewing algorithm  70  may be activated in many different ways using many different devices. 
     Upon activating the coupler viewing algorithm  70 , the vehicle controller  46  may indicate a message that the tailgate  36  may be lowered. The step of indicating the tailgate moving down message is generally indicated by box  108  in  FIG. 3 . The message may be indicated in a suitable manner. For example, the vehicle controller  46  may display a written message on the display screen  58 , may illuminate an indicator lamp, or may broadcast a vocal message. It should be appreciated that the message may be indicated in some other manner not specifically described herein, in order to warn the operator that the tailgate  36  may be lowered as part of the process described herein. 
     The vehicle controller  46  may then command the rearview camera  52  to capture a video of the coupler  50  on the trailer  22 . The step of capturing video of the coupler  50  is generally indicated by box  110  in  FIG. 3 . It should be appreciated that the video is a compilation of images strung together to form a moving image. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that capturing the video of the coupler  50  includes capturing a single image of the coupler  50 . The rearview camera  52  captures the video with the tailgate  36  in the first position, i.e., the upright generally vertical position. The vehicle controller  46  may then display the captured video on the display screen  58  of the tow vehicle  20 , so that the operator of the tow vehicle  20  may view the image during the hitching process. The step of displaying the video is generally indicated by box  112  in  FIG. 3 . 
     The vehicle controller  46  then identifies the coupler  50  on the trailer  22  in the captured video. The step of identifying the coupler  50  in the video is generally indicated by box  114  in  FIG. 3 . The vehicle controller  46  may identify the coupler  50  in a suitable manner. For example, the vehicle controller  46  may use feature recognition software to identify the coupler  50  on the trailer  22 . Alternatively, the vehicle controller  46  may identify the coupler  50  in the video in some other manner not described herein. 
     Once the vehicle controller  46  has identified the coupler  50  on the trailer  22 , then the vehicle controller  46  may determine a distance between the coupler  50  on the trailer  22  and the hitch  48  on the tow vehicle  20 . The step of determining the distance between the coupler  50  and the hitch  48  is generally indicated by box  116  in  FIG. 3 . The vehicle controller  46  may determine the distance to the coupler  50  in a suitable manner. For example, the vehicle controller  46  may use a distance calculation software to determine the distance to the coupler  50 . This may require certain information be input into the vehicle controller  46 , such as the location of the hitch  48  relative to the rearview camera  52 . Alternatively, if both the hitch  48  and the coupler  50  are visible in the captured video, then the vehicle controller  46  may use these two features to capture the distance therebetween. 
     The vehicle controller  46  then compares the determined distance between the coupler  50  and the hitch  48  to a predefined distance. The predefined distance may be defined to include a value that is dependent upon the specific configuration of the tow vehicle  20  and the trailer  22 . For example, the predefined distance may be defined as the distance between the hitch  48  and the coupler  50  where the coupler  50  goes out of the field of view  54  of the rearview camera  52  when positioned in the first position, or where the location of the coupler  50  in the captured video becomes too distorted for the operator to view. The vehicle controller  46  compares the determined distance to the predefined distance to determine if the determined distance between the coupler  50  on the trailer  22  and the hitch  48  is greater than the predefined distance, or if the determined distance between the coupler  50  on the trailer  22  and the hitch  48  is equal to or less than the predefined distance. The step of determining if the determined distance is greater than, equal to, or less than the predefined distance is generally indicated by box  118  in  FIG. 3 . 
     If the vehicle controller  46  determines that the determined distance is greater than the predefined distance, generally indicated at  120  in  FIG. 3 , then the vehicle controller  46  maintains the position of the tailgate  36  and the rearview camera  52  in the first position, such as shown in  FIG. 1 , and continues to determine the distance between the hitch  48  and the coupler  50  as the tow vehicle  20  nears the trailer  22 . The operator may move the tow vehicle  20  toward the trailer  22  to reduce the determined distance between the coupler  50  on the trailer  22  and the hitch  48  on the tow vehicle  20 . 
     If the vehicle controller  46  determines that the determined distance is equal to or less than the predefined distance, such as shown in  FIG. 2  and generally indicated at  122  in  FIG. 3 , then the vehicle controller  46  positions the tailgate  36  and the rearview camera  52  in the second position. However, prior to positioning the tailgate  36  and the rearview camera  52  in the second position, the vehicle controller  46  may determine or identify an object in a path of the tailgate  36  that may interfere with movement of the tailgate  36  from the first position into the second position. The step of identifying an obstructing object is generally indicated by box  124  in  FIG. 3 . The vehicle controller  46  may identify an object in the path of the tailgate  36  in a suitable manner. For example, the vehicle controller  46  may use object recognition software to examine the captured video, or proximity sensors, in order to identify a potential object that may interfere with the tailgate  36 . It should be appreciated that the object may be identified in some other manner as well, not specifically mentioned or described herein. 
     Once the vehicle controller  46  determines that the path of the tailgate  36  is clear of an obstructing object, then the vehicle controller  46  may move the tailgate  36  and the rearview camera  52  from the first position into the second position. The step of moving the tailgate  36  into the second position is generally indicated by box  126  in  FIG. 3 . It should be appreciated that the operator may be moving the tow vehicle  20  closer to the trailer  22  during the process. As such, the vehicle controller  46  may move the tailgate  36  and the rearview camera  52  from the first position to the second position when the determined distance is reduced to a value that equals the predefined distance. 
     The tailgate  36  and the rearview camera  52  may be moved from the first position into the second position in a suitable manner. For example, moving the tailgate  36  and the rearview camera  52  from the first position to the second position may include the vehicle controller  46  automatically engaging the tailgate actuator  44  of the tow vehicle  20  to move the tailgate  36  and the rearview camera  52  from the first position into the second position. Alternatively, moving the tailgate  36  and the rearview camera  52  from the first position to the second portion may include signaling the operator to manually move the tailgate  36  from the first position to the second position. In order to do so, the vehicle  20  may be equipped with a catch or shortened cable that secures the tailgate  36  relative to the body  24  in the desired second position. The operator may manually position the tailgate  36  in the second position. 
     As noted above, the rearview camera  52  includes a field of view  54 . As the tow vehicle  20  nears the trailer  22 , the coupler  50  on the trailer  22  may go outside the field of view  54  of the rearview camera  52 , or may become distorted to the point that the operator is unable to properly judge the location of the coupler  50  relative to the hitch  48 . By moving the tailgate  36  and the rearview camera  52  from the first position, i.e., the generally vertical or upright position, into the second position, i.e., the fully or partially lowered position, the field of view  54  of the rearview camera  52  is moved as well, and provides an more top down view of the coupler  50 , so that the operator may better judge the position of the coupler  50  relative to the hitch  48  in the captured video displayed on the display screen  58 . 
     Although the process has been described above with reference to a single second position and a single predefined distance, it should be appreciated that the above described process may be implemented using several different positions of the tailgate  36  for different distances between the coupler  50  and the hitch  48 . In other words, as the tow vehicle  20  approaches the trailer  22 , the tailgate  36  may be lowered to a first sequential position at a first predefined distance, followed by lowering the tailgate  36  to a second sequential position at a second predefined distance, followed by lowering the tailgate  36  to a third sequential position at a third predefined distance, etc. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the second position may be defined as several distinct sequential positions, with each of the sequential positions having a respective predefined distance. 
     The coupler viewing algorithm  70  may be deactivated when desired during the process. The step of deactivating the coupler viewing algorithm  70  is generally indicated by box  128  in  FIG. 3 . For example, the coupler viewing algorithm  70  may be deactivated by the operator commanding the vehicle controller  46  to deactivate the coupler viewing algorithm  70 , such as by pressing a button, toggle switch, inputting a command into a touch screen display, a vocal command, etc. The operator may deactivate the coupler viewing algorithm  70  at their discretion. Alternatively, the vehicle controller  46  may automatically deactivate the coupler viewing algorithm  70  in response to the operator positioning the transmission  62  in a non-reverse drive mode. For example, when the operator determines that the hitch  48  is properly positioned relative to the coupler  50 , the operator may reposition the transmission  62  of the vehicle  20  from the reverse drive mode into the park mode, i.e., the non-reverse drive mode. In response to the operator placing the transmission  62  in the non-reverse drive mode, the vehicle controller  46  may deactivate the coupler viewing algorithm  70 . Deactivation of the coupler viewing algorithm  70  may include the vehicle controller  46  automatically moving the tailgate  36  and the rearview camera  52  from the second position, back into the first position. 
     The detailed description and the drawings or figures are supportive and descriptive of the disclosure, but the scope of the disclosure is defined solely by the claims. While some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the claimed teachings have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the disclosure defined in the appended claims.