Patent ID: 8157284

Claim:
A method for aligning a tractor with a steerable trailer, comprising: (a) providing a tractor having a central axis and a fifth wheel having a slot; (b) providing a steerable trailer, said steerable trailer having a trailer alignment system including; an interface member having a bottom surface and an alignment axis, said interface member rotatably connected to said streerable trailer; a kingpin disposed on said bottom surface and on said alignment axis of said interface member; an alignment guide disposed on said interface member, said alignment guide oriented perpendicular to said alignment axis of said interface member, said alignment guide having a first end which outwardly projects from said interface member, and an opposite second end which outwardly projects in an opposite direction from said interface member; (c) using said first and second ends of said alignment guide as a guide, backing up said tractor toward said interface member so that said central axis of said tractor is aligned with said alignment axis of said interface member; and, (d) continuing to back up said tractor until said kingpin is received and locked in place in said slot of said fifth wheel.