Patent ID: 8360457

Claim:
A sealed, pumpless hydraulic trailer steering mechanism for a trailer, the trailer having steerable wheels, a frame, and a rigid tongue pivotally attachable to a tow vehicle, the trailer steering mechanism comprising: a hydraulic steering cylinder having a selectively extendable rod and a cylinder base opposite the rod, the rod having a tow vehicle connection end; a double-rod hydraulic axle lock cylinder adapted for being immovably affixed to the trailer frame, the axle lock cylinder having a front rod directly connected to the cylinder base of the steering cylinder and a rear rod; a steering linkage adapted for connection between the axle lock cylinder and the steerable wheels of the trailer; and a hydraulic control valve communicating hydraulically with the steering cylinder and the axle lock cylinder, the control valve selectively opening hydraulic flow to the steering cylinder and closing hydraulic flow to the axle lock cylinder when in forward operating mode and closing hydraulic flow to the steering cylinder and opening hydraulic flow to the axle lock cylinder when in backing operating mode.