Patent ID: 7988176

Claim:
An adaptive fifth-wheel hitch system comprising: a vehicle hitch coupling system having a receiving component having an interface configuration; a fifth-wheel hitch assembly configured to removably couple a fifth-wheel trailer to a vehicle, said fifth-wheel hitch assembly having an interface configuration different from said interface configuration of said receiving component, said fifth-wheel hitch assembly being incapable of mating with, and directly coupling to, said vehicle hitch coupling system; and an adapter that removably couples said fifth-wheel hitch assembly and said vehicle hitch coupling system, said adapter comprising: a mounting component, having a first interface, coupled to said fifth-wheel hitch assembly; a coupling component, having a second interface, coupled to said vehicle hitch coupling system, said coupling component corresponding to said receiving component of said vehicle hitch coupling system; and a means for enhancing the coupling of said adapter within said receiving component; said enhancing means comprising a j-bolt coupled to said adapter to facilitate drawing together said coupling system and said adapter to reduce play therebetween.