Tractor-trailer with convertible steering arrangement

摘要

A tractor-trailer for hauling a load is provided which is convertible from a conventional steering arrangement to a stinger steering arrangement to maneuver relatively long loads around tighter corners, roundabouts and other obstacles. The tractor-trailer includes a rear wheel assembly with a telescoping reach and a towing tractor including a chassis and a stinger to selectively attach to the telescoping reach of the rear wheel assembly. The stinger is movably coupled to the chassis to move between a stowed configuration for conventional steering and a deployed configuration for stinger steering.

主权项

1. A tractor-trailer for hauling a load, the tractor trailer comprising:
a rear wheel assembly having a telescoping reach; and a towing tractor including a chassis having a fifth wheel to receive a coupling pin of a trailer assembly carrying the load and having a rail system positioned below the fifth wheel, the towing tractor further including a deployable stinger to selectively attach to the telescoping reach of the rear wheel assembly to provide stinger-steering, the deployable stinger being slidably coupled to the rail system below the fifth wheel to move between a stowed configuration in which at least a majority of the deployable stinger is stowed within the chassis and a deployed configuration in which the deployable stinger extends from a rear end of the chassis to attach to the telescoping reach.