Trailer hitch with multi-directional pivot

A trailer hitch assembly for use with support mounts provided on a vehicle, the trailer hitch assembly comprising:

• a U-shaped cross member adapted for pivotal connection to the support mounts to pivot about a first axis, the U-shaped cross member having (1) first and second ends aligned along the first axis and (2) a mid-section extending between the first and second ends and radially spaced from the first axis;
• a coupling subassembly for connecting with a towing member of a trailer, the coupling subassembly having an upper surface for supporting a nose of the trailer, the coupling subassembly being pivotally mounted to the mid-section of the U-shaped cross member to pivot about a second axis;
• and
• the mid-section of the U-shaped cross member being radially spaced from the first axis an effective distance that at least a portion of the upper surface of the connecting plate is substantially elevationally level with the first and second ends of the U-shaped cross member.

A fifth-wheel trailer hitch comprising:

• a support structure having first and second end mounting brackets spaced apart from one another;
• a U-shaped cross member pivotally mounted to the support structure to pivot about a first axis, the U-shaped cross member having (1) first and second ends aligned along the first axis and pivotally coupled to respective first and second mounting brackets and (2) a mid-section suspended between the first and second ends and radially spaced from, and rotatable about, the first axis;
• a coupling subassembly for coupling with a cooperating towing pin of a trailer, the coupling subassembly being pivotally mounted to the mid-section of the U-shaped cross member to pivot about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis;
• the coupling subassembly having a connecting plate with an upper surface for supporting a nose of the trailer and a clamping mechanism for releasibly retaining the towing pin of the trailer;
• and
• the mid-section of the U-shaped cross member being radially spaced from the first axis an effective distance that at least a portion of the upper surface of the connecting plate is substantially elevationally level with the first and second ends of the U-shaped cross member.

A fifth-wheel trailer hitch comprising:

• a support structure configured to mount to a truck bed having wheel wells, the support structure having a first end mounting bracket fixedly connected to the truck and positioned over an associated first wheel well and a second end mounting bracket fixedly connected to the truck and positioned over an associated second wheel well;
• a U-shaped cross member pivotally mounted to the support structure to pivot about a first axis, the U-shaped cross member having (1) first and second ends aligned along the first axis and pivotally coupled to respective first and second mounting brackets and (2) a mid-section suspended between the first and second ends and supported between the wheel wells, the mid-section being radially spaced from, and rotatable about, the first axis;
• a coupling subassembly for releasibly retaining a cooperating towing pin of a trailer, the coupling subassembly being pivotally mounted to the mid-section of the cross member to pivot about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis;
• the coupling subassembly having a connecting plate with an upper surface for supporting a nose of the trailer and a clamping mechanism for releasibly holding the towing pin of the trailer;
• and
• the mid-section of the U-shaped cross member being radially spaced an effective distance from the first axis that at least a portion of the upper surface of the connecting plate is substantially elevationally level with the first and second ends of the U-shaped cross member.