The definition of a trailer can vary greatly, from “a large, open living area enclosed in a trailer” to “a moving van with a bed and refrigerator”. The trailer, as a definition, can be any moving vehicle with an enclosed interior space. There are many types of trailers, such as flatbed trailers, gondola trailers, open trailer trailers, pop up trailers, and a variety of others. But for our purposes, we will stick to the basic trailer. A trailer can have any number of different features, but we will discuss the most common trailer features.
A bicycle trailer, sometimes called a tandem trailer or a caravan trailer, is simply a trailer designed with two or more sections. The first section, the outrigger, will be on the truck or car with the towing vehicle in front. The second section, the towbar, will be on the other vehicle, usually a truck or SUV. The towing vehicle will pull both trailers along a trail or road. The typical uses of this type of trailer are for light towing of bicycles, for trailering, towing a recreational vehicle (RV), hauling chain-driven equipment, and even moving utility equipment on the ground.
A travel trailer can be a single detached unit, or it can be a semi-trailer. A travel trailer has sleeping quarters and can also have areas for storage, as well as a small bathroom. Semi-trailers are often used to haul lawn tractors, and are similar to utility trailers, except that they usually don’t have a bathroom.
Hitch units are attachments for trailers that use a tongue and groove design, and are designed for easy attachment to most types of semi-trailers. There are two types of hitch: low angle and high angle. The low angle hitch, which is the most popular type, is similar to the U-brakel that goes on cars. The high-angle hitch is more secure and provides a better seal; however, it requires a specific kind of bell connector that must be removed before mounting the trailer to the hitch.
Utility trailers are used to transport almost anything. They are the most popular form of trailer, and many people prefer to drive a utility trailer rather than a truck when possible. The use of utility trailers has increased in recent years, as more people are able to afford to tow a towed vehicle behind their pickup.
Towing a semi-trailer is much easier than towing a flatbed truck or an automobile. Semi-trailers are much stronger than flatbeds and can carry more weight. They also have better overall body integrity and performance. Flatbed trailers are not nearly as safe or as secure as semi-trailers, due to the placement of the bow-out frame. Flatbed trailers require more mechanical support and have a shorter overall length. The best choice for hauling any type of material is a semi-trailer with out a tow.