A Trailer is an unpowered vehicle pulled by one with an engine. Some non-American dialects distinguish a trailer (generally uncovered, used for goods and materials) from a caravan (generally weather-resistant, used for human habitation).

Types of trailers

There are five main types of trailer, defidend by their axle arrangment and method of combination.

Semitrailer

A semitrailer is supported at its forward end by a fifth wheel (or gooseneck ball) mounted on a truck or dolly and at the rear end by its own wheels

Full trailer

A full trailer is supported by axles front and rear and pulled by the way of a drawbar

Simple trailer

A simple trailer is pulled by a drawbar, but has a single set of axles

Travel Trailer

A trailer meant for housing people while camping, towed by a motorized vehicle (e.g. a USA trailer made by Airstream)

A-train

An A-train is a semitrailer pulling a full trailer

B-train

A B-train is a semitrailer pulling another semitrailer

Freight Trailers

Trailers built for hauling cargo come in different shape depending on their use.

• Container chassis, designed to carry standard containers
• Van, essentially a box on wheels. There are many types of vans
  • Reefer vans, refrigerated, insulated vans for the transport of perishables goods
  • curtainsides, vans whose sides are made of fabric and can be easily removed
• flatbed
• platform
• dump
• tank

See also: Camper, Semi-trailer.