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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 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
A trailer meant for housing people while camping, towed by a motorized vehicle (e.g. a USA trailer made by Airstream (http://www.airstream.com/))
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.
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