Parts of a Trailer
Car trailers allow you to haul around boats, bikes, motorcycles, furniture, campers and appliances--just about anything big and weighty enough to need an extra pair of wheels to get from here to there. The average car trailer is a pretty simple piece of equipment that you can get familiar with by taking a quick walk-around.
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Wheel Assemblies
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For a good look at the parts of your trailer, start where the rubber hits the road: the wheel assembly. Most trailers carry two or four tires on a single axle. The wheel assembly consist of rims, wheel bearings, equalizer bars, springs, hubs and (on some models) electric or hydraulic brakes which are operated from the driver's seat. The wheels may be protected by aluminum or steel fenders.
Trailer Bed
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Have a look at the trailer bed, where your equipment is stored or tied down. The trailer bed may be a stimple steel or aluminum frame, such as in a boat trailer A-frame, or it may have a solid floor of wood planks, corrugated steel or metal sheets, with tie-down straps available to hold your cargo in place. At the back is a fold-down ramp, along with tail lights and clearance lights. Some trailers also have sidemarker lights and/or reflectors to make them more visible in the dark or in rainy conditions.
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Front-End Equipment
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Walk to the front and inspect the front-end equipment. A small electric winch can help with getting equipment on board. A ball or pintle hitch, coupler assembly and safety chains attach the trailer to your car or truck. Stabilizer bars keep the trailer as level as possible as you go around curves and hit bumps in the road. The wiring for lights and the brake system also run through the front.
Trailer Extras
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Your trailer may also come with a variety of convenient optional equipment, such as equipment racks, locking devices, mirrors, spare tire carriers, grab handles and fold-down steps. Big closed trailers carry ventilators, doors and locks on side and/or rear panels and on-board cruising lights as well as heavier suspension equipment.
Accessories
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To keep the trailer in good repair, be sure to have a kit of spare parts and accessories at the ready. Trailer grease and lube oil keep the moving parts lubed and running smoothly. A spare hitch is a good idea, as is a set of spare safety chains. Trailer jacks come in handy if you need to change a tire or work on the suspension. Conspicuity tape can wear off easily, so keep an extra roll with the trailer as well. To secure the loads, you should always have cargo nets, bungee cords, load binders and tie-downs, all of which help to keep the cargo from shifting and banging.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Nick Johnson
