Trailer is a wheeled vehicle that is pulled by an automobile, truck, or tractor. Trailers are used chiefly (1) as temporary living quarters for either recreational travel or camping, or (2) for cargo hauling. Mobile homes, on the other hand, are designed to be used for permanent, year-round living (see Mobile home ).
Recreational trailers
include travel trailers, folding camping trailers, and fifth-wheel trailers. Any of these vehicles may be connected to electric and water lines. A recreational trailer may have such conveniences as lights, heaters, toilets, air conditioners, refrigerators, ranges, microwave ovens, and television sets.
Travel trailers vary in size from 12 to 35 feet (3.7 to 10.7 meters) long and from 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 meters) wide. Some have kitchens, bathrooms, and dining and sleeping quarters for up to eight people.
Folding camping trailers range from 10 to 25 feet (3 to 7.6 meters) long and are about 61/2 feet (2 meters) wide. They unfold into a tentlike enclosure that can accommodate up to eight people.
Fifth-wheel trailers range from 21 to 40 feet (6.4 to 12.2 meters) long and from 8 to 81/2 feet (2.4 to 2.6 meters) wide. Most have at least one slideout, a section that extends beyond the normal outside walls of the vehicle to enlarge an inside area while the vehicle is parked.
Utility trailers
range from 6 to 14 feet (1.8 to 4.3 meters) long, or longer. They are used to carry loads that may be too large to fit in an automobile trunk and to transport farm animals. Most varieties of utility trailers look like boxes without tops. Canvas or another material may be spread over the top for protection.
See also Recreational vehicle .
