Trailer Glossary

ATV trailer: An ATV trailer, or “adventure” trailer, is specially designed to haul all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to trails or sites.

Axle: A trailer’s axle is the rod, bar, shaft or pin on a rotating wheel or gear. The axle could either be fixed to the frame or permanently attached to the wheels. It’s designed to transfer the weight of the trailer to the wheels so that they can rotate. Axles come in various configurations:

• Single axle: These trailers have one axle and two tires.
• Tandem axle: These trailers have two axles and four tires.
• Dual tandem axle: For additional stability, these trailers have two axles with four tires per axle.

Axle weight rating: This rating is the maximum weight that an axle or pair of axles can carry. It is especially important to keep in mind when hauling heavy machinery and cargo to avoid overloading and damaging the axle.

Ball mount: A ball mount, or drawbar, is a removable hitch ball that connects the trailer to the towing vehicle using a pin and clip.

Braking system: Trailers commonly rely on either electric brakes or surge brakes to stop the trailer.

Bumper pull: A bumper pull trailer attaches to the frame or bumper of a vehicle with a ball hitch.

Cargo weight: This is the total weight of all items added to the trailer’s curb weight (the fundamental weight without any cargo or passengers). It determines how many items you can safely load onto the trailer.

Coupler: The coupler is located on the trailer tongue and helps connect the hitch ball to the vehicle.

Gross vehicle weight (GVW): The GVW is the maximum weight of a vehicle, which includes any passengers and cargo.

Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR): This rating, which is determined by the manufacturer, is the  maximum weight a trailer can carry. It includes the empty trailer weight plus the truck and cargo.

Hitch: A trailer hitch, also known as a tow hitch or tow bar, attaches to the vehicle and serves as the main connector between the vehicle and the trailer. Depending on the type of trailer and load, there are several types of hitches:

• Receiver hitch: A receiver hitch, sometimes called a tow or trailer hitch, is commonly used for different kinds of towable loads. It’s versatile enough to accommodate various accessories and comes in numerous classes depending on how light or heavy your load is.
• Fifth-wheel hitch: Large trailers, like horse trailers, typically use fifth-wheel hitches which are usually mounted in the bed of a pickup truck. Because of the way this hitch is designed, it provides exceptional weight distribution and control while still maintaining stability.
• Gooseneck hitch: A gooseneck hitch is ideal for hauling heavy loads like livestock trailers. It uses a ball-and-coupler system for towing and is mounted into the bed of a pickup truck. This type of hitch is heavy-duty and reliable yet capable of easily maneuvering through tight spaces.
• Hitch ball:The hitch ball, sometimes also referred to as a trailer ball or tow ball, is the ball-shaped attachment on a vehicle where the trailer coupler attaches. Its design offers a secure connection and allows the trailer to turn and pivot easily.
• Hitch system rating: Depending on your configuration, your hitch system rating, or the maximum weight you can tow, can vary. Factors like the gross trailer weight and tongue weight will influence this rating.
  
• Locking pin: The key-locking hitch pin connects to the receiver hitch to help prevent theft.
• Safety chains: While the hitch ball connects the trailer to the vehicle, the safety chains serve as the backup connection if the main connection breaks, fails or detaches from the vehicle. These chains should always be secured when hauling to ensure safety.
• Single axle trailer: Like its name suggests, this trailer has a single axle. This design makes it more suitable for lighter-duty hauling. The vehicle’s size and the hitch receiver’s hauling capacity determines the exact amount that a single axle trailer can haul.
• Spring bar: These bars attach to the ball mount and are part of the weight-distributing hitch system. The spring bars are placed under tension and help distribute the weight of trailer tongue loads.
• Sway control device: External factors, such as wind or vehicles passing by, can cause a trailer to move around. The sway control device helps minimize the side-to-side, or swaying, movement of a trailer by stiffening the connection between the vehicle and the trailer.
• Tongue: The tongue is the metal part on the frame that extends forward from the front of the trailer to the vehicle’s hitch. It includes the coupler and is designed to aid in stability and maneuverability when hauling.
• Tongue weight: This is the downward force exerted on the towing vehicle’s hitch ball. The downward force is exerted by the trailer coupler and transferred to the tow vehicle by either the tongue or gooseneck.
• Utility trailer:A utility trailer can be a flatbed or enclosed style. It usually has a fold-down ramp and is unpowered, so it needs a powered vehicle to move it from one location to the next.

Find Quality Trailers at Big Tex Trailer World

Whether you’re looking for a new dump, gooseneck or utility trailer, Big Tex Trailer World has you covered. With over 60 retail stores around the country, we offer the largest selection of trailers, parts and accessories. Our trailers are built to withstand and meet the needs of industries ranging from landscaping to commercial horse transportation to construction.

As experts in the trailer industry, we will help you find the high-performing trailer you need at a competitive price. Our inventory also includes over 4,000 high-quality trailer parts and accessories. With customer support every step of the way, we’ll make sure you find exactly what you’re looking for at a location near you.

Explore our inventory today and reach out with any questions.