A travel trailer is towed behind a road vehicle to provide a sleeping place that is more comfortable and protected than a tent. It provides the means for people to have their own home during a trip or vacation, without depending on a hotel, and allows them to stay in places where none are available. However, in some countries campers are restricted to designated sites for which fees are paid.
Travel trailers range from basic models that can be little more than a tent on wheels to those that contain several rooms with all the furniture and equipment of a house. They are used primarily in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand and are rare elsewhere.
In the United States and Canada, the history of trailers dates back to the early 1920s, when those who enjoyed using them were often called “can tourists.” As time passed, the trailers became more livable and gained a new name in the 1930s and 1940s, which was the house trailer. In the 1950s and 1960s, the industry seemed to split, creating the two types we see today, the recreational vehicle (RV) industry and the mobile home industry. Today, trailers are classified as a type of RV along with motorhomes, fifth wheel trailers, pop-up trailers, and truck motorhomes.
In the United States, it is generally illegal for passengers to ride in a travel trailer while in motion, unlike horse-drawn trailers and coaches. Triple towing (towing two trailers) is not allowed in some states, such as California, Alabama, Florida, or New York; however, triple towing is allowed in Texas if the combined length does not exceed 65 feet (20 m).
Off-road trailers, also called 4×4 trailers, tentrax, and jeep trailers, are built specifically for exploring the extreme countryside without having the restriction of paved roads or gravel roads. These are designed to handle rough terrain. Many off-road travel trailers are equipped with a tent and bed, skid plate, large tires, lift kits, and linkage systems. Half living space and half garage, these trailers allow you to take “toys” to the field. A ‘fifth wheel’ is supported by a hitch in the center of a truck bed rather than a hitch in the rear of a vehicle. The special hitch used for fifth wheels is a smaller version of that used on 18-wheelers and can be engaged simply by driving the tow vehicle under the trailer. Fifth wheel trailers are popular with full-time RV enthusiasts, who often live in them for several months in one location, using their pickup truck towing vehicle for local errands. A fifth wheel trailer is towed more safely than a traditional travel trailer because the weight of the hitch is placed directly on the rear tires of the truck. Since part of a fifth wheel sits on the bed of the truck, it also reduces the overall length of the vehicle / trailer package while allowing the same clearance as a travel trailer of comparable length.
Additionally, the hitch location on the truck bed reduces the risk of bending and allows for greater maneuverability when backing up. Due to the greater space available on North American roads, these vehicles are more popular in the United States and Canada than in Europe or other parts of the world.
