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What Are the Different Types of Travel Trailer Parts?

Jeremy Laukkonen
Jeremy Laukkonen

The different types of travel trailer parts can be divided into two general categories. One main category of travel trailer parts consists of structural, undercarriage and hitch components. Undercarriage travel trailer parts include items such as tires and wheels, wheel bearings and leaf springs. Hitch components are required in order to tow a trailer, and typically include a ball socket coupler, sway bar and safety chains. The other main category of parts includes all of the fixtures and accessories that can be installed in a trailer, from ranges to air conditioning (AC) units and toilets.

Travel trailers are like miniature homes on wheels, so they consist of many different types of parts. Structural components differ from one trailer to another, though many are built like a home using wooden studs that the interior walls and exterior skin attach to. The floors often use a similar system. A variety of different brackets, screws and rivets are typically used in this type of construction, and they account for one type of travel trailer parts. Most travel trailers also include plumbing and electrical systems, which also require a wide variety of specialty parts.

Tires are essential to a trailer.
Tires are essential to a trailer.

Since travel trailers rest on wheels, they also have a number of parts that relate to the undercarriage. Depending on the suspension method, a travel trailer may have leaf springs or another similar type of component. They can also have a number of axles, and wheel bearings are another common type of travel trailer part. The actual wheels and tires are two other vital components.

In order to tow a travel trailer, a few other components are typically utilized. Most travel trailers use a coupler designed to slide over a ball hitch. Some also include an electric or hand crank that can raise or lower the coupler to meet the ball. Other parts found in these systems include sway bars that can stabilize a trailer when it is being towed and safety chains in case of hitch failure.

Many other travel trailer parts and components can be installed inside these recreational vehicles (RVs). Small parts such as hinges, handles and knobs are often used to finish the interior cabinetry. Other parts can offer many of the conveniences of home, including cooktops and ranges, built-in coffee makers and refrigerators. The heating system of a trailer will typically consist of a number of different parts as well, including a burner, duct work and a number of different sensor devices. Most travel trailer air conditioning units consist of two main parts, one of which sits on the roof and another that bolts up to the ceiling inside.

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    • Tires are essential to a trailer.
      By: Karin & Uwe Annas
      Tires are essential to a trailer.