Understanding The Parts Of A Trailer
Bigfoot Trailers, meticulously crafted with over one dozen parts, from their all-steel frame to premium radial tires in our two USA factories, are a testament to our commitment to quality. Each component is carefully selected for its outstanding quality and long-term durability, ensuring a smooth and safe haul on various terrains. Whether it’s a car hauler, tiny house trailer, or a 25.9K Super Beast deckover trailer, this guide is your key to understanding the parts of a trailer that is a cut above the rest.
Essential Trailer Components
- Coupler: This steel mechanism connects the trailer to your towing vehicle. It is essential for smooth driving and turns while carrying heavy loads on the road.
- Jack: The jack raises and lowers the trailer’s tongue for safe hitching and unhitching the trailer with the tow vehicle.
- Tongue: The tongue is the front facing of the trailer that connects to the coupler, maintaining a safe clearance between the trailer and the towing vehicle.
- Wiring Harness: The harness delivers power from the tow vehicle to the trailer’s LED lights.
- Safety Chains: Our trailers are equipped with safety chains, a crucial feature that helps prevent a runaway trailer in the event of a coupler failure, ensuring your safety and peace of mind on the road.
- Frame / Chassis: Bigfoot trailers are built on a robust all-steel frame, which provides strong structural support for their maximum load capacity.
Securing Your Load
- Tie-Down Anchors: Tie-down anchors are embedded in the trailer’s bed or walls and secure items with straps or chains so they don’t shift during movement.
Trailer Body
- Side Walls: The side walls form the vertical sides of the trailer’s bed. They can be made from various materials, such as steel or aluminum.
- Flatbed / Deck: The trailer’s flatbed is constructed with a durable, pressure-treated Yellawood® deck designed to withstand the elements and provide long-lasting support for various loads.
Wheels and Axles
- Wheels: The wheels turn the frame into a trailer, providing essential support for the load. Bigfoot trailers have premium radial tires designed for durability and optimal performance in all weather conditions.
- Axles / Brakes: Axles are rods that support the wheels and contain the brake hub. They bear the weight of the trailer and enable it to stop effectively. Bigfoot trailers are equipped with Dexter axles and self-adjusting brakes, recognized for their quality and reliability.
Other Parts
- Fenders: Fenders help protect the trailer and tow vehicle from road debris, such as stones and gravel, that could scratch or dent the frame.
- Ramp Gate: A ramp gate is at the rear of the trailer. It has hinges that allow the gate to be lowered to form a ramp for easy loading and unloading of equipment onto the deck, making it especially useful for hauling heavy, bulky, or wheeled items.
- Taillights: Taillights are essential (and legally required) for visibility on the road, especially in low-light conditions or bad weather. They are vital for ensuring your safety and alerting other drivers as they signal your intentions on the road.
- Paint System: Bigfoot Trailers utilize the EVERCOAT® paint system, known for its exceptional durability and resistance to corrosion, fading, and chipping. This system ensures your trailer maintains its appearance and protects it from the elements, extending its lifespan and reducing maintenance costs.
Understanding the different parts of your Bigfoot trailer is important for safe operation and proper maintenance. By familiarizing yourself with these components, you can ensure your trailer is ready for any hauling task.
Bigfoot Trailers for Sale
Bigfoot delivers handcrafted trailers built in the USA with premium parts for all your hauling needs! As a factory-direct manufacturer, we provide service in the entire Eastern United States with locations in Amherst, VA; Durham, NC; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, ME; and by appointment with retailers in Fort Myers and Marianna, FL. Contact us for a free quote.