Trailer vs. Trolley — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 30, 2024
A trailer is towed behind a vehicle for transporting goods, while a trolley is a wheeled platform for moving items manually or powered within facilities.
Difference Between Trailer and Trolley
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
A trailer is a non-motorized vehicle designed to be attached to and towed by a motorized vehicle, such as a car or truck, primarily for the purpose of transporting goods or materials over long distances. On the other hand, a trolley refers to a platform on wheels, which can be manual or motorized, used for moving goods or passengers short distances, often within a confined area such as a factory, warehouse, or airport.
Trailers come in various sizes and designs, including flatbeds, enclosed, and specialized models for specific types of cargo, highlighting their versatility for different hauling needs. Whereas, trolleys are usually simpler in design, intended for lighter loads, and may include features like handles or bars for pushing and steering.
The operation of a trailer requires it to be securely attached to a towing vehicle, using a hitch, and often requires special driving skills and awareness due to its added length and weight. In contrast, trolleys are designed for human propulsion or small electric motors, making them more straightforward to maneuver in tight spaces without special training.
Safety considerations for trailers include ensuring secure attachment, proper load distribution, and sometimes additional lighting and braking systems, emphasizing the importance of road safety. Conversely, safety for trolleys focuses on ergonomic design to prevent strain injuries and sometimes braking systems for use on inclines.
Regulatory requirements for trailers often involve registration, adherence to road safety standards, and sometimes special licenses for drivers, reflecting their use in public traffic. Trolleys, however, usually fall under workplace safety regulations, with less stringent public regulatory requirements.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
A towed vehicle for transporting goods.
A wheeled platform for moving items manually or by power.
Propulsion
Towed by a motorized vehicle.
Pushed or pulled by humans, or powered by electric motors.
Usage Location
Used for long distances, often on public roads.
Primarily used within confined areas like warehouses.
Design Varieties
Varieties include flatbed, enclosed, and specialized trailers.
Generally simpler, designed for lighter loads.
Regulatory
Subject to vehicle registration and road safety laws.
Subject to workplace safety standards.
Compare with Definitions
Trailer
A preview or advertisement for a movie.
The latest movie trailer has gone viral on social media.
Trolley
A wheeled device for serving food or drinks.
The flight attendant wheeled the trolley through the airplane cabin.
Trailer
A vehicle towed by another, for transporting goods.
The truck pulled a trailer loaded with construction materials.
Trolley
A device for transferring electricity to trains or buses from overhead wires.
The trolley dislodged from the wire, stopping the bus.
Trailer
A detachable container for additional luggage on a bicycle.
He attached a trailer to his bike for the camping trip.
Trolley
A cart for moving goods in a supermarket.
She pushed a trolley down the aisle, filling it with groceries.
Trailer
A mobile home or caravan for living or office space.
They lived in a trailer while their house was being built.
Trolley
An electric streetcar running on tracks.
They took the trolley downtown to avoid traffic.
Trailer
An unpowered vehicle used in agriculture.
The farmer used a trailer to transport hay across the farm.
Trolley
A platform on wheels for moving heavy objects.
They used a trolley to move the boxes into the warehouse.
Trailer
A large transport vehicle designed to be hauled by a truck or tractor.
Trolley
A large metal basket or frame on wheels, used for transporting heavy or large items, such as supermarket purchases or luggage at an airport or railway station.
Trailer
A furnished vehicle drawn by a truck or automobile and used when parked as a dwelling or office.
Trolley
A wheel attached to a pole, used for collecting current from an overhead electric wire to drive a tram.
Trailer
A short, blank strip of film at the end of a reel.
Trolley
Short for trolleybus or trolley car
Trailer
A short filmed advertisement for a movie; a preview.
Trolley
A streetcar.
Trailer
To transport by a trailer
Trailered the boat to the beach.
Trolley
A device that collects electric current from an underground conductor, an overhead wire, or a third rail and transmits it to the motor of an electric vehicle.
Trailer
To travel or live in a trailer.
Trolley
A small truck or car operating on a track and used in a mine, quarry, or factory for conveying materials.
Trailer
Someone who or something that trails.
Trolley
A wheeled carriage, cage, or basket that is suspended from and travels on an overhead track.
Trailer
Part of an object which extends some distance beyond the main body of the object.
The trailer of a plant
Trolley
Chiefly British A light cart designed to be moved by hand.
Trailer
An unpowered wheeled vehicle, not a caravan or camper, that is towed behind another, and used to carry equipment, etc, that cannot be carried in the leading vehicle.
At the end of the day, we put the snowmobiles back on the trailer.
Trolley
To convey (passengers) or travel by trolley.
Trailer
(US) A furnished vehicle towed behind another, and used as a dwelling when stationary; a caravan; a camper.
We drove our trailer to Yellowstone Park.
Trolley
A trolley pole; a single-pole device for collecting electrical current from an overhead electrical line, normally for a tram/streetcar or a trolleybus.
Trailer
(US) A prefabricated home that could be towed to a new destination but is typically permanently left in an area designated for such homes.
The young couple′s first home was in a trailer.
Trolley
(US) A streetcar or light train.
Trailer
A preview of a film, video game or TV show.
The trailer for that movie makes it seem like it would be fun.
Trolley
A light rail, tramway, trolleybus or streetcar system.
Trailer
A short blank segment of film at the end of a reel, for convenient insertion of the film in a projector.
Trolley
A truck from which the load is suspended in some kinds of cranes.
Trailer
(computing) The final record of a list of data items, often identified by a key field with an otherwise invalid value that sorts last alphabetically (e.g., “ZZZZZ”) or numerically (“99999”); especially common in the context of punched cards, where the final card is called a trailer card.
The linked list terminates with a trailer record.
Trolley
A truck which travels along the fixed conductors in an electric railway, and forms a means of connection between them and a railway car.
Trailer
(networking) The last part of a packet, often containing a check sequence.
The encapsulation layer adds an eight-byte header and a two-byte trailer to each packet.
Trolley
A cart or shopping cart; a shopping trolley.
Trailer
To load on a trailer or to transport by trailer.
The engine wouldn't run any more so we had to trailer my old car to the wrecking yard.
Trolley
(British) A hand truck.
Trailer
One who, or that which, trails.
Trolley
(British) A soapbox car.
Trailer
A wheeled vehicle without a motor, designed to be drawn by a motor vehicle in front of it;
Trolley
(British) A gurney, a stretcher with wheeled legs.
Trailer
A short blank segment of movie film attached to the end; - used for convenient insertion of the film in a projector.
Trolley
(Philippines) A handcar.
Trailer
A short film consisting primarily of one or more short portions of a film, used in promotions or advertisements shortly before initial release of a film.
Trolley
To bring to by trolley.
Trailer
A part of an object which extends some distance beyond the main body of the object; as, the trailer of a plant.
Trolley
To use a trolley vehicle to go from one place to another.
Trailer
Someone who takes more time than necessary; someone who lags behind
Trolley
To travel by trolley (streetcar, trolleybus or light train).
Trailer
An advertisement consisting of short scenes from a motion picture that will appear in the near future
Trolley
A form of truck which can be tilted, for carrying railroad materials, or the like.
Trailer
A large transport conveyance designed to be pulled by a truck or tractor
Trolley
A wheeled vehicle that runs on rails and is propelled by electricity;
`tram' and `tramcar' are British terms
Trailer
A wheeled vehicle that can be pulled by a car or truck and is equipped for occupancy
Common Curiosities
Do all trolleys have wheels?
Yes, by definition, trolleys are equipped with wheels to facilitate movement.
Are trailers considered vehicles?
Yes, trailers are considered vehicles, though non-motorized, and are subject to vehicle regulations when used on public roads.
Can trolleys be used outside of warehouses?
Yes, trolleys can also be used in locations like airports, hospitals, and hotels for moving luggage, equipment, or food.
How do you maintain a trolley?
Maintenance involves regular cleaning, checking wheels and handles for damage, and ensuring it is in good working order.
Do you need a special license to tow a trailer?
In many jurisdictions, towing larger trailers may require a special license or endorsement on your driver’s license.
Are there electric trolleys?
Yes, some trolleys are equipped with electric motors to help move heavy loads more easily.
How do manual trolleys work?
Manual trolleys are pushed or pulled by individuals, utilizing handles or bars designed for ergonomic movement.
Can trolleys be used in all industries?
Trolleys are versatile and can be adapted for use in various industries, including retail, manufacturing, and hospitality.
How do you secure a load on a trailer?
Loads on trailers are secured with straps, ropes, or chains, and must be evenly distributed to maintain stability.
Are trailers allowed on all roads?
Trailers are generally allowed on most public roads, but some areas may have restrictions based on size or weight.
Can trailers carry passengers?
Generally, trailers are not designed for carrying passengers, with the exception of recreational vehicles like caravans.
What materials are trolleys made from?
Trolleys can be made from a variety of materials, including metal, plastic, and wood, depending on their intended use.
What is the maximum weight a trailer can carry?
The maximum weight depends on the trailer’s design and the towing capacity of the vehicle, which is specified by the manufacturer.
Can trailers be custom-built?
Yes, trailers can be custom-built to meet specific needs, such as for carrying unusual cargo or for promotional purposes.
What are the benefits of using a trailer?
Trailers provide a cost-effective way to transport large or heavy goods over long distances, increasing a vehicle’s cargo capacity.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Naan vs. Chapati
Next Comparison
Veggie vs. VegieAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
