If it is power up and down check to ensure the pump is hooked up correctly to the cylinder. Mine was delivered to me with the down cycle hooked up to the up side of the piston which meant it would lift a load, but not what it should have. It took several trips back to the dealer before they figured it out.
Dump trailer doesn't have enough power
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dirttoys
Platinum Member
Gord Baker
Platinum Member
The unit has been designed for 3,000#. Frame, floor, axles, Tongue, brakes and hoist assembly.
Make a couple extra trips or buy a larger capacity trailer. Short answer.
fishdrivel
Gold Member
A lot of good answers here on the hydraulic issues.
I will discuss the structure:
Some manufacturers over-engineer so they can sell an upgrade without redesigning the frame.
Very few do this anymore. They need to keep steel costs down.
They would rather you break a trailer and buy a new one.
If you watch the auctions you'll find a lot of broken trailers.
My first recommendation after checking your hydraulics out would be to call the manufacturer and ask. You may or may not get a satisfactory answer.
2nd recommendation would be to let an engineer or good fabricator look at it. You say it is well-built but I can tell you as an inspector, I see things in a different light.
You can also sell the trailer and buy a heavier duty trailer. Might be cheaper than modifying this one. Some trailer sales will sell for you on consignment.
Thank you for your input, a bit of personal background , I used to weld on nuclear subs, I have made and sold more than a few trailers(not dump trailers), I don't have any experience when it comes to hydraulics.
4570Man
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My dad and I both have dump trailers. Mine is considerably heavier duty than his. Mine is slow going up and labors the pump hard going up with a heavy load. I put duel batteries in which helps. I still suspect the pump would stall before the relief was hit. My dads trailer goes up way faster than mine. We overloaded it once and the pump immediately bypassed to relive with practically no lugging the pump. Based on that experience I don’t think all electric pumps are created equal or have equal flow rates or pressure ratings.
davedj1
Veteran Member
The biggest downfall of a single cylinder set up is the low angle at start up. I have often thought about installing one or two short cylinders vertically at the front of the trailer to get the initial lift into motion. I have built two dump trailers and two dump bodies on F350's, all dump fine but the first dump trailer was 5'-8" x 10' with a single 4" cylinder, it would struggle for the first foot or so with a generous load of firewood or gravel. The second one I built I used a 5" cylinder, much better but it was also a 6'-6" x 12' trailer. Both of the Fords got 68" x 9' dumps, the first one had a large (guessing 6" bore) and never struggled, this one I have now I used a 4" cylinder, I suspect it will behave just like the first trailer I built (I haven't tested it with anything heavy yet)
Some good advice about taking more trips with smaller loads, you have to respect it for what it is. Turning up the pressure or upsizing the cylinder will just transfer the weak link to somewhere else.
Some good advice about taking more trips with smaller loads, you have to respect it for what it is. Turning up the pressure or upsizing the cylinder will just transfer the weak link to somewhere else.
A 6x10 bed, with 6 inches of gravel, is likely over 3000 lbs. 6x10x.5 = 30 cubic feet.
"A cubic foot of dry gravel weighs about 105 pounds whereas wet gravel weighs about 125 pounds."
Most dump trailer failures I've seen were way overloaded trailers.
Bruce
"A cubic foot of dry gravel weighs about 105 pounds whereas wet gravel weighs about 125 pounds."
Most dump trailer failures I've seen were way overloaded trailers.
Bruce
I've thought about the same thing, that first foot of lift puts huge stresses on the frame and cylinder mounts, and I can hear the pump labor. I think there would be enough vertical room on a deck over trailer to get a vertical or nearly vertical cylinder in there.
dirttoys
Platinum Member
A friend mounted a 4X4 on the front frame to give it a "head start" on the lift. I think it rattles loads to the back on long trips, but, it does make it easier to lift.
Best,
ed