Dump trailer delivery

   / Dump trailer delivery #1  

3Ts

Elite Member
Joined
May 27, 2017
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2,582
Location
East Texas
Tractor
Case, Kubota, John Deere
Monday I get my dump trailer delivered, well, actually I have to go get it, but it's supposed to be ready for me to pick it up. It is a PJ gooseneck 16' with 2' sides, 14k#. Everything is standard except I went for the 17.5" wheels and wireless remote control. Now, i've got 10s of thousands of miles towing bumper pull trailers up to 12.000# and 32' lengths, but I've never pulled a gooseneck. I've read the threads y'all have posted about towing a gooseneck so I think I'll be fine there. However, I don't remember seeing any comments about backing up. Is there any difference in backing between a gooseneck and bumper pull - other than the gooseneck can turn sharper.

Also, when I pick up the trailer, is there anything I should look for or watch out for?
 
   / Dump trailer delivery #2  
GN is gonna turn less short. You can pivot tighter but bumper pull is way shorter or a turn.

I find it's good to just practice. Nobody can argue with that. Need a little time to figure out just how much more room you need to back jt in.

When picking up just make sure there is plenty of clearance between bottom of neck and bedsides and of course test out how sharp you can back without jackknifing into your rear window.
 
   / Dump trailer delivery #3  
Get used to always letting your tailgate down first, sounds like a no brainer but you see a lot of tailgates bent or either off the truck out behind the barn.
 
   / Dump trailer delivery #4  
LOL, plus one on the tailgate being down.

Keep in mind the warning about the gooseneck turning corners sharper than a bumper pull. The gooseneck does not follow in the same tracks as the truck. Have known several cases of tires hitting the culvert ends on a drive entrance and tires getting cut and rims bent. Same for curbs at intersections being a issue.

Keep a eye on the clearance between the goose NECK and the bed of your truck when crossing uneven terrain. ESPECIALLY when turning. Many have had the neck come into contact with the bed of the truck.

When backing up its real easy for the tail end of the truck to be way further out past the trailor than you are used to with bumper pull. It’s easy to make a much sharper turn with the gooseneck and so your truck will be completely out of line or track with the trailor. Make sure you do not back the truck into something as you back the trailor up. This sounds obvious but you will be surprised if your not careful.

Try to have a plug in the side wall of the bed of truck near the tailgate for the trailor to use. Regardless of where you plug it in be careful to keep the bed of the truck clear so things do not catch the cord for the lights and brakes. When backing tight turns its not unheard of to see the cord get into and hang up in the crack between the tailgate and corner of the bed. Same for going forward at times. If plug is down on the rear bumper make sure the slack in the cord (you need a lot for tight turns) does not get into or under a bumper hitch. Use a bungee cord or something really easy to stretch and fastened to the goose neck for any slack that might get tangled up.

Depending on the type of gooseneck hitch in the bed the safety chains can easily be to short when turning, especially on tight turns. The Curt type hitches is one that is a problem. The newer ones have the chain hook attachments some distance back and to the side of the gooseneck ball. BH type is less of a problem.

I know it sounds silly. CHECK the grease in the bearings ! Do not care that its new and just from the factory. Check the grease. If its a oil bath type axle make sure the end cap is tight. Not unusual to see improper greased bearings. After you drive and stop a few times check and make sure ALL of the brakes are working. The wheels will be of similar warmth to the touch if they are. Or use a temperature gun.

Make sure what ever type of fasteners keeps the loading ramps secure is always in. In fact just get a couple extras and keep them in the trailor tool box. Your going to need them sooner or later..... :)

Some of the new trailors have a safety pin that goes through the gooseneck after its adjusted to the right height for your truck. Use it. If yours does not have it, then make sure the bolts holding it in are tight and check them a couple of times the first few times you use the trailor. Have heard stories of the neck slipping when dumping.

Keep the gooseneck ball or socket greased a bit. Personally I think its a good idea. Some never do so guess its a matter of preference.

Personally I like to keep a 2x4 or something fastened to the top of the sides walls. That way when your loading something and your a bit off its a board getting beat up, not the top of your walls. Also when loading from the side its easy to pull up just a bit to far and have the tractor hit the side walls of the trailor.

Do you have power down on the dump ? If its gravity down type of bed lowering its possible to have dirt pile up when dumping. Then when you try to pull forward all the weight on the back of the trailor lifts the front of the trailor up. In a two wheel drive pickup its easy to be spinning tires as the weight comes off the rear. And since you cannot force the bed down, your stuck. Four wheel drive is handy for times like this.

Dump on a level surface. Be real careful moving with the bed up. Keep in mind materials can get stuck at the top of the bed and it becomes top heavy, tipsy and a problem if your moving or on a non level surface side to side. If you have D rings or other types of tie downs its common for some items to catch and hang up on them when dumping. It’s easy to weld on a tab to keep items deflected if needed.

Watch out for operators loading gravel or whatever. Some will want to keep the loader bucket up high and dump into the bed. They are used to dump trucks and heavy machinery. Chances are real good your trailor is not as well built.

WEAR THE DARN SEATBELT WHEN LOADING THE TRAILOR OR WHEN DRIVING THE TRACTOR ONTO THE TRAILOR. Your going to be operating with the bucket up high at the trailor. It’s easy to want to turn a bit or find a soft spot and then have a tractor tipping issue. Keep ballast on the back of the tractor!

Keep front tires on tractor aired up, probably to max. Same issue again. Your going to be operating with the bucket up high some and do not need a low tire issue.

So once again. Tailgate down, and watch the tires on turns since they will be turning tighter than the truck. Seatbelt !!!

I know it was a long post, some of it may seem obvious but posted just in case. Enjoy your new equipment :)
 
   / Dump trailer delivery #5  
Get used to always letting your tailgate down first, sounds like a no brainer but you see a lot of tailgates bent or either off the truck out behind the barn.

That's the truth! And no I did not hit my tailgate. So far anyway.
 
   / Dump trailer delivery #6  
Monday I get my dump trailer delivered, well, actually I have to go get it, but it's supposed to be ready for me to pick it up. It is a PJ gooseneck 16' with 2' sides, 14k#. Everything is standard except I went for the 17.5" wheels and wireless remote control. Now, i've got 10s of thousands of miles towing bumper pull trailers up to 12.000# and 32' lengths, but I've never pulled a gooseneck. I've read the threads y'all have posted about towing a gooseneck so I think I'll be fine there. However, I don't remember seeing any comments about backing up. Is there any difference in backing between a gooseneck and bumper pull - other than the gooseneck can turn sharper.

Also, when I pick up the trailer, is there anything I should look for or watch out for?


Congratulations on the new trailer. :thumbsup: We look forward to seeing the pictures. Take plenty.
 
   / Dump trailer delivery #7  
That should be a fine trailer, I really like my PJ dump. One thing you won't like is the door latches that hold them open, too wide, everything gets in the way. I modified mine. If you are using your bumper plug for power, just thread the cord to the gooseneck hitch, then over the tail gate, it wont use any cord when you turn.

Before and after pictures of the doors.

0424201234.jpg0424201336.jpg
 
   / Dump trailer delivery
  • Thread Starter
#8  
Here's my dump trailer I picked up today. It's 16', the tarp is supposed to be 20' but only extended 2' beyond the tailgate. They pulled out a new 20' tarp and installed it in place of the one on it. Still only extended 2' beyond the tailgate. Got a tape measure out and the tarp measured 20' like it's supposed to - lot more sag in the fabric than I thought. They were all very nice and I did not feel rushed or pressured to just accept the trailer "as is". I was told to expect about 40 minutes when I came in to finish the hookup and paperwork, it took close to 2 hours. I asked lots of questions and had them show me things and I wanted to do all the operations myself so I would know what it took to do it. They treated me as though I was the only customer they had at the time (I wasn't and there were others waiting to talk to the saleslady.) I'm not easily impressed, but I'm very pleased with the way I was treated there for the whole process.
 

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   / Dump trailer delivery #9  
PJ makes a good trailer. I've had two of them. That one you have there is nice. Really nice.
 
   / Dump trailer delivery #10  
Here's my dump trailer I picked up today. It's 16', the tarp is supposed to be 20' but only extended 2' beyond the tailgate. They pulled out a new 20' tarp and installed it in place of the one on it. Still only extended 2' beyond the tailgate. Got a tape measure out and the tarp measured 20' like it's supposed to - lot more sag in the fabric than I thought. They were all very nice and I did not feel rushed or pressured to just accept the trailer "as is". I was told to expect about 40 minutes when I came in to finish the hookup and paperwork, it took close to 2 hours. I asked lots of questions and had them show me things and I wanted to do all the operations myself so I would know what it took to do it. They treated me as though I was the only customer they had at the time (I wasn't and there were others waiting to talk to the saleslady.) I'm not easily impressed, but I'm very pleased with the way I was treated there for the whole process.

WOW! Looks like a nice trailer. Where did you get it?
 

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