Dump Trailer Remote; DIY

wirenut · Jun 5, 2012

Installed wireless remote on dump trailer today. Took about 3 hours due to engineering "on the fly". For those interested in doing it, I'll share some details.

Take one of these;
Wireless Winch Remote Control Twin Handset 12 Volt Easy To Install Free Shipping | eBay

Add one of these;
Two DPDT Signal Relays Module Board, 12V, for MCU Proj. | eBay

Hook up like attached jpg........Well maybe not like that.
I required the DPDT relay, as my trailer is power up and down.
Total cost about $24.00
So far, it works really well, at least 50' range. Have to see if it holds up long term.

Iplayfarmer · Jun 6, 2012

I've been thinking of doing something similar if I ever add hydraulics to my tilt bed trialer like I want to.

Questions: Do you have to hold the button down the whole time the trailer is dumping? If so, how responsive is the dump when you let off? I.e. how instantaneously does it stop dumping after you let off the button?

Iplayfarmer · Jun 6, 2012

Another question: Do you have some kind of bypass so that you can still operate the dump without the wireless remotes?

SLHawkins · Jun 6, 2012

Wirenut,
Great Idea. I did the same years ago when I bought my dump trailer. No more standing between the truck and the trailer. The wireless remote control cuts my time at the dump in half. Once I get the tarp off and doors open, I can climb back in the truck power down the bed as I am heading back to the scale house or exit. The remote allows me to raise, or lower, the body while the truck is moving or simply move the truck without having to connect and disconnect any cables. Another idea, which is covered in other threads on here, is running a power cable directly from the battery to the trailer. Now I do not have to worry about batteries dying mid-dump anymore. That was one of the first things I did when I got my new truck. And, thanks to the upfitter switches in Ford, installation of the cable took maybe 30 minutes. Happy Dumping!!

Hawk

wirenut · Jun 6, 2012

Iplayfarmer said:
I've been thinking of doing something similar if I ever add hydraulics to my tilt bed trialer like I want to.

Questions: Do you have to hold the button down the whole time the trailer is dumping? If so, how responsive is the dump when you let off? I.e. how instantaneously does it stop dumping after you let off the button?

Yes, Iplay, you do have to hold the button during travel. The relays and radio operate very quick. There is some travel when you let off, but very little.

wirenut · Jun 6, 2012

Iplayfarmer said:
Another question: Do you have some kind of bypass so that you can still operate the dump without the wireless remotes?

No by-pass needed. The relays allow the "wired" remote and the "wireless" remote to be completely isolated. You can just use the wireless by clicking on a power switch, or just use the old wired remote, like normal. A previous comment pointed out the benefits of the wireless very well, so that's what I'll be using.

These "cheap" radios can also be used on winches. Don't know about reliability or life-span.

Iplayfarmer · Jun 6, 2012

wirenut said:
No by-pass needed. The relays allow the "wired" remote and the "wireless" remote to be completely isolated. You can just use the wireless by clicking on a power switch, or just use the old wired remote, like normal. A previous comment pointed out the benefits of the wireless very well, so that's what I'll be using.

These "cheap" radios can also be used on winches. Don't know about reliability or life-span.

Thanks for the responses. I added a Harbor Freight remote winch to a trailer I used to have. I really liked the remote option because I could be back steering a vehicle while the winch was pulling it up onto the trailer. There was a bit of travel after you let off the button, though.

SLHawkins · Jun 6, 2012

These "cheap" radios can also be used on winches. Don't know about reliability or life-span.[/QUOTE]

There wireless remote that I am using for my dump was made by Warn to be used with their winches. I am going on 7 years now with the same remote and same battery. It has even sat through two deployments and still lights up when I push the buttons. There is no time lag between the time I push, or release, the buttons and the body raising/lowering or stopping.

Hawk

Artisan · Jun 6, 2012

Nice and cheap but all that has to be weatherproofed.
HERE is another option...

wirenut · Jun 6, 2012

Artisan said:
Nice and cheap but all that has to be weatherproofed.
HERE is another option...

I did enclose all this in a plastic box, and it is under the battery cover. Not 100%, but I think it will be fine.

coreyfatboy · Nov 26, 2016

I have a 2007 14ft PJ dump trailer that is power up power down that I would like to hook up a wireless remote to. I can't get the attachment to open on this post. Can anyone point me in the right direction. Thanks

George2615 · Nov 26, 2016

I bought 2 of those about 6 months ago and installed them on my 16' Cross Country dump trailer and 22' PJ tilt bed trailer. Both are power up and power down. I didn't use the relays the OP did but used a pair of 40A universal relays from the auto parts store. All parts were installed inside the tongue box to keep them weather tight. Only problem is both remotes are on the same frequency so I have to keep the trailers far enough apart or one remote raises and lowers both trailers. I didn't remove the original wired remote on each trailer so can use them when they are too close to each other.

coreyfatboy · Nov 26, 2016

I am looking for a diagram to wire that in. When I get home I will take a picture of my pump. I'm not sure where the wires go on solenoid

George2615 · Nov 26, 2016

coreyfatboy said:
I am looking for a diagram to wire that in. When I get home I will take a picture of my pump. I'm not sure where the wires go on solenoid

I have my wiring diagram in the garage. I'm sure your pump will be the same as mine.
Went out to garage for wiring paperwork to post.

woody · Nov 26, 2016

George2615 said:
I bought 2 of those about 6 months ago and installed them on my 16' Cross Country dump trailer and 22' PJ tilt bed trailer. Both are power up and power down. I didn't use the relays the OP did but used a pair of 40A universal relays from the auto parts store. All parts were installed inside the tongue box to keep them weather tight. Only problem is both remotes are on the same frequency so I have to keep the trailers far enough apart or one remote raises and lowers both trailers. I didn't remove the original wired remote on each trailer so can use them when they are too close to each other.

Have you thought about putting a power switch on the trailers so you can select witch trailer responds to the remote? I'm thinking about doing this on my dump trailer, I did install one for my winch on my tilt trailer.

George2615 · Nov 26, 2016

Here's a pdf of my remote wiring. Both of my trailers are wired the same and work fine without removing the original wired remote.

George2615 · Nov 26, 2016

woody said:
Have you thought about putting a power switch on the trailers so you can select witch trailer responds to the remote? I'm thinking about doing this on my dump trailer, I did install one for my winch on my tilt trailer.

Yes, Now that winter is here I'll wait till spring. I don't use either trailer much in winter. I'll just put a SPST toggle inline with each red + wire on each controller. I haven't done the winch yet but will next spring also with a separate power toggle.

By the way, I'm still waiting for you to drop off your trailer up here.

coreyfatboy · Nov 26, 2016

I can't open attachment for some reason

coreyfatboy · Nov 26, 2016

i got it. i cant do it on my phone. thank you very much

woody · Nov 27, 2016

George2615 said:
Yes, Now that winter is here I'll wait till spring. I don't use either trailer much in winter. I'll just put a SPST toggle inline with each red + wire on each controller. I haven't done the winch yet but will next spring also with a separate power toggle.

By the way, I'm still waiting for you to drop off your trailer up here.

:drink: