Dump Trailer Leveling

MOTractor · May 25, 2023

I purchased the Delco, 14’ x 83”, 14K.

Before I haul my first load I have a couple hitch / leveling questions. My normal trailer towing has been a small 10” light duty trailer or a 16” stock trailer with a couple cows/steers in it - way less than what this dump can tote.

Should the front of the unloaded dump trailer be set “high” in the front to compensate for the drop of the trailer tongue when the trailer is loaded? In the pic I have NOT moved the trailers adjustable hitch, to me it looks like the front of the trailer needs to be higher – it is currently empty. For this pic I did not bother to raise the jack out of the way.

How to raise the front of the trailer (if needed)? In the pic I only have one (1” I think) UP adjustment on the trucks hitch, but 2 LOWER adjustments on the trailer’s hitch. I know I can flip the trucks hitch to get more rise.

Please correct me if my logic is flawed, it often is

I think I need to lower the hitch on the trailer, which will raise the front of the trailer. One or two holes?

Other info that may help with advice:
The hitch is a BW, fits 2-1/2 receiver, 5” drop, 2-5/16” ball.
Truck is a 2017 F250 4x4 with 6.7 Diesel
The truck has the HD towing package – but does NOT have air/adjustable shocks / suspension
I have a trailer brake controller on the trucks dashboard
This trailer will be pulled by this truck primarily – homestead/farm use, not commercial…

Thoughts? Also any info or insights about hauling heavier stuff would be appreciated. I will do a separate post about trailer brakes…

Topzide · May 25, 2023

Be careful when loading up! Real easy to overload a dump trailer and especially on the tongue! Is there a scale nearby that you can check empty and full? That way you can see how the truck sits and tows. Yes, I would have to tongue higher empty so that it sits as close to level as possible when loaded. Nice trailer!

nisaacs · May 26, 2023

Nice trailer! With most loads, the truck will squat the same as the trailer. So, starting level, empty, is usually good. The truck hitch is easier to adjust, start with it. If need be, you can use a equalizer hitch. For me, the easiest way to determine if the trailer is level is to look at the equalizer between the axles. If it is level, your trailer is level.

The trailer is maxed out in this picture, truck and trailer are level. Allways make sure you have hitch weight. A tail heavy trailer will crash.

Rockbadchild · May 26, 2023

To me it look pretty good how it is. There is nothing wrong with a slight nose down decline when loaded and want that to happen, up to a point. You will see once loaded if it is pointing down too much then you could bring the trailer hitch down one hole, or switch the hitch around. In general dump trailer hold their line very good even with a slight incline when empty, so to answer your question yes you can have a slight incline when empty as long as you have a decline when loaded and as long as the trailer do not sway around with that slight incline at speed when empty, it all depend on how much your truck will squat under load. Like nisaacs said start level (like you are right now) and go from there..