qustion for diamonpilot and others re dump trailers

[hoddykubody]

I am getting closer to buying a dump trailer . I see the one's with the post up front are not power down could that be A issue at all example part load of mulch? I think i'd rather the post up front really but if I have to I have other ways i suppose to get it down . I also want a channel tongue and frame, rear support legs to loAd a skid steer or compact and a tarp. Also would like the solid rims over the white spoke - not sure if they are avaiable - maybe only 17.5 " not sure on those yet.

 

[sandman2234]

The Ugly Dump Trailer I built isn't power down, uses a scissor style of lift. Although the bed is aluminum decked, the weight empty is enough to bring it down. If the pivot pins are kept in grease and good repair, the bed empty should always bring it down at a predetermined rate (so as not to free-fall in the event of a hose failure). Add a half load of mulch and you shouldn't have a problem with a well designed, well made trailer. Look at how trailers are made and choose wisely. I don't think power down is a requirement.
David from jax

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have never owned a dump trailer but have been around two. Both gravity down and no issues.

Chris

 

[20 20]

my trailer and dump truck are both gravity down, never had an issue.

 

[hoddykubody]

Thanks fellas but furthur questions . I spoke to a foreman who manufactures dump trailers with scissor lifts and says yeah those single post hoist don't have the material further back like a sciisor hoist, . I am still unsure but if the post is up front maybe you don't need extra strengh underneath only just x members. What say you.

 

[Dmace]

My 10k DownEaster dump trailer is gravity down and always comes down. I had power down on my old dump truck with the scissor lift and used it pretty often because the scissor would bind up and not come down easy. Dump trailer has 3 pivots vs dump truck with 8 pivot points to bind.
I'm not a fan of a scissor type lifts and feel its only a design to allow the use of a smaller piston which leads to a smaller pump needed. Another thing is people swear by scissor type lifts saying they wont twist when loaded unevenly. I find just the opposite, they twist too just not as much. The difference is my straight single piston can still easily lift a twisted bed whereas my dump truck would twist and bind to the point where it wouldn't lift at all. Maybe the power down feature is only on the scissor type lifts as they are the only ones that need it...

Thanks fellas but furthur questions . I spoke to a foreman who manufactures dump trailers with scissor lifts and says yeah those single post hoist don't have the material further back like a sciisor hoist, . I am still unsure but if the post is up front maybe you don't need extra strengh underneath only just x members. What say you.

The only "extra material" I've seen on scissor type lifts is the actual scissor itself, they still mount to the frame as usual. The scissor also adds more weight to the trailer lowering your available payload.

 

[QRTRHRS]

My 10k DownEaster dump trailer is gravity down and always comes down. I had power down on my old dump truck with the scissor lift and used it pretty often because the scissor would bind up and not come down easy. Dump trailer has 3 pivots vs dump truck with 8 pivot points to bind.
I'm not a fan of a scissor type lifts and feel its only a design to allow the use of a smaller piston which leads to a smaller pump needed. Another thing is people swear by scissor type lifts saying they wont twist when loaded unevenly. I find just the opposite, they twist too just not as much. The difference is my straight single piston can still easily lift a twisted bed whereas my dump truck would twist and bind to the point where it wouldn't lift at all. Maybe the power down feature is only on the scissor type lifts as they are the only ones that need it...

The only "extra material" I've seen on scissor type lifts is the actual scissor itself, they still mount to the frame as usual. The scissor also adds more weight to the trailer lowering your available payload.

Other than real world experiance with "real dump trailers", I have only owned a 10k Bri-Mar myself. Albeit a bit slow but nothing I could not live with, the scissor lift never hung up and never gave me any issues. That includes moving topsoil around my property loaded up enough to give my Dodge with 4:10's issues. Maybe heavy but very stout and the ram was certainly up to the task.

Not saying all scissors are good or bad but once again, one person's experiance should not negate looking at all options.

I have also looked at smaller dumps with dual pistons with very flimsy looking frame mounts.

Lastly, a properly sized and mounted front mount with the correct hydraulic capacity should ideally be the best choice. Less weight, faster than a scissors, stable to a point and minimal parts.

 

[sandman2234]

I used a scissor lift because I had it, rather than buying cylinders. Never an issue, and don't have any experience with others to compare to.
Davld from jax

 

[Johnp33]

I have a PJ, 14 ft goose neck, dump trailer, it is power down, single cylinder.
I have never had a situation that it would not have come down on its own, Maybe fly spreading going up hill doing a steep driveway.

 

[bdeboer]

I have a single piston BriMar dump that will stick in the up position if it hasn't been used for awhile. With a little pressure in the down direction it comes slowly down on its own