What You Need To Know When Looking For A Dump Trailer
Dump trailers can be beneficial for many things, and because the trailer is designed to tip up and dump the load out the back, you can haul many materials that would be otherwise difficult to unload. These trailers can fill the gap between a standard equipment trailer and a dump body truck, making them an excellent fit for farms, construction sites, or for homeowners with a lot of acreage to maintain.
Electric Dump Trailers
When looking for dump trailers for sale, you need to determine what size and style you need. A small dump trailer with electric actuators may be a good solution for the homeowner that only needs to take materials to the landfill or bring home bark mulch for the flower beds each year.
These electric dump trailers use a battery mounted on the frame to power the dump body. They can connect to the vehicle's electrical system through a plug on the rear of the truck. The power connector allows you to have power to the trailer when connected, but it limits the ability to raise the body when the trailer is sitting away from the vehicle.
If you prefer to have a battery on the trailer, you can still connect the system to the vehicle and have the ability to raise and lower the dump body whether you are connected or not.
Hydraulic Dump Trailers
Hydraulic dump trailers are often larger and can haul more weight than smaller electric trailers. These trailers use a hydraulic pump and pistons to raise the dump body and require power for the pump. Like the smaller electric trailers, the hydraulic trailer often has a battery on the trailer to power the hydraulic system.
The hydraulics need regular maintenance, and the oil level in the reservoir needs to remain full, or the system will not function properly. When considering hydraulic dump trailers for sale, look over the system carefully to ensure it is in good condition.
Used trailers may have leaks in the system that will require repair, and if the system was operated while low on oil, there could be damage to the pump. New hydraulic dump trailers will likely not have these problems, but have the salesperson go over the trailer with you to help you understand the system and the maintenance it will need after you purchase the trailer.
Many dump trailer dealers offer service for the trailers in their service department, so you may want to take the trailer in at the recommended service interval and have a trained technician go over it and take care of the service for you.
For more information, reach out to a dump trailer dealer in your area.