Specs · 10 min read
Dump Trailer Axles and Suspension
Dump trailer axles and suspension explained: 5.2k to 12k axle ratings, tandem vs. triple, slipper springs vs. torsion, hubs, and axle capacity vs. GVWR.
Build & Specs
What a spec sheet is really telling you — steel gauge, frames, hoists, axles, tires, coatings and hydraulics — and how to check it yourself.
Guides in Build & Specs
Specs · 11 min read
Dump Trailer Frames: I-Beam, Channel, Tube, and Crossmembers
How dump trailer frames are built: I-beam vs. channel vs. tube rails, beam size and weight per foot, crossmember spacing, tongue design, and rear hinges.
Specs · 7 min read
Dump Trailer Gates: Barn Door, Spreader, Combo, and Ramps
Dump trailer gate options compared: barn door, spreader, combo gates, slide-in ramps, fold-down sides, latches, and hinges, plus which gate suits which job.
Specs · 9 min read
Dump Trailer Hydraulics, Pumps, and Batteries
How dump trailer hydraulics work: 12V pumps, single- vs. double-acting, fluid, deep-cycle batteries, 7-way and solar charging, remotes, and safety props.
Specs · 10 min read
Dump Trailer Steel Gauge Explained
Dump trailer steel gauge explained: 14, 12, 10, and 7 gauge in inches and pounds, what builders use for floors and sides, and why floor gauge matters most.
Specs · 8 min read
Dump Trailer Tarp Systems
Dump trailer tarp systems explained: manual crank vs. electric, mesh vs. vinyl, arm kits, state cover-your-load laws, and maintenance that keeps a tarp working.
Specs · 10 min read
Dump Trailer Tires: Load Range, Ply, and ST vs. LT
Dump trailer tires explained: load ranges C to H, ply ratings, ST vs. LT, 16-inch vs. 17.5-inch wheels, inflation, DOT date codes, and signs of overload.
Specs · 10 min read
GVWR, Payload, and Empty Weight Explained
GVWR is the most a loaded trailer may weigh. Payload is GVWR minus empty weight. How to read the label, find real payload, and check tongue weight and GCWR.
Specs · 15 min read
How to Judge Weld Quality on a Trailer
How to judge weld quality on a trailer: spot undercut, porosity, cold lap, and cracks, find the welds that matter most, and know what to ask the builder.
Specs · 9 min read
Powder Coat vs. Paint vs. Galvanized
Powder coat vs. paint vs. galvanized dump trailers: how each finish is applied, why surface prep matters most, where rust starts first, and what road salt does.
Specs · 9 min read
Scissor Hoist vs. Telescopic vs. Dual-Ram Dump Trailers
Scissor hoist vs. telescopic vs. dual-ram dump trailers: how each works, dump angle, lifting capacity, stability, maintenance, cost, and which fits your loads.