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5. LOADING & UNLOADING A DUMP TRAILER
Improper trailer loading causes many accidents and deaths. To safely load a trailer, you must
consider:
• Overall load weight;
• Load weight distribution;
• Proper tongue weight; and
• Securing the load properly.
To determine that you have loaded the trailer within its rating, you must consider the distribution
of weight, as well as the total weight of the trailer and its contents. The trailer axles carry most
-
der of the total weight is carried by the tow vehicle hitch. It is essential for safe towing that the
trailer tongue and tow vehicle hitch carry the proper amount of the loaded trailer weight, otherwise
the trailer can develop an undesirable sway at towing speeds, or the rear of the towing
vehicle can be overloaded. Read the “Tongue Weight” information in Section 4.
The load distribution must be such that no component part of the trailer is loaded beyond its
rating. This means that you must consider the rating of the tires, wheels and axles. For tandem
and triple axle trailers, you must make sure that the front-to-rear load distribution does not
result in overloading any axle.
Towing stability also depends on keeping the center of gravity as low as possible. Load heavy
side-to-side weight distribution and proper tongue weight. The total weight of the trailer and its
contents must never exceed the total weight rating of the trailer (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, or
5.1 HAZARDS FOR DUMP TRAILERS
palletized loads, not for transporting livestock. The major hazards associated with dump trailers
are:
• Overloading.
• Improper weight distribution; both side to side and front to back.
• Getting under a raised dump body.
• Not using, or improperly using the body prop.
• Modifying or altering hydraulic components.
• Modifying or altering dump controls.
• Not dumping from a solid and level foundation.
• Not fully opening rear doors when dumping.
• Jerking the trailer, or hydraulics, to loosen the load.
• Trailer coming near or contacting overhead power lines when body is raised.
WARNING
An overloaded trailer can result in loss of control of the trailer, leading to death
or serious injury. Do not exceed the trailer Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
or an axle Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Do not load a trailer so that the
weight on any tire exceeds its rating.