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Tips for Safely Towing a Dump Trailer

May. 31 2022 Safety By True Value Trailers & Power Equipment

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Like many different types of heavy equipment, dump trailers require specialized operating skills. Large trailers in general can be a bit tricky to figure out, but throw in loose material and you’ll need to spend some time figuring out what to do behind the wheel. That’s why we have provided some tips to help with towing a dump trailer. If you need additional advice, or if you’d like to check out our dump trailers for sale, be sure to get in touch with us at our dealership.

On the Road

The most important element of towing a dump trailer is maintaining focus. You’ll likely be bigger and bulkier than many of the other vehicles on the road, not to mention you are carrying a unique kind of cargo that can present its own problems. Paying attention to your surroundings can help you spot obstacles and traffic changes that will force you to adjust your driving. You’ll want to keep your distance from other motorists as best you can to give yourself plenty of time to adapt to changing road conditions.

Part of driving carefully means knowing what some of your height and width limits are. This is especially important when you’re traveling in locations where there are overpasses that will place restrictions on how tall vehicles can be to safely pass under them. Failing to take care of these restrictions can lead to damage and accidents.

Loading the Dump Trailer

When you’re loading your trailer, the last thing you want to do is just start piling things on the rig. The load needs to be secure so that depositing the material later on, as well as transporting it, doesn’t result in new problems. This includes not filling the upper portion of the dump trailer and ensuring that all material is evenly distributed and packed low.

Practice Safety

Once it’s time to start dumping the material, you’ll want to be extremely cautious. There’s a lot of material getting thrown around and everyone’s safety should be a top priority. Some basic guidelines include:

  • Operate the dump trailer on flat, even ground.
  • Never tow the trailer with a raised bed.
  • Pay extra attention to your surroundings.
  • We’d recommend using spotters and following all instructions they give you via hand signals or headsets.
  • The workspace shouldn’t be cluttered, and it must be off-limits to people and other equipment.

Proper operation is the key to efficient and safe dump trailer use. If you need additional help, or if you’re looking to buy a dump trailer, contact True Value Trailers & Power Equipment to see what our staff members in Penrose and Florence, CO, can do for you. We welcome all those in Pueblo and Colorado Springs.