Selecting the Right Scissor Hoist for Your Dump Trailer

Find the Perfect Scissor Hoist for Your Dump Trailer – Because Safety, Efficiency, and Durability Matter. Choosing the wrong hoist can lead to sluggish lifts, hydraulic damage, or complete failure. This guide simplifies the process with four clear steps and detailed charts from the Premium Supply | Dexter manual to help you match your trailer perfectly. Upgrade your rig and dump with confidence!

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Scissor Hoist 101: What You Need to Know

Need a reliable way to tilt your dump bed? A scissor hoist channels hydraulic power for smooth unloading of dirt, gravel, and debris. But choosing the wrong model? That can be a costly mistake. Each hoist is rated for a specific weight capacity, bed length, and overhang.

4 Simple Steps to Pick the Perfect Scissor Hoist

1. Measure Your Dump Bed

Your bed length (in feet) determines the right hoist model. Use this guide, straight from the manual, to find the best fit:

Bed Length	Best Hoist Models
8–10 ft	PH310, PH416
10–14 ft	PH416, PH516, PH520
12–16 ft	PH516, PH520, PH616-5/6
14–18 ft	PH616-5/6, PH620, PH621-5/6
16–20 ft	PH620, PH621-5/6, PH625
18–24 ft	PH625, PH630

Pro Tip: Odd size? Round up and refer to the charts below.

*“A” is your total bed length (ft), “B” is the overhang past the hinge (in).*

2. Check the Overhang

Overhang—the distance from the rear hinge to the end of the bed—affects load distribution. A longer overhang can increases lifting power, allowing the same hoist to handle more weight at a given angle.

The manual’s charts provide lifting capacities based on bed length, overhang (12”, 18”, 24”), and dump angle (45° or 50°).

Take the PH520 with a 14-ft bed as an example:

Overhang (in)	45° Capacity (tons)	50° Capacity (tons)
12	8.6	7.8
18	9.3	8.5
24	10.3	9.3

What It Means:

For a 14-ft bed, the PH520 hoist gains lifting power as the overhang increases. At 12 inches, it lifts 8.6 tons, at 18 inches that increases to 9.3 tons, and at 24 inches, it reaches 10.3 tons—a total gain of 1.7 tons at a 45° dump angle. The same trend applies at 50°, but with slightly less lift power, ranging from 7.8 to 9.3 tons.

In real-world use, hoist capacity doesn’t equal payload capacity. A 14,000-lb (14K) GVWR trailer weighing 4,000 lbs is limited to a 10,000-lb payload, even though the hoist can technically lift more. Your trailer’s GVWR—not just hoist power—determines the safe working load.

While the hoist may have the power to lift more, your trailer’s weight rating is the real limit. Always check your trailer’s specifications to ensure safe and efficient lifting.

Trailer Overloading Warning

Overloading your trailer can cause equipment failure, unsafe driving conditions, and serious injury or death. NEVER exceed your trailer’s gross vehicle weight (GVW) or gross axle weight (GAW) rating.

Check your trailer and vehicle manuals for weight limits, and if you’re unsure, contact Johnson Trailer Parts for expert guidance to ensure safe and legal operation.

3. Pick Your Dump Angle

Angle controls dump flow:

• 45°: Standard—loose loads (sand, gravel) slide easy.
• 50°: Steeper—sticky stuff (wet dirt, clay) needs it. Drops capacity ~10%.

Your Call: Dry rocks? 45°. Sticky mud? 50°—check the hit below.

4. Power Your Hoist

All KTI pumps in our hoist kits run at 3,200 PSI for reliable power:

• Single-Acting: Power up, gravity down.
• Double-Acting: Power up, power down.
• Double / Single-Acting: Power up, power down, or gravity down—most kits include this for total control.

Full Capacity Charts: Your Go-To Guide

Here’s a complete look at four key hoist models from the Premium Supply manual, showcasing bed length, overhang combinations, and lifting capacity in tons. These examples provide a clear guide to help you choose the right hoist for your setup.

Important Note: Because of variations in application, this data is a general guide only.

Capacities are based on the following conditions:

• Water level, non-diminishing load.

• The vertical height between the rear hinge pivot and the floor is no less than 3 inches.

• Hydraulic system operating at 3,200 PSI

Want to see the charts for all 11 models? Check the Premium Supply | Dexter Installation Manual for the complete charts.

PH416 (Page 27)

Bed (ft)	Overhang (in)	45° (tons)	50° (tons)
10	12	9.3	8.4
10	18	10.6	9.6
10	24	12.4	11.2
12	12	7.4	6.7
12	18	8.3	7.5
12	24	9.3	8.4
14	12	6.2	5.6
14	18	6.8	6.1
14	24	7.4	6.7

PH516 (Page 29)

Bed (ft)	Overhang (in)	45° Capacity (tons)	50° Capacity (tons)
10	12	9.7	8.8
10	18	11.1	10
10	24	12.9	11.7
12	12	7.7	7.0
12	18	8.6	7.8
12	24	9.7	8.8
14	12	6.5	5.8
14	18	7.0	6.4
14	24	7.8	7.0

PH520 (Page 31)

Bed (ft)	Overhang (in)	45° (tons)	50° (tons)
12	12	10.3	9.3
12	18	11.4	10.4
12	24	12.9	11.7
14	12	8.6	7.8
14	18	9.3	8.5
14	24	10.3	9.3
16	12	7.3	6.7
16	18	7.9	7.2
16	24	8.6	7.8

PH630 (Page 41)

Bed (ft)	Overhang (in)	45° (tons)	50° (tons)
18	12	13.5	12.2
18	18	14.4	13.1
18	24	15.4	14.0
20	12	12.5	10.9
20	18	12.7	11.5
20	24	13.5	12.2
24	12	9.8	8.9
24	18	10.3	9.3
24	24	10.8	9.8

Final Tips & Takeaways

✅ Choose the Right Hoist: Match your bed length and load—use the charts as your guide.

✅ Factor in Overhang: A longer can overhang increases lifting power.

✅ Mind the Angle: 45° for looser loads, 50° for sticky material—adjust accordingly.

✅ Know Your Limits: Hoist power doesn’t override trailer limits—always stay within your GVWR and axle ratings to prevent damage or failure.

Choosing the right hoist is just part of the equation—understanding your trailer’s weight limits is essential for safe and efficient hauling. No matter how powerful your hoist is, sticking to your GVWR and GAW ratings ensures you protect your equipment, cargo, and yourself.

At Johnson Trailer Parts, we provide everything you need to keep your trailer running strong and road-ready. Whether you’re upgrading, repairing, or building from scratch, we have the parts, kits, and expertise to get the job done right.

Need Help? Contact Our Trailer Experts!

We’re here to assist you with any questions or installation support.

Call us today at: (602) 292-9690