Dexter Telescopic Dump Trailer Cylinder Kit – 30 Ton | 144″ Stroke | Fits 14’–18′ Dump Beds
The Dexter | Premium Supply PCTL-14412-K Telescopic Dump Trailer Cylinder Kit is a front-mounted hydraulic lift system designed for 14′ to 18′ dump bed applications. This kit uses a 144″ stroke telescoping hydraulic cylinder with a 12-ton / 24,000 lb straight push rating, but when properly matched to the trailer’s bed length, rear overhang, mounting position, and lifting geometry, it can achieve charted dump capacities up to approximately 30.1 tons. That is why this model is marketed as a 30 Ton telescopic cylinder kit when properly applied.
What’s Included
Standard Kit Includes:
- Dexter 144″ stroke telescoping hydraulic cylinder
- KTI 7-gallon single-acting hydraulic power unit – power up / gravity down
- Hydraulic hose assembly with fittings
- Bridon load control valve
- Two upper mounting brackets
- H-frame lower mounting bracket
- Safety arm assembly
- Dump bed hinges
- Battery cables and rubber strap
Hoist Only Kit Includes:
- Dexter 144″ stroke telescoping hydraulic cylinder
- Two upper mounting brackets
- H-frame lower mounting bracket
Key Features
- 30 Ton Telescopic Dump Trailer Kit: Built for 14′ to 18′ dump bed applications, with charted capacities up to 30.1 tons when properly matched to the trailer setup.
- Dexter 144″ Telescoping Cylinder: Uses a 12-ton / 24,000 lb push telescopic cylinder with a 144″ stroke for strong front-mounted lifting performance.
- Front-Mount Leverage Advantage: Mounts near the front of the dump bed, using trailer geometry and bed leverage to lift more than the cylinder’s straight push rating alone.
- Standard Kit or Hoist Only: Choose the Standard Kit with KTI 7-gallon hydraulic power unit, hose, fittings, Bridon load control valve, safety arm, hinges, and cables — or Hoist Only for builds with an existing hydraulic system.
- Built for Trailer Builders & Repair Shops: Designed for dump trailers, truck dump beds, custom dump bodies, landscape trailers, farm-use trailers, and replacement hydraulic lift systems.
PCTL-14412-K Performance & Fitment Specifications
- Model: PCTL-14412-K
- Application Capacity: Up to 30.1 tons when properly applied, depending on bed length, rear overhang, M-dimension, and trailer configuration
- Cylinder Push Rating: 12 Ton / 24,000 lb push
- Stroke: 144″
- Recommended Bed Length: 14′ to 18′ dump beds
- Hoist Type: Front-mounted telescopic cylinder dump kit
- Hydraulic Power Unit: KTI 7-gallon single-acting HPU included with Standard Kit configuration
- Hydraulic Pressure: Up to 3,200 PSI for the raising cycle
- Applications: Dump trailers, truck dump beds, and custom dump body builds
PCTL-14412-K Capacity, Dump Angle & Cylinder Location Chart
The chart below shows the approximate dump capacity and dump angle for the PCTL-14412-K telescopic cylinder kit based on dump bed length, rear overhang, and M-dimension. Capacity and dump angle are approximate and based on an evenly distributed load.
Proper cylinder placement is critical. The telescopic cylinder should be centered on the dump bed and positioned according to the required bed length, rear overhang, and M-dimension shown in the chart. The M-dimension is used to locate the cylinder in relation to the rear hinge and dump bed geometry. Matching the correct M-dimension helps determine dump angle and effective lifting capacity.
| PCTL-14412-K (24,000 lbs. x 144” Stroke) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tilt Bed (Feet) |
Overhang (Inches) |
“M” Dimension (Inches) |
Max. Dump Angle (Degrees) |
Capacity (Tons) |
| 14 | 12 | 162.5 | 53 | 27.0 |
| 18 | 156.5 | 55 | 28.4 | |
| 24 | 150.5 | 57 | 30.1 | |
| 16 | 12 | 186.5 | 45 | 26.6 |
| 18 | 180.5 | 47 | 27.7 | |
| 24 | 174.5 | 49 | 29.0 | |
| 18 | 12 | 210.5 | 40 | 26.3 |
| 18 | 204.5 | 41 | 27.2 | |
| 24 | 198.5 | 42 | 28.3 | |

Why a 12-Ton Cylinder Can Dump More Than 12 Tons
The 12-ton rating describes the cylinder’s straight hydraulic push force. It does not mean the finished dump trailer can only dump 12 tons.
A telescopic cylinder system works differently because the cylinder mounts near the front of the dump bed and uses the trailer’s lifting geometry as leverage. Bed length, rear overhang, M-dimension, and cylinder placement all affect how much loaded bed weight the system can raise.
For the PCTL-14412-K, the charted capacities range from approximately 26.3 tons to 30.1 tons depending on the trailer setup. This makes 30 Ton a practical customer-facing way to describe the working range of this model, while still recognizing that the cylinder itself is rated at 12 tons / 24,000 lbs of push force.
Common PCTL-14412-K Applications
The PCTL-14412-K is commonly used for 14′, 16′, and 18′ dump trailer beds where a front-mounted telescopic cylinder is preferred over a traditional under-bed scissor hoist. It is a strong option for dump trailers, truck dump beds, landscaping trailers, farm-use trailers, construction trailers, property maintenance trailers, and custom dump body builds.
This kit is especially useful for builders and repair shops looking for a higher-capacity hydraulic dump bed lift system with a front-mounted telescoping cylinder design.
Installation & Safety Notes
The installer is responsible for confirming that the trailer frame, cylinder supports, weld size, and mounting structure are suitable for the load being lifted.
Shipping Information
Free shipping is available to commercial addresses or local freight terminals in the lower 48 states. Residential delivery and liftgate services are available for an additional fee. Please contact our team for freight details before ordering if needed.
Additional Resources & Installation Guides
- ⇓ Download Telescopic Cylinder Installation Manual – Installation, safety, capacity chart, bleed procedure, and hydraulic system information.
- View Dump Trailer Telescopic Hoist Kits – Compare other stroke lengths and capacity options.
- Compare Hydraulic Scissor Hoist Kits – View scissor hoist options for other dump trailer applications.
- View Documents Page – Technical specs, installation files, and support documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size dump bed is the PCTL-14412-K designed for?
The PCTL-14412-K is commonly used for 14′ to 18′ dump beds, depending on trailer design, rear overhang, mounting position, M-dimension, and expected loaded bed weight.
Why is this a 30 Ton kit if the cylinder is rated for 12 tons?
The 12-ton rating refers to the hydraulic push force of the cylinder itself. Because this is a front-mounted telescopic system, it uses the dump bed length, rear hinge location, overhang, and mounting geometry as leverage. When properly installed, that mechanical advantage allows the 12-ton / 24,000 lb push cylinder to achieve charted application capacities up to approximately 30.1 tons depending on trailer setup.
Telescopic vs. scissor hoist: which is better?
It depends on the trailer build. Telescopic kits are often preferred for heavy-duty dump trailer builds because they provide strong front-of-body leverage and work well for dense material, taller dump bodies, and front-heavy loads. Scissor hoists are commonly used on many standard dump trailer builds and can be a good choice when under-bed packaging, cost, and traditional scissor lift stability are preferred. Bed length, overhang, frame design, dump angle, and load type should all be considered before choosing.
Do I really need to follow the M-dimension on the chart?
Yes. The M-dimension is the measurement used to locate the cylinder in relation to the rear hinge and dump bed geometry. It affects dump angle, lifting capacity, and overall hoist performance. Moving the cylinder even a few inches can change how much weight the trailer can dump or how high the bed raises, so the frame should be built according to the model-specific chart.
Can I use a standard 3 or 6 quart hydraulic pump with this cylinder?
No. A 144″ telescopic cylinder with a 12-ton / 24,000 lb push rating requires more hydraulic fluid than many standard dump trailer pumps can supply. Smaller reservoirs may run low before the bed is fully raised. The Standard Kit includes a KTI 7-gallon hydraulic power unit for proper fluid capacity and operation.
Do I need to review the capacity chart before ordering?
Yes. Capacity depends on bed length, rear overhang, M-dimension, dump angle, load distribution, and trailer configuration. Always review the chart or contact Johnson Trailer Parts for fitment support before ordering.
Need expert help? Call Johnson Trailer Parts at (602) 292-9690 for telescopic hoist fitment support.






