Dexter Telescopic Dump Trailer Cylinder Kit – 30 Ton | 144″ Stroke | Fits 14’–18′ Dump Beds


The Dexter PCTL-14412-K is a 30 Ton telescopic dump trailer cylinder kit for 14’–18′ dump beds, using a 144″ stroke cylinder with a 12-ton / 24,000 lb direct push rating. Available as a Standard Kit with KTI 7-gallon hydraulic power unit, hose, fittings, Bridon load control valve, safety arm, hinges, and hardware — or Hoist Only for customers with an existing hydraulic system.

Free shipping to commercial addresses or local freight terminals in the lower 48 states. Residential delivery and liftgate service may incur additional fees.

Price range: $1,699.00 through $2,449.00

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
Hoist Only Note: The Hoist Only configuration includes the telescoping cylinder and mounting brackets only. It does not include the additional hydraulic, safety, electrical, or installation components found in the Standard Kit. Always verify compatibility before installation.

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
Capacity Note: Dump capacity and dump angle are approximate and based on an evenly distributed load. Actual performance depends on bed length, rear overhang, mounting position, M-dimension, trailer design, support structure, weld quality, and load distribution. Always review the model-specific capacity chart before ordering or installing.

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
Telescopic cylinder location diagram showing tilt bed length, rear overhang, M-dimension, and centered cylinder placement on dump trailer
Telescopic cylinder location diagram showing tilt bed length, rear overhang, M-dimension, and centered cylinder placement.
Installation Note: Incorrect cylinder placement, improper support structure, poor weld sizing, or uneven load distribution can reduce performance and create unsafe loading conditions.

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.

Installation & Safety Note: This telescopic cylinder kit requires proper mounting, welding, hydraulic hookup, and electrical setup. Never work under a raised dump bed without proper support. Always use the supplied safety arm on an unloaded body only and follow the installation manual, trailer manufacturer’s safety instructions, and hydraulic system requirements. If using hydraulic components other than those supplied with the Standard Kit, verify pressure, flow rate, compatibility, load control, and installation requirements before operating the system.

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


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.

Product Specifications

Brand Dexter | Premium Supply
Model PCTL-14412-K
Product Type Telescopic Dump Trailer Cylinder Kit
Application Capacity Up to 30.1 tons when properly applied
Cylinder Push Rating 12 Ton / 24,000 lb straight push
Cylinder Stroke 144″
Recommended Bed Length 14′ to 18′ dump beds
Hoist Style Front-mounted telescopic cylinder
Hydraulic Power Unit KTI 7-gallon single-acting hydraulic power unit included with Standard Kit
Operation Power up / gravity down with Standard Kit
Hydraulic Pressure Up to 3,200 PSI for the raising cycle
Kit Options Hoist Only or Standard Kit
Standard Kit Includes Telescoping cylinder, KTI 7-gallon hydraulic power unit, hose, fittings, Bridon load control valve, mounting brackets, safety arm, hinges, battery cables, and rubber strap
Hoist Only Includes Telescoping cylinder, two upper mounting brackets, and H-frame lower mounting bracket
Common Applications Dump trailers, truck dump beds, custom dump bodies, landscape trailers, farm-use trailers, and replacement hydraulic lift systems

Telescopic Cylinder Bleed Procedure

The telescopic cylinder must be properly bled during installation so the cylinder extends smoothly and air is removed from the hydraulic circuit. Follow the installation manual and use caution when working around hydraulic fluid under pressure.

  1. Locate the telescopic cylinder bleed screw at the highest point of the hydraulic circuit. Remove the bleed screw and sealing washer.
  2. Gradually fill the cylinder by pressing the “UP” button on the remote control station. Do this intermittently with a rag over the bleed screw hole. Fluid can exit the bleed screw hole at high velocity if the cylinder is filled too quickly. Keep fluid in the reservoir to prevent air from entering the system.
  3. Once a steady stream of fluid comes out of the bleed screw hole, stop filling the cylinder. Reinstall and tighten the bleed screw.
  4. Press and hold the “UP” button and keep the oil reservoir filled just enough to keep air out of the system. Fully extend the cylinder.
  5. Press and hold the “DOWN” button until the cylinder is fully retracted. Watch the oil reservoir level to prevent overflow.
  6. To remove remaining air, fully retract the cylinder and remove the bleed screw again. Repeatedly tap the “UP” button until only fluid comes out of the bleed screw hole. Reinstall the bleed screw.
  7. Wipe the cylinder clean and replace any lost hydraulic oil.
  8. Fully extend the cylinder. The cylinder should extend smoothly without jerky or stop-and-go movement. If movement is jerky, retract the cylinder and repeat the bleeding steps until operation is smooth.
  9. Check the oil level in the reservoir. Once the level is correct and the cylinder operates smoothly, the bleed procedure is complete.
Safety Note: Hydraulic fluid may exit the bleed screw hole at high velocity. Keep the reservoir filled during bleeding, avoid introducing air into the system, and follow the complete installation manual before operating the hoist.