Having a trailer that lowers flat to the ground is only exciting when the whole team knows how to work the system. Want to know how to use your hydraulic drop deck system?
Read on!
Fortunately, the hydraulic system is easy and intuitive to use.
Here’s a video for reference.
Table of Contents
Drop Deck Safety
Take the following steps to ensure you’re operating your Hydraulic Drop Deck System safely.
- Park on a safe, level surface.
- Add wheel chocks to keep the trailer secure.
- Check around and underneath the trailer—make sure there are no obstructions.
- Remember all chains and cords should be secured.
- Now, uncouple the trailer from the towing vehicle.
- Pull the towing vehicle clear from the trailer.
You should never try to operate the hydraulic drop deck system without first separating it from the tow vehicle. You want to give your Good Trailer enough clearance to operate.
Prepping the Hydraulic System
Now it’s time to prepare your hydraulic system for use.
Pull the detent pin to release the forward piston. The detent pin and forward piston look like this.
Raise the forward piston and secure it with the detent pin.
What you do next depends on whether your pump is inside the trailer or whether you opted for a space-saving portable hydraulic pump.
If you chose the interior option, open your center toolbox to remove the hydraulic remote control, unless you have a wireless control (at which point you’ll just fetch the wireless control from wherever it is).
If you chose the exterior option, you’ll need to connect the pump to the trailer before you can use the hydraulic system.
- Locate the connectors near the tow bar
2. Your hoses will be located inside the pump box. They’ll be color coded.
3. Connect the hoses. There will also be a plug to connect.
Now you’re ready to lower the trailer.
Lowering the Trailer
- Turn on the wired remote by turning the red knob, or locate the appropriate button on your wireless remote.
Next, lower the forward piston foot.
2. Turn the crank jack clockwise to finish placing the foot. It should sit flat on the ground. Then, secure the crank jack.
3. Next, unlock the fender panels. Raise all fender panels before you attempt to raise the trailer. This is very important. The wheels retract, so you’ll damage your trailer if you don’t take this step.
Of course, you won’t have to worry about taking this step on a flatbed trailer.
Raise the toggle clamp located behind the wheels.
Pull the cylinder lock forward and secure it to the toggle clamp.
Repeat for all toggle clamps and cylinder locks.
Be aware some newer versions of the trailer have different versions of the toggle clamps and cylinder locks. The principle will be the same, but the look and feel may be different depending on which version of the Good Trailer you have purchased.
Now you may use the remote to lower the trailer.
Move slow and steady as you bring the trailer all the way to the ground. Go slow and steady. The front and rear hydraulic systems are asynchronous, so you will need to alternate between lowering the front and rear systems to ensure a safe and controlled descent. To prevent tipping the trailer backwards, always make sure that the front end of the trailer is kept at or below the height of the rear end of the trailer. Do not rush this process or force your trailer into an extreme angle, as this can tip the trailer and cause damage or injury to persons or property.
Once the trailer has reached the ground, ensure that it is secure by raising the wheels up above ground level, stabilizing the trailer before the lowering process begins.
Press the stop button to end the process.
Now the trailer is ready for easy loading and unloading!
When you’re done loading or unloading, you’ll need to pull the spring lock into alignment in order to release the lock. Then you may gently push the door back into place and lock it once more.
Loading & Unloading: It's a Snap
To open the trailer, release the latch pin and lower the ramp.
Gently lower the ramp to the ground, then unlock and secure the lift panel loading the door.
Open the loading door. Spring locks keep the door upright as long as you need it to be.
Now you can roll your gear into or out of your trailer with ease.
When you’re done loading or unloading, you’ll need to pull the spring lock into alignment in order to release the lock. Then you may gently push the door back into place and lock it once more.
Raising the Trailer
Once you’re done loading or unloading, you’ll need to pull the spring lock into alignment in order to release the lock. Then you may gently push the door back into place and lock it once more.
Once you’ve raised the ramp and locked it into place, you’re ready to raise the trailer again. Be sure to balance the weight of your load as you raise the trailer. As before, slow and steady is the safe way to go.
Reattaching the Trailer to the Tow Vehicle
Lower the hydraulic cylinder lock and toggle clamp. Remember, you’ll need to do this for every wheel.
Lower the fender panels, if you haven’t done so already, and lock them back into place.
Raise the front piston foot.
You may now lower the front piston.
If you have a portable pump, be aware the hydraulic hoses should not offer any resistance. If you feel resistance, it means there is pressure in the line. Stop attempting to remove the line immediately.
You’ll need to raise the trailer slightly and then lower it to ease the pressure from the lines.
Once you do, you can try again.
If you try to force the hoses off the connectors, you could cause a spray of hydraulic fluid which can cause injuries.
Once you’ve taken these steps and have disconnected your portable pump (if applicable), you can ready the towbar for reattachment to the tow vehicle so you can head to your next job site, adventure, or show.
Get More Help
Do you have more questions about how to use the hydraulic drop deck system on your Good Trailer?
Are you a future trailer owner who has more specific questions about how this innovative hydraulic system works?
Contact us today! We’ll be happy to answer questions and to address your concerns.
