Precision Equipment's Trailers Made to Work Hard

Thu November 13, 2025
Katherine Petrik – CEG Editorial Assistant

Precision Equipment Manufacturing of Fargo, N.D., is reintroducing its Prospector 42-ft. bottom dump trailer. These trailers are commonly used for spreading asphalt; hauling gravel, sand and dirt; road maintenance; and transporting agricultural products.

The Prospector's standard features include three 25K Meritor axles, Ridewell air-ride suspension, liftable rear axle, adjustable gate stops, safety lock to lock gate open for cleaning and maintenance, gate control with electric over pneumatic control valve, recessed LED lighting system, removable gate-mounted landing gear, 60-gal. air tank, removable/replaceable front and rear aluminum diamond plate fenders, sealed commercial wiring harness and more.

Additional options include heavy-duty bolt on push block, low-pro and high-pro tire packages, front mudflaps, electric roll tarp, aluminum hub pilot wheels and more.

Specifications on the 42-ft. Prospector include:

• Height-ground to top rail — 103 in.

• Weight — 16,700 lbs.

• Ground Clearance (closed gate) — 12 in.

• Capacity — 25 cu. yds.

• Tub slope — 67 degrees

• King pin setting — 17 in.

• Hopper construction — AR200

• Lower hopper opening — 10 ft. 5 in. x 5 ft. 5 in.

• Upper hopper opening — 16 ft. 6 in. x 7 ft. 4 in.

Bob Nelson, a former truss hauler and trucker, purchased PENMA, a custom fire truck manufacturer in 1999. PENMA built fire trucks out of used truck chassis, adding new tanks and pumps with newer technology, making them affordable for small departments.

As the company expanded its custom fabrication, a rafter manufacturing company with a large customer base needed to transport its product more than 200 mi. away without being damaged. Precision custom-built roller trailers with air ride suspension and specially designed braking systems to roll the loads off slowly, eliminating damage.

This led to a new product line and both national and international recognition, as Precision Manufacturing began designing and building trailers specific to a customer's product line.

Precision Equipment Manufacturing builds truck bodies, trailers and flatbeds for the agriculture, construction and distribution industries at its facility in Fargo, N.D. Custom builds also are available.

For more information, visit precisionequipmfg.com. CEG