Wilson DWH Grain Hopper Trailer
Wilson Trailer Company · Hopper / Grain · 42 ft · 65,000 lb GVWR
What this trailer does
The Wilson DWH (Double Wall Hopper) is the leading grain hopper trailer in North America. Hopper-bottom trailers unload via gravity through bottom-mounted gates — grain falls into elevator pits, trucks at feed mills, or rail-car loading systems. The DWH series ranges from 30-42 feet, capacity 800-1,100 bushels. Wilson controls roughly 50% of the grain hopper market. Major customers: agricultural transport (ADM, Cargill, CHS), grain owner-operators, farm cooperatives.
Specifications
- Manufacturer
- Wilson Trailer Company
- Type
- Hopper / Grain
- Length
- 42 ft
- Width
- 8.5 ft
- GVWR
- 65,000 lb
- Truck class
- Class 8
- Production
- 1985–present
- Applications
- Grain hauling — corn, soybeans, wheat, fertilizer
Design and engineering
Double-wall aluminum construction (insulation between walls reduces condensation that damages grain). Two or three bottom-mounted gravity gates. Air-ride suspension. Open top for grain loading via elevators.
Generations and major changes
- DWH Original (1985–2010)Aluminum hopper standard.
- DWH with Hydraulic Tarps (2011–present)Hydraulic-operated tarps for cargo securement during transit.
Reliability and longevity
Aluminum construction holds up well to grain abrasion. Hopper gate seals are the main wear item.
Common problems
Gate seal wear. Cargo securement tarp wear. Aluminum fatigue at high mileage on grain-rich agricultural haul routes (heavy loads daily).
Maintenance schedule
Annual DOT inspection. Gate seal inspection at every PM. Tarp inspection daily. Brake service every 50K.
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✓Industry-leading grain hopper
- ✓Wilson dealer network in grain country
- ✓Gravity unloading is fast (10-15 minutes per load)
- ✓Strong farm-cooperative + commercial agriculture market
Cons
- !Specialized — limited use outside grain/fertilizer
- !Gravity unloading requires hopper-style receiving pits
- !Seasonal use peaks at harvest
Who buys this trailer
Grain haulers (ADM, Cargill, CHS contract carriers), farm cooperatives, agricultural owner-operators, fertilizer haulers.
Resale value impact
Strong in farm states. Older DWH trailers (15+ years) remain in service due to long aluminum life.