Dump Trailer

[Daryl]

I am tired of paying for dump trucks to haul gravel for my driveway. have been looking at dump trailers. I have a 1500 chevy truck 4x4, Reg cab. Can I pull a 10x6 trailer with gravel. I am going to rent one first . The guy says I can haul 3 ton on trailer. Dont have hook up for electric brakes on truck. Guys says if I am careful I wont need them. Does this sound right.
Thanks

 

[Diamondpilot]

Absolutely not. First its not legal. Any trailer over 3,500# in 90% of the states requires brakes. Also, these trailers are very heavy. I use a tandem 14,000# dump trailer and it weighs 4,400# empty so in your case you could only put about 2 tons in it which is not much assuming you have a standard GM 1500 with a average tow rating of 8,000#

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Here is a copy of the trailer laws for your state. I am a boat trailer dealer and have access to tons of info if you have any further questions.

Consider this. You have a accident with the trailer will you insurance cover you if you are overweight or do not have brakes.

Chris

Virginia:

Boating Law Administrator: 804-367-0939
Maximum Speed Limit: 55
Maximum Dimensions for trailer:N/A'L x 8'6"W x 13'6"H
Maximum Length with Trailer:60'
Minimum Weight requiring Separate Trailer Brakes:3000
Trailer Equipment Requirements:
Safety Chains:Y
Brakelights:Y
Taillights:Y
Clearance Lights:Y (If over 7' high and 7' wide)
License Light:Y
Turn Signals:Y
Reflectors:Y
Flares:Y
Breakaway Brakes: Y
Tiedowns:Y
Two Trailers:N
Insurance:Y
Wide Trailer Permit Phone Number: 804-786-2787 Wire: 804-766-7074

 

[jgrreed]

DON'T DO IT!!! Maybe with trailer brakes, but even then....

Not to rain on your parade, but I'd say that unless you get a 3/4 or 1 ton truck, I'd let the pro's bring your gravel. The dump full of gravel that you could pull safely with your truck would be pretty small.

Legalities aside, the sensation of being pushed around the road my your trailer is NOT FUN, trust me. It's asking for big trouble, big trouble as in death.



-Jer.

 

[LBrown59]

I am tired of paying for dump trucks to haul gravel for my driveway. have been looking at dump trailers. I have a 1500 chevy truck 4x4, Reg cab. Can I pull a 10x6 trailer with gravel. I am going to rent one first . The guy says I can haul 3 ton on trailer. Dont have hook up for electric brakes on truck. Guys says if I am careful I wont need them. Does this sound right.
Thanks

I think you need brakes and hain't sure the truck is enough to stop it.

 

[Ductape]

^^^ I'm with Diamondpilot ! Some of the new 1/2 tons are rated to tow (according to the ads on TV) 10,000 when "properly equipped". My BIL's 1/2 ton GMC is rated for 6000 (believe its a 06). What does your owners manual say? I own a small (5X10) BriMar dump, rated @ #7000. I can put 5000lbs in it legally. I drive an F-350, and i can tell you that my trailer weighing #7000 is HEAVY !!! And with my F-350 i would NEVER consider towing my trailer with brakes that weren't working, or working properly(nevermind a half ton!!!). Dirt is HEAVY...... and damp dirt is HEAVIER !!!! You would be stunned to see how little dirt it takes to bring a 7000lb trailer to max capacity. Please, for the sake of all of us, whom you share the road with..... don't do it !!!! The last thing we want to read about is how you lost everything you own and had to live with the fact that you killed a mother and her two children because you were hauling a dump trailer full of dirt in your half ton and couldn't get it stopped when she stopped in front of you. If you really want a dump trailer, step up to a truck that will safely tow it, and for gawds sake don't EVER tow it with no brakes. And while you are at it, punch the guy in mouth for me that said it was OK to tow a loaded dump trailer without working brakes on it !!!

 

[dal929]

I've got a 10k 12x6 dump trailer that I tow with my 07 Lincoln Mark LT. I think the tow capacity is 8 or 9k. The trailer has brakes on both axles. I always adjust the sensitivity of electric brakes to the load, a quick test as you let it roll slowly. It's a 4 CY trailer and I never load it with dirt more than 1/2 way. They are right when they say dirty is heavy and Damp dirt is heavier. Get your trailer and use your head. You'll wonder how you got by with out it. Always understand your load and allow room for comfortable stopping.

 

[dodge man]

I'm in the same boat, I have a half ton Dodge and am looking at buying a dump trailer. I have pulled a car trailer without brakes before, the trailer and car was maybe 5500lbs. Thats too much without brakes. Your talking maybe trailer and load of 10,000lbs. Thats way to much without brakes. The half ton will pull it but you need the brakes. The difference between 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton or 1 ton isn't just the brakes, its axles, springs, driveshaft, u joints, front suspension parts etc all being bigger and heavier. If you drive the thing gently on smooth roads, that will lesson the wear and tear on alot of those componets. If you did alot of towing a heavy trailer, some of that stuff will start to fail.

 

[radioman]

Don't do it !! You will need to have electric brakes on the trailer. I gaurantee, you are going to have at least one white knuckle event and this is all you need to change your mind. I can hear you saying- its not gonna happen to me and i am carefull and will look wayyy ahead. There is always one idiot on the road to scare you. Anyways - towing your own load of stones will depend on what the gravel pit cashier will allow you to get. The local pit here will only let me take 2 tons and not 3.5 due to the registration on my truck. my trailer is 16 ft and can carry 7k total. I have carried close to 7k total wieght in my trailer with my truck with no problems but the gravel pit will not let me leave with that much wieght. I am not trying to rain on your parade, but what about the cost for fuel and stones ? I think you will find that the truckers can do it for almost the same amount of money as you can do it for.

 

[jamestaylor72]

Count me in as well for wanting to buy a dump trailer. Mainly because I aint paying a $75.00 surcharge per load, to haul stone exactly 3 miles down the road from the gravel pit to my property. That being said however,, because I pull a 3900 LB equipment trailer loaded with my 4000 LB JD 4120 with an '02 chevy 1/2, I can strongly agree with the other fellas regarding the absolute necessity of trailer brakes !!! I've had the "learning experience" of a bad electrical connection leave me without trailer brakes once in moderate traffic with the tractor loaded, along with some other heavy tools/supplies. It was a real bad feeling. At that point, you no longer have control of your rig,, that tonnage controls you !! As far as the extra wear and tear on the truck,,,, what can I say,, if it breaks , I'll fix it !! So far though,, the only thing that really seems to strain on the truck is the engine "could use a bit more HP/ Torque" .
Also, as well as brakes,, I'd recommend the "break-away" kit . Doesn't pay to turn a blind eye to safety!