Dump Trailers

[Dmace]

I think you are on to something. Also, many times a trailer like that may go 6 months without use and the battery and it may be near dead then one hooks it up and tries to dump it. That is what leads to the fuse blowing.

If it were mine I would pull it up next to the shop and clean all the connections, check the wires in the plug for good connection and proper sizing, and put the battery on a trickle charge over night. Charge it a few times a year and that along with your charging circuit on your truck you should be in good shape as long as the battery is good and up to the task.

Chris

Yeah, it definitely needs a good cleaning in that box, Thanks.

 

[QRTRHRS]

If the battery is not totally sealed, check the water level. The heat this summer is rough on batteries.

 

[Dmace]

If the battery is not totally sealed, check the water level. The heat this summer is rough on batteries.

I do keep a gallon of distilled water for batteries but I believe these commercial batteries are maintenance-free but have not looked at this one closely yet. Maybe a day on the Optimate-3 will bring it back to life.

 

[dtb]

I have a 7 ton PJs. it's 14 ft long so don't settle for a 12 ft if you're thinking of hauling a tractor around. Who knows,you may won't to upgrade your truck one day.
I use mine for trash and mulch. I won't let anybody else load aggregate but I'll load it my self sometimes. I added taller/removeable sides.

The only problem I've had is the battery. I just charge it up every now and then.

good luck

 

[Skyco]

I won't let anybody else load aggregate but I'll load it my self sometimes.

The quarry I visit won't even let you get out of your truck let alone run their loader:laughing:
I have to say they are pretty good though...kinda funny watching them dribble 5 tons (my DT capacity) out of the corner of their loader scoops that must hold 20 tons!

 

[Dmace]

I brought the dump trailer to the dump/transfer station the other day for a dump run and to get it weighed. They have a brand new scale that is used for weighing trucks dumping construction materials and septic trucks dumping in the lagoons. It was pretty slow so I got to go on the scale, unhook the trailer and drive off so I could only weigh the trailer.

Final results - DownEaster 6x10 9,990lb GVWR with tailgate and completely empty = 1,870 lbs. I was expecting more since the new trailers are over 2,000 lbs but that just means more load capacity if I get a truck that can legally haul the full 9,990lbs.

On a side note, I weighed the truck for fun.
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 HEMI, quad cab, 1/2 tank of gas and a fabric tonneau cover = 5,850 lbs

 

[TWD]

I brought the dump trailer to the dump/transfer station the other day for a dump run and to get it weighed. They have a brand new scale that is used for weighing trucks dumping construction materials and septic trucks dumping in the lagoons. It was pretty slow so I got to go on the scale, unhook the trailer and drive off so I could only weigh the trailer.

Final results - DownEaster 6x10 9,990lb GVWR with tailgate and completely empty = 1,870 lbs. I was expecting more since the new trailers are over 2,000 lbs but that just means more load capacity if I get a truck that can legally haul the full 9,990lbs.

On a side note, I weighed the truck for fun.
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 HEMI, quad cab, 1/2 tank of gas and a fabric tonneau cover = 5,850 lbs

Any plans to make the rails taller? Or so far so good?

 

[Dmace]

Any plans to make the rails taller? Or so far so good?

Definitely, I have a lot of brush to move as I will be clearing about 1-1/2 acres in my back yard. I've been moving rocks and stumps mostly so the sides have not been necessary yet. The trailer sides are 17" tall.
For every day use, I am going to put some PT 2x8 boards on the sides and front. I also plan on making some 2ft tall sides out of some 2x4 and plywood for light brush and wood chips. I can still easily load the trailer with my Kioti CK20, even with 2ft sides.

Also, registration here in NH was $128 ($25 of it was a one-time title fee) and it needs to be "inspected" every year. My local mechanic that does auto inspections says he can do them but it's the same $40 fee as auto inspections. That seems steep since there's no emissions testing but what are you going to do...

 

[caver]

New reply to an old thread

How is that trailer working for you? I've been shopping for old dump trucks to haul gravel at my place. I talked myself out of a dump trailer last year but it's looking like a cheaper option. I'm about 7-8 miles from the quarry and also pulling with a half ton. I had a local guy haul some rock for me last year. Haulage costs much more than the rock
Seemed like decent contractor on the phone but he won't pay the quarry bill so I have to go by there or have them mail me a bill. That and he's always got a couple weeks of work scheduled ahead of me.

 

[Dmace]

I love my trailer!

I have yet to add sides to it but have hauled hundreds of tons of gravel to build up my driveway. The heaviest load I had scaled at 9600 lbs and the trailer weighs 1870 empty so about 7700 lbs of gravel or about 3.5 yards.

The brakes are incredible and the trailer would stop the truck itself if needed. It pulled very well and straight and easier on flat roads than my 5k lb travel trailer mostly due to wind drag on the camper. Only on the hills did I feel the extra weight.
It was tough to dump as I think that was close to the limit of the hydraulics. It did it, but it was pretty slow, maybe time for a new battery.

The tandem axles on the dump trailer carry the load so well I didn't need the WD hitch from my camper and the truck was sitting level. The gravel was pretty wet but if it was dry I would want some tarp system to keep it from flying out at highway speeds. Overall, I'm very pleased with the trailer and for $2500 used, it was well worth it!

My old 94 F350 dually dump diesel could only legally haul 4k lbs in the back and the max I had was 4500lbs when they overloaded me a little. It was very slow going and not as easy to drive as the half ton with the dump trailer. Also the truck and trailer got better fuel mileage than the diesel dump truck when loaded.
Granted, I know a newer dump truck will do better but it still won't haul over 7k lbs in the back...

 

[caver]

Thanks for the response Dmace. I priced a new Trailer Express 10K GVW 6'x10' for $5125. A couple other trailer places that advertise dumps around Sikeston seem to have gone under.
I just got a lead on an old dump truck that looks rough but everything runs for less money. I may got that route.

 

[Dmace]

Trust me, that old dump truck will cost a LOT more in the long run. Between oil changes, brakes, fuel, misc parts, etc... you will be way ahead with a dump trailer instead. The dump truck is good when getting in tight spots but with a little practice you'll be a pro at backing up that trailer. It's short from hitch to axle so your adjustments in the steering need to be very minor but it's easy.

Do those trailers come in a "deck over" design? It's nice having a low bed for loading but makes the whole trailer a good foot wider or more.

 

[PAfarmer]

I own a 2011 PJ low pro. 83' wide, 14 feet long, rated for 14k. I haul with a 2011 Chevy DMAX. I can putl my mini Ex. or tracked skidsteer in it and go quickly. I also own a few dump trucks( 6 and 10 wheel) that do allot of sitting since this trailer purchase. I like the low profile trialers , much safer on the roaad when loaded. my 02............

 

[RDrancher]

I own a 2011 PJ low pro. 83' wide, 14 feet long, rated for 14k. I haul with a 2011 Chevy DMAX. I can putl my mini Ex. or tracked skidsteer in it and go quickly. I also own a few dump trucks( 6 and 10 wheel) that do allot of sitting since this trailer purchase. I like the low profile trialers , much safer on the roaad when loaded. my 02............

What is the side height on the trailer and what type of tie-down setup do you run for your equipment? Also, is it a Gooseneck?

 

[bdeboer]

Thanks for the response Dmace. I priced a new Trailer Express 10K GVW 6'x10' for $5125. A couple other trailer places that advertise dumps around Sikeston seem to have gone under.
I just got a lead on an old dump truck that looks rough but everything runs for less money. I may got that route.

Don't forget the cost of plates/insurance for the Dump Truck vs. Trailer also. My dump trailer tagged/insured for private use is less than $100 per year.

 

[caver]

Don't forget the cost of plates/insurance for the Dump Truck vs. Trailer also. My dump trailer tagged/insured for private use is less than $100 per year.

The insurance (liability) is the one thing negative for the dump truck. The trailer would require double the trips with a maxed out truck and transmission on some steep Ozark hills. Both would require plates.
Both require fuel and maintenance, the trailer is not magically powered.
One thing that has given me a negative on the trailer is some manufacturers units will not dump a full load of dirt/rock. This from a guy in the biz who no longer makes a dump unit. I was told that Rice Trailers (Naylor MO) made a good unit. I made a call to them and they told me they no longer make dumps. He mentioned some dealers will still have some units on their lots. The area dealer did not have any left of the size I wanted in the Rice unit.

 

[hydro2]

The insurance (liability) is the one thing negative for the dump truck. The trailer would require double the trips with a maxed out truck and transmission on some steep Ozark hills. Both would require plates.
Both require fuel and maintenance, the trailer is not magically powered.
One thing that has given me a negative on the trailer is some manufacturers units will not dump a full load of dirt/rock. This from a guy in the biz who no longer makes a dump unit. I was told that Rice Trailers (Naylor MO) made a good unit. I made a call to them and they told me they no longer make dumps. He mentioned some dealers will still have some units on their lots. The area dealer did not have any left of the size I wanted in the Rice unit.

I have never ever had mine not dump and I have had some huge loads in mine

 

[Dmace]

The trailer would require double the trips with a maxed out truck and transmission on some steep Ozark hills.

First, why would the trailer require double the trips?
One ton Ford F350 dump truck - 4k lbs max payload
10k dump trailer with proper truck - 8k lbs or more payload.
If anything, the dump truck would require double the trips not the truck/trailer.
Lastly, a truck pulling a loaded dump trailer is not nearly as "maxed out" as a fully loaded dump truck...

 

[Diamondpilot]

Around here you can get a 70's era GM or Ford dump truck for $2000 or so. They haul 7 to 8 tons and plates are $125 per year along with insurance for maybe $250 on a farm policy.

Chris

 

[caver]

First, why would the trailer require double the trips?

I would probably agree if I was looking at an F350 but I'm not.
Anyway, my half ton F150 towing capacity is 8300lbs.
Knock off say 2600 for the trailer. That leaves just under 3 tons I can tow. That's using a local trailer example of 10K GVWR and the trailer weighs 2600lbs or so the trailer sales guy seemed to think.
Dump truck I'm looking at will haul 6-7 tons. So twice the trips.

Hydro2: What brand? Was this dirt/gravel or mulch? If I do buy a dump trailer
I want something that will dump a full load.