Converting small utility trailer into dump trailer?

LS Tractor Owner · Mar 10, 2019

I have a substantial need to have a dump trailer. I have to "resurface" our stone driveway. It is unaffordable for us to have the stone delivered vs. me picking it up. I can get the stone at a discounted price of $12 / ton if I pick it up. Otherwise it's $20 /ton plus $85 delivery fee. (Approx 15 ton loads, so a total about $25-26 per ton). When time permits, I can go get a few loads and do a little at a time. It would take a while, needing about 150 tons. So....

I have a 4x8 utility trailer that was used to haul a 350 gal water tank (2800 lbs). It has a 3500 lb axle w/ leaf springs. My question is would it be cost effective to try and convert this to a dump trailer or apply that cost to a new "real" dump trailer. I haven't even begun to price out the pump/lift mechanism, figuring someone here has either done it already or found it wasn't cost effective.

I also have a 7x16' 7000 lbs dual axle trailer. My other thought was to build a "box" on this trailer to contain the stone. Then I would drive the tractor up onto the trailer to scoop the stone out. (Would definitely take longer, but it's seat time

) I can build a dirt ramp for the trailer or just use the ramps (more difficult due to the angle of the loading ramps)

The small trailer would only carry about a ton, the larger trailer maybe 2 tons, so cutting the amount of trips in half using the big one (that would be absorbed by taking longer to unload)

Any thoughts and input would be greatly appreciated.

tomplum · Mar 10, 2019

Unless you are needing an uber amount of gravel, pay the $ and have it delivered. They will set the gate with chains and spread it where you want it with minimum spreading needed by your part. DIY you have the weight of the trailer on that axle and maybe you can safely cart a yard or so at a time. The first year at my place I paid about 1200$ for gravel. My trailer which is slightly larger than your small one has a load handler installed which is a good thing, but not for gravel so much. By me too you can rent dump trailers either from a yard or there is a farmer who has 2 or 3 to let at I assume a lesser rate. Then the question is also what you are towing with.

LS Tractor Owner · Mar 10, 2019

tomplum said:
Unless you are needing an uber amount of gravel, pay the $ and have it delivered. They will set the gate with chains and spread it where you want it with minimum spreading needed by your part. DIY you have the weight of the trailer on that axle and maybe you can safely cart a yard or so at a time. The first year at my place I paid about 1200$ for gravel. My trailer which is slightly larger than your small one has a load handler installed which is a good thing, but not for gravel so much. By me too you can rent dump trailers either from a yard or there is a farmer who has 2 or 3 to let at I assume a lesser rate. Then the question is also what you are towing with.

Yeah, I would say "uber" amount. The total cost calculated for the delivery and stone was around $4000. My cost if I hauled it would be around $1800. The only local rental place wants $160/ day, so costs go up, plus I wouldn't be able to do it in a day. No farmers or other available access to a trailer available. My max towing capability is 5K, so limited there also.

aczlan · Mar 10, 2019

LS mt125 owner said:
Yeah, I would say "uber" amount. The total cost calculated for the delivery and stone was around $4000. My cost if I hauled it would be around $1800. The only local rental place wants $160/ day, so costs go up, plus I wouldn't be able to do it in a day. No farmers or other available access to a trailer available. My max towing capability is 5K, so limited there also.

What size truck is that (for the delivered price)?
It may be cheaper if you can find someone with a 4 axle dump truck, or semi and dump trailer rather than a smaller dump truck, especially if its a ways to the gravel pit.

Aaron Z

zzvyb6 · Mar 10, 2019

How far is it to the stone source ? I think you could build boxed sides on your dual axle trailer and get a few loads at a time. There are some clever ways to unload a trailer without having to dump by lifting. What about finding a used gravity wagon and sell it when you are done ? I see there are some small dump trailers near you for sale. Keep it clean and resell it when you are done.

LS Tractor Owner · Mar 11, 2019

aczlan said:
What size truck is that (for the delivered price)?
It may be cheaper if you can find someone with a 4 axle dump truck, or semi and dump trailer rather than a smaller dump truck, especially if its a ways to the gravel pit.

Aaron Z

That was for a 2 axle dump. They have belly dump 'semi' type trucks, they hold about 8 tons more, but also cost a little more for delivery. The gravel pit is about 6 miles away, so not a far drive. That's why the delivery prices are REDICULOUS....it's really close. The next quarry is over 35 miles away. They want $500 per truckload of 24 yards of crushed concrete. No luck on finding any any other trucks / drivers. That is a big problem out here...very limited availability of services. What is available, they charge crazy prices!

3Ts · Mar 11, 2019

I have a 7 x 16 trailer also and put sides on it and use it to haul bulk materials. I unload it by driving the tractor up the ramps and scooping up the material. There is a lot that I can't get with the tractor so there is a lot of shoveling by hand. However, I only do this about once a year and I'm giving serious consideration to a dump trailer. I'm getting to old to be shoveling that much by hand. But, in your situation, you're looking at 75 to 150 trips. I'd get a dump trailer. I've also considered putting a dump box on my 7 x16, but have not figured out the balance and keeping everything together when dumping.

bigtiller · Mar 11, 2019

Buy a 10ft long 7000 lb dump trailer and keep it for ever. Mine doesn't get used very often but it does come in handy more often than I thought it would when I bought it.

Stimw · Mar 11, 2019

Get ahold of one of the drivers and offer him ALL the loads for reduced or no delivery fee.
Assuming the drivers are owner-operators.
Even set up delivery when he is slow/no loads, at his convenience.
A lot of pits have a rotation schedule for deliveries if they have owner-operators and they might have dead time.
I am all for DIY BUT your numbers are huge and will be will require a lot of time.

LS Tractor Owner · Mar 11, 2019

I looked around and the cheapest 10' dump trailer is $4500. Way too much for me to outlay....I would have the trailer, but then couldn't afford the gravel. Craigslist appeared to have one very cheap($1400) but I think it's a scam....same trailer pic, but in two areas 500 miles away from each other.

The idea about the drivers / owner- operators would be great, however the local quarry has all company drivers and he owns the trucks (the quarry is a sub company of his environmental remediation company). The next quarry is over 35+ miles away in the city, I'm up in the mountains. We can't even get the service companies to come out here without substantial "travel charge"....some as high as $200.

I'll probably just use my bigger trailer and unload it with the tractor.