Dump trailer info

HCJtractor · May 10, 2017

A friend has offered to loan his dump trailer to me. He has no idea about its load rating, nor have I seen it. Anyone recognize the brand or manufacturer? What's your best guess regarding the axles and capacity? I plan to haul crush and run, and soil. Obviously it's not a very heavy duty trailer, but better than nothing. I guess it will handle a yard or so.

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TMGT · May 10, 2017

Appear to be 3500lb axles so 7k gross, probably around 5k load capacity, maybe a little more. Can't help with who made it.

1stDeuce · May 10, 2017

Indeed, those are 5 lug axles, and that means 3500lb rated at best, x2 = 7k gvw. Figure nearly 2k for the trailer and that leaves 5k for material.

Once you have trailer, you can confirm, as there should be a VIN/GVWR/Tire rating tag somewhere on the tongue.

Since you seem a little green on dump trailers, I'll caution you against two things...
First, if you load it right up, that trailer may not dump, requiring you to shovel some gravel out. Crusher run is pretty heavy, so start with 1.5 yards and see how it dumps. (I assume you're going to be making several trips...)
Second, if you try to "get smart" and load it heavy to the rear so it'll still dump a full load, it WILL take you for a ride, and you'll end up backwards and upside down in the ditch. You HAVE to have tongue weight for a trailer to be stable. If it won't dump a full load, then load it less until it will, but don't try to load it to the back!!

If you're going far, or through town, I'd also recommend functional trailer brakes, or very cautious driving. Hopefully you have a decently heavy truck to pull it with.
Good luck with your project!!

1stDeuce · May 10, 2017

BTW, given how the tires are squished with a load of mulch, you'll want to check tire pressures and max them right out for hauling gravel. Those actually look like pretty tiny tires, it may not be rated at 7k after all... Check the tag, or multiply tire capacity by 4 to get a gvw based on tire capacity.

Tompet · May 10, 2017

Everything 1stDeuce wrote sums it up very well. Brake controller on you tow vehicle and make sure trailer brakes working along with a light first load will make for a good initial run.

Diamondpilot · May 10, 2017

Those are 5 lug wheels so 3.5K each or 7K total. It should weigh about 3K empty leaving 4K payload or about 1.5 yds of of soil and 1.1 yd of gravels.

It's as light duty as they come for a dump trailer.

I would figure the cost for you to make a round trip then compare that to a quad axle. Around here a quad(24 tons) is $75 for a hour. If your round trip cost is $6 in fuel it would cost you $96 in just fuel alone. Now figure in wear and tear and the possibility of damage to his trailer or a blown tire it's not the proper tool for a job of any size.

HCJtractor · May 10, 2017

Thanks guys. That's about what I thought. Its a great trailer for mulch, not too great for gravel. Fortunately my trips will be only a mile or so, therefore I can make multiple light loads. And I have F 350, so I'm good there. I will check the tag, tires, etc, and go light and slow. Appreciate the input from all!

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kthompson · May 10, 2017

Depending on if a dump truck could handle in one load and can it reach where want it dump, might be better deal to hire a truck who hauls from there the short distance. I would call the place seeing the material and ask them for the names or a couple of independent owner operators.

LD1 · May 11, 2017

Does he have the back gate / doors?

1.5 yards of crusher run would be about that trailers max load. That will be in the 4500# range. And depending on where its loaded, it may or may not dump. Loaded heavy up front may make the hydraulics struggle. Loading near the back would be difficult without the rear gate.

I can buy stone delivered, 24-25 ton at a time, for less money per ton than I can even buy it for. Large trucking outfits that have contracts with the quarry get a pretty steep discount. IE: last stone I got was $16/ton delivered for #57 limestone two years ago. (3/4" stuff). It would have cost me $17/ton to pick up myself. The guy that hauls it gets the same stone from the same quarry for $13/ton. SO he is getting a $4/ton discount over the average joe (high volume hauler), and only charging $3/ton delivery. So no way in the world does it make sense for me to try to haul. I would waste a whole day, making 5 trips to haul the same amount, and spend more money, plus wear on my equipment.

Now if you only need a few tons, it makes sense to haul yourself. So....how much do you need?