Dump trailer Newbie ?'s

[scesnick]

I am looking at getting a dump trailer and I have researching them but can't seem to find many answers. I have a 2.5 mile driveway. 1.2 miles that I solely maintain. I want to gravel it so here are some of the questions I have.

1.--- Which one has a higher angle when dumping ? I don't want to have to shovel off the gravel. (deck over or between the wheels)

2.-- Is there a major advantage to a 10 gauge steel floor/ worth the expense?

3.-- I am concerned that the cylinders will not dump the max load the trailer will " supposedly" hold. Is there any thing I should look for to guarantee it will lift a heavy load. ( scissors, double cylinder, etc.. )

4.--- If I get the optional higher sides, can those sides be removed?

5.-- any other accessories or features I should look for OR stay away from???


6.--I have a 2500 Dodge diesel so towing should not be a problem. What size would you recommend 10k or 12k? and is the 12K worht the extra $$

Thanks a million.

Shawn,

 

[AlanB]

I can offer a little insight, I recently bought after a lot of looking, and find I still did things "wrong"

I have a homesteader 6 X 10 Deck over with a 10,000 lb capacity.

You can add removal sideboards to mine, (and most I looked at)

I would buy the heaviest axles I could get. they ended up loading 5 tons into mine when asked for 4, and I was very glad I did not have the same trailer with the lighter axles (that I was considering)

At this point, I would pay the extra money to get the barn door tailgates, or at least swing open gates. I went with the spread (not practical with a pu) and pickup type gate, which I am sure was cheaper and easier to make, but we have already started pulling the gate off when downloading many items.

I would also strongly consider a tarp, we normally hauled mulch on an open trailer and had no problems, but with the dump up higher, the wind blows it quite a bit more.

I heard several folks say they had problems with the Low Profile dumping in some situations which is why I went with the deck over, I already had a dedicated equipment trailer, and that seems to be where most folks want the low profile.

Good luck, we are using ours and learning as we go.

Modified tailgate and tarp are on the agenda for ours.

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

Just a few things I found when I was researching a dump trailer.I was going to use mine to haul a skid steer to site then use as dump. Always get the biggest thing you can. Not everyone knows the exact weight of what they are loading. AlanB is absolutly correct about the tarp,a must. I've rented a deck over dump and loaded all it would pickup{not full load}. The deck over had an advantage of the material coming out would not back up into the bed as quickly as low profile. I believe a scissor lift is the strongest but more $$$,I think that is where the higher weight rating would pay off. From other source as to the gauge metal is a longjevity{spelling} issue, as well as material hauled. Gravel is very unforgiving when dumped by not caring loader operator. I hope this info is usefull, at least thought pre voking.
Hauling RC-100 w/timberax,bucket,harley rake {19,040 lbs w/trailer] on hooper 28'triple axle goose with F-350 crew cab long bed , way to long but sweet pull

 

[Turnpikeenterprise]

I have a Cam Superline 14k 14' dump trailer. It is not a deck over. I have not had a problem dumping loads. I use it to haul my tractor with backhoe (a little tricky to load due to length).

I used it to haul gravel for my drive way. It was nearly as economical to pay a 10 wheeler to dump, but I was able to get a nice layer of gravel where I WANTED it before having a couple of 10 wheelers come in.

I use a 2004 F350 long bed and commonly haul 4.5 ton of material. It handles great. I ended up wih 5 ton on time and had no problems. I ended up with 4 ton with a 1/2 P/u. It was not comfortable above 30 MPH. Your 3/4T should be okay. Get a good brake controller.

If you want to load equipment I would stay away from a deck over. I would get the heavier axles and bottom.

Mike

 

[RHughes]

I have been looking for a dump trailer for a while but held off on buying. Recently I rented a 6x12 trailer to move some debris (broken concrete, brick, dirt, etc.) from a home site.
All I can say it, pay *very* close attention to the dump capacity! The trailer was well balanced and I could easily tow (with my Chevy 1500 even) *way* more that that thing would dump. Luckily I was dumping only about 1/3 mile from where I was loading. Twice I had to walk back, get the FEL, and remove part of the load with the bucket.
All things being equal, I'd rather have a 6 yard dump truck for such activities. Unfortunately the price is out of my range.

Just my $0.02 worth...