Dump Trailer Sizing

[grsthegreat]

sorry for the delay in response. ive been backlogged installing generators...too busy to get online.

its a dual axle. i didnt want or need the larger unit, and i always stick with dual axles if given the choice. the 5x10 works perfect for my needs.

 

[CADplans]

18 years ago, I bought a new pickup, and wanted a dump trailer so as to not beat up the new truck.

There wasn't many options back then,, I bought a 6.5X10 9,990 pound capacity,,
and, have enjoyed it EVERY time I have used it.

The heaviest load was when I pulled it level full to the top of the boards with creek rock.
I hauled 6 loads of that,, about 15 miles.

One summer I hauled over 100 loads of free compost, 5,300 pounds (net) per load average.

If I would have had a longer trailer,, I would have surely abused my truck.
At this size, we used the 1998 Chevy S10 to haul trash to the dump,,,
I doubt the S10 could pull a 14 foot.

I am happy!!

 

[sd455dan]

opportune time for this thread

own 1/2 interest in an 80s GMC 7000 dump truck- It runs good but the truck is geared so low (7.17) axles that it is about useless on the highway, top speed 46MPH
My nephew is putting in a new drive and has almost convinced me and my sister (other 1/2 owner) that selling the dump truck and buying a dump trailer would be a better fit.
Getting tired of the maintenance (I do all of it) on the truck- and they are willing to outlay whatever the difference in price is after we get the Dump truck sold, I would have use of it when needed.


nephew mentioned a 16 footer with 2? 7k axles Which sounds pretty good.


The only other big difference for me- would be making more trips since the Dump truck hauls a lot more. not sure what to do- this came out of the blue a couple days ago- thoughts?

 

[4570Man]

Well, the obvious question is do you both have trucks to handle 14k? Another plus would be no tags ( maybe) and no insurance on the trailer. Maintenance wise you've still got tires and batteries to deal with.

 

[4570Man]

Has anyone ever built a dump trailer? I want one but since I already have a 20k GN and a 1 ton dump truck I can't justify owning a high dollar dump trailer. I've got a 14ft flatbed dump truck truck that's never going to drive again that I've got $350 in.

 

[aczlan]

If you buy new and order one you can get a remote wireless fob, but if you take delivery after the fact they can't or won't do retrofits on the wireless system.

It shouldn't be a big deal to add on a wireless remote, you will just need to know if the wired remote has 3 or 4 wires.

Aaron Z

 

[check]

I was quoted around $3500 for the unit including a spare tire and mount. This was for a 10'x60". They also offer an 8'x60" and a 10'x77" single 5k axle. 43ED | Diamond C Trailers

Seems to be a bit light on the capacity. You could certainly feel that trailer with more than 5000 pounds of gravel, plus of course you have to account for the trailer weight. Too bad they don't make bigger single axles?

 

[sd455dan]

Well, the obvious question is do you both have trucks to handle 14k? Another plus would be no tags ( maybe) and no insurance on the trailer. Maintenance wise you've still got tires and batteries to deal with.

think we have the trucks to pull it
I have diesel Ram 3500 4x4 and sis has a Ram dually 3500 diesel, nephews wife has a 2017 2500 Ram gas

 

[nikdfish]

We bought a PJ 5x10 tandem axle 7K dumper earlier this year.

We have "weighted" plates in NC, so you have to cover your highest potential load on the tow vehicle. Our plates had already been sized for the 18' 7K aluma car hauler we use with the tractors. That & the limitations of our F150 factory hitch contributed to the 7K size decision on the PJ.

For us, the 5x10 has been a good fit. It has gotten a lot of use moving unwanted cut wood, trimmings & brush piles to the "stump dump", as well as hauling dirt from the acreage to the house. It tracks nicely behind the F150, with a similar axle width so no concerns about side to side clearance. The overall length is short enough to make maneuvering it uncomplicated. I put together a portable brake controller w/harness to allow use of the trailer brakes & 12v power when it gets pulled by one of the tractors.

Nick

 

[Bikewanderer]

I just bought a 6x12. In hindsight I should have bought a 5x10 with 10k axles. I was looking for something with more utility than this large a trailer, but I wanted to be able to move my tractor with it.

Watch the quality. I saw comments above about this too. I bought mine yesterday, a doolittle. My plug in battery charger gets so hot I can smell it, and my wireless remote makes the thing cycle on and off the whole way up and down. I loaded it with dry compost and it didn't all come out without a shovel. It's not a terrible trailer but I'm not impressed. The sad thing is that it doesn't appear to be any better or worse than other things on the market. They say they will look into these things, but the idea of going to the dealer (twice, an hour each way) to have the same obviously cheap components installed doesn't appeal a bit. These things should have been checked at the factory.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

It shouldn't be a big deal to add on a wireless remote, you will just need to know if the wired remote has 3 or 4 wires.

Aaron Z

Been looking at this one, think it is pretty much universal and you can keep the wired one also.

Dump Trailer Wireless Remote Control System 12 volt Hydraulic Lift Winch | eBay

David

 

[bigcat7400]

I have a Sure Trac 12ft, similar to others posted. I originally had intentions of buying the 14ft model until I saw it in person and thought that I was too long. I like the raised front and rear posts for easy insert of a board for extra capacity for lower weight material like mulch. Think it would be pretty tough to load it fully with gravel and not be maxing its weight out. First few loads I hauled were 3 ton scoops of stone and there was plenty room for more. This biggest component I looked for was making sure it had two hydraulic cylinders.

 

[aczlan]

If it sits much without anything charging it, you may want a shutoff switch so the receiver cannot drain the battery.
Not much to the wireless remotes, but it won't have much range if you have it in a metal toolbox, so if your trailer is set up like that you might need to either drill a hole to let the antenna hang out or put the wireless receiver in a plastic box.


Aaron Z

 

[sd455dan]

opportune time for this thread

own 1/2 interest in an 80s GMC 7000 dump truck- It runs good but the truck is geared so low (7.17) axles that it is about useless on the highway, top speed 46MPH
My nephew is putting in a new drive and has almost convinced me and my sister (other 1/2 owner) that selling the dump truck and buying a dump trailer would be a better fit.
Getting tired of the maintenance (I do all of it) on the truck- and they are willing to outlay whatever the difference in price is after we get the Dump truck sold, I would have use of it when needed.


nephew mentioned a 16 footer with 2? 7k axles Which sounds pretty good.


The only other big difference for me- would be making more trips since the Dump truck hauls a lot more. not sure what to do- this came out of the blue a couple days ago- thoughts?

got some more info on the trailer that is being looked at to replace the dump truck-here's a pic of the model they are interested in


I was mistaken on it being a 2 axle- and will also be a gooseneck, anybody have any experience with Maxey brand?

Would have to get some kind of adapter to switch from my 5 th wheel set up, trailer has a 20,000 lb lift -thinking this is overkill and Don't want to have to get a class A license and My truck is licensed for 26000 but only rated for about a 16000lb trailer.

The rock crushing plant is only about 4 miles from our house... Once again This looks like overkill to me but I wouldn't have to outlay any of the purchase price and it does seem heavy duty.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Gees with no outlay of the purchase price and the offer to have a heavier duty than needed trailor to use sounds like a win win win deal. You only need to load it to the weight you want to haul. No need to fill the trailor with excess weight. I like the scissor style and one hydraulic cylinder style lifts a lot.
One down side is that you need to keep in mind with 3 axles and lots of weight on the trailor you need to back up in gentle arcs. That goose neck will allow you to turn way sharper than is good with lots of weight and 3 axles. Lots of stress from the tires grabbing to the bearings and lug bolts. Pavement grabs the tires as expected but tires sinking into the soil a bit and turning out of the rut your making has a lot of stress also. Just keep the turns gentle. No backing up with the gooseneck turned and hanging over the rear tires of the pickup.....

 

[lhansman]

Hi sd455dan

If you have the puck system installed in the bed of your truck for the fifth wheel hitch you may already have a centre hole that you can just drop a ball into for the goose neck trailer.

Redlands Okie has given you some great advice regarding turning. I ordered my third dump trailer as a tri-axle bumper pull because I usually have a cap on my truck and didn't want a gooseneck. I couldn't get a dual axle trailer that couldn't handle the trailer's weight and my latest Kubota tractor with accessories so I had to go to the tri-axle. You definitely want to minimize tight turns - especially on asphalt and loaded. I always do any tight maneuvering with the trailer empty and ready to pull straight out once loaded if possible.

My 2015 F350 dually with the max tow option is rated for 19,000 on the bumper hitch so that is adequate capacity for me. I have had some heavy loads of stones in this trailer and she pulls real nice so I think you will like the new trailer.

Regards,

Lauren

 

[lhansman]

I don't know why but I couldn't attach this photo to my previous message.

 

[sd455dan]

Hi sd455dan

If you have the puck system installed in the bed of your truck for the fifth wheel hitch you may already have a centre hole that you can just drop a ball into for the goose neck trailer.

Redlands Okie has given you some great advice regarding turning. I ordered my third dump trailer as a tri-axle bumper pull because I usually have a cap on my truck and didn't want a gooseneck. I couldn't get a dual axle trailer that couldn't handle the trailer's weight and my latest Kubota tractor with accessories so I had to go to the tri-axle. You definitely want to minimize tight turns - especially on asphalt and loaded. I always do any tight maneuvering with the trailer empty and ready to pull straight out once loaded if possible.

My 2015 F350 dually with the max tow option is rated for 19,000 on the bumper hitch so that is adequate capacity for me. I have had some heavy loads of stones in this trailer and she pulls real nice so I think you will like the new trailer.

Regards,

Lauren

Thanks guys for the advice, If/when this trailer is acquired I will be careful to avoid tight turns.

My 5th wheel is a Reese, two rail type with 4 pins that secure the hitch assembly, so TBD as to how to attach the trailer.
looking at the trailer pic it appears a slide in 5th wheel adapter my work?

i have already agreed to sign off on sale of the Dump truck- if my family members decide to go ahead with this deal.
can't really see any down side to this, but after talking to my sis it sounds like the trailer is $$ more than the Dump truck is worth-

so they are still thinking it over, I am good with either decision since the dump truck works good and hauls a lot more weight, it is just Old, not pretty, and slow. Will update if a new trailer shows up.

ps. NICE trailer - pic really shows the weight carrying and tractor hauling versatility :thumbsup:

 

[lhansman]

Hi sd455dan

Thanks for the compliments. This is my third dump trailer so I knew pretty well what I wanted. In addition to being a deckover, the sides drop down too which is really nice for securing the tractor. No more having to squeeze into a tight corner to chain her down. I don't remember what was going on when I took this picture because normally the 4in1 is at the front of the trailer with the ripper, 12" and 24" buckets in it which pushes the trailer a little further back but for some reason I just have the tractor and forks in this photo.

Having towed this load several times with my 2012 SRW F250 it towed okay but I noticed a big difference in stability when I upgraded my current 2015 F350 dually. I hesitated to get a dually for a long time because they can be a challenge to drive in snow country where I live but I find it is not too bad with good tires and 4x4 and it is just an amazing difference towing heavy compared to SRW.

Regards,

Lauren