Dump Trailers, any experience long term

[joes_427_vette]

I'm in the market for a 12' dump trailer with a 12k capacity. Most have a 10 gage floor and double braking axles.. Frame sizes vary as well as a single ram and double ram models. Some make them with 4" drop axles for lower ground clearance, power up / down and powder coating. Prices vary from 4500 to 7500. Anyone research various models and come up with the best value for the price ?

 

[jaquetarr]

I have a Texas Pride w/ 7k axles. I've hauled trash & Gravel and found it ok. It is not fancy but - hey - I'm hauling gravel. Paid about $5000 last year. No problems with the dump cyl (2) or pump - yet. The Hydraulics are battery operated and I probably need to rig a charging line to the truck to keep it charged. Otherwise I put it on the charger every so often. I need to rig a tiedown bar or hooks to tie down the tarp.

Don't know if they sell them where you are or if its a regional brand. Found them on the Internet when I was looking.
Rgds,
tim

 

[Diamondpilot]

Well I saw the ultimate trailer today. Would not work for me but it was a tri axle dump that was bumper pull. It was about 20' long but only the last 14' was the dump. The front 6 foot was flat and had stand up ramps off the right side. The guy had a small Bob Cat on it. He was pulling it with a F-350 diesel. I am guessing the trailer had 3 6K axles and probably weighed in at 5K empty leaving 13K for load. I am guessing this because I use a tandem axle 14' Bri Mar dump all the time that has 2 7K axles and it weighs 4,200# empty. I weighed it every time I use it because I go to the gravel pit with it and they weigh you going in then out.

I am guessing the Bob Cat weighed 4K so he could still put 9k in the dump. He had the dump full of shrubs and the bed of the truck also. He was just leaving a gas station where he must have been taking out the shrubs due to the shape of the flower beds and landscaping. I wish I had a camera.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

I'm in the market for a 12' dump trailer with a 12k capacity. Most have a 10 gage floor and double braking axles.. Frame sizes vary as well as a single ram and double ram models. Some make them with 4" drop axles for lower ground clearance, power up / down and powder coating. Prices vary from 4500 to 7500. Anyone research various models and come up with the best value for the price ?

I sold a Bri Mar 14K that was 14' for $4200 back about 5 years ago. Steel has really gone up. It had ramps, 2 way gate, and dual dump cylinders. I use it all the time since the guy I sold it to was like my uncle.

Chris

 

[farmboy12]

Well I saw the ultimate trailer today. Would not work for me but it was a tri axle dump that was bumper pull. It was about 20' long but only the last 14' was the dump. The front 6 foot was flat and had stand up ramps off the right side. The guy had a small Bob Cat on it. He was pulling it with a F-350 diesel. I am guessing the trailer had 3 6K axles and probably weighed in at 5K empty leaving 13K for load. I am guessing this because I use a tandem axle 14' Bri Mar dump all the time that has 2 7K axles and it weighs 4,200# empty. I weighed it every time I use it because I go to the gravel pit with it and they weigh you going in then out.

I am guessing the Bob Cat weighed 4K so he could still put 9k in the dump. He had the dump full of shrubs and the bed of the truck also. He was just leaving a gas station where he must have been taking out the shrubs due to the shape of the flower beds and landscaping. I wish I had a camera.

Chris

I've seen those online before. They are pretty neat...not to hijack.


Kyle

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I have an 04 12x7 pj dump. It's a low pro with ramps,single large piston and pump. It came with an interstate battery that I got about two years out of. I replaced it with a blue top optima. I charge it once in a while and have had no issues with it. The steel thickness is not a big deal. If you know how to load the trailer. I've hauled every bulk material you can think of. The only issues are with the road salt up here in NE. But this is an issue with any trailer. The only extra I wish I had bought was the tarp kit. I can still get it now but there's a few brackets that need to be welded on. Since PJ powder coats their trailers it's better to get all the items powder coated at once.
The only other observation I have is on the ability to haul equipment. Proper load placement is tough. I find it easier to haul a skid steer or mini ex than my tractor in it.

Matt

 

[dave1949]

. The Hydraulics are battery operated and I probably need to rig a charging line to the truck to keep it charged. Otherwise I put it on the charger every so often. tim

I think if you are using a 7-pin connector on trucks made the last 7-8 yrs, you have a charging line already.

Dave.

 

[Diamondpilot]

He will have the charge line if the plug is there but GM does not put the fuse in the fuse box. Most take a maxi 30 amp fuse. Fords need a relay installed that comes with the truck. Its in the bag included with the electric brake wiring harness. The Nissians and Toyotas are all set up from the factory. Not sure about Dodge, we don't deal with many of them in the 10 plus years I have been doing this. I did one back in 03 but cant remember.


Chris

 

[Pops15]

I have a 14' 14K B & B (Behnke) dump trailer. I looked at several brands before I bought. Everything about it is heavier/stronger than the other brands I looked at. B&B also pays more attention to detail than some of the other brands. B&B uses a single hydraulic cylinder which I think is safer than having cylinders on each side....think hose or cylinder failure while dumping. That 2 cyl trailer is going to twist or worse. My trailer has a 3 way gate, or I can take it off. It pulls like dream empty or loaded. I'm extremely happy with it. I've had it 5 years.
If I had it to do over again I'd opt for the 3' tall sides. Mine are 2', but I did add side boards. I can think of two improvements..... When dumping construction debris I wish it would raise a few more degrees. Its fine for dumping dirt. It should come with a spare tire mount. That may be an option. I don't know because I bought mine off the lot.
The one thing I don't like about my trailer is the price. It was in the $7700 range out the door. I could have bought a similar size trailer for $3500 less but it would probably be used up by now.

 

[joes_427_vette]

Thanks for the info. I plan on using mine mostly for hauling road and dirt on the property. That is why I was concerned with the floor thickness. I was considering getting a 3/4" sheet of plywood and bolting it to the floor to protect the finish and not have alot of dents. It seems I have more rocks than soil and most basket ball size. For getting around in the woods and trails a 10' might be better but a 12" I believe would be more useful. The resale would probably be better at the estate sale also.
I haven't found where they give the metal thickness in the boxed beam frames. Some use channel iron which seems adequate. I guess when I spend 5k plus for a dirt trailer I want to be sure it will do what I need without changes or reinforcements.
Anyone have drop axles ? This would get the load closer to the ground but maintain less ground clearance. Thanks jr