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

 

[jeffster]

One thing about the plywood is that you are going to trap moisture between it and the steel decking so you are likely going to start rusting faster.

I have a 2007 Load Trail 12' dump and I love it. However, the one downside to it is the paint. It is very thin and anywhere it gets scratched immediately starts rusting, so I play this cat and mouse game with trying to keep it sanded and touched up where I find rust.

The other thing I don't like about it is the steel deck is two sheets that are stitch welded at the seam every 6 inches or so. If you are hauling dirt, this can be a pain as you get dirt stuck in the seam. Am thinking about having a continuous weld done down the entire seam and then sand it down flush. Not sure if other manufacturers do this same deck style or not though...

All in all though, I love having a dump trailer. I can't tell you how many uses I have found for it. Best $5k or so I have spent in a while.

 

[joes_427_vette]

Jeff;
I understand the wood can retain moisture. This is the most economical way to protect the surface from falling rocks I am aware of. Powder coat or not, sharp impressions from the roak edges will surely cause rust as well as a sea of dents. I have seen some poly inserts in dump truck beds which are no doubt very costly. One thing for certain. It won't retain the new look forever so I'm looking for the lesser of evils.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would not put wood in the bed. I have seen what this did to my father-n-laws chevy truck bed. I would get it Rhino Lined if I was going to do anything.

Chris

 

[Pops15]

I wouldn't use plywood or have a lining sprayed in it. As mentioned before the plywood will hold moisture. The Rhino lining has a texture to it. The smoother the inside of the box the better dirt and debris will dump out of it.
Its a dump trailer not a show trailer. If you use it for hauling dirt or stone its eventually going to get dinged up.
Don't think that babying your trailer will keep it from rusting. All the dump trailers I've seen have nice powder coating until you look under them. The undersides always have surface rust after a few years.

You might regret a lower height when it comes time to dump.

I don't have any specs for the wall thickness of the frame but I can measure the box tubing and post that info so you can compare it to what you're looking at.

 

[Pops15]

Here is some info so you can compare to what you're looking at...My B&B 14K dumper has a 2" X 6" X 3/16" wall thickness box tube frame and tongue. The cross member for the lift is 4" X 6". The cross members under the bed itself are 3" wide. I believe the sides and floor are 10 gauge. Everything is well gusseted.
There are other brands that are built just as strong. I'd stay away from the lighter, less durable trailers.

 

[Agent Blue]

I am not talking about permanent plywood in the floor. Just a 4x8 piece of 5/8 centered the floor. When the rock hauling is completed the plywood comes out saving a few unnecessary dents from large boulders. Four bolts should hold it in place. My box raises 50 degrees so getting them to come out should not be a problem. My rock piles are scattered and quite large. Guess I am just a fussy owner.

 

[amigauser]

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

D&K Trailers - Dump Box Trailers

 

[Double6]

I have a friend that has this Dump trailer for his business, & he really likes the versatility.
It's well built, not sure what he paid for it.
Check it out.

3 Way Dump Trailer

 

[ditzel]

My dump trailer is a 2003 Bri-mar 7 x 12 10k that I bought brand new( ordered from dealer). It is a deck over model which allows you to remove the sides and tailgate to use as a flatbed as well. This trailer is very versatile and probably one of the best things I have ever purchased, cost me $3900. I bought this trailer cause when my wife and i bought our house (a fixerupper) on 2 overgrown acres in 2001, I knew i had many a project ahead. After 9 years the trailer is in need of a good sandblasting, new primer and paint and new tires( still running the originals) but it doesn't owe me a dime. I can't tell you how many loads of branches, trees, stumps, crushed stone, firewood, road millings, top soil, trash and construction debris, retaining wall block, lumber and furniture this thing has moved. Buy one you wont regret it.

 

[adjusterr]

I bought a DUMP MAXX 6'x10', 9,990 GVWR, weight 3150, payload 6840, tires 15'x225, tubular main frame, 12 volt pump with deep cycle marine battery, dual cylinders power up and down, 10 guage floor and walls, powder coat finish, cabover type bulkhead, heavy duty side mounted ramps, 5 tie-down D-rings, sideboard gussets stake pockets, combo barn & spreader tailgate, drop down safety leg, and fully jacketed wiring harness. I bought the trailer from Romney Cycle, Romney, WV , January 2010 for $3900. I have used it regularly and couldn't be more pleased I carefully checked four different brands before settling on this one as it totally outclassed the others.