Dump Trailers

[Dmace]

I'm looking at purchasing a 7k 6x10 dump trailer for hauling light material and possibly my tractor on rare occasion. I am limiting the size to a 7k because I have a 1/2-ton truck rated at 8550lbs tow capacity and don't plan on replacing it anytime soon and yes it does have a brake controller for my camper. The one I am looking at is the DownEaster TQ610LE which is the "low profile" design. I was hoping to find pump capacity and electric motor specs but it does not look like the manufacturers publish these.

Any special options or build features to look for?

Does anyone have experience with the DownEaster brand trailers? They are made up here in Maine so it's probably not a nationally recognized brand but there are not many dump trailer dealers up here. The few that carry them either have DownEaster or PJ trailers and the PJ's seem to be about $1000 more for the same trailer.


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[Mike Costello]

I can't speak for the DownEaster trailers, but I have used PJ dump trailers and they get the job done. They are well made and the hydraulics work well. The one I used also had pull out ramps for hauling equipment which was a great idea if you want to haul anything with tracks or wheels. Weight capacity and length would be an important consideration too.

 

[CurlyDave]

I have a Western Dump low boy of very similar design.

In about a year, I have not had any real problems. Mine is a 6'x12' and it is possible to load it with enough rock to prevent the hydraulics from raising the bed. Must move eight to the rear by hand to overcome this issue.

I like the low boy design. Easier to load & tows better.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Dmace.

You kick around here in the trailer section enough what to look for and what to pass on. Do your homework and you will do fine.

As for the 7K thing I would not hesitate to get a 10K trailer or even a 12K. Just be careful on how you load it. Its easy to overload a dump trailer. With the larger trailer you would have a buffer before you did damage to it and your truck will handle the extra weight ok if needed.

I ordered my uncle a 14K Bri-Mar about 5 years ago and he has towed it with a 05 Expedition and now a 08 F-150 with no issues. He keeps the total load around 10K and it does fine. I have had it just a tad over 14k behind my F-350 and it pulled like a dream. Only complaint with his trailer is the powder coat paint. I would not do that again.

Main reason I would stay away from the 7K is it would be a tough re-sale if you ever decided to get rid of it. I imagine it would weigh about 2,500# empty so you would only have just over 2 tons capacity. While one like my uncles weighs 4,200# empty you would have the same load capacity without overloading your truck.

Chris

 

[captaincrab55]

Not sure of the Brand dump trailer, but I saw one that had drop sides loading up at the supply house several months ago... It was a good feature because a forklift could load it from either side as well as the back..

 

[AlanB]

I would buy a heavier rated trailer, you will find yourself wishing you had more capacity at some point (you don't have to use it)

I have the 10K 6X10

 

[Dmace]

As for the 7K thing I would not hesitate to get a 10K trailer or even a 12K. Just be careful on how you load it. Its easy to overload a dump trailer. With the larger trailer you would have a buffer before you did damage to it and your truck will handle the extra weight ok if needed.

I thought about that since I really wanted a 12ft trailer vs. a 10ft but here in NH and many places around, the DOT goes by what your trailer is rated for hauling and not what you actually are hauling. So if your truck is rated at 8k lbs towing capacity and you have a 10k rated trailer on it, then you get a hefty fine even if the actual weight is under your tow capacity. I could "de-rate" a higher GVWR trailer down to 8k and still have the longer length but it hardly seems worth it. Plus I get most of my product from a gravel yard that weighs you in and out and if you have a trailer over-rated for your truck then they wont load you. It's tough finding a 7k trailer with ramps.

Not sure of the Brand dump trailer, but I saw one that had drop sides loading up at the supply house several months ago... It was a good feature because a forklift could load it from either side as well as the back..

That sounds like a nice option but probably not found in the low profile style that I want due to the fenders and tires sitting higher than the floor.

I found a Bri-Mar dealer here in NH as well and like the looks of them. I will be contacting that dealer Monday.

 

[Duffster]

So if your truck is rated at 8k lbs towing capacity and you have a 10k rated trailer on it, then you get a hefty fine even if the actual weight is under your tow capacity.

That is got to be one of the dumbest things I have ever heard of.

 

[CurlyDave]

I thought about that since I really wanted a 12ft trailer vs. a 10ft but here in NH and many places around, the DOT goes by what your trailer is rated for hauling and not what you actually are hauling. So if your truck is rated at 8k lbs towing capacity and you have a 10k rated trailer on it, then you get a hefty fine even if the actual weight is under your tow capacity.

You need to move.

Out here in the land of the free, you are checked based on actual weight. However, your registration is based on stated capacity.

The dealer claimed that my 6 x 12 dump, actually rated for 14k gross, and it does have two 7k axles. The manufacturer only rated it for 10k gross, and the reality is that I try to keep it under 8k because of the limits of my tow vehicle.

The low boy design is significantly lighter than standard trailers. mine weighs 1980 lb.

 

[Skyco]

The dealer claimed that my 6 x 12 dump, actually rated for 14k gross, and it does have two 7k axles. The manufacturer only rated it for 10k gross, and the reality is that I try to keep it under 8k because of the limits of my tow vehicle.

The low boy design is significantly lighter than standard trailers. mine weighs 1980 lb.

Curious if you've actually weighed it. My 6x12 lowboy dump trailer is rated at 14,000 claims to weigh 3500 lbs!
I'd be real surprised a dump trailer rated for 14,000 weighed under a ton unless maybe if it was aluminum.