Dump Trailers

[D&D]

It is alwayse case by case,... Time is money and that’s true, but only if your time creates or saves money. Doing something yourself displace expenses. While your waiting you’re just spending time AKA wasting money.

Sure, if all you’re doing is sitting and waiting. What’s the ROI on that shiny, new dump trailer that sits and waits?

 

[Hay Dude]

Sure, if all you’re doing is sitting and waiting. What’s the ROI on that shiny, new dump trailer that sits and waits?

What are we talking about here?

 

[D&D]

What are we talking about here?

What is the ROI on purchasing a dump trailer that sits more than it gets used (residential only, no commercial) ?

 

[Hay Dude]

What is the ROI on purchasing a dump trailer that sits more than it gets used (residential only, no commercial) ?

OK, gotcha. I thought you were talking business owners.
I paid off my dump truck with basically one big job. Hauled logs off a property periodically for 1.5 years. Also did many other smaller jobs.
I just don’t want to pay the upkeep and $1,500 annual registration anymore.

 

[Rockbadchild]

What is the ROI on purchasing a dump trailer that sits more than it gets used (residential only, no commercial) ?

ROI = return on investment ... well the case of my statement was said in regard of hay dud situation which he is commercial... for residential you justify it by multi used (single trailer for multiple utilization) so instead of buy a utility trailer and a flat deck you only buy a dump trailer as a example.. and you have to look at it as a long term investment... in the short term sure it make no sense but after 10 years it will for most people but not all I agree... then there is the time factor, I am not sure if you realized how much time I have spend unloading trailers by hand but just in that regard I could justify a dump trailer.

I currently do not own one as my uncle own one and I can borrow it but when I buy one it will certainly be justify between doing roof on the side, renting it out, hauling manure, fire wood, dirt, dump runs, construction material/fertilizer etc. and dual used as a utility trailer and flat deck/hauling my tractor.

 

[Hay Dude]

I can’t see how any residential owner could pencil out a new dump trailer. rockbuttchild could just rent a dumpster for doing his roofing on the side. The other stuff could be done with a flatbed trailer with sideboards and a typical pickup truck with an EZ dumper. It would take longer than the life of a new dump trailer to pay off as a residential owner. EZ dumper is 1/2 the price.

 

[Jason05216]

With the price of used trailers now it looks like a guy would be able to get most of the initial cost back out of the trailer if you ever sold it. Used car haulers like mine are selling for more now than what I paid for it.

For most of us that aren't commercial there isn't really a return on investment in owning most of the equipment that we own. It sits way more than it gets used. The return for me is being able to do the work myself, on my schedule.

 

[Rockbadchild]

I can’t see how any residential owner could pencil out a new dump trailer. rockbuttchild could just rent a dumpster for doing his roofing on the side. The other stuff could be done with a flatbed trailer with sideboards and a typical pickup truck with an EZ dumper. It would take longer than the life of a new dump trailer to pay off as a residential owner. EZ dumper is 1/2 the price.

no dumpster rental where I am from... trailer rental is $150 per day and the land filled is not open every day it can add quick when I am renting one, flat bed trailer still cost money and there is no return on that other then when you sell it... I can make money with a dump trailer just by renting it out... a dump trailer will also replace a manure spreader plus a flat deck... it make sense for me when you factor resell value.

 

[Wood_Butcher_Dav]

For a homeowner with F150 (or any 1/2 ton) this little dump a 5x10 has been great for myself. 3800 payload, but I have hauled 2T of gravel and sand.

 

[D&D]

OK, gotcha. I thought you were talking business owners.
I paid off my dump truck with basically one big job. Hauled logs off a property periodically for 1.5 years. Also did many other smaller jobs.
I just don’t want to pay the upkeep and $1,500 annual registration anymore.

Tags and upkeep on a large dump trailer? 8 tires at ~ 300 each, batteries at $200+ each, brakes?
Your commercial work pays for what you have, ok no problem. The OP doesn't sound like he is in that situation. May sound like I am against either one. that's not it.

As a homeowner, it really becomes a luxury item and upkeep is something that trucks/trailers need.
A $10-15k trailer sitting in the yard being used once or twice a year costs between $83 and $125 per month for 10 years, without any upkeep (tags, title, insurance, etc.) Is it Convenient, yes necessary, maybe.

We have a dump trailer at the farm and some days I'd give it away. flat tire, bad battery, lights dont work, brakes, latches, tarp AAgh. Always seems not me and I don't know were the last people to use it.
Its not up to me to make choices/decisions for anyone else. My opinions are expressed as to why or why not I would do it.

 

[D&D]

I currently do not own one as my uncle own one and I can borrow it but when I buy one it will certainly be justify between doing roof on the side, renting it out, hauling manure, fire wood, dirt, dump runs, construction material/fertilizer etc. and dual used as a utility trailer and flat deck/hauling my tractor.

So a mix of commercial and personal use?

 

[D&D]

I can’t see how any residential owner could pencil out a new dump trailer. rockbuttchild could just rent a dumpster for doing his roofing on the side. The other stuff could be done with a flatbed trailer with sideboards and a typical pickup truck with an EZ dumper. It would take longer than the life of a new dump trailer to pay off as a residential owner. EZ dumper is 1/2 the price.

 

[4570Man]

I can’t see how any residential owner could pencil out a new dump trailer. rockbuttchild could just rent a dumpster for doing his roofing on the side. The other stuff could be done with a flatbed trailer with sideboards and a typical pickup truck with an EZ dumper. It would take longer than the life of a new dump trailer to pay off as a residential owner. EZ dumper is 1/2 the price.

I bought my first dump trailer in 2020 for $8,000. I could probably sell it today for $8,000 and have gotten 5 years use for free. Even if I lost half the money which I wouldn’t that’s $66 per month for the time I’ve owned it. Thats cheap enough even if it only gets used once a month. The $66 a month isn’t exactly right because I paid insurance that’s approximately $250 a year. If it came home to secure storage every night I probably wouldn’t bother paying that. For maintenance I’ve replaced the battery one time and the tarp is due for replacement but I haven’t done it yet.

 

[Hay Dude]

I bought my first dump trailer in 2020 for $8,000. I could probably sell it today for $8,000 and have gotten 5 years use for free. Even if I lost half the money which I wouldn’t that’s $66 per month for the time I’ve owned it. Thats cheap enough even if it only gets used once a month. The $66 a month isn’t exactly right because I paid insurance that’s approximately $250 a year. If it came home to secure storage every night I probably wouldn’t bother paying that. For maintenance I’ve replaced the battery one time and the tarp is due for replacement but I haven’t done it yet.

Are you saying you use it commercially or residentially?

 

[4570Man]

Are you saying you use it commercially or residentially?

I use it commercially but the fact remains that the cost of ownership is quite low. If you don’t completely trash them trailers hold their value basically 100 percent not considering inflation. Tn trailer plates are permanent and cost like $100 so that cost is pretty low. I think you can buy a yearly plate for like $20 but idk why you would.

 

[Hay Dude]

I use it commercially but the fact remains that the cost of ownership is quite low. If you don’t completely trash them trailers hold their value basically 100 percent not considering inflation. Tn trailer plates are permanent and cost like $100 so that cost is pretty low. I think you can buy a yearly plate for like $20 but idk why you would.

Much lower than a dump truck for sure (reason I want to sell my dump truck), but the part about “don’t completely trash them” speaks volumes.
Thats a a big “IF”.
Fact is, most dump trailer owners park them outside in the rain on a wet spot and they look like chit in about 3 years, or dump broke concrete in them from 4 feet above the trailer floor and dent/puncture them, or tow them when there’s salt on the roads, etc.

I been looking at used dump trailers here & there and most of them look past their prime.

 

[Jason05216]

Much lower than a dump truck for sure (reason I want to sell my dump truck), but the part about “don’t completely trash them” speaks volumes.
Thats a a big “IF”.
Fact is, most dump trailer owners park them outside in the rain on a wet spot and they look like chit in about 3 years, or dump broke concrete in them from 4 feet above the trailer floor and dent/puncture them, or tow them when there’s salt on the roads, etc.

I been looking at used dump trailers here & there and most of them look past their prime.

I haven't been able to find any used ones in my area and I'm looking for something that seems to be fairly common on the new side, not like the really big one like you are looking for.

 

[Hay Dude]

I haven't been able to find any used ones in my area and I'm looking for something that seems to be fairly common on the new side, not like the really big one like you are looking for.

I’d ignore the temptation of used and go new. Too much chance of abuse, although a trailer is pretty easy to inspect for problems compared to a truck.
If you can’t afford new, feel you pain, most of my stuff is used, too.
If I sell my dump truck, I’m probably going with Tex Pride.

 

[paulsharvey]

Around here, they always rot through from the top down, not bottom up,, as far as the bottom of a dump trailer. They get used enough to not have any paint, parked for months at a time, bed down, just holding an inch or two of water, and rust out. If you gravity down, on a 6x6 block to keep a bit of slope, they last longer.

 

[Jason05216]

I’d ignore the temptation of used and go new. Too much chance of abuse, although a trailer is pretty easy to inspect for problems compared to a truck.
If you can’t afford new, feel you pain, most of my stuff is used, too.
If I sell my dump truck, I’m probably going with Tex Pride.

I'm going new. I think I'm going to go look at Texas Pride and Big Tex. They both have dealers that are pretty close to me. Texas Pride is a bit cheaper but doesn't look to built quite as heavy.