got this dump trailer cheap...

[psu927]

I bought this trailer for 1500 bucks, which I think is a decent deal. Here is the exact trailer Company | Elite Trailers That is the manufacturer, mine is black and used.

It's not the heaviest trailer but It doesn't look horrible. Does have any recommendations of anything I should ad for structural support? I plan on hauling a cord and a half to 2 cords of firewood on it as well as stones and coal. Although I will keep those loads to under 2 1/2 tons.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Looks like you got a good deal. Nice buy. I would not do a thing to it. It was engineered to haul the load its rated for. Adding more structure will just take away payload.

Do not overload it, you will bend the axles in a hurry.

Chris

 

[Skyco]

Nice small dump trailer.
Just be aware the 6x10x2 box equals less then the volume of one cord. 1 cord= 128 cu ft , trailer= 120 cu ft.
You could get 1 cord on it by heaping it.
Green firewood can weigh almost 3 tons per cord, depends on the species.
Like Chris said be sure not to overdo it and damage the trailer.

 

[Dmace]

Good pick up for the money! :thumbsup:

The only thing I would be careful of is that it only has brakes on one axle and with two 3,500 lb axles it's only rated at 7k GVWR max which leaves probably around 5500 lbs payload. My 10k 6x10 dump trailer is 1870lbs empty. A cord of White Pine is around 3200lbs but Red Oak is over 5500 lbs.

 

[psu927]

Yeah you guys are right, a little more than a cord tops. And I have brakes ordered for the other axle. I noticed someone put new leaf springs on the rear axle of the trailer, and they are heavier (thicker) than the set on the front axle. Will this cause me any problems? I am guessing the front springs are 1750 and the rear ones are 2500. I know they are 3500 lb axles, but they over engineer some of these things and I know from experience the springs give out before the axles.

 

[Dmace]

I noticed someone put new leaf springs on the rear axle of the trailer, and they are heavier (thicker) than the set on the front axle. Will this cause me any problems? I am guessing the front springs are 1750 and the rear ones are 2500.

Considering it's a tandem axle trailer, I would bet the different sized springs would cause the trailer to not sit level when loaded but it's tough to tell without trying it first. I also wonder if it will make your tire wear different as well...

 

[Diamondpilot]

Considering it's a tandem axle trailer, I would bet the different sized springs would cause the trailer to not sit level when loaded but it's tough to tell without trying it first. I also wonder if it will make your tire wear different as well...

I agree. I bet what has happened is they overloaded the trailer at one time and when they went to dump it the entire weight to the rear axle breaking the springs.

I would watch it but my guess is one axle will end up carrying most of the load leading to either tire wear or a bent axle sooner or later. I would get the right springs for it. I would much rather break a spring than bend a axle.

Chris

 

[Raspy]

It probably has an equalizer link, between the axles, to mount the springs. This will help some with the different springs, but it's not right to have different springs on the axles. Easy to fix too.

I'd say brakes are the most important upgrade you can do before hauling heavy. Sure, it was engineered with single brakes, but that was a cost saving measure and it's very easy to load a trailer very heavy without realizing it. Then you get into the hills, or have to stop fast, and the trouble starts. I have a tandem axle trailer with 3500 lb axles that I gross to about 7000-8000 lbs. The brakes on both axles are just adequate and not excessive. In fact I've had my trailer brakes smoking and damaged the shoes.

I'm not recommending it, but 3500 lb axles are quite a bit tougher than their rating. I've seen them put up with way more than I thought they would.

Please fix the brakes.