Re: Pro\'s and Con\'s for a 10,000 LB. Dump Trailers.
If you're just using it for carrying the tractor, it would be cheaper (about $1000) to just get a tiltbed trailer. I have one from Cam trailers, after you unlatch the bed, you back up til the bed pivots and touches the ground. No ramps needed.
You also asked about truck size. You said your tractor is 2800lbs, has weight been added to the tires? Does that include weight of attachments? My
L3010 goes easily over 4000lbs w/FEL, filled tires, and rake/blade combo. Trailer itself is probably 2500lbs + so you're probably looking at a minimum of approx 6000lbs. towing weight. I would want a 3/4 ton p/u at a minimum. Preferably a One ton dump truck.
Dump trailers are great if you are planning on bulky, light loads and or never leaving pavement. If you are planning on using it for hauling dirt I would strongly recommend against it. With dirt, you can easily end up with more than 10,000lbs in the trailer, the problem here is that there is not comparable weight over the driven wheels on the tow vehicle to give you enough traction to move it as soon as you leave pavement. You'll spend all your time getting the dump trailer and tow vehicle unstuck.
If you buy a big enough truck to pull the dump trailer loaded, you might as well just have the dump bed on the truck. You could use a 3/4 ton p/u with a dump bed insert, or just look for a used one ton dump. The one ton dump can be 2wd, just put a limited slip rear end and traction tires on rear. I would recommend 4wd if you use a 3/4 ton p/u.
What I'm stressing here is that the dump function of the trailer can be seriously limited by other factors.
