I have a 5X8 dump trailer with a 5000# axel. I need a battery and am not sure what I need. I will use this trailer maybe 10 times per year to haul horse manure for the garden and mulch for the flower beds. Maybe occasionally a load of firewood. I am pulling it behind a 2012 Tacoma pickup with a V6 engine. I think I need a deep cycle battery but I don't know how many cca or ah. Also I don't know who made the trailer or I would seek the MFG recommendations.. Does anyone have an opinion as to what I should buy (without going overboard.). I would like to not buy a $200 battery. This trailer is new to me. After I get my battery I will be asking questions about rewiring to allow charging from the truck and electric breaks. Thanks.
What battery do I need for a small dump trailer
- Thread starter garry
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George2615
Super Member
My dump trailer uses a standard automotive battery of around 1000CCA. All my trailers all have Interstate brand batteries. When I tow them my truck charges the battery thru the 12V charge wire in the 7 pin plug. I removed the fuse under the hood in the fuse box that feeds the charge wire back to the plug and replaced it with a circuit breaker. I think the battery was around $100 3 years ago.
Your truck will need the 7 pin round trailer plug and an aftermarket brake controller (unless truck came with the factory brake controller). Most controllers are an easy 4 wire hookup to install.
Your truck will need the 7 pin round trailer plug and an aftermarket brake controller (unless truck came with the factory brake controller). Most controllers are an easy 4 wire hookup to install.
fried1765
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Buy the largest capacity deep cycle battery at Walmart, that your wallet can afford. There is no need for a $200 battery.
Then buy a trickle charger such as a Battery Minder (brand), or Battery Tender (brand). Leave the trickle charger always on when the trailer is parked/stored.
David_Kb7uns
Veteran Member
Look for a Group 24 which is the standard and Group 27 is the longer one. My 12 foot 14k trailer came with a group 24 but upgraded to a group 27 when the first one was defective.
David
David
jaxs
Elite Member
I 100% agree. And as David said,buy the group 27 or 65,they cost the same as group 24 but have more reserve amps.
If you have a late model truck with camper package you will be good to go using the factory 7 pin. Without camper package,you may have problems with blowing fuses while dumping unless you unplug beforehand.
David_Kb7uns
Veteran Member
My Dodge Ram has a 30amp fuse on the charge wire, put a 20amp self resetting breaker on the trailer and no more blown fuses on the truck when dumping.
David
David
Michael Aos
Gold Member
My Load Trail 5x10 7K dump trailer came with an Interstate SRM-24 Marine / RV deep cycle.
katoomed00
Silver Member
Agree with fried1765, find the cheapest highest CCA battery that will fit in the battery box. If you plan to use it for just a few dumps at a time, there is no need to spend a lot of money. If I used it for a living then I would consider other options.
I put a cheap small Harbor Freight solar panel as a trickle charger when the trailer is not in use. Moved a lot of dirt around the yard (10 -12 loads at a time), I would just leave the trailer wire hooked up to the truck while loading the trailer and left the truck running to charge the trailer battery. It was way better than having to swap out batteries or stop the project and recharge.
I put a cheap small Harbor Freight solar panel as a trickle charger when the trailer is not in use. Moved a lot of dirt around the yard (10 -12 loads at a time), I would just leave the trailer wire hooked up to the truck while loading the trailer and left the truck running to charge the trailer battery. It was way better than having to swap out batteries or stop the project and recharge.