Anyone using an aluminum dump trailer?

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XTREEC

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I’m seeing more aluminum trailers around but haven’t found anyone using one for tree work. Other than the obvious concern about it getting beaten up by logs are there other downsides? I was considering a galvanized trailer but the empty weight has me considering aluminum. I use a trailer for my Avant and logs. Hauling a few thousand pounds less in trailer weight wouldn’t hurt my feelings and also increases payload. Afraid the Al wouldn’t hold up…Anyone with experience using an aluminum trailer? TIA
 
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I would also be curious to hear about people's experiences with aluminum dump trailers from this forum. Obviously they're lighter, but I wonder about long term durability. Cheers.
 
I do not have an aluminum dump trailer. We have an aluminum equipment trailer for the lift. I wouldn't want to dump logs in an aluminum trailer. I feel like, under the wrong circumstances, a wreck less employee could destroy the trailer with a skid steer or the lift. The first day I bent some things while figuring out how to load the lift. We are going to buy a steel trailer next.

No idea if the al dumps are an alloy (increasing strength) or not. Never seen anyone dumping thousand pound logs in them, that's for sure.
 
I'd say it has more to do with the material thickness and quality of the build vs just aluminum verses steel, though there are going to be pros and cons with each. I mean, they make full size dump truck bodies with it.

Just a random google to see/show what it can do:

Rogers Manufacturing | AB-Series – Aluminum

Since 1946 the finest dump bodies in the business have been produced by ROGERS MANUFACTURING COMPANY in Nashville Tennessee. From the heavy-duty, high-tensile steel dump bodies to the lighter, fuel-efficient aluminum dump body, every Rogers unit is built to perform, and built to last.
www.rogersdumpbodies.com www.rogersdumpbodies.com

The ROGERS ALUMINUM series has become one of our most popular body models. This body has been designed with precision engineering and built with aircraft grade 6061 T6 aluminum extrusions. The floor is a combination 5454 H34 grade material in 1/4” thickness and 3/8” in the rear for excellent wear characteristics. The tailgate and hoist well are constructed of 5454 H34 1/4” material. Standard body lengths are between 16-21 feet, with custom lengths exceeding 24 feet.​

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al dump.jpg
 
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I’m leaning towards steel but the weight savings and payload of aluminum would be nice. Maybe I should figure out what alloy they use for their trailers. The empty weight difference is about 2600lbs. Trailers are 14 foot 12k. The price difference is less than 1000 bucks.
 
Wow...that's not a bad price difference. When I was looking last year for a 14' trailer it was a couple thousand difference. But I'm skeptical of the weight difference...how much does the steel trailer weigh?

I'll have to find the exact umi, but IIRC, 14' 15K capacity weighs a little over 3000 lbs.
www.appalachiantrailers.com

Appalachian Special Low Profile Dump Trailer - Our Best!!

Our Appalachian Special low profile dump trailer features scissor lift for powerful dumping action! Battery Tender included.
www.appalachiantrailers.com www.appalachiantrailers.com
 
When I bought a 14 dump trailer years ago I searched and searched for a realistic aluminum alternative as I live on the coast and salt air rusts things terribly. I couldn't find anything built rugged enough in spite of the fact I see full size semi truck aluminum dump bodies around me frequently. At that time nothing was available, perhaps someone has gotten one into the market stream now.

I ended up going with a Midsota dump and paid an upgrade to have it galvanized. With all the add ons I could imagine wanting I got the weight up to 6300 lbs I believe. 17k gross capable.
 
southsoundtree said:
Owner-loaded and employee-loaded are 2 different worlds.

I can see aluminum being better for soil, gravel, chips and such, not larger rock nor logs.
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I have actually been on the other side of that argument, with an owner that would thrash his equipment, while us boys that had to deal with all the problems would baby the stuff. Some people's children, right? :rolleyes:
 
Last place I worked before setting out on my own was like this. The whole 5-man crew would take care of all the equipment, knew all the limitations, and executed every job with safety and efficiency.

Then the owner would come out once or twice a month because he was bored. There'd be a few near misses because he never communicated, he'd knock the shit out of everything, throw a tantrum because something broke, and then take off leaving the rest of us to clean up his mess.

Everyone would get frustrated, but as crew lead I felt it my job to remind them that at the end of the day it's all the boss man's toys. If he wants to spend the time and money fixing everything that's on him, so long as our paychecks keep coming in.

Thankfully it was an infrequent occurrence or I feel everyone would have quit.
 
I have an aluminum dump insert a custom made thing by a boat builder for a farmer. It was made for an f series pu and it works great. Built well with 1/4” thickness plate.
Thinking critically the two complaints are it flexes more than steel would, or I’d say ‘differently’. Have to take the tail gate off to dump and the flex makes this nearly impossible with heavy loads. Same in reverse.
It needs more thickness and gussets to get the same strength and durability as steel.
I rarely haul logs with it but I wouldn’t hesitate doing so. I wouldn’t want to drop logs into it though as it’s going to crack welds before it’s going to bend.
 
I just bought this 16 foot bwise
It’s rolls our Avant and sg40 down the road mostly and doubles for hauling excess wood sometimes or clean up /stump mulch. It weighs 4100 pounds empty and is 15k gvwr
I take the trailer off and on trucks all the time
It jumps on a log truck a crane truck a tow rig multiple time a day sometimes so I went with that power jack and that’s money well spent right there!! Whatever trailer you get I highly recommend it! That’s all I wanted to say about that go for hydro jack for sure! IMG_4561.jpeg
 
Treetopflyer said:
I just bought this 16 foot bwise
It’s rolls our Avant and sg40 down the road mostly and doubles for hauling excess wood sometimes or clean up /stump mulch. It weighs 4100 pounds empty and is 15k gvwr
I take the trailer off and on trucks all the time
It jumps on a log truck a crane truck a tow rig multiple time a day sometimes so I went with that power jack and that’s money well spent right there!! Whatever trailer you get I highly recommend it! That’s all I wanted to say about that go for hydro jack for sure! View attachment 97144
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I was always a skeptic of those until I used one daily. Game changer body saver.

For us on the West coast, are BWISE trailers as good as they read online? I've never seen one in Oregon. Cheers
 
Alec A. said:
I was always a skeptic of those until I used one daily. Game changer body saver.

For us on the West coast, are BWISE trailers as good as they read online? I've never seen one in Oregon. Cheers
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Game changer for small outfit like me for sure a dump trailer , Versatile is the strong suit
This is my second bwise
I try not to beat my equipment up but these trailers can take it pretty good and they’re one tool I’m not bashful about working hard for the cost to work ratio they do for me.
This one has a hammer tone powder coat, they say is tad tougher.. time will tell. Any oxidation gets under that coating and the coating will peel off in sheets or it is on my 14. I’m on the coast so it’s salty here, I’ve just resorted to pulling it off and touch up paint to cover anywhere it starts. The ramps system I like the set up, try to keep them clean with little silicon on the bases where it slides into the back makes a lot smoother in and out. In the spot they are it’s quick and relatively easy to ramp up to unload or load machines. This new one has jacks in back to load whilst unhitched which is really nice if I can load before the tow vehicle of choice hooks up on occasion.
I’ve put some gnarley log loads and full up root large stumps and whatever else is too heavy to lift up higher into trucks or can be loaded from crane above and these dump trailer has never not lifted the load for me. They have a basket tray under box in the frame for extras whatever I have tree work signs stump grinder containment and chains binders , light back up hand tools all piled in there.
The new has single 7 gauge floor
old one has two piece which is warped a bit and bent in between the crossbeams on the old but it still functions very well. I leave the side low and just chain logs down when they’re piled higher than sides and am probably overweight sometimes with low sides. I’m blessed I don’t have to travel far for dumping usually so I don’t need to load heavy too often but overall they hold up pretty good I coulda just said that lol
 
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