Teach me about dump trailers

[ATH]

I had my 14' tagged at 12,000 instead of 15,000 when I bought it so I can pull it with a 14,000 GVWR truck with no CDL. They said if I I get a bigger truck and want it tagged at 9999, they can do that for like $85 in paperwork costs.

So if I did that, I loose a lot of labeled capacity. But I know the trailer was still built for 15,000, so is safe with the load...there is just a sticker with a lower number in order to play a stupid game.

 

[27RMT0N]

Yah, those rules are frustrating. I guess I can tow a 10k trailer with my 10k F350, 14K F450, but not my 19,500 5500 even though it would be the better and safer vehicle to tow it with...

 

[ATH]

Yah, those rules are frustrating. I guess I can tow a 10k trailer with my 10k F350, 14K F450, but not my 19,500 5500 even though it would be the better and safer vehicle to tow it with...

You CAN tow a 10K trailer. (As I understand it) the rules if the combined weight is over 26,000 and the trailer is over 10K (or truck itself is over 26000), then you need a CDL. Since the trailer is just 10K, you should be good (unless your state has different rules). I've heard people will label the trailer 9999 just because not everybody reads the over 10K. I've seen some publications say 26,001 and greater with a trailer 10001 and over to clarify that.

 

[27RMT0N]

Thank you for the correction, I either misunderstood or misremembered what I'd read some time ago about the rules. That does make more sense.

 

[flushcut]

The one pound is the difference, plated at 26,000 is under CDL, 26,001+ is CDL. Here in s Wisco they only plate trucks in brackets of weight 12k, 14k,…. up to the 26,000 lb plate. So I can’t register a 25,999 lb truck. Also I found out that simply de-rating a truck/ trailer at registration is not valid here. The registration and manufactures capacity have to match as set by the door tag or registration plate on the trailer. You need to get the manufacturer to de-rate it and document it is such. That being said you can have them build a 16,000lb trailer but tag it for 12,000lb. You may still get a ticket but it’s defendable in court. Time is money so pick your battle.

 

[ATH]

.... The registration and manufactures capacity have to match as set by the door tag or registration plate on the trailer. You need to get the manufacturer to de-rate it and document it is such. That being said you can have them build a 16,000lb trailer but tag it for 12,000lb. You may still get a ticket but it’s defendable in court. Time is money so pick your battle.

Right...the manufacturer has to change that. That's what I did when I bought my 14' 15K trailer from Appalachian Trailers - they are the manufacturer. They're willing to put whatever lower numbers you want on it. There's really nothing for the law to write a ticket for...any more than writing a ticket if you are obeying the speed limit (except this would be easier to defend). Now, of it's over the labeled capacity that's it's own set of trouble. In Ohio, I read it's $80 for the first 2000# over ...

 

[Jehinten]

That does look handy. For whatever reason I've yet to see that design advertised and yah, I'd never be using it to spread gravel or whatever either.

Rarely advertised. There are multiple trailer sales around here and only one was willing to incorporate this design into a build for him. I plan to buy the same style.

They have gas shocks to assist with the weight of the ramps and he uses his to load a vermeer atx850.

 

[climbingmonkey24]

Can’t really speak on those brands but I have a Bri-Mar and love it! It was the first piece of equipment I bought. I built the sides up so I can use it both to haul wood and for chipping / hauling debris.

My advice is if you see yourself wanting to do more with it down the road like hauling equipment or getting into bigger jobs then don’t shortchange yourself if the price difference isn’t that extreme and you could realistically afford to go bigger. If you’re looking at it as a long-term investment then just go for it right? On the other hand, I feel like there’s always a market for equipment like this so let’s say you did go smaller and then wanted to upgrade, there could be trade-in options or you might be able to just sell it on your own and then upgrade to what you want later on as you expand.

Really comes down to how you see yourself using it and the kinds of jobs you’re doing. If you’re only going to be hauling wood occasionally or it’s not a lot and you’re not towing equipment then you may not need something as big. But having the ability to tow that equipment if you wanted to is great even if you don’t own the equipment yourself, because it could save you money on rental costs if you can use your own trailer to tow something rather than renting one (if you rent equipment or see yourself renting at some point).

I’ve already been considering upgrading to something bigger at some point, which I don’t think is exactly uncommon if someone starts out smaller and then starts expanding. Especially in this business. Keep in mind too, when it comes to dump trailers it’s all in how you load it. A lot of space can be wasted by just tossing brush or stuff in (depending how much material you’re dealing with).

 

[flyingmosstreen]

And I would add to all the other great comments. Galvanized if you can afford it. Run away from big Tex. No offense to anyone who has one. But the powder coating does not last in the salt bath that the north east takes every winter.

We run a suretrack (sp?) 12’ with a three stage telescoping lift cylinder. That along side our 3500 Chevy dump truck allows our three man crew to haul quite a bit of wood away. The telescoping compared to the scissor hoist seems like a much better idea. And it also doesn’t put the hoist underneath the trailer where it can get caked with mud and salt/snow etc.

 

[27RMT0N]

Lots of helpful comments. To galvanization specifically, I live on a tiny island (~200 people as some probably recall) where boating is a way of life and all boat trailers are of course galvanized (as they are driven into salt water) but we don't salt our roads. Rust isn't really an issue here in the northwest as a whole, and looking at the specs from local dealers not a single one, even the highest price models, mentions being galvanized. Just an observation, I guess it's different in salted road states.

For the most part, these days I only buy higher end tools/equipment and find it well worth it. From what I'm seeing in my local trailer dealers, the 'main three' carry distinctly different brands making cross-shopping harder. As far as 6'x12' 10k trailers (to stay under CDL which is a requirement for me), the cheaper ones are in the ~2,500-3,200 pound range and more expensive ones are in the ~3,200-4,000 pound range. I see it as being 'a few times a month' tool at the very most, so a big part of me feels if a dump trailer is DOT approved and rated to 10k, those on the somewhat lighter end of the spectrum will probably fit my needs just fine while giving me a bit more headroom to haul an excavator ~1,000 pounds heavier, should I decide to buy one in the future.

 

[Jehinten]

Lots of helpful comments. To galvanization specifically, I live on a tiny island (~200 people as some probably recall) where boating is a way of life and all boat trailers are of course galvanized (as they are driven into salt water) but we don't salt our roads. Rust isn't really an issue here in the northwest as a whole, and looking at the specs from local dealers not a single one, even the highest price models, mentions being galvanized. Just an observation, I guess it's different in salted road states.

For the most part, these days I only buy higher end tools/equipment and find it well worth it. From what I'm seeing in my local trailer dealers, the 'main three' carry distinctly different brands making cross-shopping harder. As far as 6'x12' 10k trailers (to stay under CDL which is a requirement for me), the cheaper ones are in the ~2,500-3,200 pound range and more expensive ones are in the ~3,200-4,000 pound range. I see it as being 'a few times a month' tool at the very most, so a big part of me feels if a dump trailer is DOT approved and rated to 10k, those on the somewhat lighter end of the spectrum will probably fit my needs just fine while giving me a bit more headroom to haul an excavator ~1,000 pounds heavier, should I decide to buy one in the future.

Just a thought on the cdl. When buying new you can have the title of a trailer derated to under cdl requirements. So you have a heavier duty trailer that is still road legal.

Curious, is there much of a DOT presence on an island that inhabits 200 people?

When comparing different brands, look at the spacing of the floor supports. Closer spacing will prevent your floor from being damaged and becoming like a washboard.

 

[27RMT0N]

Just a thought on the cdl. When buying new you can have the title of a trailer derated to under cdl requirements. So you have a heavier duty trailer that is still road legal.

Curious, is there much of a DOT presence on an island that inhabits 200 people?

When comparing different brands, look at the spacing of the floor supports. Closer spacing will prevent your floor from being damaged and becoming like a washboard.

There isn't any law at all on my island, our nearest law-enforcement of any kind is a ferry-boat and over an hour away, but most of my work is on an island of 5,000 people, a true metropolis! (but really though, it's about if there was an accident and the insurance company called me out on being overloaded and denied a claim)

The ferry system has been cracking down on overloaded dump trucks hauling gravel this summer, for better or worse. I've heard about de-rating trailers before (and in this thread) and part of me likes the idea of having an overbuilt piece of equipment for safety reasons, but it also means hauling a heavier trailer than needed much of the time, and we all know people will just end up hauling over the limit 'because the equipment can handle it'.

 

[ClimbingTN]

I have a 5x10 Iron Bull. It has 3500lbs axles and the scissor 20k cylinder. It weighs 2800lbs and is a beast. It can be a pain to backup with a short bed truck. My only issue is that I wish it was bigger “sometimes “. You really can’t overfill it. I’ve hauled 3.5 ton of rock in it and had zero trouble dumping. I say get the biggest one you can for your truck and CDL requirements.

 

[chiselbit]

Look at the specs of the mini x that you’re not going to buy and buy a trailer that will haul it.

 

[evo]

I can’t speak to dump trailers specifically.
I started out with a dump insert dual ram gravity down, alum unit.
Dual rams are great less weight and sits lower (not sure how that works in a dump trailer)

Aluminum is rad super light as it’s mounted 100% of the time empty or not. Also not applicable to you

It has a spreader style gate and that sucks and I can see that sucking for a tree work dump trailer so I wouldn’t recommend.

Having a second thing that dumps is amazing, and has many uses, and even better that it can be top loaded.

Guessing here from your area and work but I do think it would be a slow ROI for you. Certainly you’ll find many uses for it but without a loader/mini etc it probably wouldn’t get super regular use.

 

[Z'sTrees]

I've been happy with my Durahaul 6x12. It has 7k axles but derated it to 10k on the sticker so I can drag it around with my f-550. Weighs a little under 4k empty with 2x12" extensions and a bunch of chains and binders in the toolbox.
I've hauled 5+ tons of gravel in it and probably a bit more in wet dirt and never had any issues dumping (scissor hoist).

I looked at a lot of trailers when I purchased this one, definitely wasn't the cheapest but is sort of a rare bird being under 96" overall width and having the 14k axle capacity.
The mini ex is a squeeze to fit in there but doable. It's a great little forwarder trailer though, hook it right up to the truck and go...


Back when it was new and shiny, broke it in with a big Sugar Maple log that thank god was hollow.

 

[chiselbit]

I've been happy with my Durahaul 6x12. It has 7k axles but derated it to 10k on the sticker so I can drag it around with my f-550. Weighs a little under 4k empty with 2x12" extensions and a bunch of chains and binders in the toolbox.
I've hauled 5+ tons of gravel in it and probably a bit more in wet dirt and never had any issues dumping (scissor hoist).

I looked at a lot of trailers when I purchased this one, definitely wasn't the cheapest but is sort of a rare bird being under 96" overall width and having the 14k axle capacity.
The mini ex is a squeeze to fit in there but doable. It's a great little forwarder trailer though, hook it right up to the truck and go... View attachment 99442


Back when it was new and shiny, broke it in with a big Sugar Maple log that thank god was hollow.

View attachment 99443

What’s that hitch set up you have on your blade? I like the idea of pulling the trailer around like that

 

[27RMT0N]

What’s that hitch set up you have on your blade? I like the idea of pulling the trailer around like that

Looks like what my buddy did with his, just welded a standard 2" receiver onto the top of the blade, then just borrow the pintle hitch from the truck when you are moving it with the ex.

 

[Z'sTrees]

What’s that hitch set up you have on your blade? I like the idea of pulling the trailer around like that

It's just a receiver tube welded on with some gussets, $30 and half an hour well spent

 

[southsoundtree]

How about deck-over- wheels?

Added load height. More loading width.