Dump trailer holding up to logs?

[Gareth's Tree]

I am contemplating buying a dump trailer. I currently haul most of my large logs on a deckover equipment trailer. We are not abusive to our equipment, but do work it hard. I am trying to decide if a dump trailer will get destroyed having big logs loaded into it and dumped out of it. We would load them gently with a loader or a crane not drop them in, the most damaging part would potentially be when they are getting dumped.

Our average big logs are probably 3 to 4 ft in diameter. Occasionally we do a willow tree that may be seven feet across but that is not very often.

Do you guys find that dumping large logs beats up dump trailers?

 

[Gorman]

Make sure it’s a dump trailer without wheel fenders. You’ll smash those in the first week loading logs over the sides.

 

[Reach]

What we see around here for those who haul logs in dump trailers, is that they all have an oak floor bolted down over top of the steel floor. That greatly decreases the damage to the floor. As long as you are relatively careful loading logs and dumping, I do not see any other damage likely. Make sure though, that you buy a trailer with very stiff side walls, otherwise dumping the log will bend the side walls.

 

[treegongfu]

I haven't had a problem with exception of smashed tail lights.

 

[TreeCo]

Dumping large eventually will result in damage to the rear side wall support. Beefing it up from the start would be wise.

 

[Gareth's Tree]

I was looking at sure track trailers. We have a local dealer. I was contemplating between their 20' tandem dually DeckOver model for around $16,000 or they're low profile 16 foot dump for $10500.

The tandem dually is definitely much more trailer, although I'm wondering if it is worth the extra money, the tandem dually weighs 8200 lb the low profile weighs 4200 lb. That is a lot more steel in the bigger trailer. Although, that is part of the consideration. That is a lot more empty weight on the trailer...

 

[Evan_WI]

I have a 14' midsota low profile dump trailer with 8k lb axles. It is bomber. The bigger the log the smoother it comes out. I worry more about little chunks than I do the big ones. If you're doing a lot of big removals the dually deck-over would be nice.

 

[rugger01]

I currently use a 14k dump trailer to haul my logs. IMO ANY log disposal devise is prone to a beating. Loosing a chunk over the side while dumping is a legit concern for damage to doors chained to the side. Fenders take it if loading over the side and the log slips out of the grapple. Just buy a rugged trailer and accept its gonna happen. Just do not buy a PJ. I made that mistake and ef them!

 

[Treetopflyer]

I currently use a 14k dump trailer to haul my logs. IMO ANY log disposal devise is prone to a beating. Loosing a chunk over the side while dumping is a legit concern for damage to doors chained to the side. Fenders take it if loading over the side and the log slips out of the grapple. Just buy a rugged trailer and accept its gonna happen. Just do not buy a PJ. I made that mistake and ef them!

What brand have you found works for you? I'm in the market as well.. big tex is our local dealer

 

[craneguy1]

I heard about a year ago on another forum that a lot of people were complaining about big tex trailers...cheap steel, cracking welds, ect ect. That being said, our normal m.o. is utilizing 10' heavy duty 1 ton dumps to get wood out. The beds are specced out and built west coast style to concrete industry standards...the rear vertical supports of the bed still bow out over time.

 

[TimberJack]

I though pj were one of the better brands whats your beef with them?

 

[rugger01]

I bought it and less than 4 months later the paint started to peel off in big strips from the $10,000 "investment" I had just made. There was a lot of rust in various places on the under carriage. Looked like a piss poor job of prep work before paint. I reached out to them since it was not even 1 yr old yet and they sent me 3 rattle cans of spray paint and told me to fuck off. I had to pay my guys to go back and essentially repaint my brand new trailer. Then I noticed the jack stand was not welded on properly and the welds were starting to fail. Those are my 2 favorite features. FUCK PJ trailers! Not that I'm mad about it at all.

 

[Merle Nelson]

Look at the MaXXD dump trailers. They seem to be built well. If I wouldn't have wanted a Midsota dump trailer and to have it galvanized, I would have gotten a MaXXD.

As far as I can tell we're paying for shipping to a dealer anyway, might as well have what you want shipped to you.

 

[TimberJack]

I hear bad things about powder coat on these rigs but so few manufactures paint.

We have a Hawke dealer around here and all the trailers you see around that theyve sold have held their paint well.

 

[Reach]

Around here, BWise trailers have become very popular and seem to be well liked. I’ve personally been a fan of Belmont trailers, I know of a couple in this area that are 15+ years old and still working fine. We have a Belmont skidloader trailer that’s about ten years old and the paint is still perfect, at least where my employees haven’t knocked it off with chains or by bumping into it with a loader.

 

[flushcut]

Floor rail spacing, deck material thickness, wall material thickness, and how you load it all determine how long it's going to last. One foot floor rail spacing, 10ga or thicker floor, 10ga walls, and a light touch when loading is the way to go.

 

[Benjo75]

We have several Big Tex and they have been very good so far. Both are around 15 years old and have been used hard continually but taken care of. We had to finally redo the suspensions and brakes on two of them this summer. About $1,500 each. The cylinders have been repacked on the same 2 trailers. About $250 each time. One just started to have minor stress cracks in the frame. Welded plates fixed that. The weakest areas are the doors. We've not had any trouble but they are the most susceptible to getting destroyed just because they're in a bad spot when the logs and brush is coming out. We also have a DooLittle dump trailer and it's been good too but it hasn't seen as much action as the Big Tex. I have my eye on another Big Tex right now that's 4 years old but only hauled one load. Ours are 18 ft.