looking at a dump trailer tomo

C

cercidiphyllum

Location
Boston Suburbs
Hi guys,

I found this trailer online for sale $3400. The seller states its 12x6 10k rated trailer. Had a couple questions I know you guys could help me out with.

1) How well or not well will a 2020 f150 v6 do towing this ? I anticipate it would do just fine unloaded but probably be somewhat sketchy if it had any logs in it. But I mainly ask so that someone can warn me if I am way off and I shouldn't even try it.

2) Any advice on basics for what to look for when I see the trailer tomorow ? As of now I really only know how to kick tires and visually check for rust/rot in the bed. I am looking for a beat up cheap dump trailer but I still need it to work for me....The sides are already built up a but so thats a plus for me. I need it for this weekend.

3) Anyone with lots of experience want to steer me away from this style dump trailer and to use a different one ?

I dont intend on using an f150 for very long, just need to get by for a little while doing smaller jobs.

1670962367498.png
 
cercidiphyllum said:
Hi guys,

I found this trailer online for sale $3400. The seller states its 12x6 10k rated trailer. Had a couple questions I know you guys could help me out with

I dont intend on using an f150 for very long, just need to get by for a little while doing smaller jobs.

View attachment 85147
Click to expand...
Are you upgrading to a bigger truck in the near future? If so then I'd say just rent a trailer for the weekend and put the rest of your money towards a larger capacity trailer.
 
Personally, I would not want to pull a trailer that heavy with an F150. That trailer probably weighs about 4,000 pounds empty, and will get much heavier quickly when loaded, especially with those high sides.

Check the condition of the bed floor, and the frame beneath the bed. Also, check the hinges to make sure they are being greased regularly. If they’re not, you may want to walk away, or be prepared to have the hinges (and potentially the hoist pivot pins) replaced, as they’ll wear in a hurry if they’re not being greased properly. Keep using them that way, they’ll break and you’ll need a new trailer in a hurry.

Bri-Mar builds a pretty good dump trailer. Pequea builds a better one, and Belmont likely builds the best on the market. Check the hoist though, if it’s a straight single cylinder hoist, it may not lift a heavy load. Scissor hoists lift much better, and two cylinder hoists will usually lift anything, just a bit slowly.

Also be sure that listing is not a scam, that price seems a bit low for a trailer in good shape. I would expect to pay $5-6000 for that trailer if it’s in good condition.
 
How many pictures did they provide? A single picture is suspect when the price is too good. If they can provide more pictures, less likely to be a scam. Easy to grab one picture off the internet.

Jacking up a wheel and spinning it may indicate something about the bearings, along with trying to wiggle the wheel.
 
What to look for (besides the obvious rust, condition of bed, hitch, etc...
1) Condition of tires? If they need replaced, you are +/-$800 down already. If they show uneven wear, you may be a few hundred more for new axles.

2) I like @southsoundtree 's idea of jacking it up and seeing how the wheels spin

3) While you are doing that, test the brakes individually. (Do you have a brake controller in your truck? If not, does it have a spot for a plug and play controller? If so, get one before testing the trailer)

4) Test the brakes as a whole. You should be able to put the truck in drive, get it rolling then active just the trailer brake controller (usually a little slider) and stop the vehicle. If not, you are another few hundo into fixing the brakes.

5) It should have a battery. If the date on that is more than 4-5 years old, there is another $100+.

6) Do all the lights work? If not, plan on another $200 to replace everything (wires and fixtures) OR lots of frustration tracing down the problem(s).

7) Bring a tape measure...that doesn't look like a 12' trailer to me. Maybe the angle? Most 12' dump trailers are rated for 12K while most 10' are 10K....

8) Test the up and down (does it have a power down). Does it sound clean and smooth or kinda grindy and noisy? New pump and motor is $1000 (or at least it was last month...) if that doesn't work.

9) Look at the hoses while the bed is up. Are they in good shape or cracked?

10) How do the leaf springs look?

^^^^^this is why I'd probably avoid buying a used dump trailer. But usually they are more than that one. I'd not pay more than half the price of a new because all of those will be coming expenses.


Will your F150 pull it? Yes, but like @Tom Dunlap said, the more important question is will it STOP it? Check on the specs for your truck. I just did a quick search and it looks like it is either 5,000 or 7,000 towing capacity. (seems awfully low - maybe that is bumper pull without a hitch???). I wouldn't think about it without a brake controller. I wouldn't load it with logs unless you calculate the weight while you are doing it. Brush....sure - I'd think you'll be OK there. But logs...so a cord weighs 2000-3000 lbs. That is 128 cubic feet (stacked with air space). 12'x6'x3' is 144 cubic feet. If the trailer weights in at +/-3000 lbs (should be on the label...make sure it is) be careful how much wood you put in there. Certainly not as high as those sides!!!
 
Last edited:
cercidiphyllum said:
Hi guys,

I found this trailer online for sale $3400. The seller states its 12x6 10k rated trailer. Had a couple questions I know you guys could help me out with.

1) How well or not well will a 2020 f150 v6 do towing this ? I anticipate it would do just fine unloaded but probably be somewhat sketchy if it had any logs in it. But I mainly ask so that someone can warn me if I am way off and I shouldn't even try it.

2) Any advice on basics for what to look for when I see the trailer tomorow ? As of now I really only know how to kick tires and visually check for rust/rot in the bed. I am looking for a beat up cheap dump trailer but I still need it to work for me....The sides are already built up a but so thats a plus for me. I need it for this weekend.

3) Anyone with lots of experience want to steer me away from this style dump trailer and to use a different one ?

I dont intend on using an f150 for very long, just need to get by for a little while doing smaller jobs.

View attachment 85147
Click to expand...
If it’s a solid trailer in good shape that’s almost a too good to be true price. Instead of looking at trailers I’d suggest looking at medium duty dump trucks. I see old farm grain trucks in pretty decent shape for around that price frequently. Tree work is notoriously hard in equipment. Something like that would do a lot of heavy work for you and save wear on your light duty f150.
 
At a quick glance it looks like a 10' trailer. Price is good if its in decent shape. If the trailer actually exists make sure you get a clean title with it. I think the f150 would do fine with brush loads but not full of logs. Brake controller is a must in my opinion. Good luck. Deals do exist but they don't last long so if the ad is older then a day or two id assume its a scam or something is wrong with the trailer.
 
The brake controller is possibly a legal requirement. In WA, trailers over 3k GVWR require brakes on all axles. Oregon seems to allow only one axle. Some light trailers with (likely) 3500 axles are sold cheaper without brakes at 2990#.
 
cercidiphyllum said:
Hi guys,

I found this trailer online for sale $3400. The seller states its 12x6 10k rated trailer. Had a couple questions I know you guys could help me out with.

1) How well or not well will a 2020 f150 v6 do towing this ? I anticipate it would do just fine unloaded but probably be somewhat sketchy if it had any logs in it. But I mainly ask so that someone can warn me if I am way off and I shouldn't even try it.

2) Any advice on basics for what to look for when I see the trailer tomorow ? As of now I really only know how to kick tires and visually check for rust/rot in the bed. I am looking for a beat up cheap dump trailer but I still need it to work for me....The sides are already built up a but so thats a plus for me. I need it for this weekend.

3) Anyone with lots of experience want to steer me away from this style dump trailer and to use a different one ?

I dont intend on using an f150 for very long, just need to get by for a little while doing smaller jobs.

View attachment 85147
Click to expand...
Im curious what happened?
 
Decided to pay someone to do the cleanup, it takes some profit away but I live to fight another day and will wait for a dump truck. I was skeptical as well of the price and 1 photo so am holding off. I still do want a dump trailer to go with whichever truck I purchase though....thanks. Hoping to find an f650 dump or something like that.
 
If you get a 12' dump trailer, consider asking the manufacturer to de-rate it to 9999 lbs. 10001# trailer behind an F650 will require a CDL. (Maybe that's not a problem for you...but some day you may have a helper you want to drive it). As long as it isn't stacked with huge logs, stone or dirt, you probably won't put more than 10K it in anyhow doing tree work.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom