Dump Trailers

[rangerdanger]

Hey guys, thought I'd do a seperate thread to avoid confusion. Decided when we get our dump, were just gonna go with a standard one and not a custom one with a platform. Got some quotes for a few around here and wanted some opnions.

Looking at a 7x14, 12000GVW Homesteader at $5500, and a 7x14, 14000GVW GatorMade at $6900. I'm trying to get a quote on a 7x14, 14000GVW HomeSteader to see how it compares. Wondering if the extra payload is worth the money here. The GatorMade also includes a tarp roller, part of some deal going on right now. Mostly its the extra payload and the fact that I've heard GatorMade are some tough trailers. Haven't heard a lot about HomeSteader, know a buddy in town who bought one about 8 months back and he has no complaints so far.

 

[SkwerI]

The biggest difference will be the axles and tires. I suspect you could replace both axles for less than the $1400 difference. Lots of local and regional trailer manufacturers since it's not very profitable to transport them across the country. I would begin watching Craigslist and other sources for a used trailer, although with the recent storms in Kansas and other areas of the mid west I would suspect used ones might be scarce for the time being. I paid $3250 for mine (7x14, 14K gvw) and immediately put $800 of tires on it about a year and a half ago. I could easily get $3500-$4000 out of it any time in the foreseeable future, so it's like money in the bank.

 

[arborworks1]

I got a quote from allpro, 7x14 14k with 4 ft sides for $5900.

I would go heavy gvw. As you are going to be maxing it out on every trip.

 

[Reddog]

The advice I will give is compare what loads you can haul. I have seen 12k's that had equal payload capacity to 14k's.

Also I am not real fond of tube framed trailers. The frames rot from the inside out. Channel iron is easy to inspect.

 

[SkwerI]

I know that my trailer with a full load is a serious workout to haul with my bucket truck. Also be aware that you need a Class A license if you haul a trailer over 10K lbs and your combined rig weighs over 26K lbs. So an F450 and dump trailer can easily put you into Class A territory and the DOT officers love shopping for guys in pickup trucks pulling loaded dump trailers.

 

[MasterBlaster]

The bastards.

 

[arborworks1]

Dot around here, has resorted to only stopping rigs that look like they have the means to pay fines.

At least that's the way I feel about it.

 

[SkwerI]

It's a shame how most enforcement agencies have evolved into little more than legal extortionists. That's why I live in an unincorporated area.

Back on topic, another thing to pay attention to when shopping for a trailer is how far back the axles are located. On mine they are almost all the way back resulting in excessive tongue weight when loaded. That's why I got it cheap, the previous owner couldn't haul it when it was loaded. He bought a 5th wheel trailer the same size to replace it. Even with my bucket truck to pull it I have to load it toward the back. My Bobcat guy loves loading it heavy in the front and often I'll have to repack it before I can haul it to the dump.

 

[sotc]

They do that so it doesn't pick up your drive axle when dumping.

I would watch craigslist also, I got mine for $4k

 

[arborworks1]

My 6x12 was setup almost perfect. It was extremely well balanced loaded or empty. It was a hawke brand.

 

[lumberjack]

Certainly get the heaviest built trailer you can with the heaviest axles you can.

Did you show your dad pictures of my trailer?

 

[flushcut]

Yep I would go 14k. I have a 7'x14'x14k LoadTrail and that thing has hauled some serious tonnage in it's life so far.

 

[rangerdanger]

Yeah man, pretty sure I did. We're still thinking on what we want to do, so I'll let you know what we decide.