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Buying a Dump Trailer

Apr. 30 2020 Buying Guide By ___

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Whether you’re a contractor or a homeowner with a particularly difficult project to tackle, dump trailers can be an excellent way to make any job easy. These heavy-duty workhorses can make your life easier by helping you to quickly transport cargo or debris from one place to another. However, not all dump trailers are made equal and some perform certain tasks better than others, so you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the right machine.

Here at True Value Trailers & Power Equipment, we’ve provided some of the essential considerations you’ll need to make before buying a dump trailer. If you need to see some of our models up close and in person, stop by our dealership in Penrose and Florence, Colorado, and check out what we have in stock right now.

Size

First and foremost, make sure your dump trailer can handle the size of your project. For example, if you work on a commercial farm or materials company, you’ll probably want a dump trailer that’s a little bigger to handle all the work you’ll be doing. However, if you work somewhere a little less labor-intensive but still requires the occasional dump trailer use, like a privately owned farm, you won’t need a larger payload.

Keep in mind that the weight and size of your dump trailer will depend on the towing capacity of your tow vehicle. If you purchase a bigger size than your vehicle can tow, you’ll end up damaging both. Dump trailers come in sizes ranging from 8 to 30 feet, but the most common size is 14 feet because it has a decent load capacity and is easy to maneuver.

Design

There are two major designs for dump trailers: end dumps and side dumps. End dumps unload materials from the back by pushing the front part of the trailer into the air. They only have a back gate, so you have to push the cargo towards the back after loading it and then push it to the front to unload. Newer models often come with a conveyor belt that begins to move the material out of the bed without raising the trailer. There are even some dump trailers with tension belts or live beds that help with larger materials.

With a side dump trailer, loading and unloading become easier, and it is even easier to use the tie-downs. They are designed to tilt sideways and unload the material next to the trailer. This can make laying lines of material much easier as you don’t have to dump it all at once and then redistribute it. With ramps, you have the option to store those underneath the bed, place them at the side of the box, or have them built right into the tailgate.

Side dumps are ideal for road work, general construction, and oil fields where you’ll probably have a little more room to move around. Before buying a dump trailer, survey the area you’ll be working on. Think about all the reasons you’ll need your dump trailer and whether or not it would be better to use an end dump or a side dump.

Lift

Dump trailers are equipped with different types of lifting mechanisms. Some of the most common ones are:

  • Dual-piston style: The trailer is pushed up by two pistons.
  • Telescopic-style hydraulic lift: One cylinder is used to push up the trailer.
  • Scissor lift: This also uses one cylinder, but it distributes the footprint evenly so the box and frame aren’t damaged even if the load is uneven.

When you check out the mechanism for lowering the trailer, choose ‘gravity down’ instead of ‘power down’ as it helps prolong your battery life.

Axles

Many people prefer large axles, but these need heavy-duty wheels, more wheel studs, and bigger brakes. If you overload your trailer too much, the torsion axles can bend. When that happens, you’ll have the costly repair of replacing the entire axle. If you’re going to be hauling heavy loads, choose leaf-spring axles. These can be repaired by replacing the leaf springs and work much better on rugged terrain.

Make sure you do your research and understand the key considerations for purchasing your dump trailer. Some other issues you’ll want to consider include the material your dump trailer is made of and your budget. If you need help in picking out the right dump trailer for your needs, talk to our experienced staff at True Value Trailers & Power Equipment in Penrose and Florence, CO. We welcome all our patrons from Pueblo and Colorado Springs.