Trailers are specialized pieces of equipment. They have evolved from simple four-wheel wagons that were pulled with a tongue by horse or machine. Eventually, the tongue and front axle were sacrificed and the front of the trailing unit affixed directly to a pivot at the rear of the pulling unit. Hitches have evolved, too, moving from a primitive pinning mechanism to a ball coupler to 5th-wheel and gooseneck connectors.
For a trailer buyer to choose the most appropriate product from a full line-up of manufacturers, knowing how he will employ a trailer is paramount. What connecting mechanism will join the trailer and power unit? How heavy a load will the trailer be expected to carry? Will a load be driven onto the trailer, lifted onto it, or hand-loaded?
If You Are Buying a Trailer
Find Trailer Models and Specifications
Find specifications and charts for a host of Trailers in our Equipment Specs and Charts section
Buyers of trailers range across classes of customers, from weekend property DIY landscapers to mom-and-pop contractors to fleet owners moving heavy equipment and worksite containers. To best choose a trailer for a particular application, hereafter are some things to consider:
1) What will be the maximum load required of the trailer?
The strength of a trailer is in its frame. Light-weight trailers for moving small tools often are built of angle iron or channel iron. While these are strong components, they do not match the strength of box tubing and I-beams, which resist distortion &#; and heavy loads require maximum rigidity. Some trailers are constructed of aluminum for lightness and rust-resistance, but if strength is a paramount concern, steel is the better choice. Knowing the load capacity of tires, axles and suspension system (if any) is important. Don&#;t get a trailer that is handsome but too weakly built to do the job.
2) What features will you require for efficient use?
A light-weight flatbed trailer most often is loaded by hand. If it is to carry a small machine, it must have a way to load the machine &#; with fold-up or removable ramps. Larger trailers for heavy equipment-hauling sometimes offer tippable decks that become ramps or hydraulic mechanisms that lower a deck to ground level. Your choice. Some enclosed container trailers have side-entry doors or swing-up sides for easier access. If you will be hauling dirt or rock, you should consider an end-dump sided trailer. Shop for the configuration that will best fit your particular project needs.
3) Consider buying a trailer at auction.
Trailers are basic pieces of equipment, even those with some hydraulic functions. They have fewer moving parts than do powered pieces of equipment and generally have a long working life. This means many used trailers are available on dealer lots and at auction houses. A trailer on the sales block can be thoroughly inspected before a local auction day and maintenance records often are available for trailers sold on internet auctions. An auction can be a good place to buy a trailer if you know beforehand the features you require in a trailer and take time to evaluate its condition.
If You&#;re Renting/Leasing a Trailer
Sometimes a task requires infrequent use of a trailer or begs for a trailer of a particular size. In that circumstance, buying one is not as good an idea as renting or leasing the piece of equipment. A word of advice: Go to the rental store knowing precisely what you need:
1) Know the dimensions of your task.
Trailer-buyers don&#;t have to worry about horsepower under a hood. They do need to know other numbers. How heavy a machine can the rented trailer handle? How much trailer can the intended power unit pull? Can you shovel the amount of dirt to be loaded, or is the volume sufficient to justify an end-dump trailer solution? Can you fit all your tools into the enclosed trailer? Know your needs.
2) Be aware of a leasing company&#;s record of service.
Rental houses and OEM dealerships want to please. The good ones won&#;t try to rent a trailer that won&#;t fulfill a customer&#;s needs. Still&#;. how well do you know store management? Do they stand behind their equipment? What is the service reputation of this dealer versus another? Do they check wheel bearings and keep wires and hoses in good repair? Will they show up promptly after a breakdown? Rates aren&#;t everything.
Tips On Inspecting A Used Trailer
Trailers can be tricky to examine. Have some idea of where wear-and-tear can show up on a trailer. Be able to recognize telltale signs of misuse. Suggestions:
1) Frame and ramp
Is the frame strong enough to support your intended load? Under-strength spine and rib work under the deck will literally let you down. Does the framework have cracks or do welds indicate that it has been beefed up after stress failure? If it has ramps, do they fit properly and easily fold or remove? Are they twisted? Do ramps show evidence of being repaired &#; possibly after handling machinery heavier than the trailer is rated to carry?
2) Tires and suspension
Are the tires the correct size for the trailer&#;s load limit? Do they show signs of uneven wear? If so, the axle may be misaligned with the trailer frame. Are the leaf springs intact or cracked? If the latter, the trailer may have been overloaded or subjected to severe road conditions. Where rubber inserts are a part of the suspension, inspect them for resiliency. A lot will be riding on these undercarriage elements, so satisfy yourself of their condition.
3) Brakes and bearings
Braking mechanisms are crucial on heavy trailers because if they malfunction, the trailer and its load become dead weight at stopping. Inspect brake components for wear and overall integrity. Check wheel bearing housings for leakage and indications of being worn out. If there are grease fittings, check them for usage. If possible, always ask to pull a trailer for a ways so that the wheel and brake parts can be properly tested under stress.
4) Deck and doors
Open and enclosed trailers each must have floors strong enough to withstand anticipated loads, a few hundred pounds in the case of a cargo trailer, many tons for a flatbed deck. Evaluate the condition of the flooring. Replacing hardwood timber decking is expensive. On enclosed trailers, do the doors swing freely and close snugly? Are swing-up side doors wobbly or otherwise showing cause for concern about the hinges?
5) Electrical integrity
Signal, stop and night lights should be in full working order when attached to the pulling unit. If they aren&#;t, it could be simply a matter of replacing bulbs. However, it also could mean a wire has worn through its covering skin and is shorting out on the metal frame. Or there could be a broken wire, which can be difficult to find. Lines &#; as well as brake and hydraulic hoses &#; are mostly unseen, but they are critical to the safe operation of a trailer.
What You Can Expect to Pay
Lightweight flat or enclosed trailers are not a dime a dozen, but they generally are affordable. On the other hand, heavy trailers with various hydraulic functions, multiple axles and extreme tolerance for heavy loads carry bigger price tags. Here are some examples:
New
Manufacturers of trailers offer a broad selection of sizes and prices. Hereafter are general categories of pricing:
Gooseneck:
Lowboy/Dropdeck:
Used
Second-hand trailers in good condition are readily available in the marketplace. Hereafter are some examples of pricing:
Rent/Lease
Some Financing Options
Long-term leasing and purchasing mechanisms are periodically reformulated by the capital industry, including dealers. The offers come and go. Example: In October, a Tennessee rental agency offered a 53-ft. dropdeck trailer for $850 a month for 36-months &#; but it could be returned after 12 months with no penalty.
Specs and Features to Consider
1) Aluminum or steel?
Aluminum-framed trailers are, of course, lighter, which is a real advantage. It puts less strain on the pulling unit and that means lower fuel consumption. Less weight also means less stress on brake systems and the undercarriage. And aluminum is rust-resistant. On the other hand, steel-framed trailers generally are stronger, more rigid and tighter welded. In short, steel trailers can carry heavier loads. The price point is higher on aluminum trailers, but that can be offset by a longer lifetime. Decisions, decisions.
2) Loadability
Enclosed trailers have ramps for machinery loading and convenient doors for hand-loading. Open trailers offer more complex loading and unloading solutions. Simple ramp extensions are a basic option and sufficient in most cases, but some flatbeds are hydraulically converted into ramps. Some have moving axles that let a deck drop to accept a machine. Others have rear sections that transform into ramps. Still others have decks that lower to ground level. What system will your equipment require?
3) Hitch
Three types of hitches are employed with construction trailers. The ball-mount hitch is a popular one. A Class 5 hitch with a 2.5-inch ball can safely attach a truck to a trailer weighing up to 25,000 lbs. Gooseneck hitches also are attached using a ball, but it is mounted in the truck bed. Besides distributing the weight more evenly across the axles of a truck, the high-neck configuration lets the truck-trailer unit make sharper turns. Fifth-wheel hitches employ an inboard plate that swivels on a king pin to join truck and trailer.
4) Axles and tongue
Trailers ride on single axles when the load is light and the road is smooth. As the load rises, however, so does the number of axles. Extremely heavy loads sometimes move on a dozen or more axles. Also consider axle placement &#; a poorly positioned axle puts undue pressure on a hitch. Most axles are fixed whereas a &#;traveling axle&#; moves hydraulically to lower a bed for loading. Become axle savvy. Also consider a trailer tongue&#;s length. If a tongue is inordinately short, it can impede turning.
Popular Dozer Manufacturers
1) Bri-Mar &#; Twenty-four years ago, Bri-Mar Manufacturing began in Chambersburg, Penn. It manufactures a variety of trailers including dumpers, the largest a triple-axle, 16-ft., 6.6-cu.-yd. model. Its 24-ft. equipment trailer has a gross weight rating of 10.5 tons.
2) Eager Beaver &#; This U.S. manufacturer builds ramp-load trailers, lowboys and special &#;paver&#; and &#;oilfield&#; lowboy models with either fixed or detachable goosenecks. Its largest is a three-axle 65-ton trailer set up for the close coupling of a fourth and fifth axle.
3) East Manufacturing &#; This Ohio manufacturer dates to and specializes in high-tensile-strength aluminum trailers. Its models include flatbeds up to 53 ft. long suitable for multiple-axle configurations, as well as heavy-duty drop-deck and end-dump models.
4) Featherlite &#; In , this Iowa manufacturer built the first all-aluminum gooseneck trailer. It continues to build with aluminum. Today, Featherlite offers four cargo utility trailers up to 28 feet long and seven flatbeds, the longest a gooseneck 36 ft. in length.
5) Felling &#; This Minnesota firm began fabricating trailers in and today markets drop-deck, tilt-deck, hydraulic end-dump and construction semi-trailers with capacities as high as 60 tons. Each comes with a lifetime limited structural warranty.
6) Fontaine &#; Founded in Alabama in , the company manufactures steel, aluminum and steel and aluminum flatbed and drop-deck trailers as well as extendable and lowboy trailers for heavy equipment transport. It builds 12 55-ton detachable gooseneck models.
7) Interstate &#; This Texas manufacturer offers tag-along, tiltbed, gooseneck and lowboy trailers. Among its products is a 25-ton, three-axle, 37-ft.-long tiltbed and a 35-ton lowboy with a 24-ft. deck. Its biggest drawbar trailer measures 16 ft. and can carry nine tons.
8) Kaufman &#; Thirty-two years ago, Robb Kaufman started building trailers in North Carolina. The company today turns out gooseneck tilt trailers up to 24 ft. long and detachable gooseneck lowboy haulers capable of hauling loads up to 55 tons.
9) Landoll &#; This Kansas firm built its first trailer in . It introduced the patented traveling axle, which turns a deck into a ramp, and also has traveling tail models for loading ease. Other products include bottom-dump haulers.
10) Leonard &#; This North Carolina manufacturing company&#;s construction trailers range from 16-ft. dual-axle low-sided flatbeds for landscapers to 20-ft. heavy equipment haulers. Its 14-ft. dual-axle end-dump models boast 10-gauge metal floors.
11) Rogers Bros. &#; Begun in Pennsylvania in , this firm manufactures standard and custom trailers. Among its construction models are goosenecks up to 35 tons in capacity, Ultima and &#;Cobraneck&#; 100-ton trailers and modular trailers with eight axles.
12) Towmaster &#; This Minnesota firm dates to the early s and has a full lineup of more than 30 models, from tag-alongs to 24-ft., 50-ton-capacity detachable gooseneck trailers. Other designs include hydraulic dump, tilt, dropdeck and hydraulic tail models.
13) Trail King &#; The South Dakota company dates to and has exclusively built trailers since . It manufactures top-selling hydraulic detachable gooseneck trailers with 55-ton capacity and a lowboy &#;paver special&#; specifically designed for asphalt equipment.
14) U.S. Cargo &#; The Indiana company got started in . Among its products are enclosed single-axle and dual-axle trailers for contractors. Models range from 5 ft. to 8 ½ ft. wide and up to 26 feet long. Interior heights in some models reach 78 in.
15) Witzco &#; This Florida manufacturer (founded in Pennsylvania in ) offers a full line-up including non-ground-bearing gooseneck trailers with variable height decks, drop decks, flatbeds and tag-alongs. The largest triple-axles units can carry 60 tons.
Brief Summary
By definition, trailers are not primary pieces of equipment. They trail trucks and other motorized machinery in the hierarchy of construction of equipment. But they are essential parts of any contractor&#;s equipment yard. Without them, other equipment and tools cannot reach a job site. Getting the right trailer is important because getting the wrong one is easy to do. A good-looking trailer can be alluring but if it lacks strength and functional components for efficient loading and safe travel, it will end up being unused. Buy or rent a trailer that will meet your needs.
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Versatile and sturdy, a dump trailer can hold virtually anything you need to haul &#; like sand, debris, or building materials. Once you arrive at your destination, a simple hoist mechanism allows you to unload your cargo efficiently wherever needed.
If you're in the market for a dump trailer, explore our comprehensive guide covering everything from trailer sizes to types and other essential details. We're here to assist you in finding the ideal dump trailer that offers the best value for your needs.
What is a dump trailer?
A dump trailer features an open-box bed with a hydraulic mechanism or other lifting system for easy unloading by lifting and tilting the bed. Unlike a dump truck, a dump trailer needs to be pulled by another vehicle. For many people, a dump trailer is a more affordable choice than a dump truck, and it doesn&#;t require a special driver&#;s license to operate. A dump trailer can assist in landscaping, construction, transportation of large machinery, or debris or snow removal.
Types of dump trailers
Dump trailers are categorized by their type of hoist, the lifting mechanism that raises the front of the trailer bed. There are four different hoist systems that a dump trailer might use:
Single ram
Dual ram
Telescopic
Scissor
Dual ram dump trailer
A dual ram dump trailer uses a piston and cylinder as part of its lift. This type of hoist system is highly stable, pushing up the front end of the dump trailer to lift the box so your load dumps out. Dual ram hoist systems are a popular type of dump trailer lift. They are stable and easy to use.
Telescopic dump trailer
A telescopic lift uses a single cylinder. You&#;ll find this cylinder under the front of the trailer. This is what the lift uses to raise the trailer. Dump trailers with telescopic lifts are very efficient, working more quickly than other hoist systems. A telescopic system also puts less stress on the body of your trailer.
Scissor lift dump trailer
A scissor lift mechanism is a popular dump trailer feature, largely because it&#;s more affordable. This hoist type relies on one cylinder to fully extend one side of the trailer bed.
You can benefit from a scissor lift because it provides more leverage and power when dumping, making it effective with heavy loads. A dump trailer with a scissor lift will also be very stable &#; helpful for uneven loads. What&#;s more, a scissor lift with a gravity-down hydraulic pump (instead of a power-down pump) will save your battery life because it relies on gravity, not battery power.
Dump trailer sizes
Dump trailers come in many sizes. Each size is best suited for a different use case. Here are the most popular dump trailer sizes you&#;ll find:
A dump trailer with a length of 10&#;-12&#; is a great way to carry small, lightweight loads of materials like yard debris, sand, or dirt.
Dump trailers of 14&#;-16&#; are an excellent middle ground for heavier loads of equipment or materials.
On the larger side, a 20-foot-long dump trailer can hold heavier cargo, such as small vehicles or machinery, particularly if it has a ramp to help with loading and unloading.
Dump trailer profiles
As you shop for the best dump trailer for your needs, you&#;ll find different dump trailer profiles &#; trailers with side walls of varying heights. A low-profile dump trailer has shorter side walls, making getting your cargo in and out easier. The deck of the trailer rides lower, too.
Other dump trailers have higher side walls, creating a deeper &#;box.&#; This dump trailer style can be beneficial if you need to fit a lot of material inside the trailer (particularly material made up of small pieces, like bark or yard debris, that could blow out of a more shallow trailer).
How much does a dump trailer weigh?
Dump trailers can weigh anywhere from 1,000 lbs to 10,000 lbs or more. The average dump trailer weight is around 4,000-5,000 lbs. Of course, larger trailers will weigh more than models with shorter lengths. For example, a 7x14 dump trailer might weigh about 4,000 lbs.
Learn more: Guide to Trailer Weights by Trailer Type
How much can a dump trailer hold?
Depending on size, the average dump trailer can hold approximately 6,000 lbs.
Each dump trailer has a specific payload capacity. This number refers to the weight a vehicle or trailer can carry. For example, depending on size, a dump trailer&#;s payload capacity might be over 10,000 lbs or under 5,000 lbs.
Dump trailers also have an axle capacity. Larger axles can carry more weight &#; such as 5,000 lbs or 7,000 lbs.
Finally, as you shop for the best dump trailer, you should also be familiar with Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). This term represents the maximum weight a vehicle is designed to carry. Knowing GVWR helps you determine how much weight you could pull with certain vehicles and trailers, which is helpful as you investigate common dump trailer sizes to determine which one is right for you.
Dump trailer features
If you&#;re considering investing in a dump trailer, here&#;s what to look for.
Lifts
Some dump trailers have a manual lift. With this type of trailer, you&#;ll need to be willing to apply some elbow grease with a hand crank or lever to lift the trailer. A hydraulic dump trailer is likely a better option. Trailers with a hydraulic mechanism will automatically lift and dump the trailer &#; all you need to do is push a button.
Frames
Also, consider the frame of the trailer. If you plan to carry heavy or clunky cargo that could beat up the trailer, you&#;ll need a thick, sturdy trailer frame. Look for a dense, solid metal that can withstand loads of concrete or rocks. Steel is the most durable material. Aluminum is more affordable and requires less maintenance. One-piece floors in 10 and 12-tencel strength steel are much stronger and have a longer life than other alternatives.
Sidewalls
Think about what you plan to transport in your trailer and how high you want the sidewalls. If the trailer is deeper, you can fit more inside. But shorter walls might be better if you&#;re worried about lifting material in and out. You can customize your sidewalls if desired, building them up taller.
Finishes
A galvanized dump trailer is the most durable option. When a trailer is galvanized, it&#;s dipped in a chemical bath that makes it rust-resistant. This protective coating helps the trailer last longer.
Ramps
A ramp allows you to load small vehicles or machinery onto the trailer. Look for a ramp that can be stored underneath the trailer, out of the way. In other cases, the ramp is part of the trailer gate.
Gates
Some dump trailers have a single-door gate. Others have a truck bed-style gate, which opens down instead of out. A dump trailer might also have side gates that make loading and unloading items more accessible.
Brakes
Your dump trailer must have high-quality brakes to give you the control needed to safely and quickly come to a stop.
Charging couples
The hydraulic lift on a dump trailer is powered by a battery that must be charged. Typically, a battery lasts about two years. You can charge this battery using:
A charging station that plugs into an outlet
A charge that connects through the truck
A solar panel on the trailer
The best dump trailers
Here are a few of our top recommendations for the best dump trailers:
With a floor length of 10&#; and a payload capacity of 7,570 lbs, the Homesteader 610MB lets you easily transport and dump materials. This trailer has a heavy gauge steel floor, sidewalls, and an extra reinforced frame system. You&#;ll also find features including a tarp tie-down system, stake pockets, E-Z Lube hub axles, bed guides, and a deep cycle battery with an onboard charger.
7x14 is a standard size for a dump trailer that can hold a healthy amount of cargo. The Homesteader 7x14 is a low-profile trailer with a tarp tie-down and a payload capacity of 10,000 lbs.
The Sure-Trac 7x14 Low Profile Telescopic Lift Dump Trailer includes 24&#; sides, a 7-way RV-style molded plug, ramps stored underneath the bed, and a reinforced combo barn door spreader gate, among other features. With this best telescopic dump trailer, you get a payload capacity of 10,120 lbs.
Choosing the best dump trailer for you
By figuring out what type of material and how much material you need to hold, you can select the right dump trailer size with high-quality features that will work for you.
When shopping for a dump trailer, make sure you consider:
If you&#;re planning to transport concrete or rocks, a trailer that&#;s made of strong, durable metal is best. Smaller, lighter cargo &#; like dirt or yard debris &#; will need a trailer with higher side walls.
The more weight you anticipate needing to carry, the larger dump trailer you&#;ll need. Dump trailers range in size from 10&#; long to 20&#; long.
A galvanized dump trailer is more durable.
Make sure you know the axle capacity of the dump trailer you&#;re considering. Larger axles can carry more weight.
The lift mechanism of a dump trailer often relies on battery power. The batteries will need to be charged and/or replaced. A scissor lift with a gravity-down hydraulic pump uses gravity rather than a battery.
If you&#;re ready to buy a dump trailer or just want to browse your options, we&#;d love to help. Contact us here at Ken Feagin Truck & Trailer by , , or text (or feel free to just swing by!) so we can lend a hand finding the best hauling dump trailer for you.
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If you want to learn more, please visit our website Hydraulic Modular Trailer Specifications.