I've decided it's time to buy a dump trailer. I'll likely go with a new one and am comfortable with the cost. Can anyone offer things to be mindful of or to look out for when buying one? I'll get one with a power lift (dumping feature). Aside of that, I'm in the dark, but figure it will pay for itself in 12-24 months.

Thanks in advance board!

I have always used small dump trucks & the occasional dumpster for my construction business & for use on my rental properties. I decided that when it's time to replace my present truck, I'm going to get a small dump trailer.

I want something that has dual wheels, a bed that is 10"-12" long, rated for at least a 8,000#'s load, sides that are or could be easily extended to 36"-42" high, mesh on the upper portion of the sides, ground clearance of 18", electric lift with power up & power down with a capacity of 12,000 #'s, a tail gate with assist springs that can be used as a ramp, dual batteries with a solar trickle charger and removable ladder racks.

More than likely I will have to get a stock trailer & customize it.

I made the mistake of having a F600 10 Ton Flat Bed (16' x 8') truck for my disposal needs. The unloading at the dump took too long and wasn't a 1 man job anymore. So I purchased a dump trailer with 4 wheels, 5' x 9'. This beast on 4 wheels is hard to move around when disconnected from my truck, a Ford F-250 with a 460 engine. I also have a smaller 4' x 8' trailer that I added a dump ram to it. Being on only two wheels made it easy to move around when not in use. But the load total was much less only with two wheels.

Small dump trailers have several drawbacks. Their low profile makes easy to load but hard to unload- the heavy stuff can’t slide off and the driver needs to drive out - but, with all of the weight behind the trailer axles, the trailer lifts rear of truck off the ground- no traction.

Drivers then needs to climb into trailer and unload by hand. Expensive to buy, expensive to operate, rough on your truck.

Our dump trailer is one of our best purchases. Not much beats backing up to the dump and just pressing a button and have the trailer unload itself.

It turns out that bigger is better. Often we have this thing fully loaded. Sometimes it is clean-outs, but often it is gardening and tree trimming, or firewood.

Every now and again it is the accumulated metal to the scrap yard and is it ever nice to only have to lift that stuff once.

#,

I resisted for a long time because I did not want my guys Leaving the project to drive to the dump. But I love buying gear and we found a used one for about $1000 cheaper so I snatched it up. Now it’s the first trailer my guys reach for if there’s anything of weight.

A fellow rehabber bought a used dump truck But it takes two people to move it from here to there-1 to drive the truck one to drive it follow vehicle to bring the truck driver back home while the truck sits at the project.

But it takes two people to move from here to there-1 to drive the truck one to drive it follow vehicle to bring the truck driver back home while the truck sits at the project. I worry that he parks this heavy truck on a residential concrete driveway then fills it with lots of weight. Can’t be good for the concrete.

Four wheels are hard to move and will scar up the dirt as you try to turn in the yard. But we seldom use this on the grass.

Mine is 5 x 10 bed with sideboards making it taller. Not much space but for heavy stuff is a dream!

The trailer itself weighs approximately 2500 to 3000 pounds so you can’t just push it around by hand. My trailer rated GMC Envoy can pull it empty but not with any weight inside, so you need a heavy duty pick up to pull it to the dump. And at our dump we have to drive up a big hill so again, strong truck required.

The smaller bed feels instantly with a couple of mattresses in a sofa and that’s it. The smaller bed fills instantly with a couple of mattresses in a sofa and that’s it.

My next one will be a lowboy so it’s easier to load, worth the extra thousand dollars and have a larger bed for bulky furniture etc. The furniture move out is about 1000 to 2000 pounds, easy for the trailer.

Mine is also narrow, the same width as the pick up truck making it easy to drive through a neighborhood without hitting mailboxes and parked cars. A wider bed means a wider wheelbase means you need a super careful driver to pull a trailer that’s wider than the truck.

#,

I resisted for a long time because I did not want my guys Leaving the project to drive to the dump. But I love buying gear and we found a used one for about $1000 cheaper so I snatched it up. Now it’s the first trailer my guys reach for if there’s anything of weight.

A fellow rehabber bought a used dump truck But it takes two people to move it from here to there-1 to drive the truck one to drive it follow vehicle to bring the truck driver back home while the truck sits at the project.

But it takes two people to move from here to there-1 to drive the truck one to drive it follow vehicle to bring the truck driver back home while the truck sits at the project. I worry that he parks this heavy truck on a residential concrete driveway then fills it with lots of weight. Can’t be good for the concrete.

Four wheels are hard to move and will scar up the dirt as you try to turn in the yard. But we seldom use this on the grass.

Mine is 5 x 10 bed with sideboards making it taller. Not much space but for heavy stuff is a dream!

The trailer itself weighs approximately 2500 to 3000 pounds so you can’t just push it around by hand. My trailer rated GMC Envoy can pull it empty but not with any weight inside, so you need a heavy duty pick up to pull it to the dump. And at our dump we have to drive up a big hill so again, strong truck required.

The smaller bed feels instantly with a couple of mattresses in a sofa and that’s it. The smaller bed fills instantly with a couple of mattresses in a sofa and that’s it.

My next one will be a lowboy so it’s easier to load, worth the extra thousand dollars and have a larger bed for bulky furniture etc. The furniture move out is about 1000 to 2000 pounds, easy for the trailer.

Mine is also narrow, the same width as the pick up truck making it easy to drive through a neighborhood without hitting mailboxes and parked cars. A wider bed means a wider wheelbase means you need a super careful driver to pull a trailer that’s wider than the truck.

22,

Another highly effective method I use is to keep a roll off dumpster at our storage garage.

For light loads the guys and housekeeper haul trash and junk in town to the dumpster. The charge is $75 plus weight to pick uo, smpty, and replace, isually about $150 total each month. Cheaper than taking a guy off the job and paying him to drive way out to the dump 5-6 times.

The guys like the medium to low walled dumpster.

Yes the neighbors make contributions but no biggie. I figure we’re helping keep the hood clean!

The guys like to iss the dump trailed because it sits higher, same as the wall of the dumpster.

Trash on!

I think I have 19 trailers.

I have one dump Udump out of Florida. It is a tandem but a light weight series. Uses a landscaper's gate....meaning the gate can be used as a ramp or swung out to the side.

Most loads of household debris and light construction are light....If you haul mulch or sod or your mother-in-law and her bobcat, then you need the heavier rated trailers.

I have always been satisfied with my 4x8 non dumping trailer, at least since I upgraded the axle and suspension to. 2000 lbs from 1000. It is only a foot off of the ground. I can load appliances alone if I tip one end up and get it on the bed and then push it in. As far as unloading, my trash goes into trash cans and five gallon buckets.

I looked into one, but I would need a 3/4 ton pickup to tow anything of size, and I like my 1/2 tons...

My buddy created the solution by getting into the dumpster business. Now I pay $150 plus weight for any can I want, he has them from low boys all the way up to 30 yards.

If I go threw 20-30 cans a year I'm still ahead on the truck and trailer combo.