Dump trailers

[RMSS]

Good morning,

I am in the beginning phase of starting my skid steer business. I plan to offer everything from land clearing, debris removal, field mowing, material delivery, farm/agricultural work etc. I bought the truck last week and I'm getting ready to buy the dump trailer. I would appreciate any options/advice on the style of dump trailer. I am getting a 7x14 gooseneck. What I'm debating is the wall height. I don't know if I really need a high side or not. I am looking at one with 3' walls (pictured) and I think that would be sufficient. Would love to hear your opinions. Thanks.

Steve

 

[mrbb]

welcome to the site
just my 2 cents
first off make sure your legally allowed to use one with your drivers lic credentials, some states require a CDL when weights get above 10k, so check on that before buying anything!

and make sure you know the insurance side of a business like this! as that can get costly(with or without it) and be illegal without, too!

NEXT< is, IF you plan to HAUL a skid steer or likes in your trailer, make sure what you have will fit in "X" trailer you get,
as I don't think many skid steers with buckets on them will fit in a 14 ft one!, plus again the weight limits on the trailer and truck towing it,
plus your DL< credentials! , they all got to agree to #'s

and it will will be far from FUN tying it down a machine in a walled trailer , which is why in MY area, you tend to see a lot of folks NOT tying them down at all, which is a BIG ticket/fine if checked by DOT! but if you got lazy workers, many skip trying things down thinking side hide it and well will keep it in!
big NO NO< so, heads up
and some trailers don't have very good tie down in them, so, keep an eye on them when looking at trailers!


NEXT< when picking a trailer, if your not sure on wall height, look for ones that you can add sections to make higher with pockets for doing so! and some simple wooden sides!


there are also some very cool trailers out there now, that have rolling floors, (like conveyor belts in them that self dump as you want) for unloading, , they cost more, but they can make a lot of jobs happen, without need of a skid steer, saving you time and $$ making two trips or needing more trucks, trailers, plus time to unload trash at the dump, is way faster and easier, as dump trailers , some times things still hang up, where this will empty pretty much no matter what, wet, chunky or other wise!
so, again good to look into them and way your pro's and con's!
Yes, these trailers cost more, but again, if your in business, they make pay for themselves faster than you think, I think they deserve looking into for you IMO<

pending what jobs you plan to do! and your budget of course! as they also make up deciding factors!

 

[mrbb]

just something to look at, NOT Goose neck's but?

 

[RMSS]

welcome to the site
just my 2 cents
first off make sure your legally allowed to use one with your drivers lic credentials, some states require a CDL when weights get above 10k, so check on that before buying anything!

and make sure you know the insurance side of a business like this! as that can get costly(with or without it) and be illegal without, too!

NEXT< is, IF you plan to HAUL a skid steer or likes in your trailer, make sure what you have will fit in "X" trailer you get,
as I don't think many skid steers with buckets on them will fit in a 14 ft one!, plus again the weight limits on the trailer and truck towing it,
plus your DL< credentials! , they all got to agree to #'s

and it will will be far from FUN tying it down a machine in a walled trailer , which is why in MY area, you tend to see a lot of folks NOT tying them down at all, which is a BIG ticket/fine if checked by DOT! but if you got lazy workers, many skip trying things down thinking side hide it and well will keep it in!
big NO NO< so, heads up
and some trailers don't have very good tie down in them, so, keep an eye on them when looking at trailers!


NEXT< when picking a trailer, if your not sure on wall height, look for ones that you can add sections to make higher with pockets for doing so! and some simple wooden sides!


there are also some very cool trailers out there now, that have rolling floors, (like conveyor belts in them that self dump as you want) for unloading, , they cost more, but they can make a lot of jobs happen, without need of a skid steer, saving you time and $$ making two trips or needing more trucks, trailers, plus time to unload trash at the dump, is way faster and easier, as dump trailers , some times things still hang up, where this will empty pretty much no matter what, wet, chunky or other wise!
so, again good to look into them and way your pro's and con's!
Yes, these trailers cost more, but again, if your in business, they make pay for themselves faster than you think, I think they deserve looking into for you IMO<

pending what jobs you plan to do! and your budget of course! as they also make up deciding factors!

Thanks for the feedback. I don't need a CDL in Colorado unless total weight is 26000 lbs or more. The skid will fit in this trailer, it has tie downs for the chains, and stake pockets for higher walls if need. I think this trailer will work great for my needs. I'm really just wondering if anyone got a 2' or 3' trailer and regretted not getting the high side.

 

[mrbb]

the height on the sides of trailer, really come down to what you will be using trailer for most
like all things, you have to look at what you do MOST and then try to buy what fits that best, other things, you do less often, you can normally adapt as needed
but you don;'t want to be struggling more than you need to
thus you buy what you will use most!

as for your skid steer fits ,I gather is more on the smaller size then?

I always try to think ahead
and if your getting into this business, odds are down the road your going to grow and have bigger things, adding a little longer trailer will only help and allow for more needs IMO

unless again, you really need a smaller trailer for your most often jobs


but from my experience, trailers are like garages, there NEVER big enough at times and , most folks wish they got bigger, than smaller! when buying!

having a little longer trailer lets you haul more things, like extra implements for skid steer, which I gather you'll be adding as jobs come up

the newer trailers now, some have options to have things like pallet forks fit on there sides, which IMO is a nice option to have, as it free's up main floor on trailer then, and they get used a lot of m,any jobs, and beats man handling them to squeeze them in other ways

an option worth having on a trailer IMO!

 

[RMSS]

the height on the sides of trailer, really come down to what you will be using trailer for most
like all things, you have to look at what you do MOST and then try to buy what fits that best, other things, you do less often, you can normally adapt as needed
but you don;'t want to be struggling more than you need to
thus you buy what you will use most!

as for your skid steer fits ,I gather is more on the smaller size then?

I always try to think ahead
and if your getting into this business, odds are down the road your going to grow and have bigger things, adding a little longer trailer will only help and allow for more needs IMO

unless again, you really need a smaller trailer for your most often jobs


but from my experience, trailers are like garages, there NEVER big enough at times and , most folks wish they got bigger, than smaller! when buying!

having a little longer trailer lets you haul more things, like extra implements for skid steer, which I gather you'll be adding as jobs come up

the newer trailers now, some have options to have things like pallet forks fit on there sides, which IMO is a nice option to have, as it free's up main floor on trailer then, and they get used a lot of m,any jobs, and beats man handling them to squeeze them in other ways

an option worth having on a trailer IMO!

I'll probably go 3' sides and add wooden walls if needed. The skids I'm looking at will all fit in a 7x14' trailer (S650/S590 etc). This is a post military retirement business, no employees, no other equipment, based from home. Equipment housed in a barn on our property etc. I will only be doing jobs I can do with the skid and the 14' trailer etc. Thanks again for the advice.

 

[Rockin Ranger Rider]

welcome to the site
just my 2 cents
first off make sure your legally allowed to use one with your drivers lic credentials, some states require a CDL when weights get above 10k, so check on that before buying anything!

and make sure you know the insurance side of a business like this! as that can get costly(with or without it) and be illegal without, too!

NEXT< is, IF you plan to HAUL a skid steer or likes in your trailer, make sure what you have will fit in "X" trailer you get,
as I don't think many skid steers with buckets on them will fit in a 14 ft one!, plus again the weight limits on the trailer and truck towing it,
plus your DL< credentials! , they all got to agree to #'s

and it will will be far from FUN tying it down a machine in a walled trailer , which is why in MY area, you tend to see a lot of folks NOT tying them down at all, which is a BIG ticket/fine if checked by DOT! but if you got lazy workers, many skip trying things down thinking side hide it and well will keep it in!
big NO NO< so, heads up
and some trailers don't have very good tie down in them, so, keep an eye on them when looking at trailers!


NEXT< when picking a trailer, if your not sure on wall height, look for ones that you can add sections to make higher with pockets for doing so! and some simple wooden sides!


there are also some very cool trailers out there now, that have rolling floors, (like conveyor belts in them that self dump as you want) for unloading, , they cost more, but they can make a lot of jobs happen, without need of a skid steer, saving you time and $$ making two trips or needing more trucks, trailers, plus time to unload trash at the dump, is way faster and easier, as dump trailers , some times things still hang up, where this will empty pretty much no matter what, wet, chunky or other wise!
so, again good to look into them and way your pro's and con's!
Yes, these trailers cost more, but again, if your in business, they make pay for themselves faster than you think, I think they deserve looking into for you IMO<

pending what jobs you plan to do! and your budget of course! as they also make up deciding factors!

Hi Mr.BB, best wishes on your endeavor! I’m an old timer who lives in Winslow now but was self employed in San Antonio. I can’t begin to tell you how many (rigs) get stolen daily across this country and usually it’s a total loss. Locks don’t work but maybe those electronic trackers will help! Just be aware that eyes will be watching your every move plotting and planning. Good luck, Alan

 

[77fixer]

I have a Big Tex 14GX. It is a claimed 16' box, but is a couple inches short with the rear doors closed. It has a 10,500 capacity.
It has 2' sides and I have 2' sideboards that I can add. It hauls my T190 (8000lb) nicely.
I can only haul about 3 yards of rock/gravel so the wall height is not an issue. If I want to carry wood chips, then I use the sideboards.
Beware of factory GVW rating on a new trailer. Some manufacturers will give a gooseneck a higher rating, like 15,500 lbs. That really makes no sense, because the axles are still only rated to 14k lbs. The bumper pull are 14k gvw rated. If your trailer is being built, you can specify how it is rated.

Tires. Mine came with E load range 16". I have switched to G load range

 

[Rockin Ranger Rider]

I have a Big Tex 14GX. It is a claimed 16' box, but is a couple inches short with the rear doors closed. It has a 10,500 capacity.
It has 2' sides and I have 2' sideboards that I can add. It hauls my T190 (8000lb) nicely.
I can only haul about 3 yards of rock/gravel so the wall height is not an issue. If I want to carry wood chips, then I use the sideboards.
Beware of factory GVW rating on a new trailer. Some manufacturers will give a gooseneck a higher rating, like 15,500 lbs. That really makes no sense, because the axles are still only rated to 14k lbs. The bumper pull are 14k gvw rated. If your trailer is being built, you can specify how it is rated.

Tires. Mine came with E load range 16". I have switched to G load range

Big Tex are proven winners!

 

[RMSS]

Thanks, great info. I have discovered I will need a CDL so I’m going through that process now. Fortunately my military unit also requires them so I’m getting it paid for.

 

[Mturbo28]

Big Tex are proven winners!

I agree, I have 2 Big Tex that are workhorses and 1 Texas Pride that I would most definitely NOT buy again or recommend..

 

[77fixer]

My biggest issue with my Big Tex, and it might be an issue with others.
The vertical tubes on the rear doors only have plastic caps on the top and the bottoms are welded solid. Those caps get knocked off and lost. Then winter comes and the tubes get water/snow in them. When it freezes, the tubes turn to round from their original square.
When I saw what was happening I drilled drain holes at the bottom and when the weather got better I filled the tubes with spray foam.

 

[Wildman6809]

i have 2 dump tailers at this time and they both work well for what we do with them. i have a 16' with 4' sides that we use to haul scrap and trash and stuff like that. the other is a 14' with 2' sides. that one hauls sand gravel and dirt. the sides are plenty high to haul more than the trailer can haul weight wise. i would recommend a tarp for sure. the low sides also allow me to load the trailer with our small dingo as well. the only thing that i hate about my trailers is that the ramps slide under from the back. this is a pain in the butt. i would definitely get one where the ramps hang on the side.

 

[tech.35058]

I have a 7x12? Dump trailer with 2 foot side. No ramps. High deck "over the tires". Scissor lift.
When dumping multiple loads, it works pretty much like a truck.
We had a low deck trailer (rented) on the job, found that it would not dump onto an existing pile at all, was tedious to get enough "up" to get wet dirt to fall out.
(Back end hit the ground)
It had a big box, could load more, & would also haul the machine, but not that useful for what we were doing that day.

 

[RMSS]

i have 2 dump tailers at this time and they both work well for what we do with them. i have a 16' with 4' sides that we use to haul scrap and trash and stuff like that. the other is a 14' with 2' sides. that one hauls sand gravel and dirt. the sides are plenty high to haul more than the trailer can haul weight wise. i would recommend a tarp for sure. the low sides also allow me to load the trailer with our small dingo as well. the only thing that i hate about my trailers is that the ramps slide under from the back. this is a pain in the butt. i would definitely get one where the ramps hang on the side.

Great info, thanks

 

[skidsteerforum]

Good luck @RMSS I hope your business booms. Update us in the future how it's going.