Dump Trailer Purchased - now questions

[MOTractor]

I started my dump trailer research in 2020 and I posted here in October 2021 and got a LOT of great information, but then prices started to go up and I put off the purchase. Prices have finally dropped and I bought the dump trailer last week. I purchased the Delco, 14’ x 83”, 14K. I bought this to be a multi-purpose trailer – if it will not fit in my 2017 F250, this will haul it. My use is homestead/farm/hobby – not commercial. This is my first dump trailer.

For those interested in buying your first dump trailer my original post from October 2021 has tons of good info about battery life, CDL requirements, bigger vs smaller, and general info about choosing a trailer - thos forum is great!
Dump Trailer Questions

If you have a dump or knowledge of dump trailers and know of their strong points or low points – please chime in. Any “best practices” information would be greatly appreciated. I will be dragging this trailer with a 2017 F250, 6.7 diesel on the road – once home it will mostly be moved around with a 40HP tractor with a 3Pt trailer hitch. Any and all info would be greatly appreciated – not just the questions I asked.

How do you route/secure the electric brake break-away cable? All the trailers I own are OLD no electric brakes… So this is new.

I was thinking of strapping a few pallets to the inside front part of the trailer to be used when I haul unruly cargo – metal fence post, stuff not on a pallet, things other than mulch and gravel. Anybody else do this? Might have to weld a couple tie downs to the front of the trailer.

Speaking of unruly cargo. This trailer has 4 floor mounted tie downs, two at the front and two at the rear, about 13’ apart. Thinking of adding 2 more on each side. If I am toting 8 foot post, even with the pallets I cannot strap them down when they are 13’ apart. I have welder and my son is the welder Thoughts?

I know I will want a solar charger as this trailer will not be used daily. Any suggestions of brands, amps? I think I need a durable one, planning on mounting it to the top of the tool box. I know nothing about solar chargers.

License plate, how to mount? The Delco license plate mount is on the back left at a 45* angle, just looks to exposed – this trailer will be in the woods. In Missouri I can buy a permanent license plate ($53ish) and not have to fuss with the yearly renewals, I would prefer to not tear it up yearly! Thinking of bolting to the back left barn door. Thoughts…

What do you carry in the trailers battery / tool box? I am putting a pair of chock clicks in there…

Tomorrow or Thursday I am planning on going to the local quarry to find out what they expect of me when visiting to pick up material – before I actually go to pick up stuff. I already checked, they will sell to me as a consumer, not commercial. I’m lucky, the quarry is 13 miles away from my front door! Speaking of questions: Those who have visited and picked up at a quarry: what should I do or not do? Any and all information is greatly appreciated.

This next weekend I am hauling something, mulch or gravel!

 

[JPRambo]

At the quarry ask for less than you want. Locally they always overload me. (6' x 12' 10000 lb)

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I've been debating getting a dump trailer, either 12' or 14'.

 

[Peter 315]

I bought one last year a K- trail 12 foot 14k gvw front mount telescopic piston.

 

[MOTractor]

At the quarry ask for less than you want. Locally they always overload me. (6' x 12'

I watched a video and the front end loader had a scale built into it! Is that the norm? The quarry I will be using is small... I will ask them tomorrow. Thank you!

 

[MOTractor]

I've been debating getting a dump trailer, either 12' or 14'.

I was torn between the 12 and 14' in the beginning also. The questions I asked in October 2021 and the answers I got me realize - nobody ever wished for a smaller trailer. I went with the 14", the cost difference was less that 1k, and for a 10k purchase i decided to go with the 14'

 

[JPRambo]

Local quarry has the scale in the loader also. But it still overloads. I usually ask for 3 ton when I want 4.

 

[MOTractor]

Local quarry has the scale in the loader also. But it still overloads. I usually ask for 3 ton when I want 4.

Thank you! Good to know, better less than to much!

 

[nisaacs]

Nice trailer! Not sure if it is the picture angle but it appears your ball mount is bent. I recommend it be upgraded. Make sure the ball is rated for the load too. Most general duty balls have a 1" shank, you will need a 1 1/4" 14k+ rated. I have a 20k on my Ram 2500.

Be careful with your tractor 3 point, it can rise if you loose hitch weight. When you dump a heavy load, the dump trailer hitch will loose weight as you lift and transfer the bed weight aft of the axles.

 

[Mud2Money]

I run a dump truck and have my own dump trailer. First things first safety vest and hard hat. Just keep them in the truck. If you need to exit your vehicle for anything a vest is required some places require hard hats as well. Most places sell by the ton and not the yard. Scales are normal in loaders. Here in Michigan Dans is a massive road crew and they bought all the pits. Scales in loaders are necessary to closely and consistently load out the road crews fast. Most pits communicate on Cb radios. Make sure you have a tarp on the trailer for the red n blue boys.

 

[TN8Man]

I thought my dump trailer would work well for gravel runs but after one run I decided to just pay for the local quarry to deliver and spread. They don't charge for the delivery/spread and they can deliver much more per load at a better price. Plus there is a lot of wear and tear on your truck and trailer for heavy gravel loads and you would need a tarp dust cover unless you want a lot of angry drivers honking at you from behind.

I do find my dump trailer invaluable for taking yard stuff to a landfill though.

 

[nisaacs]

The OP has a tarp kit...look at the pictures.

 

[jjeff]

I have a small solar charger for my pontoon boat seems to work ok in the 3 years I've owned never a dead or overly discharged battery. It does have a charge controller/ voltage regulator which I recommend. Still less than 40 bucks off scamazon unsure if charge controller is weather proof. Probably not.

 

[ddbackhoe]

I watched a video and the front end loader had a scale built into it! Is that the norm? The quarry I will be using is small... I will ask them tomorrow. Thank you!

sometimes the way its loaded is more important than the how much

 

[tradosaurus]

I rented a 7,000 lb rated dump trailer similar to the OP about a month ago. Very nice.
Rented for $125 on a Friday and brought back on a Monday.

 

[MOTractor]

Nice trailer! Not sure if it is the picture angle but it appears your ball mount is bent. I recommend it be upgraded. Make sure the ball is rated for the load too. Most general duty balls have a 1" shank, you will need a 1 1/4" 14k+ rated. I have a 20k on my Ram 2500.

Be careful with your tractor 3 point, it can rise if you loose hitch weight. When you dump a heavy load, the dump trailer hitch will loose weight as you lift and transfer the bed weight aft of the axles.

Good catch. I did not have a 2-5/16 ball so I picked one up at our local farm store. What I did not think about was the base of the ball was bigger, so it would not set properly, so in the pic the ball is tilted. Between me, the salesman and shop supervisor we decide i was good to get it home. It has already been replaced with a BW, 2-1/2 shank

 

[MOTractor]

I thought my dump trailer would work well for gravel runs but after one run I decided to just pay for the local quarry to deliver and spread. They don't charge for the delivery/spread and they can deliver much more per load at a better price. Plus there is a lot of wear and tear on your truck and trailer for heavy gravel loads and you would need a tarp dust cover unless you want a lot of angry drivers honking at you from behind.

I do find my dump trailer invaluable for taking yard stuff to a landfill though.

It has the tarp kit. One of my reasons for buying is I need gravel and dirt in places a dump truck can not get to, but my truck or tractor can. Wow, no charge for delivery? My last load of gravel I had delivered was $320 - $180 of that was delivery. That said, if I need to gravel the entire driveway, I'm having a dump truck bring that in

 

[MOTractor]

I bought one last year a K- trail 12 foot 14k gvw front mount telescopic piston.

How to you like the front mount?

 

[nyone]

A 14' trailer fits a 40hp tractor with anything on the back? I assume you have a FEL?

I'm about 4mi from the quarry and use to own a mason dump. One time I spent the whole day going back and forth to stone my 400-500ft driveway. 2yrs later I found a local guy with tri axle that would deliver the same amount in about 30 seconds. At the time he was getting like $150 for delivery. I sold the dump truck that year.

I wont own another dump again. A dump trailer how ever yes but i just dont have the need now when you can rent one for $200 a day, dont have to do a damn thing to it except return it.

The quarry prob dosnt need much from you. Just go with your trailer and walk in the office. No need to make a special trip just to chat.

 

[MOTractor]

A 14' trailer fits a 40hp tractor with anything on the back? I assume you have a FEL?

I'm about 4mi from the quarry and use to own a mason dump. One time I spent the whole day going back and forth to stone my 400-500ft driveway. 2yrs later I found a local guy with tri axle that would deliver the same amount in about 30 seconds. At the time he was getting like $150 for delivery. I sold the dump truck that year.

I wont own another dump again. A dump trailer how ever yes but i just dont have the need now when you can rent one for $200 a day, dont have to do a damn thing to it except return it.

The quarry prob dosnt need much from you. Just go with your trailer and walk in the office. No need to make a special trip just to chat.

Yep I have a FEL and a 3 point trailer hitch