Thinking about selling dump truck and buying dump trailer

[Hay Dude]

Love my dump truck. Took me a year to find one like it, but I’m thinking about replacing it with a dump trailer. Registration on my truck alone is $1,500/yr in PA. Then theres insurance, fuel, repairs, etc.

I would need a GN dump trailer with a payload of 10 tons to match the dump trucks’s payload.

I am buying a tandem axle 25’ flatbed dump truck and I’m out of room to store 2 large trucks.

Most GN dump trailers peak at about 24,000lbs. That leaves a payload of about 7+ tons. Not enough.
My Ram has been used to haul 18+ tons for the last 6 years, so a 10 ton payload + weight of a new dump trailer will be well under that.

Comes down to cost. I *think* I can get $30K + for my dump truck. I think a dump trailer built at 30,000lbs will cost about $25K.

Thoughts? I know I will miss maneuverability and toughness of a single axle dump with 4WD.

 

[Sprinkler Fitter]

What is a gn trailer?

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I've only used mine for personal work, I assume we would use them differently. I would consider these points for myself.

1) Convenience/ Efficiency - When you need your dump truck, would it be ok to take the time to re-configure your Ram to dump trailer work then back? Or would it be more beneficial to save the time and just hop in the dedicated machine? Are you going to be able to maintain and charge the deep cycle dump battery while potentially storing the trailer at a jobsite? They do charge while pulling but sometimes not enough, or the battery may drain while sitting and need toped off. Getting out of the truck to open and close manual trailer gates vs in-cab mounted gate controls.

2) Duty Cycle/ cycle speed - PTO driven dump and Gravity down vs. Battery powered hydraulic pump with a longer cycle time and likely power down also. Can you deal with the extra cycle time and potentially the down time of letting the electric-hydraulic pump cool resulting in interrupted cycles or extra time between cycles? Or do you typically have mostly haul time and limited dumps per day?

3) Maneuverability - I would also put this in the efficiency category. Do your jobsites and dump sites generally have plenty of room to get where you need to be, in the direction that you need to be in? I assume you are a good driver that can pretty well get anywhere you really need to be, but consider the extra time it may take to do the extra maneuvering a much longer rig requires. Just a few dumps a day may not matter, 10 a day would start to add up, 30 a day could potentially be brutal.

4) Loading height - I don't think this would be an issue for you. Is your equipment or any 3rd party loading you deal with capable of loading either one easily and efficiently?

5) Dump capacity - This one is a big one to me. On the dump trailers I have used the trailer payload capacity and dump capacity don't always match. If you put your load farther forward to use the most of your trucks payload then your trailer may not have enough power to dump it. On the equipment I have experience with, pound for pound - the dump truck seems like it has a much stronger lifting system compared to the dump trailer. I can way overfill the dump truck and it will dump, but on the trailer if I don't have the load just right it is on the verge of not being strong enough even if it's under filled. But there may be systems on the larger trailers that are better than the smaller ones.

6) Traction - You probably have more experience than I do with the dump truck vs heavy trailer. I have found that the 2wd dump truck does better than my 4wd truck pulling the dump trailer on softer ground. When moving they are similar, but taking off from a stop is better with the dump truck. Once loaded, in areas that I have to put my pickup in 4wd and ease out, I can just pull off no problem with the dump truck. Also, if I do get stuck I can get the dozer and push the dump truck by myself. I've even done it with the parking brakes on, just lift up the back end a little and push. But you can also pull the front of the truck almost as easy, and I think you put a big wench on the front of yours anyway.

7) Opportunity - Are there any jobs that you do now, or would consider later, that the door would close on if you got rid of the dump truck? Any new potential that the trailer would bring that you don't have now? Can you use the dump truck as a power unit in a pinch to pull trailers if your 5500 goes down, or any other ways that having an additional truck could be beneficial?

It sounds like initial cost would be about the same. You may have a few more dollars in your account, but I would personally consider that even money. Next year you will not remember that $5,000 but you will still be dealing with the results of the decision by either pulling out in your dump truck or hitching up to your dump trailer.

The annual costs would be what I would consider more. Will the savings of your government fees and maintenance justify the lost efficiency of moving to only a trailer? I would expect that you would spend similar money on fuel, tires, and oil changes, etc. either way since the trailer ain't going to drive itself, potentially more since you would have more tires to deal with.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I would also probably consider ease of replacement.

It took you a while to find that truck and outfit it how you wanted it. It would probably take at least that long and as much work to get another one to replace it if you ever needed or wanted to. It would not be easy to replace. Trailers are everywhere, maybe just a little lower payload than you like.

 

[nyone]

$30k plus $1500 per gear to register it. What are you doing that you need that type of equipment? Could you hire material movement out?


I use to have a mason dump with a plow for a few years. I honestly used it a ton the first year then kept it around for plowing. Well snow slowed down and so did plowing. I sold it and was going to hire out any material delivery I needed and/or plowing. I even owned the mason dump and had material delivered. Once to my house (tri axle was cheaper) and once 3hrs away to your camp was also cheaper.

I always knew I could rent a dump trailer if needed but it's been about 5yrs and never rented a dump trailer or paid anyone to plow yet. So I saved about $3500 in not owning it, not including registration, repairs or fuel.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I would go with a trailer, since to me having one more vehicle to maintain can be a bit much.

It's a lot simpler to put tire covers and a solar panel on a trailer than to keep a self propelled thing in good shape.

 

[ptsg]

Love my dump truck. Took me a year to find one like it, but I’m thinking about replacing it with a dump trailer. Registration on my truck alone is $1,500/yr in PA. Then theres insurance, fuel, repairs, etc.

I would need a GN dump trailer with a payload of 10 tons to match the dump trucks’s payload.

I am buying a tandem axle 25’ flatbed dump and I’m out of room to store 2 large trucks.

Most GN dump trailers peak at about 24,000lbs. That leaves a payload of about 7+ tons. Not enough.
My Ram has been used to haul 18+ tons for the last 6 years, so a 10 ton payload + weight of a new dump trailer will be well under that.

Comes down to cost. I *think* I can get $30K + for my dump truck. I think a dump trailer built at 30,000lbs will cost about $25K.

Thoughts? I know I will miss maneuverability and toughness of a single axle dump with 4WD.

If you're going through all that trouble, might as well get a proper trailer.

 

[Hay Dude]

$30k plus $1500 per gear to register it. What are you doing that you need that type of equipment? Could you hire material movement out?


I use to have a mason dump with a plow for a few years. I honestly used it a ton the first year then kept it around for plowing. Well snow slowed down and so did plowing. I sold it and was going to hire out any material delivery I needed and/or plowing. I even owned the mason dump and had material delivered. Once to my house (tri axle was cheaper) and once 3hrs away to your camp was also cheaper.

I always knew I could rent a dump trailer if needed but it's been about 5yrs and never rented a dump trailer or paid anyone to plow yet. So I saved about $3500 in not owning it, not including registration, repairs or fuel.

I paid the dump truck off in 1 year hauling about 200 loads of logs

 

[Hay Dude]

I would go with a trailer, since to me having one more vehicle to maintain can be a bit much.

It's a lot simpler to put tire covers and a solar panel on a trailer than to keep a self propelled thing in good shape.

Agree.

But- I’m replacing the dump truck with a dump trailer mainly because I’m intending to buy a tandem axle 25’ flatbed dump for hay and possibly logs.
So although I’d be losing a 6 wheel dump truck, I’d be acquiring a 10 wheel flatbed truck.

I don’t want (3) larger trucks.

 

[paulsharvey]

Not an answer to your question, but how is the lease truck dump truck market in your part of the world? If you can hire it at $150/hr for their driver, their fuel, their repairs; does it make sense to own?

 

[Hay Dude]

I would also probably consider ease of replacement.

It took you a while to find that truck and outfit it how you wanted it. It would probably take at least that long and as much work to get another one to replace it if you ever needed or wanted to. It would not be easy to replace. Trailers are everywhere, maybe just a little lower payload than you like.

Yeah the selection of 24,000LB + trailers is scant.

 

[Hay Dude]

Not an answer to your question, but how is the lease truck dump truck market in your part of the world? If you can hire it at $150/hr for their driver, their fuel, their repairs; does it make sense to own?

Definitely sensible to own since I get quite a bit of use from it- mostly in the “off season” from farming. So like November to May when we do tree work and property maintenance.
I like the way the Ram handles a GN flatbed trailer so why not a big heavy duty dump trailer?

I don’t even know if they make one over 24K though.

 

[paulsharvey]

Definitely sensible to own since I get quite a bit of use from it- mostly in the “off season” from farming. So like November to May when we do tree work and property maintenance.
I like the way the Ram handles a GN flatbed trailer so why not a big heavy duty dump trailer?

I don’t even know if they make one over 24K though.

Texas Trailers does have a 25,900# GN dump, at $24,000 or $26,000 with tarp kit and a few other options.

As for operating costs, do they offer permanent trailer tags up there? Also, would the trailer need insurance? From a strictly practical use, a dump truck can fit in places a dump trailer cant; but its also an expensive, one trick pony. The dump trailer should be cheaper to own, maybe more versatile, as you can drop and load, go get lunch, ect

The Texas 25DU-20; is 8070 lbs curb weight and GVW of 25,900 lbs; only leaving 8.9 T of payload. Dont know if thats "close enough" to 10T for you?

 

[paulsharvey]

Dont know your dump truck config, but often the dump trailers are lower sided, making loading with a skid steer or rubber tired hoe easier than a 8 or 12 ton dump truck.

 

[paulsharvey]

Another thought, I dont really know your business model, competition, ect; but a GN, roll off 15 or 18 cy dumpster trailer. They can be used as a dump trailer, although they have a lower payload (dumpster plus roll off trailer), but they do offer some unique options to deliver 3 dumpsters; load them through out the day, and then have them all ready to haul the next?

They Are more money than a strictly dump trailer (although this one includes 3 dumpsters in the package), but you are out $6000ish for a whole new dumpster if it gets rusted out/destroyed, and the trailer takes very little abuse.
Guess im saying if you are mostly delivering, maybe not; but if its a lot of haul off; maybe?

 

[Hay Dude]

Texas Trailers does have a 25,900# GN dump, at $24,000 or $26,000 with tarp kit and a few other options.

As for operating costs, do they offer permanent trailer tags up there? Also, would the trailer need insurance? From a strictly practical use, a dump truck can fit in places a dump trailer cant; but its also an expensive, one trick pony. The dump trailer should be cheaper to own, maybe more versatile, as you can drop and load, go get lunch, ect

The Texas 25DU-20; is 8070 lbs curb weight and GVW of 25,900 lbs; only leaving 8.9 T of payload. Dont know if thats "close enough" to 10T for you?View attachment 4207810

8.9 tons isn’t bad. I think Midsota might be able to make a 30K dump trailer. The other thing I would need is a 3” coupler. Although I can switch out the balls on my GN hitch, I’d rather not. Plus I like how much heavier duty the 3” nub is.

 

[Hay Dude]

Dont know your dump truck config, but often the dump trailers are lower sided, making loading with a skid steer or rubber tired hoe easier than a 8 or 12 ton dump truck.

12’ dump with 4’ sides

Another nice thing about a 10 ton dump trailer is the possibility of hauling my excavator with it.

 

[Jstpssng]

What is a gn trailer?

Goose neck.

 

[paulsharvey]

Im going to hazard a guess that your insurance is the single biggest difference. You already have the ram insured, and, at least here, you may not need an additional policy for the trailer; vs the insurance on the dump truck. Tags are tags, but if offered, a permanent trailer tags is like 5 years worth of cost, for a life time tag.

 

[paulsharvey]

Where is see the truck being better is material delivery for driveways and such. Your dump truck can easily back up to a culvert on a 2 lane road, dump, and pull off and over in a minute. The truck and trailer is a lot longer, and your going to be on the far right shoulder with the truck, trailer across both lanes; dump takes longer, may need to manually untarp or open gate, get back in, pull up, get out, close gate, lower trailer, and pull up/off.

Also, subdivisions; some of those roads, there really may not be room to get the truck and trailer, especially it there is on street parking.

Just depends on the work you do, and where you do it.