Dump Trailer for SUV - 5 or 6 foot and other considerations

[PandDLong]

I am reducing the vehicles in my yard by one by replacing a small SUV and an old-tired pickup with a larger SUV and a dump trailer. I am thinking I can cut my insurance and maintenance costs down while getting a more versatile means to transport stuff. It is overdue to replace the small SUV and truck anyway, so seems like a good time to make a change.

I have purchased a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee - with the eco-diesel - as my tow rig. Now I need to get the dump trailer.

Typical uses would be building materials for acreage projects and bulk products (eg. soil, gravel, mulch) with the occasional use to transport a mower, tractor attachment or other bulky item. I would use it a fair bit for 6 months a year but only a couple of times in the winter (hence a trailer being more economical than a truck).

I am looking at 5x10 and 6x10 size dump trailers with a 7,000 GVW rating. Trailer salesmen give me conflicting recommendations on size and what features I should look for - eg. does a 3 way gate actually work for spreading or not.

Appreciate the collective wisdom and experience of the TBN members to give me advice and thoughts on what I should look for in a dump trailer and/or avoid. If you think this a great or crazy idea, I am okay with hearing that as well.

 

[4570Man]

I can’t imagine any dump trailer working very good for spreading gravel. But as long as you can chain the gate at the bottom it should work. I’d look for a trailer with a single 7,000 pound axle vs double 3500s. The single axle turns a lot bigger.

 

[dragoneggs]

I like your thought process with respect to economizing and saving some serious money. However I hate to think of not having a pickup truck. It's just that... I can run several errands and then go to HD to 'pickup' stuff. Having to think ahead and hookup a trailer for simple tasks might get on my nerves.

I do dream about a small dump trailer that I could also haul my BX on a rare occasion.

I think you are on the right track with your trailer size. I used to own a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a 5x10 trailer. Great combo but I would go at least 6x10. I started pulling a 20ft. ski boat tandom axle trailer and although the Jeep had plenty of power to get me over mountain passes... I felt like the tail was wagging the dog. Ended up selling it and getting an F150. Seemed to me the longer wheel base helped with towing longer trailers.

 

[4570Man]

I like your thought process with respect to economizing and saving some serious money. However I hate to think of not having a pickup truck. It's just that... I can run several errands and then go to HD to 'pickup' stuff. Having to think ahead and hookup a trailer for simple tasks might get on my nerves.

I do dream about a small dump trailer that I could also haul my BX on a rare occasion.

I think you are on the right track with your trailer size. I used to own a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a 5x10 trailer. Great combo but I would go at least 6x10. I started pulling a 20ft. ski boat tandom axle trailer and although the Jeep had plenty of power to get me over mountain passes... I felt like the tail was wagging the dog. Ended up selling it and getting an F150. Seemed to me the longer wheel base helped with towing longer trailers.

If you take the seats out of an SUV you’d be surprised how much stuff they’ll hold. I’d never go back to a pickup truck. Having my stuff dry and somewhat secure in my suburban is so much nicer. I can haul a pretty good stack of 8’ lumber with the hatch closed. If my toolbox wasn’t in the way I could haul plywood with the hatch closed. I put a half pallet of flooring in the back a couple days ago. If I have a real load I’ll take one of my trucks but the suburban is capable for most stuff. If it’s bulky and heavy stuff a trailer is better anyway. I’d like to add a dump trailer to pull behind my suburban. I hate having to drive my ton truck. Not being there’s anything wrong with it, it’s the better of the 2 vehicles but because I always need something I left in the suburban.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Usually, when you are talking about a smaller trailer you are pulling behind an SUV, it's not generally a dump trailer.

It's not possible to buy the perfect trailer.

 

[LD1]

Are the eco diesel Cherokees rated to tow 7k?

 

[kthompson]

My SIL has a double axle 6 by 10 dump trailer he and I and us together have moved a lot of dirt with. Yes double axle will not turn as easy as single axle but I would want wider tires on single axle. A 7,000 grw trailer, what is hauling capacity? His trailer had simple tailgate, you can flip up or down. If you were to use chains to hold the tailgate to a certain opening you probably can spread rocks to some degree of reasonable.

 

[Morning Wood]

Go tandem axle. You can’t even put 2 yards of crushed stone in a 7k trailer, but I would think 7k is a bit heavy for the grand Cherokee anyway. 3 way gate sounds nice, especially for a load of brush. Having nothing for it to catch on coming out is ideal.

 

[LouNY]

A dump trailer would be very handy especially with a 3way tailgate,
I keep looking at them especially the taller deckover ones that the sides can be folded down for loading or unloading.
As far as worrying about the load rating of the trailer to the truck all that a heavier trailer does is reduce what you should load into it.
An 8 x 12 deckover would be a large trailer behind your Jeep with say a 10 or 12,000 gross which doesn't mean that you have to use all of it's capacity,
if you limit your loading to the 7-8000 pounds you can handle it. And your trailer has a safety margin if you get it out in rougher ground
were it is getting twisted and unevenly holes and high spots.

 

[TimberXX]

I was in your situation exactly a year and a half ago. I tow my dump trailer with a Chevy traverse. I致e put 6000 miles on the dump trailer in the past year, and your logic is sound. Personally, I like 5 wides. Since I used my dump as a pickup replacement, it get through drive throughs and tight gas stations easier. I have a 5x8 dump with extended sides. I can squeeze 4 yard of mulch or yard debris, and have hauled 2 yards of top soil. I would rather build sides up to increase capacity and have less metal to rust and touch up. I can fit my garden tractor, Italian tractor all in the 8 ft bed, so for me it works. Personally, I had pickups, comparing my 8 foot dump to my 6 ft and 4.5 ft pickup is a no brainer. Also the loading height is much better with a dump trailer vs a pickup. My sure trac 5x8 has an interior that is 7 ft 11 inches. So I take my cordless circular saw with me when I pickup sheet goods. My insurance is $54 every 6 months in NJ.