Overloaded dump trailer

[scesnick]

I have a Dumpstar 12k 7x12 dump trailer with a scissor lift. The trailer weighs 3,700 lbs which obviously means that I can "Legally" haul 8,300 lbs of material ( I mostly haul gravel with it) Well, if you have ever went to a quarry to buy gravel you know that they weigh the truck/trailer empty, load the trailer with a huge front end loader and then back to the scales to weigh the truck/trailer again.
The problem i am having is judging the amount the loader operator is putting in my trailer. It is much easier said than done for sure. I pulled out of there yesterday with a whopping 11,200 lbs in the trailer!! I was wondering how you guys judged this and is there a trick to it of any kind? I don't really mind being overloaded, That is just more material to put on my road in one load. I just don't want the ticket if I get pulled over.
The trailer seems to handle the loads just fine. Although I think my brakes will most likely take a beating if i continue to overload it.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

This is a very good topic. I find myself in the same situation. The best way I've found to avoid being overloaded is to discuss the weight per yard with the folks at the quarry. They weight this materail all day long so they should be able to give you an estimate. The problems with overloading is sooner or later something bad will happen and then the quarrys won't load a dump trailer (or somebody gets hurt). Once you know the weight per yard and the loaders bucket size (in yards) it should be easy enough to figure.

Matt T.

 

[radman1]

I have a 14K dump trailer, and like you it is easy to overload material like rock, gravel, cement debris etc. With time you will get a better "feel" for what the limit is. Most of the people doing the loading can get fairly good at estimating the weight with time but there is a learning curve. Most guys know the load capacity of their bucket and weight per yard of material. You will get comfortable with your trailer the more you haul and weigh it. You will become your best judge of capacity. I have had my trailer 3-4K overweight and is easy to do. Trailer axles/springs are creaking, tires somewhat squashed with 80# of air is not a good feeling. Afraid to turn tight because might pull tire off rim, nervous about bumps and dips....
Also, it is very easy to overload the tongue weight on your pickup. I tend to put the center of the load over the trailer axles and some always spills to the front. With a load of rock in my trailer (14' long), the rock will barely reach the front trailer wall.

 

[ducati996]

scesnick/KTMrider,

The following chart may help with estimating weight based on material. If you just set a limited of how many yards the trailer will hold comfortably, you will be able to tell the operators how much you want based in yards or buckets (1 yrd loaders, or the larger 5/6yrd loaders) and just dont over the amount of yards at any one load...

Topsoil in my opinion can vary the most based on how wet it is, so just estimated it on the high side. Mulch is so much lighter

Hope this helps

Duc

 

[755inNY]

Calculate the volume of your dump box (level with the side walls). Determine how many yards of material you can haul based on the material's weight per yard. Estimate what percentage of full trailer capacity in cubic yards will result in the max weight you can haul.

I stand near the dump trailer duirng loading. I watch the pile grow in the box and signal the operator to slow his pour and then give him the signal to stop when I feel the volume is about right. The yard I get stone from uses a huge payloader (maybe a 5 yd bucket) but I only can haul 2.5 - 3 yards (1/2 full trailer). The operator always starts with a nearly full bucket and ends up returning some to the pile.

It takes some practice to estimate how full the dump box is since the load is in more of a pile than spread out evenly but you should be able to get it pretty close after a few loads.

Jeff