Towing a dump trailer behind a tractor, and ??? on Sure Trac dumps in general

[Piston]

Does anyone have experience using, or know much about the reputation, of Sure Trac dump trailers?

I used a friends Sure Trac trailer a couple years ago when he first bought it, and now he is thinking of selling it. I only used it one time, and don't really remember what I liked or did not like about it. It appears from the one or two pictures I have of when I used it, that it has the dual ram option for the dump. Do these typically have fewer problems dumping a heavy load than the single ram dump?

I read on the Sure Trac website that they use powercoating for their paint, then I read on here that powercoating isn't good for dump trailers because it peels off in sheets? Is this something that I should expect to happen?
Have these trailers changed much over the last few years, or can I go by the specs listed on the website? I know this one is no more than 4 years old, and I don't think it's even that old, maybe 2 or 3 years.

I read that if you put a lot of weight in them, (but not overloaded) they may have trouble beginning the dump cycle. I believe this one has a payload capacity of 8k lbs. It's 6.5X12'.

I am interested in buying it if he decides to sell, which it sounds like he will be selling it over the winter. I wouldn't be using it for much other than personal use, so I'm also wondering just how "convenient" it is to have a dump trailer around. I think I'd use it a fair amount for firewood, to catch my wood chips when chipping, and for yard cleanup type things, so I think I'd use it a fair amount, but I'm wondering if it's one of those things you end up finding a million uses for, or if it ends up just sitting around a lot.



I'd like some opinions if you have them.

Here is a picture of when I used it, I hauled some logs he was getting rid of for use on my sawmill, it lifted them fine but they were all pine's and not heavy oak or something like that.



Lastly, and most importantly, can I expect to use this behind my tractor, in the woods? Or is it more of a "road only" type of thing?

 

[jeff9366]

I pull an older, single axle MUTS trailer almost daily. Very stable as load is carried low, between the wheels. I am amazed that I can pull 1,000 pounds of dirt behind my 15.8-hp utility vehicle....but I need plenty of room to stop.

Now only two axle MUTS trailers are available.

Much lighter (1,500-2,000 payload) then what you are considering but it may serve you better than the heavier trailer.

I like to keep my equipment SIMPLE.

When you telephone MUTS your get Larry Edgar, owner/designer, himself.

MUTS - Multi-Use Trailer System for your ATV, Quad and 4 Wheeler - Welcome

 

[PapaPerk]

Does anyone have experience using, or know much about the reputation, of Sure Trac dump trailers? I used a friends Sure Trac trailer a couple years ago when he first bought it, and now he is thinking of selling it. I only used it one time, and don't really remember what I liked or did not like about it. It appears from the one or two pictures I have of when I used it, that it has the dual ram option for the dump. Do these typically have fewer problems dumping a heavy load than the single ram dump? I read on the Sure Trac website that they use powercoating for their paint, then I read on here that powercoating isn't good for dump trailers because it peels off in sheets? Is this something that I should expect to happen? Have these trailers changed much over the last few years, or can I go by the specs listed on the website? I know this one is no more than 4 years old, and I don't think it's even that old, maybe 2 or 3 years. I read that if you put a lot of weight in them, (but not overloaded) they may have trouble beginning the dump cycle. I believe this one has a payload capacity of 8k lbs. It's 6.5X12'. I am interested in buying it if he decides to sell, which it sounds like he will be selling it over the winter. I wouldn't be using it for much other than personal use, so I'm also wondering just how "convenient" it is to have a dump trailer around. I think I'd use it a fair amount for firewood, to catch my wood chips when chipping, and for yard cleanup type things, so I think I'd use it a fair amount, but I'm wondering if it's one of those things you end up finding a million uses for, or if it ends up just sitting around a lot. I'd like some opinions if you have them. Here is a picture of when I used it, I hauled some logs he was getting rid of for use on my sawmill, it lifted them fine but they were all pine's and not heavy oak or something like that. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=340117"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=340118"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=340119"/> Lastly, and most importantly, can I expect to use this behind my tractor, in the woods? Or is it more of a "road only" type of thing?

Dump trailers are very handy. I like mine. Typically the dual rams are used on lighter weight dump trailers. Probably not an issue.

Pulling with your tractor is possible. What tractor do you have?

 

[Sysop]

I have a small 2006 model Sure-Trac trailer and have been very pleased with the overall quality.

Yes when powdercoating comes off, it does come off in sheets, chips, and flakes. It doesn't come off as easy as paint though, so it's still the "preferred" method from the factory. Just keep a can of rustoeum handy and tend to bare metal as needed, it's really a non-issue. Load contact areas like inside the bed, I could see having done with a spray-on bedliner; I know a couple guys who ended up spraying their entire trailers (of various brands) once the inside paint was mostly gone and the outside paint was heavily wore and scratched.

Generally specs on such things don't change, when they do they release the change under a new model number. Specs on their site should be valid, but you need to take age and maintenance into consideration. An aged seal in the hydraulics may not be able to handle the full spec'd load without replacing it first.

Hydraulics are generally weaker at the beginning and end of the stroke due to the geometry they're generally installed at. The few I've dealt with, the only time one was unable to begin the lift it was definitely at or beyond the rated capacity and wasn't anywhere near new condition. The owner just grabbed the front corner and gave it a big side to side shake and it popped loose and raised fine. I honestly thing some grease would have done that thing a world of good... All I've ever been around were dual-ram, so perhaps the issues are more common with a single ram (I would definitely think that could be the case, especially in a case of an uneven load).

In my opinion, the only trailers worth owning are box trailers, rail-less flatbed equipment haulers, and dumps; depending on your needs. The little crap trailers sold at Lowes and places are not worth owning at all. By far the dumps are the most versatile. You will handle much less material owning a dump, whether it's a 36" thick stack of plywood, 3 ton of gravel, or a load of firewood. Dumps are the best for reducing manual labor, you will find extra uses and at times wish you had more than one...

As far as off road use, a couple of guys I know that's the only places they use their dumps. Worst issues they've had were tires, but the stock tires are intended for on-road high-speed high-load use, not puncture resistance. They went with tires better suited for off road and haven't had any issues since (to my knowledge, and they're family so I tend to follow such things).

I think I touched on everything you've asked about from what I've seen in my experiences around 8 or 10 or so different dumps, hope it helps!

 

[Sysop]

I pull an older, single axle MUTS trailer almost daily. Very stable as load is carried low, between the wheels. I am amazed that I can pull 1,000 pounds of dirt behind my 15.8-hp utility vehicle....but I need plenty of room to stop.

Now only two axle MUTS trailers are available.

Much lighter (1,500-2,000 payload) then what you are considering but it may serve you better than the heavier trailer.

I like to keep my equipment SIMPLE.

When you telephone MUTS your get Larry Edgar, owner/designer, himself.

MUTS - Multi-Use Trailer System for your ATV, Quad and 4 Wheeler - Welcome

I really like your trailer a LOT. My Dad needs one of those. His little dump cart is trying to kill him. All they have on their site is a tandem-axle which seems to be more than he or his machine would want to handle... Too bad the single axle like yours isn't available.

 

[Piston]

I pull an older, single axle MUTS trailer almost daily. Very stable as load is carried low, between the wheels. I am amazed that I can pull 1,000 pounds of dirt behind my 15.8-hp utility vehicle....but I need plenty of room to stop.

Now only two axle MUTS trailers are available.

Much lighter (1,500-2,000 payload) then what you are considering but it may serve you better than the heavier trailer.

Jeff, I've seen your trailer in other threads that you've posted in as well, I have always noticed it and really like the smaller trailer setup like that. Ideally I'd have one of each, something like yours for the trails, and a larger dump for hauling a couple cords of firewood or woodchips. I'm also planning on hauling logs once in a while which would of course require something more heavy duty, and larger. Nice pics and thanks for sharing :thumbsup:

Dump trailers are very handy. I like mine. Typically the dual rams are used on lighter weight dump trailers. Probably not an issue.

Pulling with your tractor is possible. What tractor do you have?

I have a Kubota L4610, with loaded rears and a FEL. How does your tractor handle the dump?

Are you saying that the dual rams would be more likely to be overloaded than a single ram?

 

[Piston]

I think I touched on everything you've asked about from what I've seen in my experiences around 8 or 10 or so different dumps, hope it helps!

Sysop,
Thank you for your reply, it was certainly well written and helpful!

I have always 'wanted' a dump trailer, but never really thought I'd buy one. Once I learned that this one is going up for sale I started thinking more about it, then started looking into it, and now all of a sudden I just have to have it :laughing:

I know I'd use it quite a bit for random things as well, but I have a lot of use for it over the next few years and I'm convincing myself that I need it. The only issue is I've running pretty darn low on "toy money" and this will be very dependent on price. I don't know how much he wants for it yet but if it is a good deal I may have to take the plunge. The reason I'm interested in buying this one is because I know the owner, and I know it's had a fairly easy life without a whole lot of use. I sometimes get leery of buying something like this used because of unknown history.

I looked up new prices in my area and I can buy this exact trailer for $6400. I'm not at all interested if the price is anywhere near that, but at the same time, I have no idea what to expect. Any insight on the value of a slightly used trailer like this? How much are they typically worth?

 

[Sysop]

For something with an easy life, I'd "guesstimate" at most 10% reduction from new for each year. At four years old and given the retail price of $6400 you listed, I'd shoot for $4200ish. Being a friend, maybe more (friends are bad for business this way )... The build date should be on the tag on the frame near the front.

 

[JJZ 109]

I am interested in buying it if he decides to sell, which it sounds like he will be selling it over the winter. I wouldn't be using it for much other than personal use, so I'm also wondering just how "convenient" it is to have a dump trailer around. I think I'd use it a fair amount for firewood, to catch my wood chips when chipping, and for yard cleanup type things, so I think I'd use it a fair amount, but I'm wondering if it's one of those things you end up finding a million uses for, or if it ends up just sitting around a lot.
I'd like some opinions if you have them.

If you and your friend can come to an agreement on price, you'll be glad you have it. I sold a 16 foot flat bed that I had when I got my 6x12 CAM Superline. I ordered it with the combination rear door, ramps and tarp roller. I can haul my Bobcat in it. It's also used for driveway stone, mulch for the wife's landscaping projects and a couple of one ton pallets of wood pellets at at time.
Mine does sit around a fair amount, but when I need it, it's there. It does most everything that the flatbed it replaced did and more. I put Maine trailer plates on it to save $$$ compared to my home state's registration fees, but that's a topic that's been covered in other threads.
I've had just over 4 tons of stone (rated capacity is nearly 5 tons) in it and if not loaded properly (more toward the center or rear) I've had to give the single ram an assist with the Bobcat. Other than that it's been a versatile and useful piece of equipment for me so far.

 

[Piston]

The more I think about it, the more uses I can think of that I'll have for it. :laughing:

Would I be able to install a set of quick disconnect fittings on the hydraulic hoses going to the trailer rams, and then disconnect the pump on the trailer, and connect the hoses to my tractors' rear remotes to operate the dump?

I'm starting to wonder if I'd be able to fit my tractor in the dump trailer with the FEL and grapple on it. I know it would be a tight fit if it did fit at all, and I wouldn't be able to have a rear implement on the tractor, so it won't be able to replace my normal trailer by any means, but it could prove helpful if I wanted to bring the tractor to load the dump with logs for the mill.