I currently use a 20ft equipment trailer to haul logs back home from my 20 acre property about 3 miles from my house . I use my kubota with the grapple to load . Once in a while I may load the tractor on the trailer and haul it somewhere but that’s not often . Looking at getting a dump , 7x14 , that would also be capable of hauling the tractor but also would have more uses than the equipment trailer . I’ve done some research, looks like the dual ram style is not as common at the scissor lift or front telescoping . Also , there’s tons of manufacturers all claiming there is the best . I did rent a 7x14 to see how it would haul the tractor and loaded some logs . Sides were 24” and tractor loaded easy . Logs dumped good . Anyone with some pros and cons of dumps ? What to look for or stay away from ?
You will want a cover. This lets you keep stuff in the trailer you want to haul. Pay attention to the axle ratings. The one I got is rated for 14,000 and has 7k axles. Then comes the tires. Do they meet load rating. get a hybrid battery for the lift and maybe even two. If you get used, pay attention to the rust if you live in the snow belt. I personally want a new one that is galvanized. I settled for a used one for now to get started. It was half the price. My though is some day it will get an actual flatbed mounted to it. It will let me make bunks for it then and still let me dump it. midsota 7X14 with 2’ walls and 2’ extension.
Thanks farmer J Definitely want 14 k . I’m buying new , the used ones I’ve seen so far on marketplace are pretty beat up . Tarp is another thing I definitely want . You never know what I’ll be hauling . I did see somewhere you can bolt down some 3/4” plywood in the bottom of the bed to protect it ? Maybe if your hauling busted concrete etc….?
Plywood would last maybe 1-3 loads with concrete. Be better to put a layer of rip rap on the bottom or get it manufactured with AR400 3/8 plate. Too heavy at that point to justify. Demo material is just destructive to trailers. we did have some of our dump trucks when I worked concrete that were epoxy lined. Think spray in liner only on industrial steroids. It was like 4x thicker what they put in a pickup. If you’ll be hauling a piece of equipment like I do, you’ll want to make sure the tie downs are in the correct place. I’d get the trailer and then put them in yourself or take it to a welder. My machine (Hobart 125) isn’t big enough to do the full weld, but I can at least prep, tack and then take it to the mechanic and they can burn it in with a commercial welder. so with that… look at getting a used trailer, so long as the running gear is correct, then put a 14’ flatbed onto the chassis and a small grapple gantry in the front. Something with a 13-15’ reach would be awesome. I found a flatbed body for $1500 on marketplace is what got me thinking that route. Especially with a similar type flatbed grapple being in excess of $35,000 that’s highway rated.
Dual ram was the most common style (and typically the cheapest) a few years ago. My least favorite style though because it's at its least efficient stage of the lift cycle when the bed is all the way down. Sometimes won't dump a full load because of this, especially if weight is shifted toward the front. I have 3 stage front telescopic from N&N and have had no issues. Built in Canada and the entire trailer is galvanized. My is the lighter duty 6x12 10k but they make a super beefy 7x14 14k version.
I use the grapple on the kubota which works great for me . Here’s a pic of the equipment trailer loaded up . Problem is I have to either buck it all up at home or use the tractor and drive back ( about 3 miles ) to unload . Dump trailer would make quick work of hauling logs .
What is the capacity of your tow vehicle? My GMC will haul 12k by the book but I’ve had more behind it. I have a suretrac 14k with scissor lift. One ram mounted mid way. Struggles with forward loaded material. Have to make sure the load is fairly even from side to side and that the trailer is fairly level from left to right, otherwise I can see the dump bed twist as it goes up. Disconcerting to watch and I’m not sure what the limit is, so I just try to minimize it as best I can. Thinking about a new truck with higher trailering capacity and would likely then get a 20k trailer. When loading wet material (I was recently hauling road base) a lighter trailer can hit its limit pretty quickly. Let us know what you get.
14,500 lb tow capacity. I’ve read about the dual cylinders twisting especially with uneven loads . Telescoping in the front is supposed to give the best lift . Suretrac trailers are common here .
I’ve seen those you tube videos of people hauling ridiculous amount of stuff . Don’t want any part of that so probably not gonna happen !
Wishlist i understand your dilemma completely. I have been looking at dump trailers quite a bit lately. All of them claim to be the best. And all of them seem to cost more than they should. I have never used one myself a lot, (but have borrowed some a few times). I work at a gravel pit and load quite a few, many customers want me to load it “towards the back” so it will lift and dump. The single telescoping cylinder up front will minimize this issue and is probably the way I would go if’n I could ever actually afford to buy one
Should be loading them over the tandem and not much further forward anyway. At 2800 lbs a yard, I really wouldn’t want much more than 3 yards anyway. And that’s not a very big pile compared to the size of that trailer most trailers today are all made with Dexter running gear. So it will come down to the quality of the paint finish and wiring.
Sold the equipment trailer today , quick sale . Could have sold it a dozen times . Besides wire harness and paint another option I see is 10 gauge or 7 gauge floor . For my use ( mostly firewood or hauling tractor ) I think 10 gauge is plenty . 10 seems to be the standard . One company ( Diamond C ) uses 7 gauge and the seam is right down the middle on the bottom . Priced one out today , 7x14 telescoping , $18,000 plus tax and title . Not bringing that one home .
Mid-sota that’s 7x14 and 14k, hauls the Kubota, logs, rock, sand or dirt. I have had no issues, but have been mindful to make sure I’m rear heavy as I don’t want to unload by hand.
We have the 10K Big Tex 7x12 dump. It has hauled some big loads of logs Only load it wouldn't dump without using a pry bar to help start lifting. Had 10K net of sweet gum Oak logs, we pull it with F150 We hauled the L3130 Kubota on it too. I would get. 7-8 gauge floor, if possible
