What do you love or hate about your dump trailer

[evantwheeler]

I'm going to have the shop kids build a dump bed box and make a dump trailer out an old trailer frame we have. Have saved a bunch of photos of things I like from different dump trailers for sale on marketplace. For those of you that own/use dump trailers often, what are things you love and things you hate about trailers you have used over the years?

The box will be 6x10 or 12 (trailer only has 6 lug 5200lb axles)
I plan to do 2' tall sides with stake pockets for removable wood wall extensions for hauling brush or bulkier/taller loads that wont overload the axle.
Already setup for pintle hitch
Frame already has built-in under frame storage for (2) batteries, I assume two will be enough for the limited use the trailer will see.
Waffling between a single cylinder and one of those scissor lift style setups. Single cylinder cheaper and easier to mount - likely the way to go for the use of this trailer but open to hearing pros/cons
Do not plan to put a tarp roll on it.

Input on materials for the floor and walls? Thinking an 1/8" alloy for walls and 1/8" or 3/16" for the floor. I've seen too many cheap dump trailers with dents and punctured sheet metal floors, don't want to skimp out there, but also don't want to add a bunch of unnecessary weight.....

Basic plan is to make it look like this Diamond-c except with slightly taller walls built like the Carson and no for the tarp roll....

Diamond C:

Carson:

 

[wallnutz]

The scissor will handle more weight. I have a single and it will struggle with a lot of weight.

 

[JayBreww]

I love that fact that it’s my in-laws and can use it whenever I want.

 

[evantwheeler]

The scissor will handle more weight. I have a single and it will struggle with a lot of weight.

For sure. I don't plan to haul super heavy based on the axles being 6 lug.....but would be nice to have a bit of safety factor with the hoisting capacity.

 

[evantwheeler]

I love that fact that it’s my in-laws and can use it whenever I want.

The best kind of trailers are other peoples trailers you can use for free, that's a fact! But to be honest, I'd rather just buy a dump trailer than have in-laws personally.....

 

[c_land]

I actually really like my roll tarp...... lol

Mine has an On-Board Charger which is super nice to have.

 

[paradise]

For dents, we have lined the inside with plywood and had it rhino lined. If you want it to stay looking nice it's a good option, but extra weight and you lose an inch of width...

 

[PlanB]

I have a 12' that I just added a roll tarp to. Definitely makes it easier and faster to use. Battery tender is also a must IMO.

 

[NicPaus]

It's cheaper to buy 1 unless you have a lot of free time. I built a few trailers in the past. I bought this at auction for $1800. Ran out of time and tried to find someone to finish it. I inquired at every trailer place and one of my guys friends that works at Carson trailer gave me a price to finish it. It had the scissor hoist and controls. It was a flatbed dump truck with removable sides. Tree fell on cab so they cut the front off. Sold it for $3K and bought another Carson dump used.

 

[hallett21]

Scissor lift for sure. Thicker steel so that it doesn’t dent.


Buying a used one may be easier? New prices are nuts

 

[NicPaus]

I have owned 4 Carson dump trailers. Currently own 2 12' rated at 9995 lbs. One I bought new in 2003 for $4300 plus fees. It's the best thing I have bought for construction. Used it today for base. Currently I need to add new sides to it. The old ones were on it for 15 years. Cut them off and never finished. Last week I bought the new stake pockets and inserts. $635. New hardware, primer, paint and plywood. $550. Going to replicate my 2007 trailer sides. So both can haul a lot of trash instead of 1 for concrete, dirt and base and 1 for trash. Sides are removable and ad 4'.

The 16' pictured I added the sides. Bought that 1 in 2010 from auction for $3200. Had 8k axles and was a beast to tow even with my F450 and was a weight police dream. Sold it for $6500 a few years later. The one to the right of it is the 03 I bought new and the white sides are the ones I scrapped after 15 years of hard use. I had a 7x10 also for a few years. Was not big enough. I also have a 5x8 pj. Plywood fits in it to make it 4' tall. Single axle rated to hold 5200 lbs. One of my guys has been using it last 3 years. I use it when needed for small stuff and it fits in a garage easily. Will hold a whole kitchen or bathroom. The 7x12 will hold 2 bathrooms and a kitchen.

A good mesh tarp is 85$. I will post links

shortly.

 

[hallett21]

I have owned 4 Carson dump trailers. Currently own 2 12' rated at 9995 lbs. One I bought new in 2003 for $4300 plus fees. It's the best thing I have bought for construction. Used it today for base. Currently I need to add new sides to it. The old ones were on it for 15 years. Cut them off and never finished. Last week I bought the new stake pockets and inserts. $635. New hardware, primer, paint and plywood. $550. Going to replicate my 2007 trailer sides. So both can haul a lot of trash instead of 1 for concrete, dirt and base and 1 for trash. Sides are removable and ad 4'.

The 16' pictured I added the sides. Bought that 1 in 2010 from auction for $3200. Had 8k axles and was a beast to tow even with my F450 and was a weight police dream. Sold it for $6500 a few years later. The one to the right of it is the 03 I bought new and the white sides are the ones I scrapped after 15 years of hard use. I had a 7x10 also for a few years. Was not big enough. I also have a 5x8 pj. Plywood fits in it to make it 4' tall. Single axle rated to hold 5200 lbs. One of my guys has been using it last 3 years. I use it when needed for small stuff and it fits in a garage easily. Will hold a whole kitchen or bathroom. The 7x12 will hold 2 bathrooms and a kitchen. View attachment 1361118 View attachment 1361119 View attachment 1361121


A good mesh tarp is 85$. I will post links

shortly.

Agreed. I think I’ve made more money with my dump trailer than any other piece of equipment.

 

[NicPaus]

The best thing is a good battery every 3 years. I pull one from my boat every year and it goes to a dump trailer. 14 ply 16" tires. A spare. A 12'x16' mesh tarp from Amazon. If you plan to haul equipment D rings. But dirt and shit gets caught up on them if not hauling no need. The expansion metal under trailer would be nice. Have it on my custom ordered Carson equipment trailer. But never got around to adding it.

There are a lot if used nice ones popping up lately. I got a friend that spent 17k on a nice PJ. I think he used it 5 times at most in 2 years. Probably getting tired of paying to store it. Dump fees here are to hard to compete anymore with the 909s that line up outside every home depot. I used to haul 4-5 days a week and make $150-300 a load. Load I just dumped was $416 nobody would pay $650-700. Guys at HD will load it and haul for 4-600$.

 

[srttruck]

On board charger with a 120v inlet plug. 12v solar panel for charging. And don't let your friends know you have one.

 

[Fabhouse]

Best thing I have bought for the shop. 7x14x4 with scissor, new 2 years ago was 13ish. 5200 axles and 3/16 floor. Used daily and saved me 3-600/month over paying for a roll off. The roll tarp is a necessity, all dump loads need to be covered and the convenience is well worth the money. The small solar panel to keep the battery up is key as well. Have a spare, jack and tools. You will get a flat at the dump.

 

[NicPaus]

Here is a nice 1.

 

[Kylemenz1]

Love mine. You can rent it for $100 a day

 

[endobear]

Subscribed.
I'm about to do a bunch of work on the property. Deck. Landscaping. New detached garage. Going to do most of it myself. I'm looking at buying a dump trailer also. Need something I can haul a skid steer or track hoe in. I've got a line of contractors that would rent it for dumpster use when im not using it.

 

[Kylemenz1]

Subscribed.
I'm about to do a bunch of work on the property. Deck. Landscaping. New detached garage. Going to do most of it myself. I'm looking at buying a dump trailer also. Need something I can haul a skid steer or track hoe in. I've got a line of contractors that would rent it for dumpster use when im not using it.

That’s what I’ve done with mine. I’ve recouped a few thousand dollars renting it out when I’m not using it.

 

[evantwheeler]

So i dont need a dump trailer, but i want one. Tried to buy a members recently for $4k or something close and it had sold shortly before making contact.

This is the trailer base that i will build a box/bed for. This trailer was already owned by the company but not being used for its original purpose. I’ll chop 2.5’ off the rear frame and mount the hinge close to the rear wheel, maybe 2.5’ aft the rear wheel. Box will overhang rear wheel 4’ or so. Existing frame is 6” channel. Scissor lift kit with 12v pump is $1800.

Regarding the tarp, ive spent probably $4k in dump costs over the past 2 years and never tarped a load. If its really light brush, i put a loose 14’ chainlink fence gate panel over it and strap it down. But never once have they denied entrance due to not covering the load.

Yes, it will cost some money, but i have 3 shop apprentices making $20/hr and this is a good let them free and see how fucking dumb or useful they are project. Plop materials in the shop and a napkin sketch and tell them to make it work.

 

[evantwheeler]

. The expansion metal under trailer would be nice.

plan to do this up front under the main frame under the front half of the dump box.

 

[evantwheeler]

Love mine. You can rent it for $100 a day

Nice unit!

 

[evantwheeler]

I will add, this is not a money generating adventure. This is for “team” use for little bullshit projects and dump runs. If we needed or could use a dump trailer for the business to actually generate revenue, we would buy a brand new one.

 

[NicPaus]

plan to do this up front under the main frame under the front half of the dump box.

I wouldn't bother cutting the existing off to add it. Ad a box on top if needed. Unless you have chains and binders to go under.

The dump could care less about the tarp. It's the weight police and chp.

I would search for a take off dump body like my first post. Combine the 2.

 

[Kylemenz1]

I wouldn't bother cutting the existing off to add it. Ad a box on top if needed. Unless you have chains and binders to go under.

The dump could care less about the tarp. It's the weight police and chp.

I would search for a take off dump body like my first post. Combine the 2.

My dump has made me put the tarp on while inline before they let me through. So dumb.

 

[NicPaus]

My dump has made me put the tarp on while inline before they let me through. So dumb.

Usually they want it off before you get in line so they can see what's in the load on the camera where I dump. They also want a hard hat and vest on. But I go between 8-10 pm Usually and they all know me.

 

[Mandelon]

If you will be dumping heavy loads be sure to check pricing at the landfill you will be using. The City dump by me charges by weight, but the next town over in Santee charges a flat fee for 10 foot or less trailer. A heavy load is $450 at Miramar but only $150 at Sycamore Canyon. Heavy load and I make the drive over the hill. For simple trash I don't bother.

I have a 5x10 with 3 foot sides. Taller sides can be added in the slots. I rent a Dingo sometimes to scoop up dirt and rubble and it couldn't load over taller sides.

It has a single cylinder ram and it dumps full of dirt or rubble with no issues. I slap on a clamp on charger once a month or two. I took off the safety stand because it rattled so bad.

The mesh tarps at harbor Freight are so much better than solid tarps. They don't flap in the wind. Harbor Freight has inexpensive ramps too.

Do something to protect the tail lights. We bust em a few times a year.

A cargo box for straps and rope would be handy. They seem to disappear.

 

[Mandelon]

I had a load that consisted of trash in trash bags. No loose debris. The dickface at the dump said my load needed to be covered. I explained that each load was covered individually. Nothing was going to blow out. He made me buy a $7 tarp to get from the booth to the tipping site. A-hole.

 

[DLC]

one of the problems w/ dump trailers is they shit out the load….

meaning you have to drive forward to release the load

if you make the trailer to high off the ground then it’s a Bitch to run a wheelbarrow up into it….

for general interior demo - drywall, studs, insulation etc a Bute trash can on wheels works really well


scissor style is the best, if you plan to do heavy loads add a couple stub outs for a bottle jack - getting it going is the hard part

tool box for straps, hard hat, vest & battery is a must have.

oh battery disconnect is key - so no parasitic drain

 

[Your ad here]

We had one at the family business and I was glad when it got sold. Be prepared to have the doors get ripped off the first time it goes to the landfill...

 

[PlanB]

We had one at the family business and I was glad when it got sold. Be prepared to have the doors get ripped off the first time it goes to the landfill...

Mine has chains to secure them in the open position while dumping.

 

[wallnutz]

For dents, we have lined the inside with plywood and had it rhino lined. If you want it to stay looking nice it's a good option, but extra weight and you lose an inch of width...

Depending on what I put in there, I will line mine with cardboard. It lets almost anything slide right out and it actually protects it from dents a scratches pretty good.

 

[Flyingsquirrel]

I bought a BigTex about 13yrs ago, originally was going to get the 9999lb rated, but they had this 12LX w/ heavier axles for only $700 more. I am so glad I got the bigger one, I have used it for all kinds of stuff & no issues. For me the tie rail, heavy axles/tires, retractable ramps, scissor dump have been key items to have. I added the wood sides, but never take them off, added a spare tire (most new one's have them now), I wouldn't mind the roll up tarp as the dump requires loads to be covered.
No regrets on buying this one new as I have definitely gotten my money's worth!

 

[evantwheeler]

, if you plan to do heavy loads add a couple stub outs for a bottle jack

This is the kind of wisdom i was hoping for, good call on this Doug!

 

[NicPaus]

When I got the first dump trailer I was digging a basement a half mile from Chandler landfill. It was a flat fee $40 to dump. I will never forget the scale master yelling at me. You got 10 tons in that trailer. I replied I am testing out how much it can dump. I brought a shovel just in case. It has never not dumped a load unless the battery was low or dead.

One of those loads as I did so many I recall. Going down into the pit. The water truck had just made a pass. And my trailer brake fuse blew. It pushed my dually with all 6 wheels locked up all the way down in and almost off the edge. Scared the shit out of me. Back then when it was straight down and deep. Many times I got stuck at the bottom if the water truck had passed and the loader would have to push me up and out.

I destroyed both the 5200 lb axles the first few years and replaced them with the 7k axles each time. Now with the weight police I rarely roll heavy. Every now and then I will load 5 tons in it and hit the dump at 9pm. But after a few thousand loads I can guesstimate the weight pretty good.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

I have a 12x72 PJ and love it. Features that I like are the on board charger, locking front tool box, rollup cover and removable coupler. Removable coupler is great for when I have to leave it at a customers house in questionable areas. One thing I wish it had was a power jack.

Always keep a spare on rim and jack handy because it isn't about if, but when you will pick up a nail at the dump. I started using transfer stations for our loads as I don't seem to PU nails there. A little more expensive but worth it IMO. In Riverside County they will charge you $35 for an uncovered load, at least that's what they say.....not sure how much it is enforced.

This thing makes me about $600 - $1000 / month right now. Current trajectory has us breaking even on the purchase in a little over a year and that's not including the write off.

 

[evantwheeler]

I have a 12x72 PJ and love it. Features that I like are the on board charger, locking front tool box, rollup cover and removable coupler. Removable coupler is great for when I have to leave it at a customers house in questionable areas. One thing I wish it had was a power jack.

Always keep a spare on rim and jack handy because it isn't about if, but when you will pick up a nail at the dump. I started using transfer stations for our loads as I don't seem to PU nails there. A little more expensive but worth it IMO. In Riverside County they will charge you $35 for an uncovered load, at least that's what they say.....not sure how much it is enforced.

This thing makes me about $600 - $1000 / month right now. Current trajectory has us breaking even on the purchase in a little over a year and that's not including the write off.

View attachment 1361359

That's a nice one. That is pretty much what I want this one to look like when I'm done. Power jack makes sense - there is a battery there already. I think HF sells a reasonably priced power tongue jack.

When you say you're making money off the trailer, is that as a rental to others? Or are you calculating some kind of revenue generation as part of your business?

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

That's a nice one. That is pretty much what I want this one to look like when I'm done. Power jack makes sense - there is a battery there already. I think HF sells a reasonably priced power tongue jack.

When you say you're making money off the trailer, is that as a rental to others? Or are you calculating some kind of revenue generation as part of your business?

We include a debris hauling line item on all of our invoices. Usually something between $95 - $300 +, depending on the size of the job. With smaller jobs we can sometimes fit 5-6 jobs into one load. Dump fees at CR&R in Perris are $65-$85. I also will haul junk for friends and charge for that, as well as purchasing junk hauling leads from Angi/HomeAdvisor if we are slow.

 

[Berdes]

See this one on a lot of sites ----------------

 

[Deckin Around]

***** this 12’ dump trailer was stolen in LA two years ago by the way if you ever see it, shoot me a message

4 door rear is my favorite suggestion but all mine have at least 4 foot high sides and my crews mostly load by hand. This is how I have my dump trailers built now. It sucks having to leave the back doors open to load stuff and the trailer is spilling out as the trailer gets full or you can’t get it past 80% full without dumping cans over the 4’ sides. this way, we can still shut the lower two doors and load. I also have one that has a fold down passenger side when it needs to be loaded from the sidewalk, not the rear.

 

[NicPaus]

We include a debris hauling line item on all of our invoices. Usually something between $95 - $300 +, depending on the size of the job. With smaller jobs we can sometimes fit 5-6 jobs into one load. Dump fees at CR&R in Perris are $65-$85. I also will haul junk for friends and charge for that, as well as purchasing junk hauling leads from Angi/HomeAdvisor if we are slow.

$65-85 for the whole load or per ton?

Local dump is $150 a ton. If you have a permitted job you have to dump there and save receipts. In Torrance it's a 10k fine if you don't have the dump receipts.

Concrete is $50 a ton.
Clean Dirt is $60 a ton
Mixed inert is $70

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

$65-85 for the whole load or per ton?

Local dump is $150 a ton. If you have a permitted job you have to dump there and save receipts. In Torrance it's a 10k fine if you don't have the dump receipts.

Concrete is $50 a ton.
Clean Dirt is $60 a ton
Mixed inert is $70

Min fee (under 800 LBS) - $65
$85 per ton

 

[FCT]

I have owned 4 Carson dump trailers. Currently own 2 12' rated at 9995 lbs. One I bought new in 2003 for $4300 plus fees. It's the best thing I have bought for construction. Used it today for base. Currently I need to add new sides to it. The old ones were on it for 15 years. Cut them off and never finished. Last week I bought the new stake pockets and inserts. $635. New hardware, primer, paint and plywood. $550. Going to replicate my 2007 trailer sides. So both can haul a lot of trash instead of 1 for concrete, dirt and base and 1 for trash. Sides are removable and ad 4'.

The 16' pictured I added the sides. Bought that 1 in 2010 from auction for $3200. Had 8k axles and was a beast to tow even with my F450 and was a weight police dream. Sold it for $6500 a few years later. The one to the right of it is the 03 I bought new and the white sides are the ones I scrapped after 15 years of hard use. I had a 7x10 also for a few years. Was not big enough. I also have a 5x8 pj. Plywood fits in it to make it 4' tall. Single axle rated to hold 5200 lbs. One of my guys has been using it last 3 years. I use it when needed for small stuff and it fits in a garage easily. Will hold a whole kitchen or bathroom. The 7x12 will hold 2 bathrooms and a kitchen. View attachment 1361118 View attachment 1361119 View attachment 1361121


A good mesh tarp is 85$. I will post links

shortly.

Carson in norco or Beaumont?

 

[NicPaus]

Carson in norco or Beaumont?

Compton. The manufacturing facility and sales yard. There original location. The others are sales yards. Last I was there Kevin, Ron and the original yard guard were still there. Same price as other locations. Other locations will actually discount a unit if it has sat for 6 months or more. There they won't discount at all. Only time they discount is at the Sand Show.

 

[HB2Havasu]

Man when I opened this thread I was expecting a lot more out of you guys.
This is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of great dumps, lol.

 

[evantwheeler]

Man when I opened this thread I was expecting a lot more out of you guys.
This is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of great dumps, lol.
View attachment 1361410

There is probably a lot to love and also hate about that one, but for sure I cannot afford something like that....

 

[Mandelon]

One thing I found out is the the nuts that hold the spare tire on are not the same size as the lug nuts. Make sure you carry the right sized sockets to get off your nuts! LOL

 

[evantwheeler]

***** this 12’ dump trailer was stolen in LA two years ago by the way if you ever see it, shoot me a message

4 door rear is my favorite suggestion but all mine have at least 4 foot high sides and my crews mostly load by hand. This is how I have my dump trailers built now. It sucks having to leave the back doors open to load stuff and the trailer is spilling out as the trailer gets full or you can’t get it past 80% full without dumping cans over the 4’ sides. this way, we can still shut the lower two doors and load. I also have one that has a fold down passenger side when it needs to be loaded from the sidewalk, not the rear.

View attachment 1361385 View attachment 1361386

The 4 door rear is something that I haven't seen before. The trailer I build will just have two lower doors, the same height as the side walls, and they won't be 4' high. If I load it, it will be loaded with a tractor. If someone else uses it and has to load it by hand, its their problem. I personally don't see the need to have so much structure up high. Anything that can put that much force on the side wall 4' up, is likely going to grossly overload the trailer. Why not 2' steel with 2' extensions? I guess when you use it day in and day out with a bunch of laborers that don't give a shit, things get jacked up and its pretty hard to break steel by hand.....

 

[28skater]

$65-85 for the whole load or per ton?

Local dump is $150 a ton. If you have a permitted job you have to dump there and save receipts. In Torrance it's a 10k fine if you don't have the dump receipts.

Concrete is $50 a ton.
Clean Dirt is $60 a ton
Mixed inert is $70

City of Torrance is also adding recycling fees fines and paperwork to what used to be a 50 buck reroof permit?

 

[NicPaus]

City of Torrance is also adding recycling fees fines and paperwork to what used to be a 50 buck reroof permit?

Definitely not $50 for a re roof permit. These days.

CWS is no longer allowing dumping of shingles. From what they told me a few weeks ago when I dumped a load. Heard you have to haul them to Gardena dump.

On all the jobs I have pulled permits on in Torrance. You have to sign a paper that states you will dump at a 100% recycle facility with CWS being the local one. They want a report for final from CWS to show you dumped there or copy of the receipts.

LA county inspector told me the same.