Dump Trailers - Payload to Pay Dirt! It's All Here

Choosing A Dump Trailer

Dump trailers are useful tools in a wide variety of situations. Though their function is simple enough (you fill one up, tow it to another area and dump the contents out), they’re valuable on a wide range of worksites. So, when selecting a dump trailer, you need to keep some things in mind to ensure you get the right vehicle for your operation. These trailers aren’t cheap so it’s worth your while to invest some time in selecting the best one possible. 

At Allan Dale Trailers & RVs, we like to help our patrons make the wisest choices for their needs. With that in mind, we’ve put together this short guide on choosing dump trailers. If you’re looking for dump trailers for sale in Alberta, come to our dealerships in Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton!

The Size

The size and weight of your new dump trailer will depends on the towing capacity of your tow vehicle. If you get a trailer that’s bigger than what your vehicle can handle, both vehicles can get damaged. When checking out sizes, keep in mind what you’ll be transporting. Dump trailers come in sizes from 8’ to 30’ but the most common size is 14’ because it has a decent load capacity and isn’t hard to maneuver. 

The Lift

You’ll find different lifting mechanisms in different dump trailers. Some of the most common ones are:

• Dual piston: This style powers two pistons that push the trailer upwards

• Telescopic hydraulic lift: This method uses one cylinder to lift the trailer

• Scissor lift: This also uses one cylinder but spreads out the footprint so the box and frame aren’t damaged even if the load is uneven.

For lowering the trailer, choose the one that offers gravity down instead of power down, as these are better for your battery life. 

Axles

With a larger axle, your dump trailer can take more weight but will need heavy-duty wheels, more wheel studs and bigger brakes. When you overload your trailer, you risk your torsion axles bending. If that happens, you’ll have to replace the entire axle, which can be a spendy repair. For heavier loads, you might want to look at leaf spring axles, which can be repaired by replacing the individual leaf springs. The latter system also works better on rugged terrain. 

Side Gates and Ramps

Maybe you think side gates are non-essential, but they’re very handy when you’ve got bulky, heavy loads. With only a back gate, you’ll have to push the cargo back after loading and push it in front to unload, which costs both time and effort. If you’re going to haul heavy cargo, we suggest investing in some side ramps to make the process easier. With ramps, you have the option to store those underneath the bed, place them at the side of the box, or have them built right into the tailgate.

We hope you’ll be able to make a more informed decision now. For additional help, visit Allan Dale Trailers & RVs in Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton, AB! Our friendly staff is always ready to help you out! We welcome all the people of Alberta!