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Gravel Trailer. What to look for?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Disturbed Canuck, Feb 16, 2009.

  1. Feb 16, 2009 #1
    Disturbed Canuck

    Disturbed Canuck Light Load Member

    111
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    Mar 13, 2008
    Saskatoon, SK
    0
    A good friend of mine and I have considered it for a good long while and are on the verge of going in on a truck and trailer together. Now this is not something one would normally consider but we really think we can pull it off without murdering one another after only a few months or some such thing.

    Now we're all over the truck. No problem there but when it comes to finding an end dump trailer that can fit at least 30 tons of aggregate (gravel) and not be a clunky hunk of rust running down the highway...we're not sure where we should look or even if we did know where to look, what we should be looking for. Keeping in mind gravel is only a 5 month deal for owner ops up here, we would want to find other junk to keep us running for most of the rest of the year too. Snow removal maybe? Eh...

    Anyhow, aside from making sure our first trailer hasn't been used for demolition jobs, what should we look for? Should we go after an aluminum or steel trailer? Should it be air ride or springs? For a trailer in the 30 ton neighbourhood, (considering normal aggregate matter loads) what's the typical inside height for a 35' end dump?

    Any insight would be greatly appreciated...unless it's a lecture about not getting in on a truck with some one else. Believe me, it's been considered to death by both of us involved already.

    Cheers
     
    Disturbed Canuck, Feb 16, 2009
    Disturbed Canuck, Feb 16, 2009
    #1
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  3. Feb 17, 2009 #2
    PharmPhail

    PharmPhail Road Train Member

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    Nov 7, 2008
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    Steel is heavier and can carry heavier payloads. They are the type used in demolition, and steel rusts.

    Aluminum is lighter, looks better longer, but 30 tons would be a stretch. 24 or 25 is the norm. They are for everything from waste to food. Frameless is lightest, framed keeps a lower center of gravity.

    I don't think you'll do well with snow without it forming a single ice block or tipping the trailer over.

    A big maker is east, you can get info at their site eastmfg.
     
    PharmPhail, Feb 17, 2009
    PharmPhail, Feb 17, 2009
    #2
    Disturbed Canuck Thanks this.
  4. Feb 17, 2009 #3
    Disturbed Canuck

    Disturbed Canuck Light Load Member

    111
    5
    Mar 13, 2008
    Saskatoon, SK
    0
    I dunno. Snow removal jobs are pretty common around here and guys seem to do ok with em. It's just a matter of getting loaded with chunks of snow that have been plowed into piles and taking them to the snow dump which is never far away.

    That being said, I'm not really very keen on that anyway. Snow removal is kind of a spotty business anyway and owner ops don't get much work until the snow really starts flying.

    Thanks for your reply PharmPhail. It's much appreciated. Steel it is! I kinda figured as much.

    Cheers
     
    Disturbed Canuck, Feb 17, 2009
    Disturbed Canuck, Feb 17, 2009
    #3
  5. Feb 17, 2009 #4
    Les2

    Les2 Road Train Member

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    kicked back in my lazyboy...
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    30 ton in an aluminium dump is nothing! I've seen alot more then that in them.

    Are you going with a frameless or frame type trailer?

    Airride is nice but not needed either will work.

    The big thing to look at is the back of the floor and sides. They will start wearing thin from all the material sliding out, so check that. If it is thin it can be repaired, so if your getting the trailer cheap enough it may still be worth it.
     
    Les2, Feb 17, 2009
    Les2, Feb 17, 2009
    #4
    Disturbed Canuck Thanks this.
  7. Feb 17, 2009 #5
    Disturbed Canuck

    Disturbed Canuck Light Load Member

    111
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    Mar 13, 2008
    Saskatoon, SK
    0
    I heard that springs were more stable. Is that a myth or does it hold some truth?

    We haven't decided on frame vs frameless because we don't know much about that. What are the pros and cons Les2? For hauling gravel, I would expect we would need something fairly strong right?

    Cheers
     
    Disturbed Canuck, Feb 17, 2009
    Disturbed Canuck, Feb 17, 2009
    #5
  8. Feb 17, 2009 #6
    Les2

    Les2 Road Train Member

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    Jul 25, 2008
    kicked back in my lazyboy...
    0
    Springs are alittle more stable. I think all frameless are airride.

    Frameless are lighter than frame types. I've never pulled a frameless but have been told they are pretty stable. I've been told by alot of guys they'd rather dump a frameless than a frametype anyday, and these guys have owned both.

    You'll be limited somewhat with a frameless when it comes to extra axles. You won't be able to go witha 3 9's outfit but I have seen a closed tandem witha 9' lift on one before.
     
    Les2, Feb 17, 2009
    Les2, Feb 17, 2009
    #6
  9. Feb 20, 2009 #7
    Gonzo_

    Gonzo_ Medium Load Member

    307
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    Oct 30, 2008
    Clayton, NC
    0
    An aluminum trailer is lighter but you are limited on what you can haul.. You definately wouldn't want to haul demolition in a alum. trailer.. large stumps, chunk asphault, and big stuff can punch holes in your floor!

    For versalitity I would go steel. That way you can do more jobs. Unless you have the accounts and know what your going to be doing aluminum is going to limit you on what you can haul.. Steel will not limit you.. It;ll allow you to be more versital.

    Air ride vs spring.. Both are good. I prefer air.. BUT you better not "forget" to dump the air bags before putting the body up.(some trucks have a manual switch, some auto deflate..) It can tip you over! I ran a frameless dump.. Just make sure you are level and you'r fine..

    Sorry I don't remember the weight and side height.. It was a while ago... I did have a tri axle configuration on my trailer to haul more weight.. My truck was double framed too.. They take a beating, you're always heavy,, those aluminum wheels look nice but didn't hold up off road. The old 5 & 6 spoke steelwheels are built to take the severe punishment.

    Do a internet search and you'll find a couple of sites that sell trucks and trailers.. I once tried to provide a link to a site but the moderators spanked my hand and told me not to do that...
     
    Gonzo_, Feb 20, 2009
    Gonzo_, Feb 20, 2009
    #7
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