I'll try to keep this long story short. I ran reefer OTR for several years and started hauling hog feed locally 18 months ago. Im seriously considering making the investment into being my own boss. I would like to do something that keeps me semi close to home, though a few nights a week staying in the truck would be ok too. Based on contacts I've made through my current job, I had been considering hopper bottom. However it has been pointed out to me that because of where I live (Rocky Mount, NC) I should consider an end dump.
Basically, I live near the eastern most rock quarry for the north eastern part of the state. The stone used in the 100+ miles between here and the coast comes from this point or west. The thought is to at least have the option of moving stone east and moving grain west. Id lose some capacity on grain with an end dump over a hopper, but because we can run 90k in NC it wouldn't hurt the bottom line too much. An end dump would of course open up more options for things to haul. Im sure I would be in the market for a used trailer, but if I were specing one out, I am curious about some things.
Assuming I would be in the market for a 39ft flat bottom frameless, what specs regarding width and wall height should I be taking in to consideration? Does anyone have an opinion on the East Genesis Hybrid models? They're pretty popular around here. Ive seen them delivering grain to the mill many times.
Is an access door on the front worth having? It seems preferable for accessing the empty trailer rather than my fat ### climbing over the side.
Why are roll tarps far more preferred over slide n go type systems? It seems like something that slides the tarp bows out of the way would be preferable depending on what you're hauling. Are the cable type systems not as waterproof?
On the subject of tarp bows, are the swing in and out systems Ive seen on line worth a ####? If youre hauling scrap or something, it seems like that could get caught up on a piece of the load in which case I'm having to climb on top of the load anyway to get the bows set.
Should I invest in a liner? If so, what do you suggest?
What are some specs for a tractor to pull it I may have over looked?
I would appreciate any advice you guys can give.
I wanna talk end dumps.. maybe hoppers too.
Discussion in 'Tanker, Bulk and Dump Trucking Forum' started by WalterSobchak, Mar 2, 2021.
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An access door in the front is incredibly valuable. It is one of those type things where, for me, you don’t know how great it is until you have it. I did not know how much I would be in my trailer coming into end dumping 3+ years ago. It’s a lot. Bows come out of pockets, loads need shoveled, you name it. Especially in the rain! Trying to shimmy up the side and up and over is for the birds.
I think what you’re referring the slide n go type tarps to are what I have heard called “sand tarps”. This won’t keep the load dry, it’ll just keep it from blowing out. So if you’re primarily hauling rock or sand ya I think it would be great. But you start talking cattle feed, or fertilizer or certain types of other products you don’t want wet, I think this is where you’ll see your trouble with these. My vote is roll tarp.
The swinging bows I’ve seen are again great for rock or sand or clay. Swing em over so the loader bucket doesn't crunch your bows, and then swing em back. You hit the nail on the head tho as far as scrap. I could see them being a nuisance. I haul a lot of scrap and I have metal bows. Before I load I take all of them out except for the first, middle, and last. I put the rest under my bunk, tell the crane operator of what I’ve done and they can usually work around them. Then just tarp and go. Crawling and walking over scrap to put your bows back in can be a danger of other worldly proportions. When dumping be sure to take that back one out tho! Scrap does not slide and flow like rock or sand. It’ll dump and bunch and destroy or get hung up on that back bow. Ask me how I know.
This winter I would have kicked puppies for a liner. A lot of companies I see around where I run (Kansas and the Midwest) have them. They can’t haul heavy metal scrap, but everything else comes out so much easier for them. I guess my company used to have liners but we were having trouble with fertilizer getting under them somehow and eating away the aluminum. But I think this was years ago.
Other than that if you have any more questions fire away. I’m in no means an expert but I might be able to share what limited knowledge I have. Another thing I would suggest on the trailer is a spread axle with a lift front axle. Hauling bulk commodities in a dump it is so so hard to get legal axle weight. In a spread, if you are 80k and the loader didn’t do anything insane, you’re legal. Again just my $.02. @Trashtrucker1707 and @NightWind are the forums other resident end dumpers they can maybe chime in. @abyliks did it for some time as well I’ve chatted a few times with, but he’s liable to try to talk you out of your new venture!
Cat sdp, REO6205, WalterSobchak and 3 others Thank this. -
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Installing one after the fact is gonna be really expensive.......
you need the exercise..... go over the top if you don’t have a door....
Picture from local trailer dealership
WalterSobchak, RockinChair, Speed_Drums and 2 others Thank this. -
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This is just the limited research I did.
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Never pulled a dump with my current truck.... but its pretty much set up for it.
2 ptos.... 1 with cooler and small reservoir for a product pump on a propane type trailer for example. And the other with 65 gal of oil for dump trailer , and a return line just in case......Suspect Zero Thanks this. -
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