to all end dump haulers...

Some times dirt AKA topsoil will stick if there has been anything oily in the trailer before you load it. Another reason for kitty litter, pour it on the floor then sweep it out if you can't wash out. Also an ultra light leaf blower can be your best friend some times.

 

I am an expert at end dumping. I know exactly what not to do. Not that I ever did anything to learn that. I just saw others do it. That is my story and I am sticking to it.
Always dump on level surface. Once that trailer is in the air and that truck moves it needs to be smooth. If anything is stuck up top , like frozen rocks, mud etc.. it will flip your trailer easy.
Of course flat is not always an option. So if you are dumping something like fill dirt or rock on a road under construction or in a field then you need to set your trailer brake, preferably with trolly valve, then raise up and let the truck move back to the trailer. Then when you start getting a pile behind you and cant dump more let up on brake and pull forward a bit . This is not much of a problem with rock or sand on flat surface as it will push you forward.

Always watch your trailer. If it starts leaning you need to to stop dumping and correct it. Sometimes just dropping fast is only way to keep from flipping it. Also make sure them tires are aired up properly. They have a lot of weight on them when that trailer goes up.

Never dump on a surface that is slanted if it can be avoided. If it is a slope you need to be up or down on it. Again not always possible , like asphalt on a curved onramp. The more that truck is leaning to one side the more dangerous.

Watch what is above your head. Power lines, roofs, trees ... not dropping your trailer before you drive away is very common. Everyone is in a big hurry on the job site and forgetting that is easy to do. But if you take out a power line you will remember that.

You will likely be picked on by every local cop around that has the authority to bother you. End dumps are notorious for being ran over weight. Here in kansas short trailers became very popular due to weight laws. 85,500 on a 28' trailer is the thing. Even with a spread axle all axles are way over. Cops know you most likely are over so they like to pull you over.

Watch your PTO especially when inside a building. If it is located on the floor sometimes you can bump it on. Then when you stop it starts going up. Seen it happen more than once.

If you can find salt to haul, it pays real well. Made 1800 a week as company driver doing one load a day from kansas to Oklahoma. Just deadheaded back home.

 

What’s goin on up in here? @Trashtrucker1707 how excited we’re you Tampa won the Stanley Cup?! Lol I know I’ve ribbed you before about hockey and it’s not your thing, but it’s mine. I was pumped they won. @NightWind my trailer problems are solved. At least for me. The shop took it and hooked it up to our yard truck, just to make sure it wasn’t something comin off my truck. Loaded it with railroad ballast and shot it in the air. Got about 3rd stage and the guy bailed on it. Said it was too spooky and didn’t know how I’d been dumping it like that. So they sent it to Jim Hawk and assigned me a new trailer. Running sand to Iowa this week to a HUGE high school in Waukee IA. Tomorrow doin ballast and clay. Weather holding out and everyone’s really busy. @tndriver you still doin rounds to Troy?

 

I’m on a bit of a vacation this week so nothing exciting to report, sadly to say I didn’t even know who won the Stanley cup, I knew tampa was in it, that’s about the extent. Here’s one of the big reds I caught today, I’m not much of a fisherman, even I surprised myself today.

 

Hi, just thought I would chime in.
I spent 3 years hauling dirt in wichita. Has a lot of clay in it. Even the low volume sticks badly. Lots of shoveling. Trailer with the bed liner in it was good for dirt. Slid right out but limits what other things you can haul.
I hauled scrap from railroad wreck one time. It paid well.
Road salt in winter paid real good. 1K a week and home every day. When going to Ok , 1 load a day 1800 a week.

 

How is that Mack ? Any problems

dumping your suspension on the truck is very bad for the drive line. Puts it in a bind. Ride height is off. Should only do it when you have to, like sometimes if I got stuck I would drop them as it put a bit more force on the drives.
Other than that I never dropped my drive or trailer bags. Of course there is that chance of blowing a bag.

 

The Mack’s aren’t what they used to be, I hate to be negative, because at the end of the day I’m grateful to have a new truck to drive every 2 years, but the quality has slipped. The cab has a ton of annoying rattles, the alignment is a never ending issue, and for less than 2 years old it has its fair share of mechanical gremlins.

 

Who do you guys run for or ya all under own authority?

 

I live in south east Minnesota just curious if you guys know any companies to lease on that run my area? Or do you think me running on my own is possible where I live? I’m originally from Iowa and used to run for Woody

 

Ben Shinn out of Eddyville, IA I think takes owner ops. As does Bones from Ottawa, KS. I don’t know much about Ben Shinn, but I know Bones has a good reputation.

Bones Transportation Inc. - Midwest Trucking - Serving 48 States