What to look for when purchasing used end dump trailer

Heyy guys this is going to my very first time posting on here I thought it’d be helpful.

Im very close to quitting tankers and getting into end dumps it’s something I’ve never done before but a buddy of mine is getting me into it lol i was looking at quad axle end dumps to haul gravel but i dont know anything about them what should i look for when buying a used one should i get aluminum or steel or is one better than the other and we’ll be getting paid by the weight so i dont want something too heavy that wont let me haul as much as everybody else does. Hope i posted it in the right place.

Thanks.

 

Ho boy there is a lot to unpack in this one. Its really going to depend on what your doing. Are you hauling just gravel? What state are you in? If not just gravel what else? Can gravel keep you busy enough? Do you already have a PTO and pinnable 5th wheel? Are you staying local or going out of state? Do you need a sealing tarp or open tarp? Do you want rounded or square frame? Are you doing construction or staying on flat ground? Will you be dumping in bins or in lots?

There are all very important questions as it will wildy effect what you need and what we recomend. As an example if you plan to haul light scrap such as chiterlings and such your going to be fine with a standard rollover mesh tarp on an electric roller. If your going to do medium scrap like chopped up beams, old sinks and so on your going to need a swing gate in addition to barn door. Going to do some grain too? You need a 3 way door and a waterproof manular rollover. Going to do some construction? Your going to want a framed trailer as its far more stable on not perfectly flat or soft ground. Going to do multi state at 80K your goimg to likely want a 2 axle split tandem instead of 4 axle and so on and so forth.

 

There’s one less this week .
At one of the job sites I visit regularly , a driver dumping a load of lime flipped it over .

 

Without know your general area it's impossible to give you any meaningful advice. I would never go buy my own end dump with pulling someone else's for a while. There's a reason why slightly used wetlines are cheap. Lots people try it for a year or two than give it up. I've done it twice and both times leave after a few years shaking my head lol. Other guys l know run back to it after doing other types of work for a couple years. I think it's like pulling a flatbed. Its just something that gets in your blood lol. Good luck with your decision.

 

Material you are hauling, local/road, what states, and their weight laws etc all are different, if he’s going quad I’m assuming there’s permits for weight,