Which is better...Dump trailer or dump truck?

[grassgirl4]

I go back and forth [in my mind] between a dump truck and dump trailer!! Which is the better buy (more efficient, practical, etc.)? I realize the dump truck is a bunch more money, but if money were not a factor...

Any thoughts?! Thx!!

[lawnmaniac883]

I vote dump trailer, can be used as an equipment trailer as well for something like a skid steer they might not hold quite as much as a dump truck but trailers act as implements to let your truck diversify itself and make you more money. No point in adding another vehicle to your fleet to increase costs, road tax, tags, etc. Also the added maintenance of a dump truck would basically suck. Dump trailer, use it when you need it and not feel bad about having it sit for awhile.

[yardmanlee]

I think dump truck, a 1 ton makes it alot easier to get in some tight places, than it would be to back a trailer in, plus you could use it for a second crew if needed

[YardPro]

there is another thread that discusses this at length, do a search for it..

[Fred B]

Here Is a pic of one of our set ups.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7ce09b3127ccebec7df9e6fec00000026100AZtWLRo4auGOg

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7ce09b3127ccebec7dfb5eef700000026100AZtWLRo4auGOg

[pj550v12]

Fred, I see you have neither a dump truck, or trailer in that picture but thank you lol.

My general vote goes for the dump trailer, but it depends on what you're starting with. I see you have a dodge 2500, so if you plan on keeping that then the dump trailer is the choice in my opinion.

Take this into consideration with a 1ton dump truck such as an f350 or 3500, after the weight of the dump and its gross vehicle weight, you're only LEGALLY capable of carrying a few thousand pounds 4000 maybe?? Correct me if I'm wrong guys, there are others that probobly know better.

Now lets look a pick-up, I'll use mine since I know the numbers. A 2007 Chevy 2500hd 6.0 Reg cab. My towing capacity is 10300lbs, meaning I can buy a 8000lb capacity dump trailer, and even with the weight of the trailer itself, I'm within legal capacity. My downside is if I'm going to a jobsite loaded with mulch or soil, I dont have a trailer for my equipment, however we also have a landscaping trailer and another truck so thats one solution.

There are other factors such as diesels and their cpacities, and then 450s and 550s.

Think about that, and all the other options, decide which one will do the most, for the least amount of money, and for the longest time, meaning that you will not grow out of quickly.

[Fred B]

That is a dump trailer. Thoose are hydaulic arms at the back of the trailer that lifts a 160 cubic feet of bin. When on the ground the lid opens serving as a ramp between the trailer and the bin. Walker lawn mowers dump their loads in there. At the end of the day we we open the bin doors and the grass dumps out like a gravel truck.

[PerfectEarth]

I have both. An F-550 10ft. Crysteel dump and a 12,000# Bri-Mar. Unfortunately I have to get my CDL (sucks...) before I can hook the two together legally, which I'm doing right now. I like having as much hydraulic dumping capability as possible (I primarily landscape, so lots of mulches, soils, demo stuff, etc)...

It pains me to see guys struggling to double-handle materials in the back of pick-ups. As a small operation, I need to be efficeint.

For a long time I worked out of a pickup/dumptrailer setup. It is great. They are at a good height, plenty of space...and of course the dump ability.

[grassgirl4]

Fred, I see you have neither a dump truck, or trailer in that picture but thank you lol.

LOL...that's what I was thinking, too :) It's always nice to view other people's set-ups, though...gives you ideas you may not have thought of...

As for my situation, I am currently a one-woman show, so I'm trying to think as efficiently and 'compactly' as possible...which is why I am confounded on this matter. The dump trailer is definitely cheaper...which is a consideration for sure!! However, the dump truck is more compact for getting into tight areas, and with it, I can continue to pull my 7X16 enclosed trailer with my mowers and other equipment...which is a big concern of mine. It probably wouldn't be so bad during the season, but spring and fall would be issues, as I would need my mowers and the dump trailer for cleanups. And what about customers who want their leaves picked up weekly during the fall?? I wouldn't be able to do it unless a second truck pulling the dump trailer is added to the mix...and that would mean I would have two trucks pulling two trailers on one route!! ;)

Would it be better to build a box on my pickup and just use that for the time being (despite having to manually empty it every time), or is that not such a hot idea?

[fordsrule]

Why not get an Ez Dumper or something similiar and a dump trailer and then you have the ability to be flexible in what you need. You would be able to unload leaves from the truck easily and then when you have larger jobs use the dump trailer. Just an idea.

[pj550v12]

Another alternative is the Loadhandler for the pick-up which is actually what I think I'm going to be buying soon. It's worth giving it a try from what I've heard

[Mr. Vern]

If I understand your situation correctly, you only need the dump in the spring and fall which means that the truck or the trailer would sit for most of the year. If that is accurate then I would lean towards the trailer for the reduced investment, reduced registration and insurance costs as well as the lower loading height. If you are loading manually you will really appreciate the lower loading heights.

You ask us to consider which is best if money is no object, but it is impossible to make a wise business decision based on that criteria. The sole purpose of a business is to make money, so convenience must be subordinated to return on investment, and I would venture a guess that the trailer would pencil out well above the truck in your application.

[Pristine PM]

We have a Downeaster Dump Insert. It works great in one of our F-350s. We use it all year round for leaves, dirt, mulch, and ice melt. It made more sense for us then a dump truck. $ and ease of use.

[Daniels]

We just picked up a new F350 and are considering a stealth dump...Has anyone tried this seems to be a solid option

[cantoo]

grassgirl, my wife runs our business, I do only a few things. We have several trucks and many many trailers. We use Bobcats midmounts, Walker with GHS, Steiners and a JD front mount. She uses a cube van for most of her work. One Bobcat and the Walker fit in the 16' cube van as well as all hand tools. In the summer for the jobs that require debris removal she takes our Chev 1 ton with dump flat bed and a 16' trailer. In the fall we install a leaf box on the back 4'high by 6'wide and 8' long. 11 hp leaf loader is mounted to the front bumper with tube going over the hood into the box. Pull two rear door hooks off and hit the electric dump, no hose to disconnect or reconnect. The Walker GHS is hauled in a 12' trailer with spring assist gate. She does most of the work herself and I help after dark sometimes to pick up from big jobs. If she's tired she just collects and dumps at the curb and we both pick up after dark. We have several spots to dump to cut driving time down. We can dump without unhooking trailer if needed. Everything is made to make it easier to operate and easy on the body. If it's hard then I have to do it so I try to make it easy for her. Do a search on my user name and you should be able to find some pics of our stuff. We don't have a dump trailer, pain to hook and unhook all the time and never with you when you need it. Get the flatbed dump would be my suggestion.