What is an End Dump Trailer?
When you hear the words “end dump”, your brain probably ends up conjuring up images of your good ol’ average dump truck. End dumps are waste transport and disposal vehicles with an open-top box. These boxes are mechanically raised into the air, and their contents are unloaded out the back by lifting the front-most part upward while the rear portion remains close to the bottom. It is important to note that end dumps are rarely used to transport liquids because it is difficult to close the back gate without spillage.
Aluminum End Dump Trailer Pros and Cons
Let’s break down the pros and cons using aluminum end dump trailers.
Pros:
- They’re lighter, making them great for long-distance hauling.
- They’re resistant to rust, ensuring that they’ll not only last longer, but look sleek too.
- They’re also relatively cost-effective. They can be pricey up front, but these trailers tend to last long when compared to other trailers.
Cons:
- As mentioned before, they can be costly up front, but they should end up paying off.
- They require special treatments to renew their appearances after a while, which can be a difficult task.
Steel End Dump Trailer Pros and Cons
Now let’s go over the pros and cons of using steel end dump trailers.
Pros:
- As mentioned before, these trailers are strong, and can handle the toughest of jobs.
- With their strength comes durability, these trailers are very resistant to damage.
- They tend to be cheaper up front than other kinds of trailers.
Cons:
- They’re extra strength makes them heavier, making them less suited to long distance hauling.
- They can get rusty if not cared for correctly.
Aluminum vs. Steel
Aluminum and steel are two of the most widely used components in modern appliances. They are used in home and kitchen appliances, electronics, personal devices, and most importantly, why you clicked on this article: end dump trailers. Steel and aluminum both have their own set of benefits; benefits that depend on your taste and needs. If you’re not sure which way to go, ask yourself two questions: What am I going to do with my trailer?” and “What am I towing it with?”. If you’re going to use it as a daily work trailer and expectit to take a pounding, steel is the way to go. Steel is more robust and heavier than aluminum, as are steel welds. Aluminum is a good option whether you’re hauling a trailer over long distances or with a small tow vehicle for it is 30%lighter than steel—making it great for less aggressive ventures.
End Dump Trailers Come in a Variety of Shapes and Sizes
There are several variants, ranging from frames to gates and allin between. Channel, I-beam, and tubular are the three most common frame types for dump trailers. Each has advantages and disadvantages, but in the end, it comes down to cost and power.
Channel frame:
This is the cheapest and weakest frame type, but it’s common in smaller dump trailers. A rectangular frame with one side missing is known as a channel frame. The supports may now slip inside the frame and be bolted together.
I-beam frame:
Also referred to as a “middle-ground” frame, I-beam frames are used on longer trailers. It’s a frame with a mid-price and mid-strength. Two, often three, I-beams are used in these frames.
Tubular frame:
The most durable, but also the most costly, frame type. In terms of shape, tubular frames are almost identical to channel frames, with the exception that they are fully closed. Frequently found in small to medium-sized dump trucks.
Popular end dump manufacturers and brands include names such as Travis Body & Trailer, Inc, Ranco by Western, Midland, and Mac–each the best depending on your personal style, taste, and needs of your project.
What You Can Haul with an End Dump Trailer
Hauling and unloading an end dump trailer involves raising the dump box into the air and dumping it from the back. End dump trailers can hold more weight than a normal dump truck and unload more quickly. They can also transport tough items, such as massive demolition rubble, with ease. They are typically built with a heavy-sided architecture that allows them to withstand certain harsh and abrasive materials. In comparison to their counterpart, the “side dump”, end dump trailers have these higher sides and, as a result, can hold more cubic yardage but not inherently more weight. To optimize payload, newer end dumps are frequently made of aluminum; however, some, on the other hand, are made of AR400 abrasion-resistant material, which is commonly used in “side” dumps. The materials typically carried by end dumps, such as sand, gravel, crushed stone, and asphalt, are relatively gentle on walls,floors, and other surfaces due to the strong built described.
The following items are better to haul in end dump trailers:
- River rock
- Crushed concrete & limestone
- Sand
- Millings
- Demolition
- Road/building construction
Types of Jobs That Typically Call for End Dump Trailers
End dump trailers are suited for a wide variety of jobs. The most common jobs that you’ll find an end dump trailer used in are:
Building Foundations
End dump trailers can be very helpful for building foundations. Since they can easily transport and unload large amounts of materials, they can get everything you need where you need it. They can also handle moving many different types of materials, allowing them to be used in many different kinds of tasks.
Road Foundations
Certain kinds of end dump trailers are great for laying down road foundations. As mentioned above, they’re ability to transport large amounts of materials, like gravel and asphalt, makes getting your materials together very easy. Bottom dump trailers specifically can drop these materials in a precise line, making them very helpful for laying road foundations efficiently
Solar and Wind Farms
Building solar and wind farms can be tricky jobs, and end dump trailers can make them just a little easier. They’re versatility and ability to work in tight spaces makes them great for working in environments like the ones you would find when building a solar and wind farm. They often need access roads built to access them as well, which, as mentioned above, end dump trailers can easily help with.
Stadium Construction
Just like with every other job, building a stadium requires a ton of materials. As mentioned before, end dump trailers are exceptionally good at moving large amounts of materials. This makes them helpful at the beginning stages of building a stadium as they can help lay down foundations, and generally bring over all of the materials that are going to eventually be used.
Comparison with Other Dump Trailer Types
Though end dump trailers can handle a wide range of jobs, it’s important to see how they stack up against other types of dump trailers. Here’s a breakdown of some other commonly used trailers.
Side Dumps
Side dump trailers are meant for heavy-duty tasks and unload from one or both sides. These trailers are known for being stable and for their convenient unloading process. Using hydraulics to tilt, and being able to dump from the sides, makes them helpful for moving and dumping a variety of heavy materials.
Bottom Dumps
Bottom dump trailers have a clamshell-style gate on the bottom of them that allows them to drop their materials in a long line, or windrow. This makes them extra convenient for laying out things like gravel, or asphalt over roads. They can also be used for transporting heavy and loose materials if needed.
Dump Trucks
Dump truck trailers have open box beds that can be lifted up to dump out their materials. These trucks are very helpful for moving large amounts of materials and can also be used in a variety of jobs. You can find dump trucks in many different sizes to accommodate different jobs.
Conclusion
Whether for unloading onto a worksite or any personal dump-ventures, end dumps are perfect tools for projects with a lot of content that needs to be moved. They have a quick load/unload time, making them cost-effective for moving massive amounts of building material.
FAQ’s
How many tons can an end dump trailer hold?
An end dumps carry weight depends heavily on the specific road regulations, the power unit weight, and the composition of the trailer. A steel trailer, typically referred to as a Round Bottom, will be heavier and will have a payload of approximately 21 to 23 tons. By contrast, an aluminum end dump is much lighter and can carry anywhere from 23-28 tons, with some set-ups being able to approach 30-ton payloads.
How do you load an end dump?
End dumps are typically loaded by heavy machinery, such as a front-end loader or excavator, or by a series of conveyor belts. End dumps are top load trailers. An owner-operator with an end dump trailer will uncover the trailer via an electric tarp switch in the cab. With the trailer uncovered, the heavy machinery is free to load from the top of the trailer, being careful to evenly distribute the material. Once loaded, the owner-operator flips the tarp switch, covers the load, and continues their run.
How do you lift a dump trailer?
There are several different types of hydraulic lifts that are usually part of dump trailers. These include telescopic, dual-piston, and scissor lifts, among others. Most dump trailers use hydraulics to automatically lift the dump box and unload the materials in a quick, seamless action.
Is buying a dump trailer a good investment?
An end dump is an excellent investment for owner operators or construction companies that transport bulk aggregate on a frequent basis. Depending on your needs, a steel or aluminum end dump will ensure that you are able to reliable keep your customers jobsites and stockpiles full.
Depending on market timing, a typical aluminum end dump will range between $15,000 to $70,000+, with steel round bottoms priced around $10,000-$50,000+. These trailers are also offered for rent or lease, with trailers available for around $850-$2,000 per month. When renting or leasing, it is typical for all repairs to be the responsibility of the renting owner operator.
