Dump Trailer sidewall height

[Brightone]

Hi all, I'm wanting to buy a dump trailer for a tree service company that I am starting. It would be used mostly for hauling out larger chunks, but I was also thinking that in the future (when I get a chipper) I could build up the sidewalls a bit and use it for a chip trailer as well. I currently have access to a larger skid steer that could be used for lifting and dumping the larger pieces into the trailer, however, in the future I would like to get a smaller dingo/mini skid steer for when I'm working in more confined areas.

My question is would a 24" sidewall or a 48" sidewall be better?

The pros I see for a 48" sidewall are: out of the box it has more capacity and it built stronger for the larger logs that will be put into it. Also it is already fairly high height for a chip trailer. I'm worried that a mini-skid/dingo won't be able to read high enough to dump over the sides though.

The pros I see for the 24" sidewall are: I know the mini skid would be able to reach over the sidewalls to dump material, and it is slightly cheaper then a 48" sidewall.

Thoughts?

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Build them as high as you can safely side load

 

[Del_]

I like the two foot sidewalls with height extensions that are removable. 6ft X 12ft. bed.

You can't be dropping large stuff over a four foot sidewall and expect your dump trailer to last.

Plus with two foot sidewalls even my Boxer mini skid can drop over the side.

 

[HavinFun]

Get the 24” sides. Get a minimum of 7’x14’, if you can afford it. Get a BWise with a 15 or 17k lbs rating. Also get the hydraulic Jack if offered , makes a world of difference.
You’ll use the trailer for a ton of stuff, and having wood side extensions you can remove is invaluable for hand loading over the side, etc.
Dump trailers are heavy - 4,200 lbs- so make sure truck is up to task for conventional pull. There have been many times I wished I got the 16’. Good luck.

 

[Bullseye T&L]

2' walls and build removable extension. You may regret 4' walls when you're hand loading, or when your having to drop logs into bed because grapple can't get low enough. I didn't even build extensions for mine. If I'm trying to max out loads, I fill up bed with with brush, flatten it with saw, then logs, then pile more brush really high until it's about to topple. Maybe flatten again with saw if its not laying well. Then final layer of longest, straightest brush. Then I use 4x, 2" ratchet straps over the top and crank it down tight. Works great. On my max loads, I think I am getting close to 10 cy onto my 6x12 dump, and if it lays well, like crape myrtle, I may be getting a tad more sometimes.

Install 4 d-rings down each side like I did here, and that will give you something to hook straps to. Also, remove the short strap from ratchet and flip it over and you can hook onto d-ring and it wont' fall off ring as easily when you're trying to get everything strapped down.

 

[Brightone]

Thanks for all the input. I think I've been convinced to go with the 2 foot sidewalls and building up my own removable sides for when I have more brush to haul.

 

[ClimberBusinessman]

I just use my 16' dump trailer with regular-height sides. They are probably about 18" tall sides. We still stack up the brush a good 7-8' as measured from ground level, just have to tie it down. It'd be nice to get a chipper one of these days. If you do haul brush in a dump trailer, fill it up close to the top of the sides with brush, then add logs, and then add brush on top of the logs, as high as you can stack it, and then tie it down. If you are towing behind a 10k GVWR truck, like a 2500, get a 15,999 GVWR rated dump trailer if you want to max out your under-CDL capacity. Obviously, you'll need to pass a DOT physical and get DOT numbers on the truck (you'd need that even for driving a 2500 empty, as both are required when 10k or over for GVWR and used commercially). Galvanized trailers are worth it in my opinion. Aluminum is too light duty in my opinion unless you are just using it chips or just using it to haul equipment. Powder coated trailers rust way too quickly.