It has come a time where I'm finally tired of raking out and dragging the brush out of my current trailer, which I use for lawn care. All last fall, I was going back and forth with myself if I should get one this spring or not, and I have brought it back up with myself. So now I have a few questions about dump trailers and the like. I currently have a 2004 Chevy Silverado 1500 Crew cab, the GVWR is around 7000 lbs. This trailer wouldn't be getting used all the time and only 2-3 times a week in the summer, and it wouldn't be going on long trips or anything like that, only 2 hour round trips tops. What would the long term effect on the truck be, such as transmission wear, engine wear, etc? I know that since it's a 1500, it's a little light duty for this. I also would only be hauling grass clippings, leaves, brush, and the occasional scrap or small bit of gravel needed for driveway patches. So, not towing a full load of river rock or anything, I'm mainly just wanting it for the dump and the extra volume. My current trailer is 6x8 and homemade; it has worked great for the last 3 years, but I'm starting to get more and more jobs every year. So here's the questions now.

What would be the long term effect on my truck be, such as transmission wear, engine wear, etc?

What would be the best size to go with? 5x10, 6x12, or 7x12? I would ideally like to size up a little bit.

How much should the dump trailer weigh, half of my GVWR or less?

Should I go with a residential build or commercial?

If there are any other tips or anything about dump trailers or what you would do, I would greatly appreciate it. I don't have many people to ask about these, and I figured you guys would be the people to ask. Thanks in advance!

TheYouthTrapper

It have a 7 x14 14000 that I can tow without a dot permit
Currently doing it on a half ton
It is all about weight distribution…..
I use it to move a kx 40..””.
Go big or go home…….

I would want it big enough to load a small excavator in, never know when you might want to rent equipment for a job. Dump trailer with a ho and you’re making more money. I run a f350 so don’t know about a 1500

wws

We tow 3-4000# boats and up with half tons, Your thinking too hard...it's a truck, and trailer, do with them as you will.

Whatever you decide, make sure to get trailer brakes

1/2 ton anything will have inadequate brakes for stopping much of a load

What is your truck rated to tow?
Figure out about what the heaviest thing you plan on hauling is, then subtract that from the rating and what is left is how much your trailer can weigh

Go with commercial and 12' or more if you plan on reselling/upsizing at some point

get the 7x14, 14,000 trailer low haul version

Stay within your tow capacity. Depending on your engine/tranny, your at 7600 to 9100lbs rated for your 2004 1500

Based on this 10K 6x10 trailer, weight is 2700# so you you would have a decent amount of payload room to work with. Just don't max it out and stay within your rating

https://www.trailersplus.com/Wiscon...braid=0AAAAAD8sQfG4Eat6fAIbWnn8zE-T8MwTv

Regardless of what size you get, everyone's going to want to borrow it.

Dump trailers do not tow well, they're extremely tounge heavy. I would probably consider air bags for the truck and make sure the brakes are in good working order with a good brake controller.

Engine will be fine, just change the oil every 3k and take it easy.

Trans will be okay, the wear on the Trans should be cooked into your profit margins, again just take it easy.

The 12-18 foot tandem trailers all weigh about the same, ide just get a 14' since they're the most popular and can fit a skidloader and attachment without issue.

I've pulled a dump trailer almost every work day since 2013, if you have anymore questions just ask.

If you go bigger you won't need to upgrade later. You don't have to fill them up all the way BUT you will. your truck will handle it o you said chevy maybe not(;. Eventually you will likely end up with a larger truck .

You could alway sell the a smaller trailer later or now and then it's nice to have a small trailer so maybe keep it.

I'm a sucker for buying tools. My cousin has a 7x14 dump with pockets to add board for more height and that trailer is some of the best money he ever spent. But it is heavy and I wouldn't want to load it and pull it with a half ton much.

If it was me and not doing full time daily hauling I’d go with a 18 foot car trailer with side rails they are very universal for multiple uses.

That would be great except it will still leave hin manually unloading it and that's why he wants a dump trailer.

Will usage ever justify the cost of a dump trailer is my thought he’s young. LOL

A 1500 is too light to run a 12+ dump trailer. I ran one for a few years and then went to 250/350 for the bigger trailer.

That's is always a thought I make with every purchase. Another was to look at this case is because he is young he will be able to use it for decades.

I do plan on getting trailer brakes for sure, I learned that after watching a few youtube videos.

I do have an extra leaf spring in the back but I have been considering getting air bags as well. I did notice that after looking at them all is that they pretty much weigh all the same besides a few hundred pounds.

I will more than likely end up with a bigger truck like you said, just right now it's not in the budget. I know someone with a 7x14, so I might ask him if I can hook up to it and see how it handles.

That was my thing with it as well is that I have a long time to be able to use it if I take good care of it and maintain it. So, in my mind, it will pay for itself over its lifetime. I j just know that I don't want to manually unload a trailer anymore, it takes too much time and beats a guy up more than he would like.

My cousin bought his back when it was around 6k now it's over 10 maybe 12k. Been using it for at least 15 years. Even rented it out a few time to friends basically dropping it off and they riped off the old roof and put it in the trailer and he drove it to the dump or they took it off. I think one he took it not trusting that individual to pull his trailer and the other the guy was a farmer and had no issues with trailers just didn't have a dump truck or trailer.

They are great and in a lot of ways better than a dump truck. here are a few

Only have to put license plates on then vs insurance on a dump truck and plates.
don't have to lift heavy things as high. I'm my case logs. the floor of a dump trailer Is a lot lowered tha a dump truck.
If you had a dump truck you don't use it all the time and if it sets it may have to be worked on before using it. But your more likely to know if your every day driver is having an issue.