The Difference Between Basic Grade and Heavy-Duty Grade Dump Trailers

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If you own a landscape or construction company, a quality dump trailer can be an extremely versatile and valuable tool for you. Namely, this machinery allows for a more efficient and easier process when it comes to hauling mulch, dirt, sand, or large quantities of materials to and from street buildings, construction sites, mining, and food transport.

At first glance, most non-specialists believe all dump trailers look and function the same. After all, you only fill them up and dump them out, and the job is complete. So, there isn’t really anything else one needs to know, right? Well, not entirely.

The truth is that there’s a lot more to dump trailers than you may even think. For example, there’s a considerable difference between a heavy-duty grade dump trailer and a basic grade or lightweight dump trailer. Therefore, you need to be careful and consider a series of factors when shopping for utility trailers.

This article aims to thoroughly break down the key differences between the basic grade and heavy-duty grade dump trailers.

Key Factors that Distinguish Basic Grade and Heavy-Duty Grade Dump Trailers 

When doing your research and examining available trailer options on the market, you’ll notice the key differences as well as several features that make one dump trailer superior or premium to another.

Here are two major, apparent differences between these two basic types of trailers:

Difference #1: Size.

The basic grade or lightweight dump trailer is usually suitable for small families because of its smaller size. In addition, this type of dump trailer can easily be towed by a reasonably large pickup or small sports utility vehicle.

On the other hand, heavy-duty grade dump trailers are usually available in a wide range of sizes and shapes. However, in most cases, their cargo space is typically wide enough to house and haul heavy loads weighing thousands of tons. As a result, heavy-duty grade dump trailers are often utilized by construction enterprises and in the transport and agriculture sectors.

Difference #2: Capacity.

Basic-grade dump trailers are more than suitable for multipurpose ventures. What’s more, these dump trailers are more advantageous when utilized for commercial purposes.

However, if your goal is to make a small fortune hauling people’s cargo, machinery, or products using a heavy-duty truck, you’ll need a heavy-duty grade dump trailer. The size and type of the heavy-duty dump trailer will depend on what use you intend to put it to or the line of business you want to venture into.

Basic Grade vs. Heavy-Duty Grade Dump Trailer: Choosing the Right Dump Trailer

Now that you know the significant differences between basic-grade dump trailers and heavy-duty grade dump trailers, you need to also consider the following factors to help you make an informed buying decision:

1. Build quality.

This is perhaps the most crucial consideration of all. You need a dump trailer capable of handling anything you throw at it. It should also be reliable and not prone to breakdowns, which is common with cheap dump trailers. These money-saving options may save you lots of cash upfront but give you problems and severe downtimes that eventually eat into those savings in repairs and refunds.

This implies that design and material play a huge role. Therefore, start by looking at the gauge of steel used for the construction. Common gauges used for the floor of dump trailers are 7-gauge and 10-gauge. The 10-gauge or 11 gauge may be suitable for basic-grade dump trailers that don’t take on demanding tasks, while the 7-gauge is ideal for heavy-duty trailers.

Avoid dump trailers that use 12-gauge or 14-gauge for the flooring, as this is a major red flag.

You should also examine the frame, as this may determine the overall strength of the dump trailer. Unfortunately, many dump trailers are constructed with channel or tube frames that offer negligible structural integrity compared to an I-beam — a vertical piece of steel welded to 2 horizontal flanges, allowing optimal handling of horizontal and vertical stress.

2. Durability.

When considering the durability of dump trailers of any category, you need to look at the finish. The most common options are powder coating and paint. While the latter is cheaper, the former is superior since it’s highly resistant to wear, scratching, and chipping.

This implies that your dump trailer won’t only look much better than your competitors’ but will also be a lot more resistant to rust in addition to lasting much longer than standard, painted options.

3. Gooseneck vs. bumper pull?

It doesn’t really matter which dump trailer you go for between the gooseneck and bumper pull options. Both dump trailers have distinct pros and cons.

Let’s examine a few points to corroborate this:

A. Stability and cargo space.

Gooseneck trailers, for example, have the advantage of weight distribution and are capable of moving large loads. In addition, this type of dump trailer guarantees better fuel efficiency, smoother rides, and less wear on your truck or pickup. On the other hand, bumper pull options have smaller cargo space and are less stable when loaded with heavy cargo due to the increased risk of swaying.

B. Safe transportation.

Since gooseneck trailers naturally latch over the top of your automobile’s rear axle, the arrangement helps transfer excess force to the ground. This unique feature ensures you stay safe when transporting goods or equipment at highway speeds on roads with lots of turns and curves.

Ultimately, gooseneck trailers are the best or safer option for traveling long distances with heavy loads.

C. Easy maneuverability and parking.

Compared to bumper pull trailers, gooseneck trucks are also easier to maneuver as you can safely have the trailer at a 90-degree angle to your pickup or truck. This offers a distinct advantage over a bumper pull trailer if you need to park in tight spaces or make sharp turns.

D. Cost.

Bumper pull trailers are typically smaller than gooseneck trailers, translating into a lower cost for the former.

E. Ease of use.

Bumper pull trailers come with a hitching system that doesn’t require any modifications or other installation to use. On the other hand, gooseneck trailers require a unique hitching system, which implies higher costs to set up.

Conclusion

Both basic-grade and heavy-duty grade dump trailers are highly durable, irrespective of their primary usage purpose. However, conducting thorough research on the type of dump trailer that’s better suited for your intended purpose and fits your specific requirements is always advisable. We hope the factors discussed in this guide point you in the right direction.

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