For materials-moving operations, you need to consider all your options when choosing dump trailers. What are the choices that you have? There are a few configurations of dump trailers including end dumps, bottom dumps, side dumps, etc. However, people generally must choose between end dumps and bottom dumps.
You need to determine the right type dump trailer for your operation. This may not be as easy as it sounds. To make the right choice, it is imperative that you find out the use of both end dump trailers and bottom dump trailers as well as the difference between the two.
Understanding the Differences Between End Dumps and Bottom Dump Trailers
Compared to a standard dump truck, an end dump trailer can carry larger loads. Additionally, it offers rapid unloading. Not only that, end dumps are also capable of hauling difficult materials such as large demolition debris. How are end dump trailers able to handle such abusive material? By incorporating a heavy-sided design. Typically, end dumps have higher sides than bottom and side dumps and thus carry more cubic yardage. However, this doesn’t necessarily translate into more weight.
Bottom dump trailers are dump trailers comprising of a clamshell dump gate on the bottom of the trailer. Opening the clamshell allows materials to be precisely laid in a window left and right or spread evenly across the rear of the trailer when it opens front to rear. Bottom dumps are commonly used for three types of applications: stockpiling, material transport, and asphalt paving.
Bottom dumps can offer an extremely quick turnaround time as their wheels never stop turning. You can drive a bottom dump right through the dump zone and can dump an entire 21-yd. load in about 25 ft. Additionally, the loader or dozer can easily handle the material.
Bottom dumps trailers are also a popular choice for laying a window of asphalt in front of a paver laydown machine. This is possible due to the ability of bottom dumps to produce a higher quality mat with fewer seams. While the bottom dump is quite versatile in its use, it has its limitations. There are restrictions on material size that can come down through the gate and flow out cleanly underneath the axles.
Load King, the manufacturing arm of Custom Truck One Source, has been manufacturing Bottom Dumps and End Dump Trailers for over 50 years, in addition to several other types of trailers and vocational trucks. Check out the latest models of End Dumps and Bottom Dumps and contact your local sales or rental representative if you have questions or would like a quote.