K 4 Trailers (2024)

FAQs

Are dump trailers worth the money? ›

The cost of maintaining a dump trailer versus a truck is considerably less. Dump trailers will also hold their value much better over time however, they do require a heavy-duty truck to tow.

Exceeding what your vehicle is designed to tow can strain your engine and transmission, accelerate brake wear, damage your tires and even warp your chassis. This could in turn trigger catastrophic failure while driving and could lead to property damage or serious injury.

Vehicle manufacturers provide a “tow rating” in their owner's manuals which provides the maximum weight the tow vehicle can tow when fully loaded. The GVWR of the trailer should never exceed the tow rating of the tow vehicle, even if the trailer is not loaded to its maximum capacity.

Trailer Dolly

It's like hooking up your trailer to a truck without the hassle of positioning your truck and connecting everything before you can go. Because it's motorized, trailer dollies can move a lot more weight than you could by hand. It also performs minute movements that require fine motor skills.

While dump trailers offer incredible convenience and efficiency for hauling and unloading materials, they come with some drawbacks. First, they often require a significant upfront investment compared to other trailer types. Their specialized design can also add weight, potentially reducing fuel efficiency when towing.

If you're wanting to make money with your dump trailer, you have to maximize your loads by the number of deliveries you can make in a day. Having the ability to deliver a wide range of materials will allow you to get more delivery contracts and make more money.

Many RVers are strict followers of the 80% or 80/20 rule of towing, and it's a great rule to live by if you want to ensure you don't overload your tow vehicle. The 80% towing rule is less of a “rule” and more of an idea: don't pull a trailer with a GVWR that is more than 80% of your vehicle's maximum towing capacity.

Does towing shorten the life of a vehicle? Not always, but towing over capacity can contribute to increased wear and tear and the chance of damage. Problems caused by towing beyond your vehicle's max towing capacity can include but aren't limited to: Engine or transmission damage.

Install a Higher Capacity Hitch.

If your hitch is a Class 1 or 2 with a limit of 3,500 pounds and your truck is capable of pulling up to 10,000 pounds, switching the hitch to a Class 3 hitch can instantly get you more capacity. A weight-distributing hitch also tends to increase your limit.

How much weight can I actually tow? ›

You can find your truck's towing capacity in the owner's manual or calculate it on your own. To find your truck's towing capacity, subtract your truck's curb weight from its Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR). The GCVWR is the maximum weight of your loaded truck and the weight of its attached trailer.

Manufacturers will stress that you should never exceed your car or truck's towing capacity. We would add that, for safety reasons, it's best to never come within 10% of that total.

The type of vehicle required to haul a gooseneck trailer depends on the weight of the trailer and the cargo it is carrying. If you're hauling a smaller gooseneck trailer with a weight capacity of up to 10,000 pounds, a half-ton pickup truck or SUV with a towing package may be sufficient.

Because you don't have to remove the bed, weld, or drill through the frame, the installation basically consists of drilling a four inch hole in the bed and bolting the hitch parts to the frame. Some users feel comfortable doing this themselves, but most consult one of our experienced dealers to do it for them.

Easy Loading and Unloading

Of course, the main advantage of a dump trailer is its convenient lifting system. This handy feature reduces the effort involved in loading materials and virtually eliminates the need to unload materials by hand.

At a minimum, your dump trailer should last at least ten years. You can prolong its longevity to about five more years if you take care of it well. Some trailers can even last up to 20 years with good care. Our side dump trailers are designed to last many years as they are made of high-quality, durable material.

The best part about owning a dump truck is that there is always a need to move big heavy loads, so there is always money-making potential. However, make sure the dump truck you purchase fits the jobs you'll be doing, otherwise, you may end up spending more money than you'll actually make.

The most common size dump trailer is 14-ft. because it's a good size for hauling a skid steer but still reasonably maneuverable.