The best dump trailer for your truck and your loads

A dump trailer turns a pickup into a hauling business. It moves gravel, mulch, demolition debris, brush and fill without a shovel, and it costs far less to buy and run than a dump truck. Choosing one is less about the brand on the fender and more about matching the trailer’s size and weight rating to your truck and your loads. This guide covers how to pick the best dump trailer, which brands have the strongest reputations and what to check before you buy used.

The short answer: for most contractors and landscapers, the best dump trailer is a 7 x 14 foot tandem-axle bumper pull rated at about 14,000 lb GVWR, with a scissor or telescopic hoist and a combination spreader and barn door gate, pulled by a three-quarter-ton truck. Homeowners and hobby farmers are better served by a 5 x 10 or 6 x 12 foot trailer under 10,000 lb GVWR, while heavy daily hauling calls for a gooseneck rated at 20,000 lb or more. Diamond C, Load Trail, PJ, Big Tex and Iron Bull are among the most trusted brands.

Dump trailer sizes at a glance

Trailer class	Typical size	Typical GVWR	Best for	Tow vehicle
Light duty	5 x 8 to 6 x 10 ft	6,000 to 7,000 lb	Yard cleanup, firewood, small farm jobs	Half-ton or larger
Medium duty	6 x 10 to 7 x 12 ft	7,000 to just under 10,000 lb	Landscaping, small contractors	Half-ton to three-quarter-ton
Heavy duty	7 x 14 to 7 x 16 ft	14,000 to 24,000 lb	Gravel, demolition, daily contracting	Three-quarter-ton or one-ton
Gooseneck	7 x 14 to 8 x 20 ft	Up to 30,000 lb	High-volume hauling, aggregates	One-ton or dually

Ranges are based on published manufacturer lineups and vary by brand and options. Always confirm the GVWR on the trailer’s VIN plate.

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What size dump trailer do you need?

Choose the dump trailer size by the weight of your heaviest regular load first and the volume second, because dense materials hit the weight limit long before the box is full.

A cubic yard of gravel or wet soil can weigh well over a ton, so a 7 x 14 foot box with standard 2 foot sides can be overloaded with rock while it still looks half empty. Mulch, brush and demolition debris are the opposite. They are light and bulky, so taller 3 or 4 foot sides help you carry more per trip. Payload is the trailer’s GVWR minus its empty weight, and heavy-duty trailers can weigh several thousand pounds on their own, so check both numbers before you compare.

What is the best dump trailer brand?

Diamond C, Load Trail, PJ, Big Tex and Iron Bull have the strongest reputations, and the best brand for you is usually the one with a dealer nearby for parts and warranty work.

Diamond C, built in Mount Pleasant, Texas since 1985, is widely considered the premium choice, with engineered beam frames and telescopic hoists across much of its lineup. Load Trail is known for heavy-duty builds and a strong warranty program. PJ and Big Tex are two of the most widely available brands in North America, which makes parts and resale easy. Iron Bull, built by Norstar, has a reputation for rugged construction at a competitive price, and Sure-Trac, Texas Pride, MAXX-D and Lamar all have loyal followings. Build quality varies more by model and price tier within each brand than between the top names, so compare frame size, axle ratings and hoist type rather than the logo.

Is a scissor lift or telescopic dump trailer better?

A telescopic hoist dumps heavy and unevenly loaded material more easily, while a scissor lift keeps the bed more stable and is simpler to maintain.

Telescopic cylinders push from the front of the bed in stages, which gives more lifting power at the start of the dump and typically reaches a steeper dump angle of around 45 degrees. Diamond C notes this design also puts less stress on the main frame. Scissor lifts use a folding linkage under the bed, which keeps loads planted and predictable as they rise. Both work well when sized correctly. Budget dual-cylinder hoists on light trailers are the ones to be cautious with, since some owners report they struggle with heavy, front-loaded material.

Which gate is best on a dump trailer?

A combination gate that works as both a spreader gate and barn doors is the most versatile choice for most buyers.

A spreader gate hinges at the top and swings open as the bed rises, which lets you spread gravel or topsoil in an even layer as you pull forward. Barn doors swing fully open for bulky loads like brush and debris, and they make it easier to back a skid steer or wheelbarrow into the box. Ramps that mount to the rear gate add the option of hauling a small machine.

What truck do you need to pull a dump trailer?

A loaded 14,000 lb dump trailer needs a three-quarter-ton or one-ton truck, while light trailers under 7,000 lb can be pulled by a properly equipped half-ton.

Dump trailers are almost always loaded close to their limit, which makes them one of the hardest things a pickup can tow. Tongue weight on a loaded heavy-duty dump trailer can use up a half-ton’s payload by itself. Our guide to the best trucks for towing matches trucks to trailer weights, and our explainer on GVWR and weight ratings shows how to check your truck’s limits. For goosenecks and the heaviest bumper pulls, a dually truck adds stability.

Do you need a CDL to pull a dump trailer?

In the U.S., you need a Class A CDL for commercial use if the trailer’s GVWR is more than 10,000 lb and the combined GVWR of the truck and trailer is 26,001 lb or more.

Both conditions have to be true. A three-quarter-ton truck with a 10,000 lb GVWR pulling a 14,000 lb trailer totals 24,000 lb, so no CDL is required. A heavier one-ton with a GVWR of 12,001 lb or more pulling the same trailer crosses 26,001 lb and requires a Class A. That rule is why many manufacturers offer dump trailers rated just under 10,000 lb. Rules for personal use vary by state, and Canadian provinces set their own licensing requirements, so check with your local licensing office before you buy.

What should you check on a used dump trailer?

Focus on the hydraulics, battery, frame, floor and running gear, because dump trailers work hard and those parts take the abuse.

1. Hydraulics. Raise and lower the bed fully, and look for leaks at the cylinder, hoses and pump.
2. Battery and charger. A weak battery is the most common reason a hoist won’t lift a full load, so check its age and charge.
3. Frame and welds. Inspect the main rails, crossmembers and hoist mounts for cracks, bends or repairs.
4. Floor. Look for holes, heavy rust and soft spots, especially near the rear where material sits longest.
5. Pivot pins and gate hinges. Check for play and worn bushings.
6. Axles, brakes and tires. Check spring hangers, brake function, the breakaway switch and uneven tire wear.
7. VIN plate. Confirm the GVWR and that the plate matches the title.

Can a dump trailer make money?

Yes, a dump trailer is one of the lowest-cost ways to start a hauling, cleanup or material delivery business.

Junk removal, landscaping material delivery and construction cleanup all run on a truck and a dump trailer. Pair it with a skid steer and you can load your own material and take on grading and land clearing jobs. Our guides to the best skid steer for the money, starting a land clearing business and making money with a pickup truck cover how to build from there.

The bottom line

For most working buyers, a 7 x 14 foot, 14,000 lb tandem-axle dump trailer with a quality hoist and a combination gate is the best dump trailer to own. Size it by weight, match it to a truck that can handle it loaded, and check whether your combination crosses the CDL threshold. Browse used dump trailers and pickup trucks on RB Auction, and compare recent sold prices before you bid.

See also

The most reliable trucks you can buy used