Used Dump Trailers For Sale

Learn more about dump trailers at Ritchie Bros.

Like the name suggests, dump trailers are trailers designed for loading, transporting, and dumping their content. There are a variety of applications for dump trailers as they are used as everyday work trailers as well as across different industries such as construction, agriculture, oil & gas and more.

Given the broad applications of dump trailers, there are a multitude of features to consider and look for before buying a used dump trailer at Ritchie Bros.

What should I look for when buying a used dump trailer?

Size

The first consideration should be the application of the dump trailer as this will determine the size required. Dump trailers come in a variety of sizes starting as small as 8ft long all the way to 39ft long. The length will also determine the height of the side walls. Smaller dump trailers that are between 8ft to 15ft are more common for urban usage as they paired with a pickup truck for smaller duties.

Larger trailers tend to be paired with semi-trucks and truck tractors for heavy hauling in large scale construction projects or even on the farm for grain handling.

Axle Configurations

Like dump trucks, dump trailers come in a variety of axle configurations such as single axle, tandem axle, and tri-axle. Deciding on the axle configuration will depend on a few important things such as hauling capacity and state regulations.

We add used and unused dump trailers to our inventory daily, so you'll be sure to find the dump trailer that's right for you.

What are the different types of Dump Trailers?

Given the variety of industries dump trailers are utilized in, not all dispose of their content the same way. The different types of dump trailers allow the contents to be unloaded in different ways depending on the industry they're used in.

End Dump Trailers

End dump trailers are the most common dump trailer. As the name suggests, the unloading occurs at the end of the trailer. A hydraulic arm lifts the bed of the trailer at one end, raising it at an angle and unloading the contents.

Bottom Dump Trailers

These trailers are vastly different than end dump trailers as they unload their content from the bottom through a clamshell-like door. Bottom dump trailers are commonly used to load & unload content that requires to be unloaded accurately and evenly in large areas.

Side Dump Trailers

As the name suggests, side dump trailers unload their contents through the side wall. Instead of a hydraulic arm lifting the bed to dispose its content, the trailer is tipped over sideways at an angle and contents discharge evenly and accurately.

Pup Trailers

Pup trailers are smaller dump trailers that are commonly attached to dump trucks for larger content hauling. Pup trailers are very versatile as they can be used to carry payloads in any industry from heavy hauling to grain handling

Should I buy a dump trailer or dump truck?

So, what's the main difference between buying a dump trucks which has the dump trailers built into the tractor body vs buying a dump trailer on its own and combining it with an individual tractor trailer? For starters, you need to have a pickup truck or truck tractor before you decide to purchase a trailer.

Flexibility

Purchasing dump trailers can be a more ‘flexible' option as you are not limited to one type of dump bed with the dump truck. Trailers are an interchangeable component for semi-trucks, so if you service various industries or plan to, a dump trailer will be suitable as there will be a larger variety of dump trailer types to choose from.

Maneuverability

Another difference between dump trailers and dump trucks is that dump trailers have better maneuverability than dump trucks. Smaller 8ft end dumps that are attached to pickup trucks are easy to drive within urban environments making smaller landscape jobs easier to handle.

For larger hauling and dumping, side dump trailers and bottom dump trailers allow a unique way of discharging their content. This makes it far more efficient when it comes to unloading content as there's less maneuvering required when getting the trailer in the required dumping position.