End dump trailers, also known as bottom dump trailers, are an essential piece of equipment for transporting and dumping loose materials like dirt, gravel, sand, asphalt, and more. As the name suggests, these trailers dump their payload out of gates located on the rear end of the trailer. This allows for quick and efficient unloading of materials directly where they need to be dumped.
There are several different types of end dump trailers that are designed for hauling various types of materials. The main types include:
Page Contents
- 1 Standard End Dump Trailers
- 2 Double Bottom End Dump Trailers
- 3 Triple Bottom End Dump Trailers
- 4 Super Dump End Dump Trailers
- 5 Close Side End Dump Trailers
- 6 Half Pipe End Dump Trailers
- 7 Heavy Haul End Dump Trailers
- 8 Off Road End Dump Trailers
- 9 Collective End Dump Trailers
- 10 Specialty End Dump Trailers
- 11 Key Specifications
- 12 Top End Dump Trailer Manufacturers
- 13 Costs
- 14 Advantages of End Dump Trailers
- 15 Disadvantages of End Dump Trailers
- 16 Conclusion
Standard End Dump Trailers
Standard end dump trailers are the most common type of end dump trailer. They feature a flat trailer bed and outward swinging rear gates. The bed is raised using hydraulic cylinders to dump the load out the back of the trailer. Standard end dumps come in a variety of sizes ranging from 10 cubic yards up to 50+ cubic yards of capacity. They can handle most loose, free-flowing materials including:
- Dirt
- Gravel
- Sand
- Mulch
- Riprap
Standard end dumps are a versatile option suitable for most non-abrasive materials. They are commonly used by construction companies, aggregate suppliers, landscapers, utilities contractors, and mining operations.
Double Bottom End Dump Trailers
Double bottom end dump trailers contain two separate trailer beds with independent dumping capabilities. The top bed tilts back to dump its payload, while the bottom bed tips forward. This allows the operator to selectively dump material from either the top or bottom bed. It also increases versatility, as different materials can be hauled on the top and bottom beds at the same time.
Double bottom end dumps are well-suited for:
- Hauling aggregate and fines
- Delivering different types of materials to the same site
- Dumping materials in stages
The independent dumping action prevents the loads from mixing during transport or unloading. Double bottom end dumps have capacities ranging from about 25 to 50 cubic yards.
Triple Bottom End Dump Trailers
Triple bottom end dump trailers take the concept of the double bottom design even further. Triple bottom trailers have three separate beds stacked vertically, each with its own hydraulic cylinder tilt system. This allows all three beds to be operated independently for precisely controlled, selective dumping. With a triple bottom end dump, operators can:
- Haul three different products
- Strategically layer materials
- Unload specific products at different sites
The triple bottom configuration is very useful for precise material placement in applications like road building, landscaping, large construction projects, and mining. Total capacities run from around 30 to 60+ cubic yards.
Super Dump End Dump Trailers
Super dump end dump trailers employ extra-long hydraulic cylinders that enable the trailer bed to tip almost vertically at up to a 90-degree angle. This creates an even more complete, efficient material discharge. Models are available as standard single bed and double bottom bed configurations.
Key advantages of super dump trailers include:
- Faster cycle times
- More complete emptying of the load
- Higher reach when dumping into tall equipment like hoppers
- Ability to dump heavier, dense materials
Super dumps excel at handling heavy aggregates, wet concrete, dense clay, and similar high-density payloads. The aggressive dumping angle allows very little material to get stuck inside the trailer. Capacities range from about 12 cubic yards up to 50+ cubic yards.
Close Side End Dump Trailers
Close side end dump trailers are designed to provide extra side containment when hauling loose material. The trailer has hinged doors that close over the side walls to prevent material spilling out the sides during transport or dumping.
Key features of close side end dumps include:
- Hinged side doors that hydraulically open and close
- More precise dumping control
- Can haul wet, sticky materials
- Reduce job site cleanup
Close side trailers are ideal for minimizing spillage when working in tight spaces or hauling sticky materials like clay, mud, and wet aggregate. They are commonly used for residential driveway & site jobs where spillage needs to be minimized.
Half Pipe End Dump Trailers
Half pipe end dump trailers have a curved, bowl-shaped bed rather than a flat bottom. The curved contour makes them well-suited for controlled dumping of materials in a windrow rather than a pile. Models may have full 180 degree curved beds or smaller 90 degree half-pipe shapes.
Half pipe end dumps allow very precise material placement and are often used for applications like:
- Laying gravel or riprap on road shoulders
- Distributing toppings on agricultural fields
- Placing sandy materials on beaches
The measured windrow dumping provides excellent control compared to dumping a pile. Capacities for half pipe end dump trailers generally range from 10 to 25 cubic yards.
Heavy Haul End Dump Trailers
Heavy haul end dump trailers are designed and reinforced for hauling very heavy, dense materials. They are engineered with thicker trailer bed walls, heavier duty landing gear, reinforced frames, extra axles, and high capacity suspension systems.
These sturdy trailers allow large-scale hauling of dense materials like:
- Rock
- Concrete
- Dense clay or dirt
- Heavy equipment
Heavy haul end dumps have capacities up to 100+ tons. They use high strength steel in the trailer construction and can operate at very high hydraulic pressures for dumping dense loads. These overbuilt trailers are essential for efficient transport in mining, oil/gas, and other heavy industry applications.
Off Road End Dump Trailers
Off road end dump trailers are engineered for strength and ruggedness to operate in off-highway environments. Key features include:
- Reinforced frames
- Oversized axles, wheels, and tires
- Increased ground clearance
- Stabilizer legs
- All-terrain suspension systems
These heavy duty trailers can traverse rough terrain, grades, and unstable ground without damage. They are designed to withstand the rigors of off-road use in applications like mining, logging, oil/gas, and civil construction projects.
Collective End Dump Trailers
Collective end dump trailers are engineered to use multiple trailer units together as a system. The trailers are connected in a group and use centralized controls to operate the dumping functions. This allows extremely high-capacity hauling and dumping using multiple trailers as one synchronized unit.
Key features of collective end dumps include:
- Connection system to link trailers together
- Centralized control station
- Large combined capacity
- Coordinated dumping action
Collective end dumps can be configured from 2 to 8 or more trailer units. Combined hauling capacities can exceed 500 cubic yards. These massive trailers are used in the largest mining, earthmoving, and construction applications.
Specialty End Dump Trailers
In addition to the common types already covered, there are some additional specialty end dump trailers built for niche applications. Some examples include:
- Low Profile End Dumps – With a lower deck height for applications with height restrictions
- Transfer End Dumps – Allow dumping into a secondary conveyor or hopper
- Stand Up End Dumps – Dump straight up vertically rather than tipping back
- Slag End Dumps – Handle hot slag and asphalt materials
- Heavy Haul End Dumps – For weights exceeding 1 million pounds
There are endless custom and niche variations of end dumps trailers tailored for specific industries and material handling needs.
Key Specifications
End dump trailers have a number of key specifications that affect their configuration and capabilities:
Capacity
The capacity refers to the volume or weight the trailer can haul. Volume capacity is measured in cubic yards (cy). Weight capacity is rated in tons. Standard capacities range from 10 cy up to 60+ cy. Heavy haul end dumps may have capacities over 100 tons.
Trailer Length
Lengths range from 20 feet up to 50+ feet. The most common lengths are 30 ft and 40 ft trailers.
Axle Configuration
Axle configuration specifies the number of axles and axle spacing. Common configurations are singles, tandems, and tri-axles. More axles provide more weight capacity.
Suspension
Suspension types include spring ride, air ride, and mechanical ride systems. Air ride offers the best ride quality.
Tires
Standard or all-terrain tires are available. Tire quantity depends on the number of axles and weight rating.
Brakes
Hydraulic surge or air brakes are common. Multiple axle trailers may use a combination system.
Construction
Trailers feature all-steel construction with various frame, wall, and floor thicknesses depending on capacity. High strength steel provides durability.
Top End Dump Trailer Manufacturers
There are a number of leading manufacturers that build end dump trailers. Some of the top companies include:
- Rogers Brothers
- Trail King
- J&J
- Fitzgerald
- Tridem
- Viking
- Beau-Roc
- Peerless
- MAC Trailer
- Wilson
Each company offers a range of end dump models with varying capacities, configurations, and options. Most can also build custom trailers tailored for specialized applications if required.
Costs
End dump trailer pricing depends on factors like:
- Capacity
- Trailer length
- Axle configuration
- Features and options
Entry level 10 cy straight frame end dumps may start around $25,000. Large 40+ cy units with multiple axles can surpass $150,000. Expect to pay:
- Small end dumps: $25,000 – $40,000
- Medium end dumps: $40,000 – $80,000
- Large end dumps: $80,000 – $150,000
- Heavy haul: $120,000 – $250,000+
Used end dump trailers are also available at a lower cost, typically 40-60% less than new.
Advantages of End Dump Trailers
End dump trailers provide excellent advantages for hauling and unloading loose bulk materials. Benefits include:
- Fast unloading – materials discharge quickly out the rear gates
- Precise material placement – trailers can dump exactly where needed
- Efficient on-site mobility – single unit transport & dumping
- Minimal setup required – no extra equipment needed for dumping
- Dump from ground level – no lifting or climbing like rear dumps
- Manageable in tight spaces – compact maneuverability
End dump trailers combine high payload capacities with fast, nimble operation. They allow precise material placement in tight spaces without assistance from other equipment like cranes or conveyors.
Disadvantages of End Dump Trailers
The main disadvantages of end dump trailers include:
- Load spillage – loose material can spill over the sides
- Limited dump precision – less control than live bottom trailers
- Low ground clearance – reduced off-road capability
- Material sticking – some dense loads don’t discharge fully
- Dust generation – fine materials create dust when dumped
While very useful, end dump trailers lack the ultra-precise dumping accuracy of belt conveyor bottom trailers. The load is also more exposed to potential spillage versus fully enclosed vans.
Conclusion
There are many varieties of end dump trailers available to suit different hauling applications. The most common designs include standard end dumps, double/triple bottom, super dumps, close side, half pipe, heavy haul, off-road, and collective trailer configurations. Each type provides unique advantages for moving specific materials efficiently on construction, mining, industrial, and agricultural jobsites. With proper specification, end dump trailers can deliver major improvements in bulk hauling productivity and precision.