When you need to move large amounts of bulk materials, you have several options when it comes to dump trailers. While end dumps, bottom dumps, and side dumps have similar functions, they also have individual features that make them suited to specific materials and uses. To understand which one is right for your operations, find out more about them in the guide below.

Bottom Dumps

Bottom dump trailers consist of a centrally mounted container called a hopper on a trailer frame. When unloading these trailers, the bottom of the hopper is opened to release the contents in neat piles or long lines. This makes them suitable for hauling asphalt, short-haul material transport, and stockpiling bulk materials.

Although they’re limited to carrying materials small or fine enough to fit through the hopper gates, they’re among the most time- and cost-efficient, since they can dump an entire load without stopping and are then ready to return to a depot or warehouse for reloading.

End Dumps

End dump trailers offload their cargo by lifting from the end nearest the hauling vehicle and allowing their contents to empty through a gate. They’re typically built from aluminum, with higher sidewalls than bottom and side dumps to accommodate larger loads and withstand rougher materials. End dumps are well-suited for hauling road construction materials, sand and aggregate, and landscaping materials.

Side Dumps

These trailers comprise a bed with a side-mounted gate that is lifted from one side using hydraulic rams when unloading. Side dump trailers are the most stable option and are easy and safe to operate. They can offload onto uneven or soft areas without requiring a level area or needing to back up.

This makes them suitable for many of the same tasks as bottom dumps, including road construction, stockpiling, excavation, mining, and the transportation of fine materials and semi-liquids.

If you’re interested in enhancing your operations with a dump trailer, get in touch with Clinch Mountain Transport in Thorn Hill, TN. For more than 70 years, businesses along the East Coast have counted on this trucking company to provide a wide range of solutions, from day-to-day bulk aggregate transportation to long-haul shipping. Call (865) 767-3610 to discuss your needs, and visit their website for more on their services.