Question for mini owners

[rangerdanger]

Hey guys, question for those of you who own a mini out there. Since we've had our mini, we've really realized how great a dump trailer would be. So many jobs would have gone faster with one now that we have the mini, I just see all the lost time and money without the aid of one. So I've talked Dad into one, and I think we're going to go with one of the ones Dave has custom made, with a platform on the front for the mini. Curious if you guys think having the platform there for the mini is worth it or would you rather have the extra dump bed space? It's a 12ft dump bed and the platform is in front of that.

We like it because it keeps it all on one trailer, and there's always a spot for the mini no matter what we're carrying in the dump bed. Saves having to make a trip back for the mini.

 

[sotc]

I'd rather have the room. If I am very far away I will load the mini into the truck bed if trailer is full. Boxer doesn't load as well as the dingo did. I take off tail gate, set ramps on back bumper and load it, then put gate back on

 

[brendonv]

I think my trailer was 12'. It fit a lot of tree.

I always said I'd build a platform on my grapple trailer, but I find driving the mini in the back of the truck is just as easy.

Maybe a bigger trailer and a pair of ramps to go up the flat bed chevy?

Or get the platform and haul more wood than you used to anyways. I miss that trailer, dang.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c351/Brendonv/Tree Work/8-14-09005.jpg

 

[SkwerI]

Bed space. Either you have room for everything or you don't, making the dump bed smaller isn't going to increase capacity. With the fancy trailer you'll have a dedicated spot for the mini but you'll end up making more trips because the trailer won't hold as much wood.

 

[treesmith]

As an alternative, you could make a door on the side of a dump trailer for the best of both worlds. When you need the space, you have it. When you need the mini at the front of the load for weight distribution, just leave enough space for it. Not a perfect solution, but it would work.

 

[lumberjack]

Bed space, I wouldn't want a dedicated mini platform on the trailer. That 7x16x3' trailer I have holds a lot. If you have that much room in the trailer you can pull the mini in at the back and turn it sideways just as easy.

Still have that trailer and would love to sell it to ya!

 

[squisher]

Bed space. Either you have room for everything or you don't, making the dump bed smaller isn't going to increase capacity. With the fancy trailer you'll have a dedicated spot for the mini but you'll end up making more trips because the trailer won't hold as much wood.

Exactly. I have a 12' dump trailer that hauls my mini, it's hauled by my infamous ghetto 1ton which also has/is a dump. With the price of fuel up here now I'd have bought a larger trailer 14+' for sure. The 12' is great for maneuverability but it's not enough room. I load the back of the 1ton dump as well quite often now to save on trips. That poor old dually rolls pretty heavy at times for sure. lol.

I'll bet you a dollar if you buy the one with the dedicated spot for the mini that at some point you end up loading logs or something other than the mini on there to finish a job and have to go back for the mini anyays. Atleast once, at some point.

 

[MasterBlaster]

12' dump trailers are a tad on the small side.

 

[squisher]

They are for sure. But I think it'll workout well to use in conjunction with a hiab or a grapple truck, which I am trying to save for still.

If buying new again though I'd go longer for certain.

 

[MasterBlaster]

14 to 16 is my choice, favoring the latter.

 

[arborworks1]

I'd go 14' with 4 ft sides. My 12ft that I loved was stolen last week. It hauled an amazing amount of tree. If I replace it the 14 with tall sides is mygo too.

Adrian I would barter with Carl. That 16 is a great trailer....

 

[MasterBlaster]

My 12ft that I loved was stolen last week.

 

[SkwerI]

That sucks about your trailer, Scott.

 

[CurSedVoyce]

Damn

 

[arborworks1]

It was my damn fault. But still I hate a thief.

 

[flushcut]

I think a chipper death is fitting for a thief. A 14' dump for me I don't mind going back for the mini but getting the wood out and off location is a priority for me. I feel that most customers appreciate that aspect of my biz.

 

[thattreeguy]

a 12 ft is nice, but most the logs i cut are 12 ft 6 inch so i have to leave the gates open and strap them down.
my thought is ..roll off trailer unit, cause you can set the box down and easily drive in or load over the sides
if your job is huge you can carry a flatbed box, and a box with sides on top....viola one for logs and one for duff, just 2 trips to pick em up...roll off trailer is about 10 g's, the boxes are 2 to 4 g's depending on the height of the sides

 

[Bushwackertree]

I kinda ran into the same problem with our mini, we have a 14' dump trailer that we would haul the mini to the job but would fill the trailer and have to go dump and then return for the mini (I hate leaving equipment behind), so we purchased a flat deck for my old 91 cummins and problem solved. We now haul the mini or the stump grinder on the deck and never have to leave anything behind.

Ben
Bushwacker Tree Removal

 

[arborworks1]

I gave serious thought to flatbedding the 250, after the tires shredded the regular bed. I ended up finding a used pickup bed installed for 750$. Given that our service area is normally in a 5-10 mile radius. Return trip is not so bad.
I am not a big fan leaving equipment on site. I just think it looks poor!