Since transfer trailers are an essential part of the waste management system, the right trailer designed to meet your application will provide years and years of productivity and profitability.
Charlie Benton
Transfer trailers play a vital role in our nation’s waste management system. The high-volume capacity of transfer trailers provides long-haul shipments, transporting from waste transfer stations to a final disposal site, or transporting waste directly to the final disposal site, recycle center or metal reprocessing site.
When choosing a transfer trailer, it is important to first determine whether you will be hauling to a final disposal or landfill site equipped with a tipping platform, to a site without a tipping platform or transporting material for recycling. Transfer trailers are either built to use a tipping platform to empty a load at the landfill, or they come equipped with a Walking Floor®.
For a disposal or landfill site equipped with a tipping platform, you will want to select a Tipper trailer, typically used for high-volume and frequent movements. The tipping platform at the site allows the trailer to be raised so the load can slide out the rear. The primary advantages of a Tipper trailer are less expensive to purchase and operate, easier to maintain and its lighter weight allows it to handle more payload per trip than a Walking Floor trailer.
The Walking Floor trailer is ideal for remote locations because it is self-unloading, and not dependent on a separate means of unloading. The primary advantage of the Walking Floor trailer is its ability to discharge the load without raising the trailer. However, a wet line kit is required, making each tractor-trailer a larger investment and heavier. It can be more versatile than the Tipper trailer because it can discharge its load anywhere. And, when using a Walking Floor trailer you are more likely to acquire backhaul loads such a recycling materials.
Interior Designs
Next, consider what type of material you will be hauling. These considerations will help you determine the floor and sidewalls for the trailer. Will you be hauling solid waste, construction and demolition (C&D), heavy, bulky material, plastic recyclables, heavy recyclables like car scrap or wet materials?
Standard floors are recommended for solid waste and recyclables. Thicker floors provide the support required for heavier loads like C&D, bulky items and crushed car scrap. If you will be hauling a combination of solid waste and C&D, consider upgrading to a thicker floor and sidewalls.
The Walking Floor trailer has floors that ensure fast, efficient unloading. You should specify the floor that matches your application, such as high-impact for solid waste or steel floors for heavy, abrasive loads.
The thickness of the interior aluminum sidewall within each trailer can be varied. The wall design allows additional aluminum to be applied where needed for longer wear, and/or extra height for increased capacity. This enables users to exactly match their trailer to their loads and wear patterns.
Higher sidewalls and longer trailers enable recycling haulers looking for maximum cubic capacity to haul more at one time. Since recyclables weigh less, these trailers usually cube out before they reach their weight capacity. The additional capacity allows more material.
Many waste haulers specify thicker walls and floors at the last 4 feet of the trailer which has the highest wear factor.
For water content loads, you should consider a floor that prevents leakage. Tipper trailers are often used with wet materials. The trailer floor is a flat sheet, welded solidly around the perimeter with a watertight tailgate, making it resistant to leaking. A Walking Floor can be equipped with a subdeck and leak-proof drive unit for wet content but the additional deck increases its weight.
Exterior Considerations
More and more waste haulers are purchasing smooth-sided transfer trailers. For instance, one design consists of extruded 2-inch aluminum panels, providing more strength than 4-inch external post-style wall. The smooth-sided trailers are more aerodynamic and easier to clean. In addition, the smooth-sided walls will not show any pings and dings on the outside like the external post-style walls. External post-style walls are often an ideal choice at a less expensive price point.
Factors that you may want to consider when choosing your transfer trailer’s exterior include:
- The length of the haul—For a longer haul of 50 or more miles, smooth-sided walls are more aerodynamic, leading to a possible fuel savings of ¼ to ½ mile per gallon.
- The size of the load and materials that will be hauled—For a high-capacity load of lightweight materials, smooth-sided walls provide more capacity than the external post-style walls. For a bulky load that applies side pressure , manufacturers offer smooth-sided walls that provide more strength and resistance to bowing; without the use of a cross pipe. Other manufacturers’ smooth-sided walls may not provide that additional strength and resistance.
The double-wall construction of the smooth-sided walls protects outer panels from dents and bulges, maintaining the trailer’s appearance and adding to resale value. And, the smooth-sided trailers carry more capacity than external post-style trailers.
Preventive Maintenance
To prolong the life of your trailer, it is important to inspect the trailer daily, paying specific attention to the rear area. While walking around the inside and outside of the trailer, you are inspecting the floors and sidewalls for wear or punctures. As aluminum wears thinner, it is more easily subject to punctures. Damage should be patched, reinforced with additional aluminum or repaired immediately to prevent further deterioration. Walking Floor trailers, individual slats can be replaced when damage has occurred. Since transfer trailers are an essential part of the waste management system, the right trailer designed to meet your application will provide years and years of productivity and profitability.
Charlie Benton is Product Manager – Refuse Trailer for East Manufacturing (Randolph, OH). Charlie has worked for East Manufacturing since 1990 as Southeast Regional Manager, selling its full line of trailer products. In 2011, Charlie was promoted to Product Manager – Refuse. For more information, call (888) 405-3278.