I looked into dump trailers and they are too light duty and too small... and too expensive!
I wanted something that could haul 20,000lbs (4 cords) so that means a 30k trailer. Wanted 8ft wide deck, 20ft long so I could also use it to haul cars (I'd sell my equipment trailer I'm using now)
No such animal exists, but a custom built one (quoted from several L48 shops) would be "only" about $25,000. (oh... is that all?!)
Plus then figure the wear and tear on my truck which isn't exactly a spring chicken anymore. (240,000 miles).
Anyhow, got most of the paperwork done today on the flatbed. DOT #, trip permits, etc. Hasn't been plated for road use since 1993. Luckily we don't have continuing fees like CA does!
I'm legal up to 40,000lbs on it. Truck is 15,250lbs empty so right around 25,000lbs load. Dunno how well it'd haul that much weight. I plan in making the sides tall enough to fit at least 4 cords, maybe 5 all depending. Probably will put a divider in the middle so I can dump 2 cords at a time (seems to be able what most people want to buy at one time)
Between all that junk it's gonna cost me about $$600/year just to keep it legal. Registration is $628/2 years. I'm into it about $6k between the cost of the truck, 4 new tires/wheels (22.5s) and all the .gov b/s fees. I figure probably another $1000ish in steel and wood for the dump box.
Will need all tires at some point (near impossible to find 20" tires anymore) but the steers are close to new and had enought decent shape drives to make a set.
So cheaper than a dump trailer and It's another truck I can use if my pickup is broken down.
Bought this hog yesterday. 427, 5x4 trans, 20ft dumper. Been parked all winter and it fired right up and drove out of that hole it was in.
The guy I bought it from was using it for firewood but needed a 4x4 version. He sells 3000+ cords a year