When you haul bulk materials for a living, your profit is riding on every load. But payload isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re hauling dense gravel or featherlight biochar, getting the most out of your aluminum end dump trailer depends on understanding how your material behaves — and how your trailer is built to handle it.
At Hicks, we design trailers that help you haul more and haul smarter. Here’s how to think strategically about payload by material type:
Density: Extremely high (90–120 lb/ft³)
Challenge: You’ll hit your weight limit before you ever reach the top of the body.
Best Setup:
Standard side wall height
Frameless or frame type trailer
Tips:
Aluminum helps save 2,000–4,500 lbs over steel trailers, which you can convert directly into payload.
Don’t add unnecessary body height — it adds weight without return.
Twisted Nail is an aggregate hauler with great insights on trailer types. Check out their guide here: Twisted Nail End Dump Trailer Guide
Density: 75–100 lb/ft³ (can spike when wet)
Challenge: Moisture content can lead to overweight loads and sticky discharge.
Best Setup:
Smooth, weld-free floor to reduce material hang-up
Optional UHMW liner if you're hauling consistently wet material
Rugged sills and rear post design to handle extra strain
Tips:
Check moisture levels and adjust load quantity — a “light-looking” load can be overweight.
Hicks's engineering features replaceable sides, sills, rear post, and floor.
Density: Moderate (45–50 lb/ft³)
Challenge: You may hit your volume limit before your weight limit.
Best Setup:
Taller side walls to make use of legal load volume
Smooth, cleanable interior (no welds = fewer grain traps)
Strong tarp system to protect your load
Tips:
Consider a hopper trailer for long-haul grain, but if you're running multi-purpose, a clean, well-designed end dump is very capable.
Density: Very low (4–30 lb/ft³ for biochar)
Challenge: Material is light, dusty, and prone to loss during transport
Best Setup:
Tall sides or removable extensions
Leak-resistant tarp system
Smooth floor with an UHMW liner for easy discharge
Tips:
Biochar can easily blow away during transit — always tarp tightly.
Aluminum bodies provide the volume you need without wasting your weight rating on the body itself.
Check out Ecology Transportation Services resource on hauling various organic material here: Ecology's fleet is versatile and capable of hauling a range of materials, including recycled materials and contaminated soil.
Choosing the wrong setup can mean wasted capacity, slower turnaround, or even DOT violations from overweight loads. That’s why Hicks offers:
Customizable side wall heights
Bolted, replaceable floors, top rails, sills, and rear posts
Weld-free interiors that discharge cleaner
Liner-ready (or liner-free) options depending on your needs
Want a second opinion on your setup? We’re happy to talk through it whether you're a Hicks customer or not. Call us 877-533-0433.
What works for gravel won’t work for grain. And biochar? That’s a whole different game. Whether you’re hauling dense loads across town or featherlight material across the state, it pays to match your trailer to your cargo — and to know what small changes can unlock more profit.