Pulltarps makes the perfect systems for towable dump and utility trailers for landscaping, junk removal, or moving. Safely and securely cover your mulch, soil, debris, and green waste.
Type: Dump & Utility Trailers
Towed By: Powered Vehicle
Recommended System: SuperShield™ 8500M
A dump trailer is a towable bed that uses hydraulics to lift and tip its load for easy unloading, and is pulled behind a truck, rather than driven. A utility trailer is the flat-deck or low-wall cousin used to haul equipment and materials to and from the job. Both are the everyday workhorses of landscaping, junk removal, and moving crews.
These rigs run lighter than highway dump trucks, and their rated weight depends on axle count. Single-axle trailers carry less, while tandem-axle trailers carry more. The loads are typically mulch, topsoil, gravel, brush, green waste, and demolition debris.
At a Glance
Type
Dump & Utility Trailers
Lift
Hydraulic Dump Bed
Rated Weight
By Axle Count
Recommended System
SuperShield™ 8500M
Typical Materials
Mulch, Soil, Debris, Green Waste
Utility and Dump Trailers are lighter-duty and lower to the ground, so a spring-assisted covering solution is usually the right call. These are quick to deploy, simple to service, and easy to fit yourself. Configure for your bed length on the system page.
Semi-auto · Best
Pulltarps SuperShield 8500M Tarp System is designed for smaller dump truck bodies up to 18ft. This is the industry’s strongest, most durable Semi-Automatic Tarp System available. The fully-welded 12 gauge steel construction offers the best protection from falling debris. The SuperShield is powder-coated for corrosion resistance. Choose the SuperShield 9500M for larger dump truck bodies up to 40ft.
Semi-Auto · better
The Open System, our most economical semi-automatic tarp system that can hold up to 30 feet of tarp, is great for applications where falling debris and loader damage are not concerns. It’s known as our “Open System” because there is no housing to protect the tarp and roller. It includes black powder-coated end plates and steel bolt-in spring shaft anchor.
Semi-Auto · Good
The Open 6000M System is the most basic and least expensive system we offer for smaller dump trucks. Known as an “Open System”, there is no housing to protect the tarp and roller from falling debris. The Open semi-automatic system easily operates by manually pulling the tarp out over the load with a pull rope; the tarp is easily retracted back into the housing using spring tension within the roller mechanism. The Open 6000M holds up to 16ft of tarp.
Most landscaping trailers do fine with a manual or EZ-Fit cover. Step up to spring-assisted or automatic only if you’re running heavy loads every day. Final fit depends on bed length, tarp material, and trailer wall height.
Already Have A System?
These are our vinyl and HD Mesh in trailer-friendly sizes. Mesh is the popular landscaping choice and keeps mulch, soil, and green waste from blowing out while letting rain drain instead of pooling on the load. Sized for common single and tandem-axle dump trailers.
Common Sizes
10′ × 80″
12′ × 80″
14′ × 84″
16′ × 84″
Reference
Find the right tarp system for every truck and trailer class we serve.
Compare
How the three Pulltarps system families differ and which fits your work.
Compliance
The federal rule plus a state-by-state breakdown of load-covering laws.
Get professional installation and parts through our nationwide network of authorized Pulltarps service centers.
Questions landscapers, haulers, and movers ask about covering dump and utility trailers.
Yes — if you’re towing it on public roads, federal regulation 49 CFR § 393.100 and your state’s cargo-securement laws require the load to be covered and secure. That applies to mulch, soil, gravel, brush, and debris just as much as it does to a dump truck. Check what your state requires in our regulations guide.
Usually not. Most landscaping and dump trailers are light enough and low enough that a manual throw cover or an EZ-Fit roll system covers the load quickly and cheaply. Step up to a spring-assisted or automatic system only if you’re running heavy loads many times a day and a manual cover is slowing the crew down.
Measure the inside bed length and width, then add about 12 inches in each direction for side coverage and tie-down. Most single-axle dump trailers use a 10′ or 12′ tarp; tandem-axle trailers commonly run 14′ × 84″ or 16′ × 84″. Enter your bed dimensions in the configurator and it will spec the exact size.
HD Mesh is the popular landscaping pick — it keeps lightweight mulch, soil, and clippings from blowing out on the highway while letting rain drain through instead of pooling on the load. Choose solid Vinyl when you need to keep the material fully dry or contain fine dust.
Yes — EZ-Fit and manual covers are designed for owner installation and bolt on with basic hand tools. Spring-assisted and automatic systems are best fit by an authorized installer for proper tension and mounting. Use the installer locator if you’d rather have a shop handle it.
Pulltarps automatic and spring-assisted systems carry a 5-year limited warranty on the housing and a 1-year warranty on the tarp; manual covers carry a 1-year tarp warranty. Tarps wear with use — mesh holds up well to abrasive landscaping loads. Read the full warranty terms.
