Belt Trailer vs Walking Floor

Apr 20, 2025 at 01:51 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Working towards adding another trailer to our operation. Currenlty have a couple belt trailers, hauling Wet Distillers with one and then dry feed ingrediants on the other. Including soyhull pellets, loose hulls, ddg, wheat midds etc. Also backhaul a little grain once in awhile if it is handy, but not work that I specificaly look for. Can't haul enough to compete with the hoppers. Have been researching Walking Floor trailers. Would value some opinions between the two styles of trailer. The Walking Floor trailers I have inquired on have been slightly lighter than the Belt so that would be good. I understand the Belt is going to unload somewhat faster. But a couple Floors I have watched unload were really not that much longer. Also had chaser tarps so they cleaned out much better than I expected. They were Wilkins Trailers. What about maintenance issues Belt vs Floor? Chain and sprockets are high wear points on the Belt. What are the wear points on the Floor. Appreciate the input.

Apr 20, 2025 at 01:51 PM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Working towards adding another trailer to our operation. Currenlty have a couple belt trailers, hauling Wet Distillers with one and then dry feed ingrediants on the other. Including soyhull pellets, loose hulls, ddg, wheat midds etc. Also backhaul a little grain once in awhile if it is handy, but not work that I specificaly look for. Can't haul enough to compete with the hoppers. Have been researching Walking Floor trailers. Would value some opinions between the two styles of trailer. The Walking Floor trailers I have inquired on have been slightly lighter than the Belt so that would be good.

I understand the Belt is going to unload somewhat faster. But a couple Floors I have watched unload were really not that much longer. Also had chaser tarps so they cleaned out much better than I expected. They were Wilkins Trailers. What about maintenance issues Belt vs Floor? Chain and sprockets are high wear points on the Belt. What are the wear points on the Floor.

Appreciate the input.

Replied on Tue, Apr 22, 2025 at 07:56 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. What brand of Belt trailer are you running?

Replied on Tue, Apr 22, 2025 at 07:56 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

What brand of Belt trailer are you running?

Replied on Tue, Apr 22, 2025 at 10:44 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Trinity for the dry commodities

Replied on Tue, Apr 22, 2025 at 10:44 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Trinity for the dry commodities

Replied on Wed, Apr 23, 2025 at 08:06 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I own a belt and have spent some time around walking floors. Belts and walking floors usually weigh pretty close to each other (heavy) and they are both expensive. If I planned on only hauling mulch, seed corn, and cottonseed I would probably use a walking floor. For grain, feed, and aggregates, a belt would be my choice of the two. Right now my belt is parked and I'm pulling a hopper that I bought recently. Most feed customers aren't willing to pay the small premium for a belt or walking floor these days, so I'm just going to use the belt for certain load projects. This advice is worth what you paid for it, good luck!

Replied on Wed, Apr 23, 2025 at 08:06 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

I own a belt and have spent some time around walking floors. Belts and walking floors usually weigh pretty close to each other (heavy) and they are both expensive. If I planned on only hauling mulch, seed corn, and cottonseed I would probably use a walking floor. For grain, feed, and aggregates, a belt would be my choice of the two. Right now my belt is parked and I'm pulling a hopper that I bought recently. Most feed customers aren't willing to pay the small premium for a belt or walking floor these days, so I'm just going to use the belt for certain load projects. This advice is worth what you paid for it, good luck!

Replied on Wed, Apr 23, 2025 at 08:06 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Wilkens and Western each build both. I'd talk to them.

Replied on Wed, Apr 23, 2025 at 08:06 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Wilkens and Western each build both. I'd talk to them.

Replied on Wed, Apr 23, 2025 at 08:07 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Belts for speed. Floors can be fast but need around 40 gpm on the pump to get them moving good fastest I’ve seen ours unload is 10 minutes normally 15 to 20 minutes. Floor slats are probably the biggest wear point but can be turned around or have wear plates added to them. We went with a forklift rated floor to be able to back haul feed for our stores or haul cotton bales out of our gin. Also ours is a 53x13’6” peerless with steel frame so I only net 24 tons with a 84,000 permit and day cab truck. Any other questions I’ll try to answer them the best I can we have only had ours a couple of years.

Replied on Wed, Apr 23, 2025 at 08:07 AM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Belts for speed. Floors can be fast but need around 40 gpm on the pump to get them moving good fastest I’ve seen ours unload is 10 minutes normally 15 to 20 minutes. Floor slats are probably the biggest wear point but can be turned around or have wear plates added to them. We went with a forklift rated floor to be able to back haul feed for our stores or haul cotton bales out of our gin. Also ours is a 53x13’6” peerless with steel frame so I only net 24 tons with a 84,000 permit and day cab truck. Any other questions I’ll try to answer them the best I can we have only had ours a couple of years.

Replied on Tue, Apr 29, 2025 at 07:46 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. WE BROKER A LOT OF FREIGHT. WALKING FLOOR 53' 13'6"- STRAIGHT (STAY AWAY FROM THE WEDGE UNLESS YOU NEED THE EXTRA CAPACITY.) GIVES YOU THE OPPERTUNITY TO HAUL LOOSER BULK MATERIAL AND GET THE WEIGHT ON, YOU CAN ALSO HAUL SQUARE BALES AND PALLETS IN THEM. THEY ARE MORE EXPENSIVE AND HARDER TO WORK ON. THERE IS LITTLE REASON TO GO WITH A 48' TRAILER. 53' OR BIGGER.

Replied on Tue, Apr 29, 2025 at 07:46 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

WE BROKER A LOT OF FREIGHT.

WALKING FLOOR 53' 13'6"- STRAIGHT (STAY AWAY FROM THE WEDGE UNLESS YOU NEED THE EXTRA CAPACITY.)

GIVES YOU THE OPPERTUNITY TO HAUL LOOSER BULK MATERIAL AND GET THE WEIGHT ON, YOU CAN ALSO HAUL SQUARE BALES AND PALLETS IN THEM.

THEY ARE MORE EXPENSIVE AND HARDER TO WORK ON.

THERE IS LITTLE REASON TO GO WITH A 48' TRAILER. 53' OR BIGGER.