Fall Cleanup Hauling: Leaves, Brush, Mulch, and Firewood

Fall is here, and in Lake Orion that means leaves, branches, garden cleanup, and getting firewood stacked before the snow flies. These jobs are a lot easier with a trailer, but bulky loads come with their own challenges. Here's how to haul fall cleanup loads safely.

Bulky doesn't mean light (or heavy)

Fall loads are tricky because they don't behave like equipment. They're bulky, loose, and their weight is hard to guess.

• Dry leaves and brush: very light for their size, but they take up a lot of room and love to blow out of the trailer.
• Wet leaves: much heavier than dry ones. A few rainy days can change the weight a lot.
• Mulch and compost: heavier than they look, especially when wet.
• Firewood: heavy. Green (freshly cut) wood weighs a lot more than seasoned wood.
• Soil, stone, and gravel: very heavy. A small pile can push a trailer near its limit.

When in doubt, start with a smaller load. You can always make another trip. Check our guide to towing capacity and payload to see how the numbers add up.

Cover and secure loose loads

Loose material that blows out of a trailer is a hazard to the drivers behind you. Branches, leaves, and mulch can crack windshields or cause someone to swerve.

• Use a tarp over leaves, mulch, wood chips, and anything else that can blow away. Strap or bungee the tarp down at many points so it can't flap or blow off.
• Use a cargo net over brush piles and branches.
• Strap down firewood and larger items, and stack them so they can't slide.
• Don't overfill. Keep loose material below the top of the sides so it can't spill.

Loading brush and branches

• Butt ends forward: Point the heavy cut ends toward the front of the trailer, with the leafy ends toward the back. This puts more weight forward and keeps branches from catching the wind like a sail.
• Pack it down as you go to fit more in and make it more stable.
• Watch for overhang. Long branches sticking out the back or sides need to be cut down or marked, and shouldn't block your lights.
• Keep the sides clear of sharp branches that could scrape cars in parking lots.

Hauling mulch, soil, and stone

Bags are easy: stack them low and centered, forward of the axles. For bulk material:

• Keep the pile centered and slightly forward of the axles
• Spread it out so the weight isn't all in one spot
• Don't go over GVWR. Bulk stone and soil can get heavy very fast. Ask the supplier how much a scoop weighs.

Our 18 ft landscape trailer is built for this kind of yard work and has a 7,000 lb GVWR.

Firewood tips

• Stack it, don't throw it. Stacked wood stays put and you can fit more.
• Keep it low and forward.
• Strap it down over the top, front to back and side to side.
• Watch the weight. A full load of green wood can be heavier than you expect.

Watch for wet leaves on the road

Fall roads have their own hazards. Wet leaves on the pavement can be as slick as ice, especially on curves and hills. With a trailer behind you:

• Slow down on leaf-covered roads
• Brake early and gently
• Take corners slowly
• Leave extra space to the car ahead

After the job

Clean out the trailer after each load. Leaves and wet debris trap moisture against the deck and frame, which can lead to rot and rust. A quick sweep or rinse makes the trailer last longer. That's especially true with a wood deck, like the natural wood deck on our landscape trailer.

The quick list

• Tarp or net every loose load
• Heavy ends forward, keep it low and centered
• Don't overfill or overload
• Slow down on wet leaves
• Clean out the trailer after

Need a trailer for fall cleanup? See the Rental Fleet page or our Which Trailer Do I Need? guide. Call or message for rates.