Dump Truck Capacity: How Much Can They Carry?

Dump trucks are a versatile solution for transporting various loose materials like rocks, soil, sand, and mulch. The amount of material a dump truck can carry depends on several factors, primarily the size of the dump body. Here, we’ll explore the ins and outs of dump truck capacity, helping you understand how to calculate it and why it’s essential.

Factors Affecting Dump Truck Capacity

The primary factors influencing a dump truck’s carrying capacity are the size of the dump body and its weight limit. Dump trucks come in various sizes, each with its own storage capacity, and their weight limits depend on factors like the chassis, suspension, engine power, and more. Let’s dive deeper into these considerations.

Dump Truck Size and Capacity

Full-size dump trucks typically have dump beds that are approximately 2.3 meters wide, 1.1 – 1.8 meters tall, and 5 – 7 meters long, giving them a capacity of approximately 13 – 30 cubic meters. On the other hand, smaller dump trucks, often mounted on pickup frames, have a capacity of about 2.2 – 3.0 cubic meters. It’s important to note that size matters, as the dimensions of the dump body limit how much material can be transported.

To calculate the capacity of a dump truck, follow these steps:

Measure the width, length, and height of the truck bed in meters.
Multiply these dimensions to get the truck’s capacity in cubic meters.
Divide the cubic meters by 27 (the number of cubic meters in a cubic yard) to find the capacity in cubic yards.
Remember that different materials have varying weights. Therefore, even if a dump truck can hold a certain volume, its weight limit may restrict the amount of heavy material it can transport safely.

Material Weight Matters

The weight of the material you’re transporting is a crucial factor in determining how much a dump truck can carry. Materials like concrete, rock, or wet soil can be significantly heavier than others, affecting the overall load a dump truck can safely handle. For example:

Concrete: 1769-1860 kilograms per cubic meter.
Rock (2-6 inches): 1361-1542 kilograms per cubic meter.
Sand: 1601-1830 kilograms per cubic meter.
Asphalt: 1134-1315 kilograms per cubic meter.
Gravel: 1078-1315 kilograms per cubic meter.
Clay: 953-1134 kilograms per cubic meter.
Salt: 953-1134 kilograms per cubic meter.
Soil: 1008-1232 kilograms per cubic meter.
Water: 1000 kilograms per cubic meter.
Snow: 544-680 kilograms per cubic meter.
Keep in mind that these weight ranges are for dry materials. When materials absorb moisture, they become much heavier. For example, soil can gain up to 453 kilograms per cubic meter when saturated.

Dump Truck Body Styles

Dump truck bodies come in different shapes, including rectangular, half-round, and semi-elliptical designs. The shape of the dump body can affect both the storage capacity and how cleanly the material is unloaded.

Rectangle: This shape offers the most room on the floor of the bed, providing ample space for materials to spread out. It’s ideal for heavy loads due to its stability.
Half-Round: Half-round bodies can handle impacts better and are lighter because they don’t require cross-members for support. However, they may not be suitable for hauling certain equipment or pallets due to their non-flat bottom.
Semi-Elliptical: Combining features of both the rectangle and half-round designs, the semi-elliptical body offers decent storage capacity while making unloading cleaner.
Calculating Dump Truck Capacity by Weight

To determine how many yards of material a dump truck can carry by weight, divide the truck’s weight capacity by the weight of the material per cubic meter. For instance, if a dump truck with a 13,608 kg weight limit is carrying sand weighing 1601 kg per cubic meter, it can carry approximately 8.5 cubic meters of sand safely.

Conclusion

Understanding dump truck capacity is crucial when transporting materials for various construction or landscaping projects. While the size and design of the dump body play a significant role in determining capacity, it’s essential to consider both volume and weight limitations. By doing so, you can ensure safe and efficient material transport with dump trucks, optimizing your project’s success.