Used Dump Trucks — Specs, Pay and What to Know Before You Buy

Total honesty: running a dump truck ain’t glamour, but when the numbers line up, and you’ve got the right specs, the pay can be real. Whether you’re hauling gravel, dirt, demolition, or material to job sites, this guide digs into the “how many cubic yards in a dump truck” question, “how much do dump truck drivers make”, and everything between. We’ll hit truck size, volume math, pay reality, cost of ownership and spec checklist. No hiding behind chrome—just road-truth.

How Many Yards in a Dump Truck?

Good question. On the ground it matters for pricing, weight limits, and job planning. Industry data shows the typical capacity for standard dump trucks is about 10–16 cubic yards of material.
Here’s a real-world driver:

“A dump truck is usually 10 yards. … A yard is 27 cubic feet.” Reddit
Another:
“A tandem axle dump truck usually holds 12 yards.” Reddit
And more broad:
“I’ve been doing this for 30 yrs … the most they can fit in one is 19–20 cubic yards in a tri-axle dump truck….” Reddit

Why the spread?

Because not all dump trucks are built the same.

• Truck size and axle configuration: tandem vs tri-axle vs even quad. 
• Material density: gravel vs dirt vs demolition—weight could hit legal limits before volume does. 
• Bed design: high sides, heavy duty steel, shorter bed vs longer deck. 
• Local regs: permit weight limits, quad axle routes, etc. 

Rule of thumb: If you’re quoting loads, use ~10–14 cubic yards as base for standard tandem unit. If it’s a tri-axle or heavy side‐dump spec, you might stretch toward 16–20 yards—but check the material weight first.

How Much Do Dump Truck Drivers Make?

Deciding if this rig pays means knowing what drivers are actually getting in their seats. Let’s hear some threads:

“I get $21 an hour … average 50-55 hrs a week so … home with $900-$950.” Reddit
“Pay can be $65-75K, up to and over $80K.” Reddit
“$2,230 a month for the truck if nothing breaks down … been making about $4,000-$5,000 a week.” Reddit
“It’s all in the same ballpark. … poor paying jobs and great paying jobs in both driving semi’s and dump trucks.” Reddit

What that tells us

• Hourly local dump truck work: $20-$30/hr depending region, material, overtime. 
• Haul/contract type work: may hit $65K-$80K+ annually if job mix is good. 
• Owner-operators in dump trucking can push into high four-figures per week when routes are strong—if downtime is low. 
• But pay is volatile: weather, job availability, material type, maintenance, and permits all matter. 

Comparison reference

If you’ve already read our piece on Used Truck Buying Guide, you know the importance of total cost per mile. In dump trucking, you’ll want to similarly evaluate cost per load or cost per yard hauled, not just “what’s the rate.”

Spec’ing Your Dump Truck: Size, Bed, and Load Realities

1. Choose the right size

• Tandem axle dump trucks: good for 10-14 cubic yards, ideal for many site jobs. 
• Tri-axle or quad-axle units: required when you’re hauling big weights, rock, demolition, heavy equipment—often 16-20 yards or more. 
• Weight vs. volume: If you’re hauling dense material like crushed rock or concrete, you might hit gross vehicle weight (GVW) limit well before bed is full. One driver:
  
  
  “…depending on the makeup of the soil and clay … you’ll hit the max weight in material before you hit the max 15 yards capacity.” Reddit 

2. Material matters

Knowing how many yards you’ll carry means knowing the material weight. Specifications like density (lbs per cubic yard) are crucial for safety and law.

3. Bed design and load angle

• Meanwhile, steel vs aluminum beds show another trade-off: steel = more weight, long life; aluminum = lighter but higher cost.  
• Side height: high sides equal more volume but heavier empty weight and more wind drag when empty. 
• Tarping & cover systems: if you’re hauling lighter materials or loose loads, tarps might be required. 

4. Job type and routes

If you pick up site-to-site, short haul, you’ll want quick cycle times and predictable yards. If you’re doing hauls between quarries and terminals you’ll lean heavier spec—and need road-legal clearance.

5. Ownership vs rental

Similar to how we break down trailers in Flatbed Trailer 101, you’ll want to assess:

• Initial cost (used or new) 
• Maintenance burden (hydraulics, body work, tarp kits) 
• Downtime risk (repairs = no pay) 
• Permits and local routes 

How Many Yards in a Dump Truck?: Contract Tips for Buyers & Haulers

When fixing rates or bidding jobs, keep these in mind:

• Use yardage AND weight: don’t quote purely by yards if material is heavy. 
• Ask the material supplier for density or weight per yard. 
• If the job calls for “15 cubic yards per load,” verify the truck spec can legally handle that volume and weight. 
• For smaller subcontractors working local loads, 8-12 yards might be better suited to the job. 
• For oversized rock or heavy gravel, spec a tri-axle, 16+ yard bed—but ensure you’re paid accordingly. 

Cost of Ownership: Now Let’s Run the Math

Every driver or owner-operator needs to ask: “After insurance, maintenance, fuel, and downtime—what’s the real cut per load?”
Items to consider:

• Purchase or finance pay­ments 
• Hydraulics and body maintenance 
• Tires and brakes (heavy duty spec) 
• Insurance (site liability, material liability, spill risk) 
• Permits or overweight route fees 
• Downtime cost when the body is repairing or the truck’s parked 

You can get deeper into this in our Semi Truck Financing Guide — same cost-per-mile logic applies here, only now we’re talking yards and tons.

Is Dump Trucking Worth It in 2025?

Here are some real driver lines:

“I’m a 5-axle dump truck driver. Do it. Best driving job I’ve ever had. Home every night, weekends and holidays…” Reddit
“Where’s the money in dump trucking? … I’ve been making about $4,000-$5,000 a week.” Reddit
“$2,230 a month for the truck if nothing breaks down…” Reddit

In short, here’s what that that means

• If you can control downtime, choose the right lanes, understand weight/volume trade-offs—you can make significant money. 
• If you’re in a region where seasonal work disappears (cold climates, rain delays) or hauling small loads only—your pay may not justify the spec. 
• Contracting for construction or site work? You’ll sweat for it, but you’ll get paid for hustle and skill. If your priority is easier hours and less maintenance, maybe other rigs suit you better. 

Final Word

To wrap it up:

When quoting loads, use about 10–14 cubic yards as the baseline for a standard tandem unit.

If you’re going heavy—tri-axle spec, gravel, rock, or demolition—volume may hit 16–20 yards, but your weight could rule you out if you’re not careful.

Meanwhile, pay for dump-truck drivers ranges widely, from hourly local gigs to owner-operator high earnings, so always track your cost versus payment.

Also, run your numbers: cost per load, cost per yard, downtime risk, and material density.

Finally, spec smart—size, bed, route, and contract type all matter.

And remember: owning means you keep the equity, but you carry the risk and maintenance. Renting or leasing lowers commitment, yet it caps your upside.

Ready to haul? Browse verified dump truck listings on ShareRig. Whether you’re buying or leasing, make sure you’re working with verified users—no scammers, no shortcuts. If you don’t see your spec today, check back soon—good rigs move quick.