How Many Tons Does a Dump Truck Hold? Dump Truck Capacity Explained

“how many tons can a dump truck haul?”
“how much can a dump truck hold?”
“how many tons does a dump truck hold?”
“how many tons of asphalt in a dump truck?”
“how many tons can a dump truck hold legally?”

Most answers give you a vague range — not the real number you need to stay legal and profitable.

If you spec or operate dump trucks, this article is for you.

✅ Tonnage by truck size & type
✅ Asphalt-specific hauling limits
✅ Empty vs. loaded truck weight
✅ Yardage-to-ton conversions
✅ Real-world charts and takeaways

Dump Truck Capacity Chart (Printable PDF)

Here’s a snapshot of load capacity by truck size.
If you’re looking for a quick dump truck capacity chart, we’ve built one below that covers axle count, spacing, and legal tonnage.

Dump Truck Hauling and Delivery by Comvoy

If you want to go deeper into the nuts and bolts of dump truck operations, Comvoy has a solid guide that covers more than just specs. It explains how truck size, load capacity, and cubic yards of material translate into real-world hauling performance.

👉 Check out Comvoy’s full breakdown: Dump Truck: Hauling and Delivering — packed with practical applications and tips fleets can use on the job.

Dump Truck Weight: Empty vs. Loaded (What Can They Legally Haul?)

Tonnage is only half the story. You also need to know your gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).

• A smaller dump truck might weigh 28,000 pounds empty and only hold 6–8 tons.

• A tri-axle may weigh 32,000–36,000 pounds empty but legally haul up to 25 tons.

That’s why you can’t just look at cubic yards — you have to check GVWR and bridge laws.

Dump Truck Weight Limits (DOT Bridge Formula Explained)

Here’s the part most buyers skip — and where DOT loves to hand out fines.
It’s not just GVWR. It’s not just cubic yards of material.
It’s how your weight sits on the axles.

👉 Plain English: The more axles you run — and the farther apart they’re spaced — the more tons you can legally haul.

Cubic Yards vs. Tons: How Much Can a Dump Truck Hold?

Spec sheets often talk about capacity measured in cubic yards, not tons. But different types of materials weigh differently:

Pro tip: A 14’ ft steel body holding 15 yd³ of gravel can weigh over 22 tons. That’s pushing your legal limit fast — especially if you spec’d a 33K GVWR chassis.

Tri-Axle vs. 10-Wheeler: Which One Holds More Tons?

Tri-Axle
✅ Better weight distribution
✅ Legal for heavier loads (25–30 tons)
✅ Required for many DOT paving bids

10-Wheeler (Tandem)
✅ Shorter wheelbase, better for tight turns
✅ Often cheaper and lighter
⚠️ May be limited to ~66K lbs depending on axle spacing

Verdict: For heavier materials (stone, asphalt, millings), go tri-axle. For short city runs, go 10-wheeler.

How Many Tons of Asphalt Can a Dump Truck Haul?

Asphalt is dense — and heavy. Hauling it safely means knowing both your load capacity and legal limits.

🛑 Important:

• 1 cubic yard of hot mix asphalt ≈ 2 tons

• Overloading cracks frames + triggers DOT fines

• Always confirm vehicle weight rating (GVWR) by state

Real-World Example: Steel vs. Aluminum Dump Bodies (NJ Laws)

Takeaway:
✅ Body material matters
✅ Curb weight matters
✅ State laws & bridge formulas matter

18-Wheeler Dump Trucks: Power + Capacity

These semi-style dump trucks can haul 30–40 tons depending on trailer length, axle count, and bridge laws.

• High-volume hauling

• Quarry & mill runs

• Municipal contracts needing fewer loads per day

But they’re not for every job: expensive, harder to insure, and require special licensing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tons does a tri-axle dump truck hold legally?
Most tri-axle dump trucks can legally haul between 18–25 tons, depending on truck size, axle spacing, suspension setup, and your state’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) laws. Always confirm local DOT limits before hauling heavier materials.

How much asphalt can fit in a dump truck?
A tandem dump truck (10-wheeler) typically hauls 12–16 tons of hot mix asphalt, while tri-axles can handle up to 22 tons. Asphalt is denser than many other types of materials (about 2 tons per cubic yard), so even a smaller dump truck can max out quickly.

Can a dump truck haul 20 tons legally?
Yes — if it’s a tri-axle or quad-axle specced for that load capacity and compliant with DOT bridge laws. Anything over 20 tons should always be verified against the truck’s GVWR and vehicle weight rating (GVWR) sticker.

How many tons can a dump truck hold legally?
It depends on the truck size and configuration. A single-axle may max out at 6–8 tons (often weighing ~28,000 pounds loaded), tandems carry 12–16 tons, and tri-axles up to 25 tons. Always confirm with scales and GVWR ratings.

How many tons is a standard dump truck?
A “standard” dump truck (tandem axle / 10-wheeler) typically hauls 12–16 tons legally. Some lighter-duty models may max at 10 tons, while heavy-duty tri-axles can handle 18–25 tons. Capacity is often measured in cubic yards on spec sheets — but tons matter more for staying within legal weight limits.

Wrap-Up

Dump trucks aren’t just about how many tons a dump truck can hold or how many cubic yards fit in the body. They’re about GVWR, load capacity, truck size, and the types of materials you haul.

Getting it wrong costs you fines, downtime, and repairs. Getting it right keeps your operators safe and your fleet profitable.

👉 Fleet managers, operators, and business owners: How do you spec your dump trucks for max payload without risking fines?

—
Leyhan
Founder, The Upfit Insider