Dump Truck Sizes Compared: Yards, Tons and Which to Order

A single-axle dump truck holds about 5–7 cubic yards, a tandem 10–12 and a tri-axle 15–18. That is how much fits. How much it can legally carry is a different number, and for heavy material it comes first: a tandem that takes 12 yards of bark mulch will carry about 11 yards of topsoil and only about 9 of crushed stone.

For most home jobs, order a single-axle up to about 5 yards of soil and a tandem up to about 10. Above that, it is a tri-axle or more than one truck.

Dump truck sizes compared

The last three columns are our own working figures. They take the heavy end of each material's weight (2,400 lb a yard for topsoil, 2,900 for crushed stone, 500 for pine bark) and a cautious payload for each truck, then stop at whichever runs out first. Published payloads run higher, with tandems quoted anywhere from 12 to 18 tons, because they depend on the truck and the state. Treat ours as what to plan around, not as a promise from any yard.

Which truck to order for your job

The job	Amount	Order
Garden bed, 10 × 20 ft, 4 in of topsoil	2.5 yd	Single-axle, part full
New lawn, 500 sq ft, 4 in of topsoil	6.2 yd	Tandem, or two single-axle trips if access is tight
Mulch, 1,000 sq ft, 3 in deep	9.3 yd	Tandem, with room to spare
Gravel driveway, 1,000 sq ft, 4 in deep	12.3 yd, about 18 tons	Tri-axle, or two tandems
New lawn, 2,000 sq ft, 4 in of topsoil	24.7 yd	Two tri-axles, or three tandems

Not sure of the amount? Start with how much topsoil you need, or put your material and yards into the truck load calculator, which counts the trips for each truck.

A truck does not have to be full

A full truck is the yard's unit, not yours. Most yards will send a part load, though many set a minimum order or charge a separate fee for a small one, so ask before you round up to fill the truck. Whatever you are quoted for "a load", get the yards in writing, because a load is not a fixed measure.

Why the same truck carries less stone

Every load runs out of either room or weight. Mulch fills the bed long before it gets heavy. Stone is the opposite: 9 yards of it reaches a tandem's weight limit with the bed well short of full. That is why a load of stone can look small, and why it is usually sold by the ton while mulch is sold by the yard.

Three things can cut a load below the figures above:

• Rain. Topsoil can reach about 125% of its dry weight when soaked, and bark mulch about 180%. A wet pile means fewer yards on the same truck.
• Weight limits. Legal limits vary by state and by road. Some northern states and counties lower them during the spring thaw, so a yard may send a lighter load in those weeks.
• The truck itself. Two tandems can differ by several yards. Sideboards add room, which helps with mulch but does nothing for stone, because stone was already at its weight limit.

Will the truck fit?

Size is about access as much as volume. Check these before you choose:

• Headroom. A dump truck needs about 16 feet clear to raise the bed. Wires, branches and carport roofs are what usually stop a delivery on the day.
• Width. Trucks run up to about 8½ feet wide before mirrors, so measure any gate or gap between parked cars and give the yard the number.
• Weight on the drive. A tandem with 10 yards of topsoil is around 25 tons, and a full tri-axle is well over 30. Read whether a dump truck will damage your driveway first, then decide where the driver should tip the load.
• The street. On a narrow or weight-posted road, two small trucks can be a better choice than one big one, even with the extra trip.

What about a pickup or trailer?

A pickup bed has more room than most people can legally fill. A short F-150 bed holds about 2 yards level, going by Ford's 52.8 cubic feet, but a yard of topsoil can weigh more than a half-ton should carry.

Your truck's real limit is on the sticker inside the driver's door, and it includes everyone in the cab. Enter it in the calculator for your own figure. Three yards of topsoil is eight trips in a half-ton, which is usually the point where one delivery makes more sense.

What to ask the yard

1. "How many yards or tons will be on the truck?" Get the number, not "a load".
2. "What size truck will you send, and how many axles?"
3. "Is there a smaller truck, and what does it change?" Many yards run one, but not all do.
4. "Is there a minimum order or a short-load fee?"
5. "How much room does the driver need?" Then tell them about any gate, wire or soft ground.

When it arrives, stay until the bed comes down. If the load looks short, it can only be measured before you start spreading it. What ten yards looks like shows the size of pile to expect.

Frequently asked questions

How many cubic yards does a dump truck hold?

Usually 5–7 for a single-axle, 10–12 for a tandem and 15–18 for a tri-axle. Heavy material such as stone or sand reaches the weight limit first, so the truck may carry fewer yards than it has room for.

How many tons can a dump truck carry?

We plan on about 6 tons for a single-axle, 13 for a tandem and 20 for a tri-axle. Published figures run higher and legal limits vary by state, so ask the yard what it loads.

What size truck do I need for 10 yards of topsoil?

A tandem. Ten yards of topsoil is about 12 tons, which is within the 13 we plan on. Soaked soil can go over that, so after heavy rain ask the yard whether it will still come in one trip.

Is a ten-wheeler the same as a tandem?

Yes, usually. Both names describe a dump truck with two rear axles: two wheels at the front and eight at the back.

Can I get less than a full truck?

Usually, yes. Many yards set a minimum order or charge a fee for a small load, so ask when you order. The load cost guide covers how load pricing works.