How much does a dump trailer hold?
A 7x14 dump trailer with 2-ft sides holds 7.17 cubic yards, and our 6x12 with 20-inch sides holds 4.44. Light material like brush, mulch and demolition debris fills the bed before it gets heavy. Heavy material hits the weight limit first: a 7x14 carries only about 3.6 cubic yards of gravel or 4.7 of topsoil.
Key takeaways
- Volume = inside length × width × side height ÷ 27.
- Light loads fill by volume; heavy loads fill by weight.
- Gravel and stone: fill the 7x14 only about halfway.
- Overloading damages tires and axles and lengthens stopping distance.
How do you calculate dump trailer volume?
Multiply the inside length, width and side height in inches, then divide by 46,656 (the cubic inches in a cubic yard). Our 7x14 bed is 168 × 83 inches with 24-inch sides: 334,656 cubic inches, or 7.17 cubic yards. Our 6x12 is 144 × 72 inches with 20-inch sides: 4.44 cubic yards. Taller sides add volume but not payload.
How much of each material fits?
| Material | lb per cu yd | 7x14 (9,820 lb payload) | 6x12 (6,800 lb payload) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brush and yard waste | 127 | Full bed | Full bed |
| Mixed remodel debris | 417–484 | Full bed (≈1.6 tons) | Full bed (≈1 ton) |
| Asphalt shingles | 731 | Full bed (≈2.6 tons) | Full bed (≈1.6 tons) |
| Mulch | ≈800 | Full bed | Full bed |
| Topsoil | ≈2,100 | ≈4.7 cu yd (65% full) | ≈3.2 cu yd (73% full) |
| Gravel, sand, stone | ≈2,700 | ≈3.6 cu yd (51% full) | ≈2.5 cu yd (57% full) |
Payloads from the manufacturers' spec sheets (Big Tex 14LP-14, Sure-Trac 6x12 10K). Wet material weighs more.
Rent the 7x14 14K Dump
$165/day · $279 weekend · $595 week. Total with tax shown before you book.
See prices and bookWhat happens if you overload a dump trailer?
Tires overheat and blow, axles and springs bend, the hoist strains, and the trailer pushes your truck when you brake. You're also responsible for the damage under the rental agreement. If the bed looks half empty with gravel in it, that's correct.
How do I load it evenly?
Put about 60% of the weight ahead of the axles so the tongue carries 10–15% of the total. Spread heavy material across the floor rather than piling it at the back, and tarp the load before you drive. Our towing guide covers tongue weight in more detail.
Questions
Is a 7x14 dump trailer the same as a 10-yard dumpster?
Close. A 7x14 with 2-ft sides holds 7.17 cubic yards, a bit less than a 10-yard dumpster filled level.
How many tons can a 14K dump trailer carry?
About 4.9 tons. Our Big Tex 14LP-14 has a 9,820 lb payload (14,000 lb GVWR minus 4,180 lb empty).
Sources
- EPA, Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors for solid waste (2016)
- Big Tex 14LP spec sheet
- Sure-Trac LP Standard Duty Dump spec sheet