In the real world of adults, dump trucks — often called ‘dumpers’ or ‘tipper lorries’ in the United Kingdom and ‘tip trucks’ in Australia — are no less fascinating when you think about how incredibly important they are to keep modern society in working order.
The large-engined truck with a deep, open bed in the back is used across so many industries – from construction to mining — to transport all kinds of material from one location to another. In fact, according to Hexa Research, the dump truck service market in the United States will reach $20.64 billion by 2025, owing to a growing rise in construction and mining activities in the country. About 15,000 firms are currently active in the US providing dump truck services, and they create over 100,000 direct employment opportunities at current service levels.
Load King Dump Truck Offerings
Here’s a glance at some of Load King’s popular dump truck options:
- Load King’s 10 ft. Dump Truck:
- Capacity: Up to 7 cubic yards.
- Ideal for: Sand to medium aggregates and asphalt.
- Dump Angle: Up to 50-degree angle.
- Body Material: High strength steel.
- Standard Features: Electric mesh tarp, 96″ overall width, 36″ tailgate height.
- Load King’s 16 ft. Dump Truck:
- Capacity: 16 to 19 cubic yards.
- Ideal for: Sand to large aggregates, riprap, and asphalt.
- Standard Length: 16′-18′.
- Standard Features: High-lift tailgates, heavy-duty aprons, and an electric mesh tarp.
- Body Material: 1/4″ AR450 Steel for floor, side sheet, front dog house, and tailgate.
Choosing the Right Dump Truck
Here’s relevant information to help you choose a dump truck that will best suit your budget and performance needs:
Body Styles
There are three main body styles on the market:
- Traditional Rectangle:
- Offers the most room on the floor of the bed, allowing for more spread.
- Popular for its strength and agility with a low center of gravity when carrying heavy loads.
- Half-Round:
- Handles impact better than the rectangular version due to its semi-circular steel shape.
- Lighter total weight and greater payload capacity as it doesn’t require cross-members for support.
- The shape makes it more difficult for material to stick to the floor, allowing for a cleaner dump cycle.
- Limitation: Has limitations when it comes to hauling equipment or pallets in the bed due to its non-flat floor.
- Semi-Elliptical (Bathtub or Tub Style):
- Considered a hybrid between the traditional rectangle and the half-round.
- Features floors like the traditional rectangle but a haul shape like the half-round.
Body Metal
Choosing the right metal depends on the nature of the task, as metals have different tensile strengths. The two main options are steel and aluminum:
- Steel:
- Ideal for: Carrying abrasive materials such as asphalt, gravel, and concrete, as it offers more protection against potential damage.
- Available in numerous types and grades, ranging from A-36 up to AR-450 or AR-500, depending on the application.
- Aluminum:
- Ideal for: Carrying non-abrasive materials due to its lighter weight.
- Offers greater payload capacity and more protection from corrosion.
- Downsides: More expensive and has higher repair costs than steel.
Engine
- Power Output: Dump truck engines typically range between 300 and 600 horsepower.
- Caution: Avoid overestimating your requirements and buying excessive horsepower, as this will increase operational costs. Match the engine to the weight of the load you intend to carry, aiming for adequate power without being overpowered.
Transmission
- Manual Transmission:
- Offers a wide range of gear options for greater maneuverability.
- Allows operators to match engine speed with the task at hand.
- Automatic Transmission:
- Causes less operator fatigue during long haul jobs due to the absence of multiple gears and a clutch.
- Does not offer the same level of fine-tuned control as manual.
- Integrated Automated Manual Transmission (AMT):
- Becoming popular with dump truck buyers.
- Combines efficient energy expenditure with a comfortable operating experience.
Axle Requirements
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The maximum operating weight specified for a dump truck, including the total weight of the chassis, body, engine, fuel, operator, and cargo load.
- Federal Laws: Federal laws are in place to protect highways and bridges from excessive damage caused by vehicle weight. These limits are based on the number of axles on a truck; fewer axles mean a lower legal weight capacity on public roads.
- Super Dumps: These trucks dominate the heavy end of the market due to their ability to comply with federal bridge formula standards while carrying significant payloads. A Super Dump has four to seven total axles and is capable of legal payloads ranging from 19-26 tons (approximately 17,237-23,587 kg). They combine the huge payload of trailers and transfers with the maneuverability and quick turnaround time of a standard tandem dump truck, making them highly productive and profitable.
Click this link for more information on local and federal laws regulating weight and axle numbers.
Choosing the Right Dealership
All dealerships are not made the same, but their participation in the purchase experience is extremely important – from evaluating specs and gauging the most suitable equipment to offering valuable customer support and financing options.
Chip Howard, Product Manager at Custom Truck One Source, highlights their commitment: “A lot of people like to stay minimal, but we take pride in building robust trucks that are going to have lasting value in their second life — when it is time to trade it or sell it.” Custom Truck One Source, as the first true single-source provider of specialized trucks in the country, boasts:
- 26 locations across the U.S.
- A deep network of service and support staff.
- A 24-hour call-in center for customer assistance, whether for sales or rental clients.
- The largest inventory of dump trucks in the United States, offering a huge variety of specs, including region-specific options. Their stock remains robust even in the last quarter of the year.