End Dump vs Side Dump vs Belly Dump vs Roll-Off: Which Truck to Buy
End dump = default choice for site work and aggregate ($45k–$85k used). Side dump = specialty for windrow work and shoulder pulls ($90k+). Belly dump = high-volume aggregate on paved routes ($75k+). Roll-off = urban C&D and demo, different licensing model.
Every body style has a lane it dominates and a lane it can't touch. Buy the wrong one for your metro and you'll drive 40 miles for every load.
The four bodies at a glance
| Body | Best for | Used price | Watch-out |
|---|---|---|---|
| End dump (tandem/tri) | General site work, aggregate, dirt | $45k–$85k | Can't dump under low overheads (bridges, garages) |
| Side dump | Windrows, road shoulders, ditches | $90k–$140k | Tips over if load isn't level; unstable on soft ground |
| Belly / bottom dump | High-volume paved aggregate & millings | $75k–$120k | Useless off-road; needs paved delivery site |
| Roll-off | Urban C&D, demo, dumpster swaps | $55k–$95k | Different business model — you own the boxes too |
Pick by metro demand, not preference
- Suburban residential build-out → end dump (dirt for pads)
- State DOT paving contracts → belly dump (high-cycle aggregate)
- Dense urban with lots of teardowns → roll-off
- Ag / oil / road-shoulder work → side dump
First-truck default
Unless a specific contract dictates otherwise, buy a tandem or tri-axle end dump. It's the most liquid on resale, the widest use case, and every GC in every metro knows exactly what to do with one.
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