The highest payload per trip on the road, and the most flexible if you already own a tractor. The trade-off is maneuverability and tip-over risk on uneven ground.
| Payload | 22–26 tons |
|---|---|
| Body volume | 20–34 cu yd |
| GVWR | 80,000 lb combination |
| Used price (2026) | $18,000–$45,000 (trailer only) |
| New price (2026) | $55,000–$85,000 (trailer only) |
| Typical hourly rate | $140–$200/hr |
| Typical per load | $400–$700 |
| Fuel economy | 5.5–6.5 blended |
| Insurance | $7,000–$14,000/yr (tractor + trailer) |
End dumps win on long hauls where payload dominates the economics. They lose on tight local site work where a straight truck can turn around in a cul-de-sac and an end dump has to be walked in and out.
| Type | Payload | Used price | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-Axle Dump Truck | 6–8 tons | $18,000–$45,000 | $85–$135/hr |
| Tandem-Axle Dump Truck | 12–15 tons | $35,000–$85,000 | $105–$165/hr |
| Tri-Axle Dump Truck | 16–22 tons | $50,000–$110,000 | $135–$195/hr |
| Quad-Axle Dump Truck | 20–26 tons | $65,000–$130,000 | $155–$220/hr |
| End Dump Trailer | 22–26 tons | $18,000–$45,000 (trailer only) | $140–$200/hr |
| Side Dump Trailer | 22–28 tons | $25,000–$55,000 (trailer only) | $145–$205/hr |
| Super Dump Truck | 20–26 tons | $70,000–$135,000 | $150–$210/hr |
| Transfer Dump Truck | 22–26 tons | $60,000–$120,000 (truck + transfer) | $140–$200/hr |
For long hauls and maximum payload, yes. For local site work with short cycles and tight access, a straight tandem or tri-axle is faster and safer.
Yes — any tractor-trailer combination over 26,001 lb requires a Class A CDL.
Run the numbers before you sign anything — then get the full inspection checklist, financing playbook, and pricing math inside the course.