Truck buyer's guide

Transfer Dump Truck: Cost, Capacity, and Western-Market Advantage

A straight dump pulling a separate pup body that can be transferred into the truck. Standard equipment in California and the Southwest, rare elsewhere.

Transfer Dump Truck specs and costs at a glance

Payload22–26 tons
Body volume20–28 cu yd
GVWR80,000 lb combination
Used price (2026)$60,000–$120,000 (truck + transfer)
New price (2026)$200,000–$265,000
Typical hourly rate$140–$200/hr
Typical per load$400–$680
Fuel economy5.0–6.0 blended
Insurance$6,800–$13,500/yr

Is it the right truck for you?

The transfer's advantage is flexibility: drop the pup at the road, drive the straight truck into the tight part of the site, then come back and transfer the second load. In markets where transfers are the norm, GCs specifically request them.

Best for

  • West Coast aggregate hauling
  • Jobs where you drop the trailer and access tight sites
  • Two-load deliveries in one trip

Skip it if

  • You're east of the Rockies where transfers are uncommon
  • You have nowhere to safely drop a pup

Compare every dump truck type

TypePayloadUsed priceHourly rate
Single-Axle Dump Truck6–8 tons$18,000–$45,000$85–$135/hr
Tandem-Axle Dump Truck12–15 tons$35,000–$85,000$105–$165/hr
Tri-Axle Dump Truck16–22 tons$50,000–$110,000$135–$195/hr
Quad-Axle Dump Truck20–26 tons$65,000–$130,000$155–$220/hr
End Dump Trailer22–26 tons$18,000–$45,000 (trailer only)$140–$200/hr
Side Dump Trailer22–28 tons$25,000–$55,000 (trailer only)$145–$205/hr
Super Dump Truck20–26 tons$70,000–$135,000$150–$210/hr
Transfer Dump Truck22–26 tons$60,000–$120,000 (truck + transfer)$140–$200/hr

Common questions

Where are transfer dump trucks common?

California, Nevada, Arizona, and the Pacific Northwest. They're uncommon east of the Rockies, where tri-axles dominate.

How much does a transfer dump haul?

Roughly 22–26 tons across the truck body and pup combined, depending on state limits.

Buying your first truck?

Run the numbers before you sign anything — then get the full inspection checklist, financing playbook, and pricing math inside the course.