The tonnage workhorse. When contractors pay per ton, the tri-axle out-earns a tandem on every single trip — but it costs more to buy, insure, and maintain, and it can't reach every site.
| Payload | 16–22 tons |
|---|---|
| Body volume | 14–18 cu yd |
| GVWR | 66,000–80,000 lb |
| Used price (2026) | $50,000–$110,000 |
| New price (2026) | $180,000–$240,000 |
| Typical hourly rate | $135–$195/hr |
| Typical per load | $300–$520 |
| Fuel economy | 5.5–6.5 blended |
| Insurance | $5,600–$12,500/yr |
Tri-axles dominate aggregate and DOT hauling in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast. The economics only work if your market prices by the ton and your cycles are long enough to amortize the higher fixed costs.
| 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 |
Only if your market pays by the ton and your sites can accommodate the length. On short, tight, hourly-billed work a tandem earns nearly the same revenue at meaningfully lower cost.
Typically 16–22 tons depending on state axle limits and truck tare weight.
Run the numbers before you sign anything — then get the full inspection checklist, financing playbook, and pricing math inside the course.