Calculate how many dump truck trips you need with both volume and weight limit checks.
This calculator helps you determine how many dump truck trips you need to haul excavated material, with a critical safety feature: it checks both volume and weight limits to prevent overloading.
Every truck has two limits: how much it can hold by volume (cubic meters or cubic yards) and how much it can carry by weight (kilograms or pounds). For light materials like dry sand or topsoil, the truck bed fills up before reaching the weight limit — volume governs. For heavy materials like wet clay or rock, the truck reaches its weight limit before the bed is full — weight governs.
Many contractors estimate trips by volume alone, which works for light materials. But for heavy soils, this leads to overloaded trucks, which damages equipment, risks fines, and creates safety hazards. This calculator makes the weight check automatic.
| Truck Type | Volume | Weight Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Single Axle (US) | 7.6 m³ (10 yd³) | 10,886 kg (24,000 lb) |
| Tandem Axle (US) | 10.7 m³ (14 yd³) | 14,515 kg (32,000 lb) |
| Tri-Axle (US) | 13.8 m³ (18 yd³) | 19,051 kg (42,000 lb) |
| Super Dump (US) | 19.1 m³ (25 yd³) | 24,040 kg (53,000 lb) |
Volume of excavated material to haul (loose, not bank)
Used for weight calculation
Total Trips Required
2
trips
By Volume
2
trips
10.70 m³ capacity
GOVERNS
By Weight
2
trips
14515 kg capacity
Volume governs
The truck fills up before reaching its weight limit. This is typical for lighter materials like sand and topsoil.
Volume per trip
10.00 m³
Weight per trip
11850 kg
Total loose volume
20.00 m³
Total weight
23700 kg