Common dump trailer sizes run from about 5x8 feet up to 7x16 feet, with side heights that usually range from 2 to 4 feet. To find a trailer's capacity in cubic yards, multiply length by width by side height (in feet) and divide by 27. For heavy materials like dirt or concrete, though, the trailer's weight rating will limit you long before the bed is full.
Common dump trailer sizes
Dump trailers are named by the inside bed dimensions, width first: a 7x14 is 7 feet wide and 14 feet long. Side height is the third number when it's listed, as in 7x16x4. Here's what each common size holds when loaded level with the top of the sides.
| Bed size | Side height | Cubic feet | Cubic yards (level) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5x8 | 2 ft | 80 | 3.0 |
| 6x10 | 2 ft | 120 | 4.4 |
| 6x12 | 2 ft | 144 | 5.3 |
| 7x14 | 2 ft | 196 | 7.3 |
| 7x14 | 3 ft | 294 | 10.9 |
| 7x14 | 4 ft | 392 | 14.5 |
| 7x16 | 2 ft | 224 | 8.3 |
| 7x16 | 4 ft | 448 | 16.6 |
Some listings quote a bigger number than this because they count a "heaped" load piled above the sides. A level load is the honest figure, and heaped loads are harder to tarp and secure.
Smaller trailers like the 5x8 and 6x10 suit compact trucks and light jobs. The 6x12, 7x14 and 7x16 are the workhorses for cleanouts, remodels and landscaping.
How to calculate cubic yards
The formula is simple: length x width x height (all in feet) ÷ 27. There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard (3 x 3 x 3).
Example: 7x14 with 2-foot sides
7 x 14 x 2 = 196 cubic feet. Divide by 27 and you get about 7.3 cubic yards.
Example: 7x16x4
7 x 16 x 4 = 448 cubic feet. Divide by 27 and you get about 16.6 cubic yards.
If a trailer has fold-down sides or extensions, measure the height you'll actually load to. If you're not sure of the dimensions, measure the inside of the bed with a tape rather than relying on the listing.
Weight capacity: GVWR, empty weight and payload
Volume is only half the story. Every trailer has a weight limit, and you'll see three related numbers:
- GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating): the most the trailer and its load can weigh together. It's printed on the trailer's VIN or spec plate, usually on the tongue or frame.
- Empty weight: what the trailer weighs with nothing in it.
- Payload: GVWR minus empty weight. This is how much material you can actually put in.
For a 7x14 dump trailer, payload is "often around 8,200 to 10,000 lb," according to an industry explainer from KBEW. That varies a lot by axle rating and build, so always go by the plate on the trailer you're renting.
Why heavy loads (dirt, concrete, roofing) fill up on weight first
Light, bulky loads like furniture, yard trimmings and boxes fill a trailer by volume. You'll run out of space before you get close to the weight limit.
Dense materials work the other way. Dirt, gravel, concrete, brick and roofing shingles can weigh a ton or more per cubic yard. That means a 7x14 trailer could hit its payload with only a few cubic yards of material in the bed, even though it looks mostly empty.
For heavy loads:
- Ask the supplier or landfill for the weight per cubic yard of your exact material, since moisture and mix change it.
- Divide the trailer's payload by that weight to estimate how many yards you can carry.
- Fill partway, keep the weight toward the front, and make more trips rather than overloading.
Overloading strains the axles, tires and brakes and makes the whole rig harder to stop. Our guide to where to dump dirt, concrete and rock in Phoenix covers heavy loads in more depth.
What fits in a 7x14 dump trailer
A 7x14 is a good all-around size, and how much it holds depends on the type of job.
- Furniture and household cleanouts: these are bulky and light, so you'll fill the bed by volume. Break down what you can and stack flat items along the sides to use the space well.
- Bathroom or kitchen remodels: drywall, cabinets and fixtures are moderate in weight. Tile, mortar and old cast-iron tubs add up fast, so watch the weight.
- Shed teardowns: wood panels and framing are mostly volume. Cut long pieces down so they lie flat inside the bed.
- Roofing tear-offs: shingles are heavy. Expect to hit the weight limit with the bed only partly full.
- Landscaping, dirt and rock: almost always limited by weight, not space.
If the job is mostly heavy debris and you'd rather not handle it, our construction debris removal and concrete removal services can take it instead.
How much does a dump trailer weigh empty?
It depends on the size and build. Steel dump trailers are heavy because they carry a hydraulic lift, a battery, a thick floor and heavy-duty axles. Larger trailers with taller sides and higher-rated axles weigh more.
The easiest way to find the exact empty weight is the trailer's spec plate or the manufacturer's spec sheet. Empty weight matters for two reasons: it counts toward your vehicle's towing capacity, and it determines how much payload is left. Before you tow, check our guide to towing a dump trailer to make sure your vehicle is rated for the trailer plus the load.
Which size do I need?
Use this as a starting point, then check the weight rating against your material.
| Job | Suggested size | What limits you |
|---|---|---|
| A few pieces of furniture or a small cleanout | 5x8 or 6x10 | Volume |
| Garage or single-room cleanout | 6x12 or 7x14 | Volume |
| Whole-house or estate cleanout | 7x14 or 7x16 (or several trips) | Volume |
| Kitchen or bathroom remodel | 7x14 | Both |
| Roofing tear-off | 7x14 | Weight |
| Dirt, rock, concrete or brick | 7x14 loaded partway | Weight |
You can book on our dump trailer rental page, and call us to confirm our trailer's size and payload before you book. To see what renting costs, read how much it costs to rent a dump trailer. If you're still deciding between a trailer, a dumpster and a crew, see our dump trailer vs dumpster vs junk removal guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many yards is a 7x14 dump trailer?
A 7x14 with 2-foot sides holds about 7.3 cubic yards loaded level. With 4-foot sides it holds about 14.5 cubic yards. Multiply length by width by side height and divide by 27.
How many yards is a 7x16x4 dump trailer?
About 16.6 cubic yards when loaded level: 7 x 16 x 4 = 448 cubic feet, divided by 27.
What is the weight capacity of a dump trailer?
It's the trailer's payload, which is the GVWR minus its empty weight. One industry explainer puts a 7x14's payload at often around 8,200 to 10,000 lb, but always check the spec plate on the trailer you're using.
Can I fill a dump trailer to the top with dirt?
Usually not. Dirt is dense enough that you'll reach the payload limit with the bed only partly full. Estimate the weight before loading and make extra trips if needed.