When you acquire a dumpster from a dumpster rental service, your selected dumpster will come with a weight limit. The weight limit has a lot to do with the type of debris you will be placing into the container as well. The average dumpster truck can haul 20,000 pounds or ten tons. But you will often find limits falling between 4,000 and 12,000 pounds. This is to meet the local road safety restrictions. If you overfill your dumpster, you could incur overage charges. In this guide, we will help you find the right size container for your needs so you do not exceed your weight limit.
How Dumpster Weight Limit is Determined
Each dumpster has a different weight limit based on its size. The weight limit is assigned by the dumpster company based on the size of the dumpster. Each truck is equipped with hoists that pick up and drop off the dumpster. These hoists are designed to carry a particular amount of weight. So if you exceed the weight limit, the hoist may not be able to lift the dumpster or itthey may become damaged. If you go over the weight, you will be charged an overage fee. This fee can range anywhere from $25 to $100.
Why A Dumpster Must Have a Limit
Dumpsters are sturdy and heavy-duty containers but the trucks that pick them up are not as rugged as the dumpsters and have their limitations. The dumpster truck has a capacity for the safe lifting and maneuvering of a dumpster and this is why companies
limit the amount of weight you can put into a dumpster. There may also be limitatios set forth by the landfill.
Some companies try to protect their assests so much that they do not lift extremely heavy debris. Other companies will accept such heavy debris but will provide you with specific instructions such as to only fill the dumpster halfway.
When giving specific instructions, you must follow them. If you do not, the company will ask you to remove the additional debris before they haul the dumpster away. You may also be charged double or incur other fees for the inconvenience of having the truck out longer than scheduled.
Cost
Another reason weight limits are in place is cost. At landfill and recycling centers, the dropped off materials are priced by weight. So a dumpster full of concrete or dirt will cost more than one full of bags of trash and old furniture even if the dumpster is the same size. Because the company must pay by weight when they drop off the junk or debris, there is often a certain tonnage that is included at a particular dumpster price. If you go over this weight you will find yourself being charged an overage fee.
Weight Limits by Dumpster Size
The different dumpster sizes, each have their very own weight limits and this can vary from one company to the next. Below you will find details on the weight of common materials and debris to help give you some idea of what size dumpster you may need for your task.
- Burned Debris or Ash can typically weight between 800 lbs to 2300 lbs per cubic yard. The differences in weight are attributed to the condition of the ash upon loading. It may be loose and dry or wetted to suppress dust, or it can be mixed with soil. Loose and dry will weigh less and of course mixed with soil and wet will weight the most.
- Concrete Asphalt can weight between 3,960 lbs and 4050 lbs per cubic yard.
- Uncompacted wood is approximately 400 lbs per cubic yard and compacted wood is approximately 800 lbs per cubic yard.
- Uncompacted metals such as metal siding and appliances typically weighsts 600 lbs per cubic yard.
- Earth/dirt weighs between 2,100 lbs and 3,000 lbs per cubic yard depending on its condition, whether loose, dry excavated, or wet.
- Crushed gravel or stone weighs 2,600 lbs per cubic yard and increases in weight by 20% when wet.
- Standard red clay bricks weigh 3,400 lbs per cubic yard.
- Asphalt and slate shingles weigh between 2,500 and 9,500 lbs per cubic yard. Where 100 square feet is equal to 30 bundles of 10 squares.
- Uncompacted or compacted general household junk weighs approximately 300 lbs to 800 lbs per cubic yard.
- Yard waste, including grass clippings, leaves, brush, unfinished compost and finished compost, can weigh anywhere from 670 lbs to 1,350 lbs per cubic yard. With wet yard waste weighing more than dry yard waste.
- Drywall that is ½ inch to ⅝ inch thick weighs between 340 lbs and 420 lbs per cubic yard.
Weight Limits per Self Service Dumpster Rental Size
A 10 Yard Dumpster
The average weight limit on this size dumpster is 2 to 3 tons or 4,000 to 6,000 lbs. Here is an idea of what you can fit in a 10 yard dumpster with this weight limit:.
- 2, 500 to 3,500 square feet of carpeting
- 65 – 90 square feet of 10 inch thick concrete or asphalt
- 1,600 to 2,250 square feet of ½ inch to ⅝ inch thick drywall.
- 70 to 405 square feet of household junk which can include trash, clothes, furniture and general junk.
- 1,600 to 2,400 square feet of roofing or 48 to 72 bundles.
- 5 to 10 cubic yards of yard waste.
A 20 Yard Dumpster
These dumpster’s typically have a weight limit of 3 to 5 tons or 6,000 to 10, 000 lbs. Here is an idea of what you can fit in a 20 yard dumpster with this weight limit.
- 3,000 to 4,200 square feet of carpeting
- 80 to 110 square feet of 10-inch thick concrete or asphalt.
- 1,950 to 2,650 square feet of ½ inch to ⅝ inch thick drywall.
A 30 Yard Dumpster
These dumpster’s typically have a weight limit of 4 to 6 tons or 8,000 to 12, 000 lbs. Here is an idea of what you can fit in a 30 yard dumpster with this weight limit.
- 4,200 to 6,000 square feet of carpeting.
- 110 to 155 square feet of 10 inch thick concrete or asphalt.
- 2,650 to 3,840 square feet of ½ inch to ⅝ inch thick drywall.
- 475 to 680 square feet of household junk including trash, clothes, furniture.
- 2,800 to 4,000 square feet of roofing or 84 to 120 bundles.
- 8 to 15 cubic yards of yard waste.
A 40 Yard Dumpster
These dumpster’s typically have a weight limit of 6 to 8 tons or 12,000 to 16, 000 lbs. Here is an idea of what you can fit in a 40 yard dumpster with this weight limit.
- 7,200 to 9,600 square feet of carpeting.
- 190 to 250 square feet of 10 inch thick concrete or asphalt.
- 4,600 to 6,000 square feet of ½ inch to ⅝ inch thick drywall.
- 810 to 1,085 square feet of household junk including trash, clothes, furniture.
- 4,800 to 6,400 square feet of roofing or 144 to 192 bundles.
- 15 to 20 cubic yards of yard waste.
How to Determine the Weight Limit of your Dumpster
Each company may have different weight limits for ther dumpsters. Common weight limits for the different sizes of dumpsters are as follows:
- 10 yard dumpster measuring 8 by 10 by 3.5 feet – 2 to 3 tons or 4,000 to 6,000 lbs.
- 20 yard dumpster measuring 8 by 22 by 4 feet – 2.5 to 3.5 tons or 5,000 to 7,000 lbs.
- 30 yard dumpster measuring 8 by 22 by 6 feet – 4.5 to 5 tons or 7,000 to 10,000 lbs.
- 40 yard dumpster measuring 8 by 22 by 8 feet – 6 to 8 tons or 12,000 to 16,000 lbs.
Why the Weight Limit on a Dumpster Matters
Even if your debris fits into the rented dumpster, you can still exceed the weight limit of the dumpster. For example if you have a 20 yard dumpster, you may only fill it halway with heavy material such as dirt or concrete. So you have to consider the type of materials you will be placing in the dumpster, as well as the weight of the materials.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
How much weight can I put into my self service dumpster rental?
Our dumpster wagons are designed to hold 3 tons or 6,000 pounds. All our dumpsters are 14-cubic yard dumpsters and will hold about the same amount of junk as 8 pick up trucks.
How much weight can a 12 yard dumpster hold?
The typical 12 yard dumpster has a 10 ton capacity but generally, the limit is less than the capacity of the dumpster. Road safety restrictions cause a limit of less than the capacity of the dumpster regardless of the type of debris that are included. Local regulations may also affect the weight restrictions.
What happens if I overload the dumpster?
Overloading your dumpster will lead to a fee being levied upon you. In some cases this may even delay the driver so there will be a fee for that as well as an overweight fee. Do not fill the items in the dumpster over the top of the container and don’t allow items to hang over the sides or stick out from the dumpster.
How much weight can a dumpster truck lift?
The maximum weight the average dumpster truck can haul is 10 tons or 20,000 pounds. However, local road safety restrictions may limit weight for dumpster trucks at 6 tons or 4,000 to 12,000 lbs.
How much does a 20 yard roll off weigh?
A 20 yard dumpster has a capacity of 110 to 130 33-gallon trash bags. When filled, this weighs 1 to 3 tons or 2,000 to 6,000 lbs. Local landfills tend to charge by the ton for disposal costs. Here at Dumpster Wagon our dumpster rental service offers flat rate prices and includes a set weight limit for your rental.
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