You can expect an average dump truck weight to be about 26,193 pounds (11,881 kg).
When looking at the specs for different dump trucks, the weight will be typically listed as GVWR. This stands for gross vehicle weight rating or the maximum weight of the vehicle including the vehicle’s chassis, body, engine, engine fluids, fuel, accessories, driver, passengers, and cargo, excluding any trailers.
For pulling a dump truck, it’s recommended to use a truck that can tow at least 23,000 pounds for the lightest dump trucks. This would account for the additional weight of passengers and cargo. The average F-450 truck can handle a towing capacity of 21,200 to 24,200 pounds depending on your model. With most larger dump trucks, you’ll need a commercial-grade tow vehicle to haul them if they cannot be driven.
Many dump truck resale companies do offer truck delivery. However, if you do plan to tow a dump truck yourself, or drive it over certain areas, it’s important to know your truck weight for legal and safe driving.
Make sure to check your vehicle’s towing capacity. This can be found in your owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s website as your gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
7 Example Dump Truck Weights
The following chart features example dump truck weights of specific models ranging from the lightest to the heaviest used on the road. Additional details can be found on the manufacturer’s websites. Here’s the dump truck weight chart:
| Dump Truck Model | Estimated GVWR |
| 2015 Ford F-650 Super Duty 4×2 S/A Dump Truck | 15,000 lbs (6,804 kg) |
| 1998 Volvo WG 6×4 T/A Dump Truck | 21,000 lbs (9,525 kg) |
| 1999 Peterbilt 378 Tri/A Dump Truck | 23,500 lbs (10,659 kg) |
| 2008 Kenworth W900 6×4 T/A Dump Truck | 25,000 lbs (11,340 kg) |
| 1994 Kenworth T800 Tri/A Dump Truck | 28,999 lbs (13,154 kg) |
| 2005 Mack CV713 6×4 T/A Dump Truck | 32,000 lbs (14,515 kg) |
| 2011 Ford F-750 XL Super Duty 4×2 S/A Dump Truck | 37,850 lbs (17,168 kg) |
Source: IronPlanet
Additional Weight and Trailer Options
The additional weight you will encounter with a dump truck will come from a few areas. Those areas being additional axels, add-ons, extra storage, and fuel or propane gas (wet weight). This creates an additional weight to consider when towing and traveling on a dump truck.
Make sure to refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual and read the section on towing capacity. It’s always safer to leave some extra wiggle room to not damage your engine.
To Conclude
Dump trucks provide a great mode of transport out on the road, whether that’s for transporting equipment on a flat tow dump truck, or hauling material in a standard dump truck. Each make, model, and size comes along with its own weight based on use and if any mods are installed. The key factors to consider the weight of a dump truck come down to:
- Length
- Axels/tires
- Construction/material
- What’s stored inside
- Fuel tank/gas propane
It’s important to know the correct weight when looking to tow and transport your dump truck. If you’re unsure and want specific weights, you can always check the manufacture’s website or go to a local cat scale to get a more accurate weight.