Updated July 15, 2025
Trailer dumpsters, also referred to as dump trailers, are becoming an increasingly popular choice for homeowners that need a temporary disposal solution.
Due to their rubber wheels, trailer dumpsters are a surface-friendly, easily maneuvered alternative to a traditional roll-off container.
We'll go over the different available sizes for dump trailers and how much weight they can hold on average so you can determine if a trailer dumpster is the right container choice for your project.
Jump to:
- Average Trailer Dumpster Sizes
- Average Weight Limits for Trailer Dumpsters
- How Much Debris Can Go in a Trailer Dumpster?
- Average Cost to Rent a Trailer Dumpster
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Average Trailer Dumpster Sizes
Trailer dumpsters come in a variety of different sizes, all measured in cubic yards. (1 cubic yard = 3 ft long x 3 ft wide x 3 ft high)
The most popular sizes for trailer dumpsters are 10 yard, 15 yard, and 20 yard capacities, making them ideal for parking in smaller driveways or alleys.
While not very popular, some companies do offer 30 yard and 40 yard dump trailers to accommodate larger scale projects, like new home construction or commercial roof replacement. Trailer dumpsters can also come in "mini" dumpster sizes for more flexible placement in tight spaces, including 5 yard, 6 yard, and 8 yard sizes. In-between sizes are sometimes available too, like 11 yard, 12 yard, or 25 yard dump trailers. The variety of different holding capacities available makes trailer dumpsters an attractive option for nearly every type of cleanup project you can think of.
Check out the trailer below to see average dimensions of these trailer dumpsters to see how they'd fit in your space.
Average Trailer Dumpster Dimensions
| Trailer Dumpster Size | Average Dimensions |
| 5 Yard | 10 ft L x 6 ft W x 3 ft H |
| 6 Yard | 8 ft L x 5 ft W x 4 ft H |
| 8 Yard | 14 ft L x 7 ft W x 2 ft H |
| 10 Yard | 12 ft L x 8 ft W x 4 ft H |
| 11 Yard | 14 ft L x 7 ft W x 4 ft H |
| 12 Yard | 14 ft L x 7 ft W x 4.5 H |
| 15 Yard | 14 ft L x 7.5ft W x 4.5 ft H |
| 17 Yard | 14 ft L x 7.5 ft W x 5 ft H |
| 20 Yard | 22 ft L x 6 ft W x 4.5 ft H |
Keep reading:
- The Benefits of Renting a Trailer Dumpster
- Dumpster Trailers Are Useful Alternatives to Roll-Off Containers
- Best Dumpster Sizes for Small Demolition Projects
Average Weight Limits for Trailer Dumpsters
Accurately estimating the weight of dumpster contents can be the difference between several hundred dollars when it comes to dumpster costs. Renting a dumpster that is too small means that you'll either be charged overage fees or worse, have to rent a second or third dumpster. Overage fees from exceeding a dumpster's weight limit will cost you additional money per ton over the limit. These dumpster overage fees can add up quickly, especially when disposing of heavy material like brick and concrete.
Overage fees vary from company to company, but the average cost is $60-$100 per additional ton and having to rent a second dumpster will instantly double the cost of your disposal fees.
Weight limits exist for the safety of the driver and all others on the road with them, as well as making sure that no damage is done to the dumpster itself or the axis it sits on. The following chart is meant to serve as a rough estimate for the weight limit of each dumpster size and will help you decide which size and weight limit your project will require.
Average Trailer Dumpster Weight Limits
| Trailer Dumpster Size | Average Weight Limit |
|---|---|
| 5 Yard | 1,000 lbs (0.5 tons) |
| 6 Yard | 1,200 lbs (0.6 tons) |
| 8 Yard | 1,600 lbs (0.8 tons) |
| 10 Yard | 2,000 lbs (1.0 ton) |
| 11 Yard | 2,200 lbs (1.1 tons) |
| 12 Yard | 2,600 lbs (1.3 tons) |
| 15 Yard | 4,000 lbs (2.0 tons) |
| 17 Yard | 4,600 lbs (2.3 tons) |
| 20 Yard | 6,000-10,000 lbs (3.0-5.0 tons) |
Note: These are the average weight limits for the above trailer dumpster sizes. The trailer dumpster you rent may have a lower or higher weight limit than the average listed here.
How Much Debris Can Go in a Trailer Dumpster?
Trailer dumpsters come in many sizes, and sometimes, they can hold more than their weight limit.
For example, filling a 12 yard trailer dumpster with household junk only weighs 0.6 to 1.5 tons on average, but filling it with construction and demolition debris like wood, drywall, and plaster can weigh 1.5 to 6.0 tons when the dumpster is full.
Always check with your dumpster provider for exact weight limits to avoid overage fees. In some cases, you may want to rent a larger dumpster with a bigger weight limit.
How Much Does Waste in a Dumpster Trailer Weigh?
As previously mentioned, it's important to make sure you not only choose a trailer dumpster that's big enough for the debris you're tossing, but also has a large enough weight limit.
- Household Junk: ~100-250 lbs per cubic yard
- Construction Debris: ~250-1,000+ lbs per cubic yard
- Roofing Shingles: ~300 lbs per square (100 sq ft) → ~600-900 lbs per cubic yard
Below is an example of how much different size trailers full of different types of debris weigh on average.
| Dumpster Size | Household Junk Weight | C&D Debris Weight | Roofing Shingles Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Yard | 0.25-0.625 tons | 0.625-2.5 tons | 1.5-2.25 tons |
| 6 Yard | 0.3-0.75 tons | 0.75-3.0 tons | 1.8-2.7 tons |
| 8 Yard | 0.4-1.0 tons | 1.0-4.0 tons | 2.4-3.6 tons |
| 10 Yard | 0.5-1.25 tons | 1.25-5.0 tons | 3.0-4.5 tons |
| 11 Yard | 0.55-1.375 tons | 1.375-5.5 tons | 3.3-5.0 tons |
| 12 Yard | 0.6-1.5 tons | 1.5-6.0 tons | 3.6-5.4 tons |
| 15 Yard | 0.75-1.875 tons | 1.875-7.5 tons | 4.5-6.75 tons |
| 17 Yard | 0.85-2.125 tons | 2.125-8.5 tons | 5.1-7.65 tons |
| 20 Yard | 1.0-2.5 tons | 2.5-10.0 tons | 6.0-9.0 tons |
Note: These are the average weights for the above debris types when filling the above dumpster sizes. The exact weight of your trailer dumpster load may be lower or higher than the averages listed here.
Learn more:
- The Importance of Getting Several Dumpster Rental Quotes
- Do Trailer Dumpsters Require a Permit?
- Hiring the Right Dumpster Service: Everything You Need to Know
Average Cost to Rent a Trailer Dumpster
When it comes to comparing the cost of a trailer dumpster rental to a roll-off dumpster rental, there isn't much of a price discrepancy.
There are many factors at play when it comes to the cost of a dumpster rental, and one of the biggest factors is the weight of your debris/trash.
Dumpster rental companies are charged tipping fees at the landfill when they go to dump the contents of your container and these fees are based on the overall weight of your garbage. Because type and amount of debris is the biggest dumpster rental pricing factor, trailers and roll-offs are typically similar in price depending on the weight each size can carry.
Here are some other factors that affect the price of a dumpster rental:
- Type of debris/trash: Recyclables tend to be cheaper than garbage.
- Where you live: The cost of living in your area will determine landfill fees, fuel costs, employee wages, etc., which all affect the price companies charge for services.
- Rental period: The cost of renting a dumpster for 3 days versus 3 weeks will affect the cost of a rental.
- Who you hire: Small, local dumpster rental companies have lower overhead than large chains, allowing them to charge less than their heavy-weight competitors.
In addition to the weight of your junk, who you hire is a major factor in the bottom dollar you will pay for a dumpster rental.
Renting from locally-owned and operated companies not only benefits your community's economy, it's usually less costly.
Finding local dumpster rental companies that service your area is easy with Hometown. By searching your zip code and providing some information about the type of dumpster you're looking for, you'll be shown local, licensed, and insured dumpster rental companies that service your area. You can also request no-obligation quotes from as many companies as you'd like to price shop and compare customer service.
The following chart is based on U.S. national averages and will vary based on the factors mentioned above.
Average Weekly Cost to Rent a Trailer Dumpster
| Trailer Dumpster Size | Average Cost to Rent Weekly |
| 5 Yard | $150-$225 |
| 6 Yard | $175-$250 |
| 8 Yard | $225-$275 |
| 10 Yard | $250-$350 |
| 11 Yard | $250-$350 |
| 12 Yard | $250-$350 |
| 15 Yard | $300-$450 |
| 17 yard | $300-$450 |
| 20 Yard | $350-$450 |
Note: These are the average costs to rent a trailer dumpster based on size. The trailer dumpster you rent may cost more or less than the average price listed here.
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