Trailer Weight vs. Volume - Mirage Trailers (2024)

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A common misconception among dump trailer users, as well as many dump trailer dealers, seems to be that the amount of material a trailer is capable of hauling is directly related to the size of the box. This is completely false.

We would like to offer a few examples to hopefully help dealers educate their customers.

These examples are based on the following facts:

  1. 27 cubic feet = 1 cubic yard.
  2. Payload is calculated GVWR minus weight of trailer.
  3. Dry fill dirt weighs approximately 2000# per cubic yard
  4. Dry ¾” gravel weighs approximately 2200# per cubic yard
  5. Dry mixed sand weighs approximately 2400# per cubic yard

For these examples we will use dry ¾” gravel. We’ll “fill” each trailer and illustrate how quickly a dump trailer can be overloaded.

Example 1

A 5×10 single axle dump with 5200# axle and 24” sides has an estimated payload of 3250#.

Given that 5 x 10 x 2 = 100 cubic feet, divided by 27 = 3.70 cubic yards.
This means the trailer will hold 3.70 yards of material if loaded even with the sides.
– Now we fill it even with the sides with 3/4″ gravel –
3.70 x 2200 = 8140#. This is an overload of about 4890#, or 150%!

Example 2

A 6×12 tandem axle dump has a 9990# GVWR, 24” sides, and an estimated payload of 7390#.

Given that 6 x 12 x 2 = 144 cubic feet, divided by 27 = 5.33 cubic yards.
This means the trailer will hold 5.33 yards of material if loaded even with the sides.
– Let’s fill it with gravel –
5.33 x 2200 = 11,726#. This is an overload of about 4336#, or about 59%!

Example 3

A 7×14 tandem axle dump with a 14000# GVWR, 24” sides, and an estimated payload of 9640#.

7 x 14 x 2 = 196 cubic feet, divided by 27 = 7.26 cubic yards.
This means the trailer will hold 7.26 yards of material if loaded even with the sides.
– gravel –
7.26 x 2200 = 15,972#. This is an overload of about 6332#, or about 66%!

With this in mind, dump trailers should be loaded based onweightnot volume. When figuring out the maximum capacity of a dump trailer, calculate the material’s weight. There are resources on the internet that can help you with yourestimate. Use the scale at your local gravel pit. If you are unsure of the material’s weight, make an extra trip or take less material. Beyond prolonging the life of your trailer, your life and the people’s lives around you may depend on it.

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Trailer Weight vs. Volume - Mirage Trailers (2024)

FAQs

How do you tell how much weight a trailer can hold? ›

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the most weight allowed of both your trailer and cargo. The GVWR will be posted on your trailer's VIN label. The VIN label can be found on the driver's side of our newer trailers and on the tongue of older trailers.

How much weight can a 16 foot double axle trailer hold? ›

Utility Trailer 6 ft 10 inch x 16 ft with Rear Gate

The trailer is designed with two 3500 lb brake axles allowing a legal GVWR of 7000 lbs. The trailer has a total legal carrying capacity of 5500 lbs.

How much weight can a 7x14 trailer hold? ›

Tandem-Axle Trailers with 3500-, 5200- and 7000-lb. Axles
SizeEmpty WeightPayload Capacity 3500 lb.
7 x 1219605040
7 x 1421204880
7 x 1622604740
7 x 1824804520
9 more rows

How many cubic yards are in a 53 foot trailer? ›

How many cubic yards in a 53 foot trailer? To find the cubic yards in a 53-foot trailer, you first need to calculate the cubic feet, as we did earlier. We found that a 53-foot trailer typically has approximately 4,807.5 cubic feet of space. So, a standard 53-foot trailer has approximately 178.06 cubic yards of space.

What does 7000 GVWR mean on a trailer? ›

Simply put, your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum amount of weight that your trailer is rated to carry. This number INCLUDES the weight of the trailer itself and the cargo/equipment you plan to haul.

Does trailer weight count toward towing capacity? ›

Towing capacity is the maximum amount of weight your vehicle can tow when pulling a trailer. It is determined by the vehicle manufacturer and takes into account the GVWR, GAWR, GTW and more. What does towing capacity mean? Very simply, it is how heavy your trailer can be.

How much weight can a trailer with 2 3500 lb axles carry? ›

Trailer Length & Axle Capacity

7,000lbs (Two 3500lb Axles) 10,000lbs (Two 5,000lb Axles)

How much weight can a 6x12 dual axle trailer hold? ›

Weights in hauling cargo are crucial for safe operation so be sure you know all the important measurements. The 6x12 single axle has a payload capacity around 2,300 pounds and the 6x12 tandem axle boasts 5,200 pounds of payload capacity.

Can a single axle trailer haul 2000 lbs? ›

One of the other most frequently-used trailers are 6x12 single-axle utility trailers. On average, these weigh around 900 pounds on their own but are capable of carrying around 2,000 pounds.

How many cubic yards will my trailer hold? ›

First you'll need to determine the Dump Trailer Bed's Cubic Yard Capacity: Multiply the Height, Length, and Width (in feet) Divide the answer to #1 by 27 to get the number of cubic yards the trailer can haul.

What is the payload of a 5x8 trailer? ›

The 5x8 trailer rental has a loading capacity of 1,890 lbs which should be more than enough for any delivery or home-improvement job! All our utility trailers have plenty of tie-downs for you to secure your load with ropes, tarps or straps. Utility trailers are ideal for transporting landscaping or building materials.

How much can a 6x10 dump trailer hold? ›

6' x 10' 10K Low Profile Tandem Axle Dump Trailer

Empty Weight: 2,350 lbs. Payload Capacity: 7,640 lbs.

How many cubic yards is a 7x14 trailer? ›

7 x 14 x 2 = 196 cubic feet, divided by 27 = 7.26 cubic yards. This means the trailer will hold 7.26 yards of material if loaded even with the sides.

Can you fit 30 pallets on a 53 foot trailer? ›

You should expect to fit a total of 30 42X42 pallets into a 53-foot dry van.

Will 2 yards of mulch fit in a truck? ›

Generally, an F150 with a 6.5-foot bed can hold up to 2 cubic yards of mulch or dirt safely.

How do you determine the carrying capacity of a trailer? ›

How to Calculate Trailer Load Capacity?
  1. First, determine the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) in pounds (lbs).
  2. Next, determine the Trailer Weight (TW) in pounds (lbs).
  3. Next, use the formula TLC = GVWR – TW to calculate the Trailer Load Capacity.
  4. Finally, calculate the Trailer Load Capacity (TLC) in pounds (lbs).
Sep 11, 2023

What is the max weight a trailer can carry? ›

Smaller travel trailers have an average maximum weight of about 3,500 pounds (GVWR). Some larger travel trailers can max out at over 10,000 pounds when fully loaded up.

How do you calculate trailer weight rating? ›

First, find the recommended payload capacity of your trailer. Then, add that recommended payload capacity to the weight of the trailer when completely empty—also known as tare weight. This number is your trailer GVWR.

How much weight can a 6x12 trailer hold? ›

Weights in hauling cargo are crucial for safe operation so be sure you know all the important measurements. The 6x12 single axle has a payload capacity around 2,300 pounds and the 6x12 tandem axle boasts 5,200 pounds of payload capacity.

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