Dump truck businesses have been a steady sector of the trucking industry. Today, there are around 27,841 registered dump truck services in the United States. They have a low market share despite their big demands in construction and mining. 

Dump trucks are heavy-duty trucks with an open-box bed hinged at the rear. They commonly haul loose materials like asphalt, dirt, gravel, lumber, minerals, ores, rocks, rubbles, sand, and scrap metals. They are also used for hauling demolition waste and garbage. 

You might want to read these articles to learn about the businesses you can start with a dump truck:

• Asphalt Hauling with Dump Trucks: What You Need to Know
• How to Draw Money from a Sand and Gravel Hauling Business
• Waste Management Business with Garbage Dump Trucks

Most dump trucks have a single axle on the cab and one or more axles on the dump box. Being an integral part that transmits driving torque to the wheels, the more axles a dump truck has, the heavier load it could haul. The most common type of dump truck used today has three axles.

What is a Tri Axle Dump Truck?

A tri-axle vehicle uses three driving axles besides the steering axle. These axles allow them to haul greater load weights on the road. Cement mixers, dump trucks, fire trucks, tow trucks, and wheeled cranes commonly use a tri-axle configuration. 

A tri-axle dump truck is configured with a tandem drive axle and a third air-lift axle on the bed box. The lift axle can either be in the front or behind the tandem axle. Weight restrictions on public roads and highways call for dump trucks to displace a specified weight per axle. Each extra axle on the dump truck allows them to carry weight in excess of the restriction requirements. 

The tri-axle design also allows dump trucks to move on cross lawns and soft grounds. When the third axle’s position is lowered, it displaces the weight of the load over a greater area to prevent the dump truck from sinking. 

Operation costs of tri-axle dump trucks are much lower than axle configurations. This is because they are the lightest dump truck designs. When empty, the dump truck driver can lift the extra axle to save fuel consumption and tire’s wear-and-tear. It also allows the driver to make tight turns easier without the extra wheels.

Best Tri Axle Dump Truck Models

Freightliner 122SD

The Freightliner 122SD is one of the best Freightliner dump trucks. This tri-axle dump truck uses either Detroit or Meritor axles. Its steer axles are rated from 12,000 to 23,000 lbs. Its drive axles are rated from 23,000 to 70,000 lbs. While its lift axles are rated from 8,000 to 22,000 lbs. 

Categorized as a Class 8 heavy commercial truck, it can haul loads of up to 92,000 lbs. This dump truck is powered by either a Cummins X15, Detroit DD13, Detroit DD15, or Detroit DD16 engine. It runs at 350 to 600 hp and has a torque of 1,250 to 2,050 ft-lb. 

The Freightliner 122SD dump truck can haul anything from grains to logs around hairpin curves, rugged mountains, and severe terrains. It is Freightliner’s flagship model and can be considered as a perfect starter truck for a new owner-operator.

Kenworth T880

One of the top 3 best Kenworth dump trucks, the Kenworth T880 boasts an 18-speed ultrashift transmission. This tri-axle dump truck uses either Kenworth, Meritor, PACCAR, or Reyco axles. Its steer axles are rated from 12,000 to 22,800 lbs. Its drive axles are rated from 69,000 to 78,000 lbs, while its lift axles are rated from 16,000 to 30,000 lbs. 

Like the Freightliner 122SD dump truck, it is also categorized as a Class 8 heavy-duty commercial truck. It can haul loads of up to 144,000 lbs. This dump truck is powered by either a Cummins ISX12-G, Cummins X15, PACCAR MX-11, PACCAR MX-13, or PACCAR PX-9 engine. It runs at 320 to 600 hp and has a torque of 1,250 to 2,050 ft-lb. 

The Kenworth T880 dump truck has a light and strong double-wall dump bed which can ride down the road at whatever weight you put in. Truck drivers love its 1.9-meter cab with a NavPlus system and VIT interior. 

Mack Granite 64FR

Among the best Mack dump trucks is the Granite 64FR. Its steer axles are rated from 12,000 to 23,000 lbs. Its drive axles are rated from 38,000 to 69,000 lbs, while its lift axles are rated from 13,500 to 23,000 lbs. 

The Mack Granite 64FR is also categorized as a Class 8 heavy-duty commercial truck. It can haul loads of up to 92,000 lbs. This dump truck is powered by either a Mack MP7 or Mack MP8 engine. It runs at 325 to 505 hp and has a torque of 1,200 to 1,860 ft-lb. 

The truck can be powered by both diesel and natural gas. It boasts a 543 cubic inches overhead camera for easy dumping. 

Peterbilt 567

The Peterbilt 567 is one of the top 4 best Peterbilt dump trucks. Its steer axles are rated from 12,000 to 22,000 lbs. Its drive axles are rated from 21,000 to 46,000 lbs. While its lift axles are rated at 13,500. The Peterbilt 567 dump truck is categorized as a Class 7-8 medium-duty commercial truck. It can haul loads of up to 105,000 lbs. This dump truck is powered by either a Cummins ISX, Cummins Westport, PACCAR MX, or PACCAR PX engine. It runs at 310 to 600 hp and has a torque of 1,200 to 1,850 ft-lb. The Peterbilt 567 is equipped with advanced electronic controls that can be customized to simplify electrical connections. It also boasts an anti-locking brake technology to prevent lock-up and slippage. 

Western Star 4700SF

Tagged as one of the top Western Star dump trucks, the Western Star 4700SF is an entry-level truck designed to meet the needs of local construction companies and municipal applications. This tri-axle dump truck is perfect for hauling gravel, sand, and mine. Its steer axles are rated from 12,000 to 23,000 lbs. Its drive axles are rated from 21,000 to 52,000 lbs. While its lift axles are rated at 13,500. 

Also categorized as a Class 7-8 medium-duty truck, 4700SF can haul loads of up to 80,000 lbs. This dump truck is powered by either a Cummins L9, Cummins X12, or Detroit DD13 engine. It runs at 260 to 505 hp and has a torque of 720 to 1,850 ft-lb.

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