Waste removal is a big part of any home project. It can be the largest expense, so you want to weigh all your options to find the most cost-effective one for your project. Learn how dump trailers compare to a roll-off dumpster, so you can choose which is best for your project.
What is a Dump Trailer?
Dump trailers are waste containers with wheels, high sides, and typically a lid. They are used to haul waste to the dump. There are several different types of dumpster trailers. According to Family Handyman, the channel frame is the least expensive dumpster trailer for rent but has the weakest frame and smallest dump capacity. The I-beam is a middle-of-the-ground trailer. It’s mid-sized with more robust frames than the channel frame. It can carry more than the channel frame, but not as much as the tubular frame. The tubular frame is the strongest dumpster trailer and the most expensive.
You will have to check your vehicle’s towing capabilities before buying or renting a dumpster trailer. Some are light enough to be towed behind a rugged four-wheeler. That size is standard for grounds cleanup and maintenance. Meanwhile, some require a gross vehicle weight of 20,000 pounds and need dual axles.
What is a Roll-off Dumpster?
A roll-off dumpster is an open-topped bin transported by specially outfitted trucks. These types of dumpsters are usually only rentable but are great for residential projects. Companies deliver them on specially equipped trucks and handle the dumping for you.
You can’t just put any material in roll-off dumpsters. Several prohibited materials include tires, paints, motor oils, asbestos, batteries, and fuels. Typically, it’s not allowed in the bin if the material could harm animals or people.
redbox+ Dumpsters is here to walk you through setting up a rental that can typically be on your property by tomorrow. Our staff will help you determine what size you need for your project, saving you time and money on your latest venture, whether that’s a roofing project, room cleanout, or landscaping renovation.
How Much Can Each Hold?
Dumpster trailers and roll-off dumpsters come in various sizes. They range between 8 and 20 feet in length, with 12 to 14 feet being the most common. Badger Truck says large dump trucks can carry roughly 14 tons on average, while smaller ones can manage about 6.5 to 7.5 tons.
In contrast, roll-off dumpsters come in several distinct sizes. These are the most common:
- 10-yard roll-off dumpster: Can hold up to 10 cubic yards of material. It equals about three pick-up trucks of debris or 50 to 70 33-gallon trash bags.
- 20-yard roll-off dumpster: Can hold up to 20 cubic yards of waste and is equal to six pick-up truck beds of debris and roughly 110 to 130 33-gallon trash bags.
- 30-yard roll-off dumpster: Can hold 30 cubic yards of material and is approximately the same as nine pick-up truck beds of debris and roughly 170 to 190 33-gallon trash bags.
- 40-yard roll-off dumpster: Can hold 40 cubic yards of material and is about the same as filling up the bed of 12 pick-up trucks or 230 to 250 33-gallon trash bags.
How Much Do They Cost?
The price of renting a dumpster trailer or roll-off dumpster varies on size, length, and location. Costs for roll-off dumpster rentals are typically for a week. HomeGuide finds the average weekly price is usually between $279 and $487. Dumpster trailers typically cost around $60-$150 a day, according to CostHelper. That comes to about $420 to $1,050 a week for a dump trailer rental! At redbox+ Dumpsters, our dumpster rental prices usually start as low as $300, lower than the national average. Contact your redbox+ Dumpsters location to learn more about specific pricing for your next project.
Several extra costs factor into a roll-off dumpster and a dumpster trailer for rent. With a dumpster trailer, you will need a vehicle capable of towing it, so renting one will be an extra cost. You will have to buy the correct trailer hitch to pull the dumpster. Then you have to pay for gas driving to and from the dump, project site, and rental place.
As for extra costs with roll-off dumpsters, you can accrue overage fees if you fill over the top of the bin or the weight capacity. The cost of additional trips to the dump if you require your rental company to make multiple dumps during your rental period.
Both types of dumpsters will require dump fees at the landfill, whether you’re the one transporting them or not.
Pros and Cons
So, we’ve laid out the main differences between size, capabilities, and costs. Let’s weigh the pros and cons of the types of dumpsters:
| Dumpster Trailer | |
| Pros | Cons |
| It’s easy to move around the job site. | Depending on size, a commercial driver’s license (CDL) may be required to haul the dumpster. |
| The rubber wheels do not damage property. | Since you transport it yourself, unloading the waste at the landfill requires time and effort. |
| It can manage multiple project sites or trips because you pull it on your own vehicle. | You will have to make those trips to the landfill during business hours. |
| Since the dumpster is on a trailer, typically, you must throw waste in the bin over the top. | |
| Roll-Off Dumpster | |
| Pros | Cons |
| You don’t have to make any trips to the dump. | Steel wheels can sometimes be rough on properties. |
| You don’t have to handle or take the time to dump the waste. | You can’t move around the project site without the help of the rental company’s truck. |
| The dumpster is easy to load because it has a door on the side, allowing you to walk into the dumpster. | There are some prohibited items that you can’t throw away. |
| Depending on where you place the dumpster, you might need a permit. | |
Rent Today with redbox+ Dumpsters
Find convenience and ease with redbox+ Dumpsters when searching for dumpsters for rental. We can typically deliver a roll-off dumpster within 24 hours of you making the reservation. redbox+ Dumpsters is a waste management partner you can count on for the entirety of your project. Call us when you need the bin emptied, and we’ll do the dumping for you. We can return or replace your roll-off dumpster within the same day to help you avoid any slowdowns with your project. Call us to schedule the pick-up time when you finish the job. Contact us today to get dumping tomorrow.