The Ultimate Guide to Dump Truck Bodies

What Is a Dump Truck Body?

A dump truck body is the part of the truck that holds and dumps materials. It sits on the truck frame. These bodies move up to drop things like dirt, rocks, and building stuff. Many jobs use dump trucks. They help with building roads, digging mines, and moving heavy loads.

Types of Dump Truck Bodies

There are many kinds of dump truck bodies. Here are the main ones:

• Steel Bodies – Very strong bodies made with special steel like AR450 steel (1/4″ thick). Good for very heavy loads.
• Aluminum Bodies – Lighter bodies that help save gas. Many Volvo VHD trucks use these.
• Heavy-Duty Options – Big bodies like the 18’ Load King that go on Peterbilt 548 trucks.
• Frameless Designs – Bodies with no frame that work well for sticky stuff, like the Warren Square Box.
• Military-Grade Bodies – Super strong bodies like the Hilbilt 16’ Mongoose on the Mack Pinnacle trucks.

Key Features to Look For

When you pick a dump truck body, look for these things:

1. Material & Durability – AR450 steel lasts longer than other steel. Aluminum is light but not as strong.
2. Capacity & Size – Most good dump bodies hold 16-18 cubic yards of stuff like rocks or dirt.
3. Transmission Type – Works with Allison automatic or manual shifts like the Volvo’s 13-speed.
4. Weight Ratings – Look for 58,000-66,000 pound ratings for big jobs.
5. Special Add-Ons – Things like high-lift tailgates, electric tarps, and pusher axles make the job easier.

Top 2025 Models & Brands

The best dump truck bodies for 2025 are:

Truck Model	Body Type	Engine	Special Features
Freightliner M2106	16’ Load King	Detroit DD8	58,000 lb GVWR
Ford F600	11’ dump body	6.7L diesel	22,000 GVW
Peterbilt 548	18’ Load King	Paccar PX9	Heavy-duty design
Volvo VHD	15’ frameless	D13	T-Ride suspension
Mack Pinnacle	Hilbilt Mongoose	MP8 445HP	Steerable pusher axle

Learn more about dump trucks and earth tippers for your heavy hauling needs.

Dump Truck Body Market Growth

The truck dump bodies market is growing fast! Look at these numbers:

• Current market size: $2.34 billion (2024)
• Expected growth: Will reach $3.79 billion by 2033
• Growth rate: 5.5% CAGR from 2025 to 2033

The bigger dump trucks market is growing even faster:

• Current value: $54.42 billion (2024)
• Future value: Will hit $109.25 billion by 2033
• Growth rate: 8.05% CAGR

Want to see how dump trucks compare to other heavy-duty construction vehicles? Check out our full guide.

Top Market Segments

Rear dump trucks make up most of the market. They are the most common type.

The construction sector uses about 30% of all dump truck bodies. They need them for moving dirt, rocks, and building stuff.

Many companies (42%) are now looking at electric dump trucks to help the earth.

How to Choose the Right Dump Body

To pick the best dump truck body:

1. Match to Job – Heavy rocks need strong steel bodies. Light stuff can use aluminum.
2. Check Terrain – Rough ground needs special axles like on the Volvo VHD.
3. Think About Money – New trucks cost more but last longer.
4. Look at Brands – Ford, Volvo, and Mack make good, trusted trucks.

For specialized hauling needs, consider our guide on tipper trucks to find the perfect match.

Safety Improvements

Good news! Dump truck safety is getting better:

• 15% fewer accidents with dump trucks in 2023
• 45% more safety systems being used
• 30% more money spent on driver training

These new safety things help keep drivers safe and stop trucks from tipping over.

Where to Buy or Customize

You can get dump truck bodies from:

• Big Dealers – Places like Custom Truck and Valew Quality Truck Bodies
• Online Lists – Sites like Commercial Truck Trader
• Custom Builders – Companies like Load King, Maverick, and Hilbilt that make bodies just for you

If you need a complete work solution, check our material handling vehicle options that complement dump trucks for full-site operations.

The Future of Dump Truck Bodies

The future looks bright for dump truck bodies:

• More electric engines (growing at 7.1% per year)
• Custom designs for special jobs
• Smart technology to make dumping safer
• Lighter materials that are still strong

Conclusion

Dump truck bodies are very important for building, mining, and moving stuff. When you pick one, look at what it’s made of, how much it can hold, what brand it is, and what you need it for.

The market for these bodies is growing fast. By 2033, it will be worth $3.79 billion. New types like electric dump trucks are becoming more popular.

With safer designs and better training, dump trucks are now safer than ever before.