Frequently Asked Questions
Hauling dirt can be taxable, depending on the state and on who bills the delivery. Texas rule 34 TAC 3.303 taxes delivery billed by a taxable item's seller, not by a separate carrier that only hauls, and Comptroller rulings tie dirt delivery charges to whether the dirt is taxable. Check the state revenue agency.
Trailer size for hauling dirt depends on payload, not box volume, since Caterpillar lists a loose cubic yard of dry earth at about 2,550 lb. A trailer with 7,000 lb of payload carries about 2.7 yards dry, less wet. A trailer rated over 10,000 lb in a 26,001 lb combination needs a Class A CDL.
A truck that carries dirt is a dump truck, whose bed is raised by hydraulics to unload. Small dump trucks hold about 6 to 7 cubic yards, standard trucks 10 to 12, tri-axles 15 to 16 or more and super dumps up to 25, while end dump trailers and off-road articulated haulers move more.
Loads for hauling dirt come from contractors, developers and excavation subcontractors with import or export work, and from prime contractors on state DOT jobs, which states such as Iowa list on public plan holder lists. Soil Connect's Haulers page also signs up haulers by fleet size and truck type and tracks loads digitally for invoicing.
Building Smarter Connections
Join our community to stay ahead with industry news, innovative solutions, and expert insights into smarter dirt brokerage and soil management. Be the first to know about updates and opportunities with Soil Connect.