Lowboy Dumpster | Overview, Sizes & Cost
Oct 31, 2025
Concrete, dirt, bricks, tiles – heavy stuff has a way of testing both your patience and your back. That’s why there’s the lowboy dumpster: short, sturdy, and made to take the weight off.
No ramps, heavy lifting, or guessing if it’ll handle the load – it just gets the job done.
We’ll cover everything you should know about lowboy dumpsters, from sizes and costs to what they’re best used for.
Key Notes
Low 2-3 ft walls make loading heavy debris easier without ramps.
Handle 6-10 tons of concrete, dirt, or brick per container.
Accept only inert debris; no hazardous waste, electronics, or mixed trash.
What Is a Lowboy Dumpster?
A lowboy dumpster is a specialized roll-off container with low walls (usually about 2–3 feet high) and reinforced construction, made specifically for heavy, compact debris.
While it looks similar to a standard dumpster, its design prioritizes weight capacity and loading ease over sheer volume. Because the walls are lower, you can easily load materials like concrete, asphalt, bricks, or dirt by hand, wheelbarrow, or with small machinery without ramps or back-breaking effort.
This makes them a favorite on construction sites, during demolitions, or for large landscaping projects where waste gets seriously heavy.
Lowboy Dumpster vs. Other Dumpster Types
Lowboy vs. Standard Roll-Off Dumpster
Wall Height: Lowboys sit at about 2–3 feet high, while standard roll-offs are closer to 4–5 feet.
Best For: Heavy debris (concrete, dirt, brick) vs. mixed renovation or household waste.
Loading: Lowboys are much easier to fill – no need for ramps or lifting high.
Weight: Lowboys can take roughly double the weight of a standard dumpster of similar volume.
Lowboy vs. Highboy Dumpster
Highboys prioritize volume for bulky, lightweight waste (think furniture or drywall), while lowboys focus on weight capacity.
Because of transport safety limits, you can’t fill a highboy with dense materials like concrete – it’s simply too heavy to haul.
Quick Comparison Table:
Feature | Lowboy | Standard Roll-Off | Highboy |
Wall Height | 2–3 ft | 4–5 ft | 5+ ft |
Best For | Concrete, dirt, brick | Household & mixed debris | Bulky, light materials |
Loading Ease | Very easy | Moderate | Hardest |
Max Weight | 6–10 tons | 3–5 tons | Lower (volume > weight) |
Volume Range | 6–30 cu yd | 10–40 cu yd | Often maximized |
Common Uses for Lowboy Dumpsters
Lowboy dumpsters shine in projects where heavy waste piles up fast. Common applications include:
Construction & Demolition: Perfect for concrete slabs, bricks, and plaster. They handle dense debris without overloading weight limits.
Landscaping: Great for hauling away soil, rocks, or sand after grading or yard overhauls.
Roofing Projects: Ideal for old roofing tiles, shingles, and heavy underlayment materials.
Large-Scale Renovations: When tearing out kitchens, bathrooms, or foundations, lowboys make cleanup more efficient.
Because of their shape and capacity, lowboys help minimize labor strain and speed up disposal – especially when using wheelbarrows or skid-steer loaders.
Lowboy Dumpster Sizes & Dimensions
Lowboy dumpsters come in multiple sizes to fit your project scale. Here’s what to expect:
Size | Dimensions (L×W×H) | Ideal For | Capacity (Tons) |
10 Yard | ~16–18 ft × 8 ft × 2–3 ft | Small concrete or dirt jobs | Up to 10 tons |
12 Yard | ~10–12 ft × 8 ft × 3.5 ft | Compact demolition work | Up to 10 tons |
15 Yard | ~15–16 ft × 8 ft × 4–4.5 ft | Mid-sized projects | 6–10 tons |
20 Yard | ~21–22 ft × 8 ft × 4.5 ft | Roofing or large construction | 8–10 tons |
25–30 Yard | ~22–23 ft × 8 ft × 5–6 ft | Major demolition or site clearing | 8–12 tons |
Smaller dumpsters (10–15 yards) are usually enough for most heavy debris jobs, since you’ll hit the weight limit long before filling the container to the top.
Lowboy Dumpster Rental Cost
Prices vary depending on size, location, and materials, but here’s the average weekly cost for Los Angeles-area rentals:
3 Yard: ~$210
10 Yard: ~$520
25 Yard: ~$620
40 Yard: ~$720
These prices usually include delivery, pickup, and a base tonnage allowance (often 1 ton).
Extra costs apply for overweight loads, extended rental periods, or contamination with non-approved materials.
Weight Capacity & Material Density
While you might think a bigger dumpster means “more capacity,” with heavy debris, it’s the opposite – you reach the weight limit before the bin is full.
For example, a 10-yard lowboy can legally hold about 10 tons of concrete, which might only fill the container halfway. Filling it higher risks overweight fees or pickup refusal.
That’s why material type matters:
Concrete & Asphalt: Hit weight limits fast (fill only halfway).
Mixed Debris: Can fill closer to full capacity.
Dirt & Rock: Extremely heavy – use smaller lowboys.
Keeping materials consistent helps avoid unexpected weight overages and ensures safer, compliant transport.
Placement & Site Requirements
Getting a lowboy dumpster delivered isn’t as simple as dropping it anywhere. You’ll need to ensure the space can safely fit both the container and the delivery truck.
Space Needed: Around 10 ft wide and 16–18 ft long, with 25–30 ft of vertical clearance.
Access Clearance: Delivery trucks need roughly 60 ft of straight space to maneuver.
Ground Conditions: Keep the surface level and solid – paved or compact gravel works best. Avoid grass or soft soil unless reinforced with boards.
Permits: If the dumpster will sit on a public street or sidewalk, check with your city or HOA about permits.
Clear Surroundings: Open gates, move vehicles, and leave at least 6 ft of clearance around dumpster doors for easy access.
Planning ahead ensures smooth delivery and pickup without extra fees for failed drop-offs.
What You Can and Can’t Put in a Lowboy Dumpster
Acceptable Materials:
Concrete, asphalt, dirt, rock, gravel, sand, brick, roofing tiles, and other inert construction debris.
Prohibited Materials:
Paints, solvents, oils, and hazardous liquids
Electronics and appliances (TVs, refrigerators, AC units)
Batteries, tires, propane tanks, and sealed containers
Medical or biohazardous waste
Lowboys are designed for heavy, inert materials only. Mixing in general trash, wood, or prohibited items can result in contamination fees or refusal at the disposal site.
Planning A Big Cleanout Or Construction Job?
Get the right size dumpster – delivered when you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are lowboy dumpsters good for mixed materials like dirt and concrete together?
Not ideal. Mixing dense materials can make it difficult to estimate total weight and may exceed the dumpster’s limit faster than expected. It’s best to separate debris types or check with your provider before combining loads.
Can a lowboy dumpster fit in a residential driveway?
In most cases, yes. Lowboy dumpsters are typically around 16–18 feet long and sit low to the ground, making them suitable for most residential driveways as long as space is clear and level.
How long can I keep a lowboy dumpster on-site?
Rental periods vary, but most companies offer weekly or flexible options. If your project runs longer than expected, extensions are usually available for a small daily or weekly fee.
Do I need to cover my lowboy dumpster when it rains?
It’s a good idea – especially with dirt or debris that can absorb water and add unnecessary weight. Covering the dumpster helps prevent soggy loads, extra disposal costs, and messy runoff.
Conclusion
A lowboy dumpster makes heavy-duty cleanups simpler and safer. Its low walls, tough frame, and high weight capacity are designed for dense materials like concrete, dirt, and roofing tiles – projects that can quickly overwhelm a standard dumpster.
Choosing the right size and loading it properly means fewer trips, less strain, and a cleaner job site overall. For anyone working with heavy debris, it’s the most practical way to get the job done efficiently and without extra hassle.
Get a free quote today, and we’ll help you choose the right lowboy dumpster for your project – with transparent pricing, fast delivery, and honest local service you can count on.
