Transportation
End dump trailers
Bulk solids and sludges that discharge by tipping.
End dump trailers carry bulk solids and dewatered sludges, discharging by raising the trailer body. They suit high volume material moving direct to a treatment or disposal facility where receiving infrastructure supports tipping.
Source: 49 CFR Part 177Suited to
- Dewatered wastewater treatment sludge
- Contaminated soil in high volume
- Filter cake and process solids
- Stabilized waste moving to landfill
- Blast media and abrasive residues in bulk
- Non hazardous industrial solids
Moisture is the constraint
Material with free liquid cannot ship in an end dump. Beyond the regulatory position on free liquids, wet material does not discharge cleanly and can stick, which turns a fifteen minute tip into a much longer problem.
Dewatering before transport reduces both weight and volume, which cuts the number of loads. On a high volume stream the dewatering step frequently pays for itself in haulage alone.
Common questions
Can end dumps carry hazardous waste?
Yes, with appropriate lining, sealing and placarding, and to a facility equipped to receive by tipping. Not every receiving facility is.
What about free liquids?
Free liquids are not suited to end dump transport and are generally prohibited for land disposal anyway. Material is dewatered or stabilized first.
How much does one carry?
Typically 20 to 25 tonnes depending on configuration and state weight limits. Dense material reaches the weight limit long before the volume limit.
Related services
Not sure how this applies to your site?
Send a profile, an old manifest, or photographs of the drums. A technical professional will tell you where you stand.
This page summarizes federal requirements and is not legal advice. State programs can be more stringent than the federal baseline. Verify against current federal and state regulations before acting. Last reviewed September 2026.