What Are the Dimensions and Capacity of a Hopper Bottom Trailer?

Hopper bottom trailers are a common sight on America’s roads, helping loose materials get to their next destination. When you need a hopper bottom trailer, do you know what you’re looking for? How can you pick the right option that combines capacity with the right cargo option? Here’s what you need to know about picking the right size trailer for your next job.

What are Hopper Bottom Trailers Used For?

Hopper bottom trailers are primarily designed for the agricultural industry, hauling large loads of bulk commodity products from the farm to their destination. Each chamber is designed to carry cargo such as grains, seeds, and fertilizers, which are then easily distributed from the bottom using gravity flow. 

Hopper bottom trailers are not exclusively used for agricultural purposes. The construction and landscaping industries often rely on these versatile trailers to haul asphalt, stone, gravel, and sand. When moving bulk materials from one place to another, the hopper bottom trailer is among the most reliable options available.

The Standard Lengths of a Hopper Bottom Trailer

Hopper bottom trailers can come in various lengths, depending on the application and trailer brand. Semi-trailers can be as short as 21-foot-8-inches long, up to 50 feet long. 

At Hale Trailer, the most common hopper bottom trailer sizes we offer are between 40 and 43 feet long, with widths ranging from 96 inches to 102 inches. But stock isn’t limited to those dimensions. With multiple locations along the Eastern Seaboard and Midwest, our locations have a variety of hopper bottoms for sale and hopper bottoms for rent that are perfect for your application.

How Tall Do Hopper Bottom Trailers Come?

The ultimate height of a hopper bottom trailer depends on how tall the side walls are. The taller the side walls, the taller the trailer — and, ultimately, the increased capacity. 

Most standard trailers will come with a wall height between 66 and 72 inches tall. An extended wall trailer is built to hold even more, with steel grain hopper trailers measuring as high as 80 inches tall. For those who are hauling a higher volume at lower tonnage, custom wall height trailers can be ordered, but are usually built with a specific cargo purpose in mind. 

How Many Bushels Will a Hopper Bottom Trailer Hold?

The ultimate amount of bushels that any hopper bottom trailer will hold depends on what you are transporting and the trailer dimensions. Although a bigger trailer will, indeed, transport more items, your ultimate results will depend on your cargo. 

On average, hopper bottom trailers can carry between as few as 740 bushels, to upwards of 1,100 bushels or more. Arguably, a more important factor to consider is your gross vehicular weight (GVW) for the amount of cargo you are moving. Under federal regulations, commercial semi-truck drivers are limited to transporting a combined weight of 80,000 pounds. As you consider the trailer you need and your cargo, consider both the amount of bushels you may be transporting and the total weight of the load.

Get the Finest New and Used Hopper Bottom Trailers at Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel

No matter what kind of cargo you are moving. Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel has the trailers you need to keep moving down the road. Across all of our locations, we offer hopper bottom trailers, reefer trailers, dry van trailers, and more to help you get the job done. With locations across the Eastern United States, you’ll always have all the support you need to spend more time on the road and getting paid. 

Turn to Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel when you need to buy, rent, or lease the right trailer for your needs. Contact us today to get help finding the right option for your business.