Roll-Off Size Guide

Typical / approximate dimensions. They vary by manufacturer and model. The figures below come from published manufacturer and industry spec sheets. Some measure inside the box and some measure outside, so they don't match exactly. Every unit we sell lists its own measurements, so check the listing or ask us.

What we usually carry

25, 30 and 40 yard

Most open top roll-offs in these sizes share a similar footprint, about 22 ft long and 7 to 8 ft wide. The wall height is what mostly changes the capacity.

25yd

Length: about 22 ft – 22 ft 9 in
Width: about 8 ft
Height: about 5 ft 4 in

Roofing, cleanouts, new construction, mid-size demolition and renovation.

30yd

Length: about 21 ft 11 in – 22 ft 9 in
Width: about 7 – 8 ft
Height: about 5 ft 2 in – 6 ft 2 in

Whole-house cleanouts, major renovations, most commercial projects.

40yd

Length: about 21 ft 11 in – 22 ft 9 in
Width: about 7 – 8 ft
Height: about 7 ft 11 in – 8 ft

Demolition, restoration and bulky, light material.

25 yd units 30 yd units 40 yd units 25 yd Roll-Off Vacuum Tanks

Open Top Roll-Offs

Common open top sizes

Size is the capacity in cubic yards. Ranges are approximate and combine the published examples listed under each size.

Size	Length	Width	Height	Typical uses
10 yd	about 9 ft 9 in – 12 ft 9 in	7 – 8 ft	about 3 ft 10 in – 4 ft 7 in	Small home cleanouts and small heavy jobs such as concrete and dirt. Easy to place in tight spaces. Examples (L × W × H): American Made Dumpsters 10 yd (inside): 117 × 84 × 46 in · Rudco 11 yd (overall): 12 ft 9 in × 96 in × 55 in
15 yd	about 12 ft – 16 ft 9 in	8 ft	about 4 ft 7 in – 5 ft 2 in	Concrete, bulky fixtures, plywood, fencing, metal, old roof shingles and pavers from renovation work. Examples (L × W × H): Rudco 15 yd (overall): 16 ft 9 in × 96 in × 55 in · Wasteknot Rentals 15 yd: 12 ft × 8 ft × 62 in
20 yd	about 21 ft 11 in – 22 ft 9 in	7 – 8 ft	about 3 ft 6 in – 4 ft 7 in	One of the most common sizes. Landscaping debris (rock, sod, trees), cleanouts and renovations. Examples (L × W × H): Wastequip 20 yd: 263 × 84 × 53 in · Rudco 20 yd: 22 ft 9 in × 96 in × 55 in · Wasteknot Rentals: 22 ft × 8 ft × 42 in
25 ydUsually in stock	about 22 ft – 22 ft 9 in	8 ft	about 5 ft 4 in	Commercial roofing and cleanouts, new construction, mid-to-major demolition and renovation, large flooring removal. Examples (L × W × H): Rudco 25 yd (overall): 22 ft 9 in × 96 in × 64 in. Wasteknot Rentals describes its 25 yd as a 20 yd footprint with slightly taller walls
30 ydUsually in stock	about 21 ft 11 in – 22 ft 9 in	7 – 8 ft	about 5 ft 2 in – 6 ft 2 in	Longer jobs with more material: whole-house cleanouts, major renovations and additions, most commercial projects. Examples (L × W × H): Wastequip 30 yd: 263 × 84 × 73 in · Rudco 30 yd: 22 ft 9 in × 96 in × 74 in · Wasteknot Rentals: 22 ft × 8 ft × 62 in
40 ydUsually in stock	about 21 ft 11 in – 22 ft 9 in	7 – 8 ft	about 7 ft 11 in – 8 ft	The biggest jobs: demolition, renovation and restoration, and bulky, light material such as pallets and mattresses. Examples (L × W × H): Wastequip 40 yd: 263 × 84 × 95 in · Rudco 40 yd: 22 ft 9 in × 96 in × 96 in · Wasteknot Rentals: 22 ft × 8 ft × 8 ft

Open top styles

Rectangular, Tub Style & Round Bottom

Rectangular

Straight sides with outside posts. Built for dense, rugged loads such as construction and demolition debris and scrap. Most common in the Northeast.

Tub Style

Smooth, tapered sides with no outside rail structure, so it stacks and dumps easily and takes decals well. More common in the South and Southwest, often for dirt, gravel, scrap metal and concrete.

Round Bottom

Smooth sides with a rounded bottom and no outside rail structure. The rounded floor makes loads easier to dump.

Cable or hook lift?

Roll-offs are picked up by cable hoist or hook hoist trucks. Hook hoists are known for maneuverability and suit shorter containers and tight spaces. Many containers have both a cable hook and a hook plate. Check that a unit matches your trucks.

Steel thickness (gauge)

A lower gauge number means thicker steel. For example, one manufacturer's standard rectangular box has a 7 gauge floor and 12 gauge sides, and its heavy-duty version has a 1/4 in floor. Another lists a 3/16 in floor with 11 gauge sides. Each listing shows the floor and side thickness when we know it.

Roll-Off Vacuum Tanks

Roll-Off Vacuum Tank sizes and types

A roll-off vacuum tank (also called a vacuum box) is a sealed, vacuum-rated roll-off. A vacuum truck pumps straight into the tank, so the truck can stay on site and keep working while full tanks are hauled away. Common capacities are 20 and 25 cubic yards. We usually carry 25 yd.

Size	Liquid capacity	Length	Width	Height	Examples (L × W × H)
20 yd	about 4,050 gal	about 22 ft 2 in – 23 ft 4 in	about 8 ft 2 in overall	about 5 ft 6 in – 5 ft 8 in	Wastequip radius corner: 266 × 98 × 68 in · square corner: 280 × 98 × 66 in
25 ydUsually in stock	about 5,050 gal	about 21 ft – 23 ft 4 in	about 8 ft – 8 ft 2 in	about 5 ft 2 in – 6 ft 9 in	Wastequip radius corner: 266 × 98 × 80 in · square corner: 280 × 98 × 77 in · Ironclad: 23 ft 1-5/8 in × 8 ft × 5 ft 9-3/8 in (5,049 gal) · Roll Offs USA: 21 ft × 96 in × 62 in · United Rentals dewatering box: 21 ft 2 in × 8 ft × 6 ft 9 in (to top of domed lid)

Radius Corner

Rounded corners along the body, with formed ribs for strength. One manufacturer builds it with a 1/4 in floor and 7 gauge front, sides and roof.

Square Corner

Square body with side and roof stakes. One manufacturer builds it in 1/4 in plate throughout, with a side- or top-hinged, fully gasketed door.

Dewatering Vacuum Tank

A vacuum tank with a filter basket and filter cloth inside. Liquid drains off and solids stay in the tank, which helps dewater sludge.

Typical features to check

Lid / manway: roof man-way about 21 to 25 in, often a domed lid, reached by a ladder
Rear door: fully gasketed (e.g. EPDM or neoprene "T" gasket), usually closed with 4 ratchet binders
Ports and drains: e.g. 8 in flanged inlet/outlet ports and 4 in flanged drains, capped
Vacuum rating: published examples 27.5 and 30 inches of mercury (in Hg)
Filter / screen: on dewatering models, a filter basket with filter cloth

Typical uses

Sludge, slurry, mud and ash
Oil and other liquids, and some chemicals (hazardous or non-hazardous, wet or dry)
Works with vacuum trucks, including air-mover trucks, to collect liquids, dry material, wet/dry mixtures and sludge
Common industries: oil and gas, pulp and paper, mining, automotive and paint booths, power plants, steel mills

Buying used

What to check on a used unit

We describe each unit honestly in the listing. If you inspect a unit in person, these are the points to look at.

Open Top Roll-Off

Floor: thin spots, holes, patches or soft areas
Cross members and long rails under the box: cracks, rust-through
Rollers / wheels: turn freely and are not flat-spotted
Cable hook and hook plate: straight, no cracks
Rear door: hinges, latch and safety chain work and the door closes square
Size and lift type match your trucks and customers

Roll-Off Vacuum Tank

Door gasket and manway seal: no tears, cracks or flat spots
Ratchet binders and door latch work and pull the door tight
Ports, valves, drains and caps are present and not leaking
Roof, seams and corners: no cracks or patched leaks
Ask what it last held and how it was cleaned
Ask whether it has been leak-tested

Where these numbers come from

The dimensions and capacities above are taken from published spec sheets and guides, including Wastequip (roll-off and vacuum container brochures), Rudco, American Made Dumpsters, Roll Offs USA, Ironclad Environmental Solutions, United Rentals, Wasteknot Rentals and Waste Today magazine. Manufacturers change their designs, so treat all figures as typical examples, not guarantees.