A “full truck” is not a standard unit, and that is where most Raleigh quotes go wrong. One company’s full load is 12 cubic yards, another’s is 16, and the estimate rarely says which. Knowing the actual truckload hauling capacity of the truck that shows up is the quickest way to tell a fair quote from a padded one.
At Three Brothers Hauling & Logistics, we wrote this guide to explain cubic yards, what fits in each fraction of a load, and what each size costs in Raleigh. If you just want to see what we pick up, our hauling services page covers it.
How Much Can a Truckload Hold?
A standard junk hauling truck holds about 16 cubic yards, or 432 cubic feet. That is roughly eight couches packed with no wasted space, though real loads never stack that tightly.
The question of how much a truckload can hold has two answers: space and weight. The bulk of haulers charge by the space. When the payload is heavy (say, concrete, wet shingles, soil), weight is not just a factor when the load exceeds the truck load limit before the load is even full.
A homeowner’s perspective on truckload hauling capacity is just a single number. Crews have two ceilings and make plans based on the first one they see.
A few reference points will help to “see” cubic yards:
- A cube that measures 3 feet on each side is 1 cubic yard, and a cubed number is equal to 3 to the power of 3: 27. A washing machine is close to one.
- A full size pickup bed holds about 2 to 3 cubic yards when loaded level.
- Our truck holds 16, which replaces five to eight pickup trips.
Hauling Truck Capacity and Hauling Load Size Compared
Hauling a truck usually costs from 2 cubic yards in a pickup bed to 16 in a junk truck approx. and 20 or more in a roll off dumpster. Hauling load size only makes sense when everything is in the same unit, so here is the side by side.
| Option | Capacity (cubic yards) | Who loads | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pickup truck bed | 2 to 3 | You | A couch and a few boxes |
| Our junk truck | 16 | Our crew | Garage, estate, renovation |
| 10-yard dumpster | 10 | You | Small remodel |
| 20-yard dumpster | 20 | You | Large cleanout, roofing |
Dumpsters seem to be the superior deal, until you factor in the costs of labor. You still have to guess, lift and stack with a 10 yard dumpster that costs about 300-600 per week in the Triangle.
Also, when considering the truckload hauling capacity math, homeowners are less likely to pack a dumpster as tightly as a truck is packed by a crew; thus, there is less difference in the usable space than one might think.
The only exception is bulky furniture. A sectional is not quite as space-hungry as its apparent size, but it consumes space like a compact automobile. Our guide to furniture hauling cost and what to expect shows how those pieces get measured.
Truckload Hauling Capacity Versus Raleigh’s Bulky Load Pickup
The City of Raleigh defines one bulky load as four cubic yards, about two couches or three queen size mattresses, according to Raleigh Solid Waste Services. That is a quarter of our truck.
The city lists the fee at $35 per load starting April 1, 2026, with no cap on qualifying loads. That is far below what any private hauler charges, so it should be your first call if everything qualifies.
The catch is logistics. Items will be placed at the curb where a knuckle boom truck can access, not in front of cars, mailboxes, trees or alleys as determined by the city. The truckload hauling capacity is four yards:
- City pickup works if the pile is less than 4 yards and at the curb and you are able to wait for the designated day.
- A private truck fits when the items are in the garage, basement or upstairs room, they need to be removed within the week or the load is comprised of items that the city will not pick up.
How Much Does a Truckload Cost in Raleigh?
Our rates run from $99 for a minimum pickup to $699 for a full 16 yard truck. Most Raleigh homeowners fall between a quarter and a half load, which is $229 to $389.
| Load size | Cubic yards | Cubic feet | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum (1 to 2 small items) | Up to 1 | Up to 27 | $99 |
| 1/8 truck | 2 | 54 | $139 |
| 1/4 truck | 4 | 108 | $229 |
| 1/2 truck | 8 | 216 | $389 |
| 3/4 truck | 12 | 324 | $549 |
| Full truck | 16 | 432 | $699 |
The lower the percentage of truck full, the fewer the number of yards for the same price; for example, $69.50 per yard, $48.63 per yard at half load, and $43.69 per yard at full load. The Truckload pricing, the setup and the dump run are the same regardless of the number of yards in the truck.
That is why hauling cost by truckload pays for batching; it’s why anyone who asks, “How much does a truckload cost?” should really ask, “How much does a truckload cost per yard?
Add ons are small and posted up front:
- Mattress or box spring: $30 each
- Tires: $10 each
- Tube TVs: $20 each
- No stair fees, and no trip fee inside Raleigh
We quote in writing before loading, and that number holds unless the pile grows. A quote that never states the truck’s truckload hauling capacity in cubic yards is a quote you cannot check.
How Hauling Companies Calculate Prices
Most companies calculate the price by the space your items take up in the truck, then add charges for labor, disposal, and special items. Weight rarely appears on the quote until the load turns out to be concrete, soil, or soaked debris.
If you know how the companies figure out the costs of hauling, you’ll be able to see what is missing from a low quote. Four inputs matter:
- Volume: cubic yards actually occupied by the pile after the crew has built it.
- Access: A second floor will take longer to load than a driveway. Labour: It will take longer to load from a second floor than a driveway.
- Disposal: The above all encompass what is known as disposal which includes landfill tipping fees, recycling fees and donation sorting.
- Special items: Mattresses, tires and tube TVs have unique disposal rules.
Honest hauling service pricing displays volume charges and special item charges separately, so you can observe which one caused the volume to move the total.
Weight is the variable people underestimate. The EPA’s volume to weight conversion factors put uncompacted mixed yard waste at about 250 pounds per cubic yard and carpet at 147. Multiply by a 16 yard truck and you get 4,000 pounds of yard debris or 2,352 pounds of carpet.
Swap in concrete or soil and the same cargo space becomes a weight problem. That is why truckload hauling capacity on a spec sheet rarely matches what a crew can safely carry. Raleigh’s humid summers add to it, since debris soaked by an afternoon thunderstorm weighs noticeably more than the same pile dry.
Full Truckload Junk Removal Versus Half Truckload Junk Removal
A half truckload is 8 cubic yards and fits one big room or a packed garage. A full truckload is 16 cubic yards and covers a whole house cleanout or a kitchen demolition.
The cost of half truckload junk removal is $389, and full truckload junk removal is $699, so the difference in cost for an additional 20% is $310. The total cost of the two half loads is $778, and one full truck will save $79 compared to the two half loads.
- Select a half load for one room, or garage for walking, or one renovation project.
- Pick a load that is “full” for moving out or an estate or any load you have already mentally split into two loads.
If your pile comes down between the half and three quarter line, ask the crew how they round. Some firms push you to the next level on the next over the counter. Rounding rules are where truckload hauling capacity quietly turns into money.
Junk Removal Truck Capacity: What Fits Room by Room
Truck capacity while removing junk is easiest to judge by room. A bedroom normally fills about half a truck, and a garage fills a half to three quarters.
How much junk fits in a truck depends more on the form of the junk than on the number of items. One hundred flat boxes need less space than one recliner. Junk hauling load size is determined by the largest items, so furniture is loaded first and then bags and boxes are added in to fill the space.
| Job | Estimated volume | Load size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| One couch or one refrigerator | 2 cubic yards | 1/8 | $139 |
| Couch plus queen mattress | About 3.3 cubic yards | 1/4 | |
| Bedroom cleanout | 5 to 7 cubic yards | 1/2 | $389 |
| Garage cleanout | 8 to 12 cubic yards | 1/2 to 3/4 | $389 to $549 |
| Two-bedroom apartment move-out | 12 to 14 cubic yards | 3/4 to full | $549 to $699 |
| Kitchen demolition debris | 14 to 16 cubic yards | Full | $699 |
Truckload Size Hauling Raleigh: Local Factors That Shift Your Load
The amount of junk you need removed can depend on the season and your location. Spring cleaning and late summer moves often create more demand, while narrow streets and limited parking in older neighborhoods can make loading the truck more difficult.
Planning truckload size hauling Raleigh residents actually need means checking three things:
- Close to NC State: Move out weeks in May and August are usually busy for crew calendars and same week moves are hard to come by.
- Storm debris: Limbs and fence panels that are left behind during summer storms are wet and heavy, and can be as heavy as a full load by space.
- Access: Townhomes and older streets within the Beltline frequently have limited curb space, and may require a permit to park in the right of way if a dumpster is parked in the street.
Calendar pressure also plays a role. During busy weeks, it may be impossible to get back on the truck for a second trip, so all of the truckload hauling capacity you reserve must be utilized during your first trip.
Three Tips Before You Book
Photograph the pile next to something with a known size. An average interior door is 80 inches high. A picture with a door or car in the frame allows us to take a pretty good guess at cubic yards from the phone, typically within 1/6th of the final load.
Flag the heavy stuff. Brick, tile, and soil set the weight limit. A mixed pile quoted as light and loaded as heavy is a common reason an estimate changes.
Mark what stays. Do a room walk with sticky notes before the drivers arrive, because each one that remains in the pile will reduce your truck load capabilities.
Ready For a Written Quote?
Call Three Brothers Hauling & Logistics at 919-559-2801 or email info@threebrothershl.com or send us photos of your pile and we will attempt to help you figure it out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heavy haulers charge per mile?
Oversized and specialized heavy loads can cost much more, usually $2-4 per loaded mile for long haul carriers. Fuel prices, season, and lane will determine rates, so any rate should be considered a range. No mileage charge is applied by the local junk haulers at all. They price by volume.
How to calculate trucking rate?
Begin with your cost per mile, then multiply by your miles (plus a margin). If a carrier’s operating cost is $1.90 per mile for a 500 mile run, then the cost would be $950 and if the 15 percent is added, the cost would be $1,092.50. Tolls, detention time, and additional stops are in addition.
What are the best junk removal companies in Raleigh, NC?
There is no one right answer. The best fit will depend on your load size, timing needs and budget. Seek an estimate in writing, evidence of liability insurance, a truck size (in cubic yards) and a method for donating or recycling usable items. Read recent Google reviews for mentions of price changes on the day. We would like to be on your shortlist.
Where can I find free junk removal services in Raleigh, NC?
The most dependable low cost option is the City of Raleigh’s bulky load pickup, currently listed at $35 per load. If you want to get really free, look into items for donation to usable furniture charities and reuse stores, available through the city’s Raleigh Reuse tool, or local giveaway groups. Check with charities first: most will not accept worn or damaged items.
What if my pile is bigger than the estimate?
We measure again before loading. If there are more photos than the pile shown, we will give you a new price and you can then approve it, cut the pile or reschedule. Nothing is loaded at a higher price without your yes.
Do you take mattresses, tires, and old TVs?
Yes, but at a price: $30 a mattress or box spring, $10 a tire and $20 a tube TV. Those items will be listed on their own line and will have their own disposal rules.
Which areas do you serve around Raleigh?
Raleigh and surrounding Wake County towns like Cary, Garner, Apex, and Wake Forest. Please contact us with your address and we will confirm.
How soon can you pick up?
Often within one to two days, and same day when the schedule allows. Midweek mornings are the easiest to book, while weekends and the end of May fill first.
Conclusion
When considering hauling prices, keep in mind they apply on the basis of cubic yards. Measurable lengths are available, such as a 16 yard truck, a 4 yard City load, and an 8 yard Half load and if you know the size of your pile you can compare the truckload hauling capacity with a quote. Measure the pile, make note of the heavy ones, and compare the price per yard, order the size that removes all the items in one trip.
Sources
- Special Garbage Collection with City of Raleigh Solid Waste Services. Identifies a bulky load as 4 cubic yards, specifies the April 1, 2026, rate of $35 per load and explains the rules for curbside preparation.
- U.S. EPA April 2016 Volume to Weight Conversion Factors. Gives typical weights of carpet, yard waste, and other materials per cubic yard.
