The Most Efficient Way to Move a Lot of Material
When a job calls for thousands of tons of dirt, base or gravel over a longer haul, bottom dumps move it fastest. B&D Transportation runs bottom dump trucks across Southern California for grading, road building and site development contractors.
A bottom dump — also called a belly dump — is a tractor pulling a trailer with clamshell gates in its floor. Instead of raising a box, the driver opens the gates while the truck keeps rolling and lays the load in a long windrow. There is no box to raise, no load to spread by hand, and the truck is empty and heading back to the pit in seconds.
That makes bottom dumps the workhorse for mass grading, import and export over distance, and base placement on road and pad sections.
- Up to 20+ tons per load, depending on configuration and legal limits.
- Unloads on the move into windrows the grader can spread right away.
- Built for distance — the lowest cost per ton on longer hauls.
- Double bottom configurations available for maximum volume.
Double Bottom Dump Specs
Typical figures — exact payload depends on axle, wheel and tire configuration and California weight limits.
When to Use a Bottom Dump
- Mass grading and fill — moving large quantities of dirt between cut and fill areas or off site.
- Aggregate base on road and pad sections — windrows ready for the motor grader.
- Long hauls — from a quarry or receiving site across the county or across county lines.
- Sand and gravel imports where the material will be spread rather than piled.
When a Bottom Dump Is the Wrong Truck
Bottom dumps need firm, fairly level ground and room to drive through while unloading. They are not the right choice when you need material dumped in a single pile, when the truck must back into a tight spot, or on soft or muddy ground. For those jobs we send end dumps, super dumps or super 10s. Not sure? Our dump truck sizes guide compares every option, or just call dispatch.
Bottom Dump Trucking Across Southern California
We run bottom dumps for dirt import and export and aggregate base hauling throughout Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties — including the big grading jobs in the Riverside County and San Bernardino County growth areas.
Bottom Dump FAQ
What is a bottom dump truck?
A bottom dump (belly dump) is a tractor pulling a trailer with gates in its floor. The gates open while the truck moves, laying the load in a windrow. It is the most efficient way to move large volumes of dirt, base and gravel over distance.
How many tons does a bottom dump carry?
Our bottom dumps carry up to about 20+ tons per load. Exact payload depends on axle, wheel and tire configuration and California weight limits.
Bottom dump vs. end dump: which do I need?
Choose a bottom dump for high-volume material that will be spread in windrows on firm, open ground. Choose an end dump when you need a pile, have a tight site, or the ground is soft.
Can a bottom dump unload in a pile?
Bottom dumps are designed to unload in a windrow while moving. If the material has to land in one spot, an end dump, super dump or super 10 is the better truck.
Do you rent bottom dumps with a driver?
Yes. Every B&D truck comes with an experienced driver and dispatch support. Call (949) 324-6219 for availability and rates.
Need Bottom Dumps on Your Grading Job?
Tell us the material, the tons and the haul — we’ll quote it the same business day.