When starting a waste-hauling business, one of the first steps you need to take is to decide what type of garbage trucks to use.
There are several options to choose from, and the type that is right for your business will depend on your budget, scale of your operations, and type of waste you’ll be hauling.
Below, we outline the main types of waste collection vehicles available as well as the best garbage truck manufacturers so that you can understand and compare your options.
Roll off trucks, also known as dumpster trucks, transport open-top waste containers (dumpsters) to and from the assigned collection and drop-off points.
Containers are loaded and unloaded from the truck using wheels, meaning they are literally rolled on and off the truck bed.
Roll off trucks are popular for waste hauling companies as the containers can carry a large volume of waste. However, they do have weight limits, so the type of waste being collected must be considered.
Because of their large capacities, roll off trucks are great for transporting industrial and commercial waste to landfills or recycling facilities. They are not suitable for residential purposes or door-to-door waste collection.
Front loader trucks have forklifts at the front of the truck that slide into containers, lift them, and then tip them into the rear hopper. Waste is collected and compacted in the hopper using advanced hydraulic systems.
Because of this design, front loaders are able to collect garbage in tight areas, like narrow streets, with minimal labor from operators. The driver typically only needs to get out of the cab if the container has a locked lid.
However, it’s important to note that because the container is moved over the cabin of the truck, some waste can fall out before it reaches the hopper. Operators also need to pay attention to overhead objects, like cables, and avoid them.
Front loader trucks are commonly used on residential and commercial routes where efficiency and reduced labor requirements are important. They are more costly to acquire initially, but they deliver a great return on investment as they need only a single operator.
Rear loaders are more affordable than front loaders, making them a common and popular option for waste hauling companies.
As the name suggests, these garbage trucks feature a loader at the back for collecting waste. Depending on the truck model, operators either need to manually throw garbage bags into the loader, or the truck will have a lifting mechanism for lifting and tipping waste containers.
Rear loaders require both a driver and someone to handle the waste containers or garbage bags. The driver drives or backs up to a collection point, and the second person positions the containers onto the lifting mechanism or manually dumps waste into the loader.
Side loader trucks are generally used in the residential sector. These trucks feature a mechanical arm on the side of the truck that collects and tips garbage bins into the hopper. The trash is then compacted toward the rear of the hopper.
Like front loaders, modern side loader trucks are great for waste hauling as they can be operated by one person.
Electric garbage trucks use battery-powered drivetrains instead of diesel engines. They are increasingly being used by municipalities and private waste collection operations to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions and noise.
These trucks are available in multiple configurations, including front loader, rear loader, and side loader trucks.
While the initial investment is much higher, the maintenance costs for electric trucks are up to 50% lower than diesel over the truck's life.
Below are some of the most established companies in garbage truck manufacturing. Each offers reliable trucks across multiple collection types and service environments, including custom garbage trucks designed to meet specific operational and routing needs.
McNeilus is one of the most widely used refuse body manufacturers in North America. Known for durable construction and operator-focused designs, McNeilus offers solutions for commercial, residential, and industrial waste collection.
Popular models include:
Heil is a long-standing manufacturer recognized for innovation in automation and safety. Its refuse bodies are used extensively by municipal fleets and large private haulers.
Popular models include:
New Way focuses heavily on automation and efficiency, particularly for residential and municipal waste collection. They are well known for their side loader technology.
Popular models include:
Amrep specializes in durable garbage trucks that are designed for more demanding environments.
Popular models include:
Mack Trucks is well known for refuse-specific chassis engineered for durability, visibility, and tight turning radii. Mack chassis are widely used by municipal and private fleets.
Popular refuse models include:
For fleet owners in the waste industry, selecting the right garbage truck starts with understanding customer demand and service frequency. How many collections and drop-offs do you need to perform per day, week, and month? This will help you determine what load capacities you need and the number of trucks to purchase.
The type of client is also important to consider. Is the focus on residential waste, commercial waste, or both? If you’re targeting the residential market, then side loader trucks are likely the best option. For commercial waste hauling, consider roll off trucks, front loaders, or rear loaders.
Then, look at how much money you have to spend on your fleet of garbage trucks. This will determine if you can get new or used trucks or if you need to opt for more affordable options like rear loaders as opposed to front loaders.
However, you also want to consider the long-term costs. A garbage truck that requires multiple operators will end up costing more over time due to the additional labor. Because of this, you may want to pay the higher upfront cost of a single-operator garbage truck.
Rear loader trucks are among the most common types of garbage trucks, especially for residential and mixed-use routes. They are widely used because they are more affordable than front-loaders and can be operated by a single person.
Side loader trucks are often the best choice for residential waste collection. They allow a single operator to collect waste efficiently and safely.
Rear loader trucks can also be good for residential areas where manual collection or lower upfront costs are a priority.
The cost of a garbage truck depends on the truck type, chassis, and whether it’s brand new or used. New garbage trucks typically range from $150,000 to over $500,000, while used trucks can cost much less.
Electric garbage trucks range from $500,000 to over $700,000.
Waste hauling companies use route optimization software to plan efficient collection routes. These systems help haulers reduce fuel usage, improve service consistency, and adapt routes based on customer locations, service schedules, and traffic conditions.
As a business, it is important to consider the short-term as well as long-term costs involved in choosing the best trucks. You also need to be aware of who your clients are and how many clients you are going to be servicing to ensure you choose garbage trucks that are suitable for your business.
In general...
To manage your fleet of new garbage trucks effectively, check out Basestation, a software solution built for waste haulers to save time, stay organized, and reduce administrative headaches. With route optimization, asset tracking and a drive app for communication, you can effortlessly streamline your waste hauling business.
