Dump Truck AR Steel Selection Guide
Choose the right steel for your dump body based on what you haul and where you work
Quick Answer: Best Steel for Your Dump Truck
Best for Rock Bodies
Hardox 500 Tuf
Handles 750 lb rocks from 6+ ft drops, works at -40°C
Good All-Around Option
Hardox 450
Good balance for asphalt, aggregate, and general hauling applications
Best for Corrosion
Stainless 304
Salt, sand, fertilizer won't corrode it - no painting needed
Never Use
Generic AR500
Too brittle - will crack and create safety hazard
The #1 Rule for Dump Bodies
Never use generic AR500 in dump truck floors or sides. It's too brittle and will crack from impact, creating dangerous metal shards. Hardox publishes impact test data - generic AR plates don't because they can't guarantee toughness.
Steel Selection by What You Haul
| Material Hauled | Recommended Steel |
|---|---|
Dirt/Soil/Sand Low impact, high abrasion | Hardox 500 Tuf 5/32" floor, 1/8" sides |
Crushed Stone/Gravel (Aggregate) Moderate impact + sliding | Hardox 500 Tuf 5/32" floor, 1/8" sides |
Hot Asphalt Hauling Heat + moderate impact | Hardox 500 Tuf 5/32" floor, 1/8" sides |
Salt/Sand Municipal Corrosion + abrasion | Stainless 304 3/16" floor, 5/32" sides |
Construction Debris Demo material, broken concrete | Hardox 500 Tuf 3/16" floor, 5/32" sides |
Class II Rip Rap (12-18" rocks) 350 lb rocks, significant impact | Hardox 500 Tuf 3/16" floor, 5/32" sides |
Class III Rip Rap (18-24" rocks) 750 lb rocks, 6+ ft drops | Hardox 500 Tuf 1/4" floor, 3/16" sides |
Note: Material recommendations based on extensive field experience and SSAB technical data. Hardox® is a registered trademark of SSAB. Actual steel requirements may vary based on loading height, operator technique, climate conditions, and specific material characteristics. Consult with steel experts for critical applications.
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Why Steel Choice Matters for Dump Trucks
Payload Capacity
Hardox 500 Tuf allows 18% thinner design = more payload
Winter Performance
Generic AR cracks below 0°C, Hardox works at -40°C
Service Life
Premium steel lasts 85% longer in rock bodies
Safety
Brittle failure creates dangerous projectiles
Required Thickness for Class III Rip Rap (750 lb rocks from 6 ft)
Impact Energy Calculation
750 lb rock × 6 ft drop = 4,500 ft-lbs of impact energy. This represents typical dump truck unloading conditions. The steel must absorb this energy without permanent deformation (denting) or cracking. Thicknesses shown prevent denting from repeated 6 ft drops under normal operating conditions.
| Steel Grade | Floor Thickness | Side Thickness | Weight Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardox 500 Tuf | 1/4" | 3/16" | Baseline |
| Hardox 450 | 5/16" | 1/4" | +25% |
| Creusabro 8000 | 5/16" | 1/4" | +25% |
| Hardox 400 | 3/8" | 5/16" | +50% |
| AR400 (Generic) | 1/2" | 3/8" | +100% |
| Stainless 304 | Not recommended | - | - |
| AR450/AR500 (Generic) | DO NOT USE | - | - |
Tap any row to see performance notes, or view in landscape for full details.
Weight Impact on Payload
- • Hardox 500 Tuf (1/4"): 10.2 lbs/sq ft
- • AR400 (1/2"): 20.4 lbs/sq ft
- • Floor difference: 10.2 lbs/sq ft
- • 20 yd³ body (14'×8' floor): 1,142 lbs heavier floor
- • Plus heavier sides: 2,800+ lbs total weight penalty
- • Lost revenue: ~$35,000/year (@ 4 loads/day)
Why Thickness Matters
- • Too thin: Denting reduces capacity & causes stress cracks
- • Too thick: Wastes payload capacity & fuel
- • Wrong steel: Generic AR cracks regardless of thickness
- • Sweet spot: Hardox 500 Tuf at 1/4" floor for Class III
- • Cold weather: Add 1/16" if operating below -20°C
Note: Thickness calculations based on 750 lb Class III rip rap impact testing and field experience. Hardox® is a registered trademark of SSAB. Weight penalties calculated using steel density of 40.8 lbs/sq ft per inch. Performance varies based on loading practices, drop heights, and operating conditions.
Dump Truck Steel Options Compared
Hardox 500 Tuf
SSAB
Dump Truck Uses:
- Rock/quarry bodies
- Mining dump bodies
- Demo/scrap hauling
Pros:
- Handles Class III rip rap
- Excellent cold weather
- 18% weight savings possible
Cons:
- Higher initial cost
Hardox 450
SSAB
Dump Truck Uses:
- General purpose bodies
- Asphalt hauling
- Aggregate hauling
Pros:
- Good impact/wear balance
- Easier to form
- Proven in dump trucks
Cons:
- Not for heaviest impacts
Stainless 304
Various
Dump Truck Uses:
- Salt/sand bodies
- Fertilizer hauling
- Municipal trucks
Pros:
- No painting needed
- Resists salt/chemicals
- Lighter than AR steel
Cons:
- High initial cost
- Lower hardness
Creusabro 8000
Industeel
Dump Truck Uses:
- Mining dump bodies
- Hot material hauling
- Variable load types
Pros:
- Work hardens to 500+ HB
- Heat resistant to 450°C
- TRIP effect steel
Cons:
- Limited availability
- Higher cost
Quard 450
NLMK
Dump Truck Uses:
- Quarry trucks
- Mining bodies
- Heavy construction
Pros:
- Good wear resistance
- Competitive pricing
- European quality
Cons:
- Impact data not published
- Limited US distribution
Raex 400
SSAB
Dump Truck Uses:
- Light-duty dump bodies
- Municipal trucks
- Farm applications
Pros:
- Good formability
- SSAB quality
- Lower cost than Hardox
Cons:
- Impact data not published
- Lower hardness
Hardox 400
SSAB
Dump Truck Uses:
- Contractor bodies
- Landscape trucks
- Light materials
Pros:
- Good formability
- Lower cost than 450
- Wide availability
Cons:
- Less wear resistance
AR400
Generic
Dump Truck Uses:
- Farm trucks
- Soil hauling
- Warm climate only
Pros:
- Lowest cost
- Wide availability
- OK for dirt/sand
Cons:
- No impact guarantees
- Quality varies
- Fails in cold weather
AR450
Generic
Dump Truck Uses:
- Side liner plates
- Tailgate liners
- No structural use
Pros:
- Moderate cost
- OK for sliding wear
Cons:
- Too brittle for impact
- Cracks in cold
- Not for dump floors
T-1/A514
Various
Dump Truck Uses:
- Body framework
- Hoist towers
- Structural components
Pros:
- High strength
- Excellent toughness
- Weldable
Cons:
- Not wear resistant
- Not for dump floors
AR500
Generic
Dump Truck Uses:
- DO NOT USE
- Too brittle
- Safety hazard
Pros:
- High hardness only
Cons:
- Catastrophic failure risk
- Shatters on impact
- Warranty void risk
Hardox 600
SSAB
Dump Truck Uses:
- Tailgate liners
- High-wear zones
- Non-impact areas only
Pros:
- Extreme hardness
- Maximum wear life
- SSAB quality
Cons:
- Not for structural use
- Limited formability
- High cost
Domex 700
SSAB
Dump Truck Uses:
- Body frames
- Chassis reinforcement
- Weight-critical structures
Pros:
- High strength-to-weight
- Excellent toughness
- Weight savings
Cons:
- Not wear resistant
- Structural use only
Note: Steel grade specifications based on manufacturer published data and independent testing. Hardox® is a registered trademark of SSAB. Charpy impact values per ISO 148 and ASTM E23 standards. Service life estimates based on field observations in rock quarry applications. Performance may vary with operating conditions.
Real-World Dump Truck Impact Examples
What Actually Hits Your Dump Body
Class III Rip Rap Impact
- • 750 lb rock from 6 ft = 4,500 ft-lbs of energy
- • Equivalent to a 3,000 lb car hitting at 5 mph
- • Generic AR500 will crack on first load
- • Hardox 500 Tuf handles this daily for years
Winter Construction Debris
- • Frozen concrete chunks at -20°C
- • Steel becomes 50% more brittle when cold
- • AR plates without impact data fail catastrophically
- • Creates dangerous metal shards
Why Generic AR Fails in Dump Trucks
If they could guarantee toughness, they would publish it
Some batches OK, others brittle - you won't know until it fails
Many suppliers only harden 1/8" deep - soft core = cracks
Using unspecified steel can void truck warranty
Note: Impact energy calculations based on 6 ft dump height (PE = mgh) and real-world drop test data. Hardox® is a registered trademark of SSAB. Field performance data represents average service life in rock quarry operations. Actual results vary with loading practices, material characteristics, and environmental conditions.
Why Premium Steel Pays for Itself
Beyond the obvious durability benefits, choosing the right steel grade delivers measurable financial returns
Increased Payload
More revenue per trip
Annual Revenue Gain
~$50,000/year
Based on 4 loads/day @ $35/ton
Reduced Maintenance
Lower operating costs
No liner replacements
Save $8,000-12,000 mid-life
Less chassis stress
Extended truck frame life
Lower hoist wear
18% less weight to lift
Higher resale value
Premium bodies retain value
Safety & Liability
Risk mitigation benefits
No brittle failure
Prevents catastrophic cracks
Warranty protection
OEM-approved materials
Insurance benefits
Lower claims frequency
OSHA compliance
Meet safety standards
Total Financial Impact
Initial Premium
+$5,000
5-Year Savings
$250,000+
ROI Period
< 2 Months
Based on typical 20 yd³ rock body operating 4 loads/day. Actual savings vary by application, material density, and operating conditions.
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Data compiled from SSAB technical specifications, dump truck manufacturing experience, and field performance data from bodies in service. Steel thickness recommendations based on industry standards and impact testing. Last updated: 2025