Do Skips Have a Weight Limit?

With the weather improving right now, many people will be thinking about their next project at home, while construction and demolition businesses look to forge ahead with new work. One question that many people have, however, is: do skips have a weight limit?

It’s a good question, because while we’ve covered the types of materials you can’t put in a skip and how to get rid of rubble and hardcore, the weight itself is also something to consider.

This month, we’ll take a look at the issue of weight capacities and skip hire, so you can make a more informed decision about the skip you choose for your project.

How much weight can a skip hold?

The truth of the matter is that the skips themselves are not really the issue, it’s essentially a question of the skip lorries and the weight limits applied to them on the roads. 

Different lorries come in different sizes and weights, allowing them to carry varying payloads safely. As an example, here at SCS Waste, we have four different skip lorry sizes capable of taking differing payloads:

• Our 7.5-tonne skip lorry can carry a 6-yard skip with a payload of 2.5 tonnes
• Our 12-tonne skips lorry can carry a 6-yard skip with a payload of 5.5 tonnes
• Our 16-tonne skips lorry can carry a 6-yard skip with a payload of 7.5 tonnes
• Our 18-tonne skips lorry can carry a 6-yard skip with a payload of 8.0 tonnes

Essentially, the larger the lorry, the heavier a payload it can accept. However, there are still limits as vehicles are not allowed to operate on the highway overloaded or overweight. This is why we have maximum weights for certain material types:

• 6-yard skip maximum for soil only
• 8-yard skip maximum for hardcore only
• 12-yard skips are for light fraction waste, not heavies (hardcore and soil)

With our range of RORO skips, the capacity is greatly increased, but in order to operate legally on the roads we have set the following limits:

• 15-yard RORO skip maximum for soil only
• 20-yard RORO skip maximum for hardcore only
• 35-yard RORO skip for light fraction waste, not heavies (hardcore and soil)

This is why it’s always a good idea to consult our team if you have any concerns about weight limits and need to discuss the type of material you’re looking to dispose of.

How to avoid too much weight in a skip

The most logical thing you can do to ensure you aren’t overloading a skip is to arrange for the right skip hire size to meet your needs. You can use the information provided above to get an understanding of which skip sizes we offer to meet the demands of specific materials, but there are a few other things you can do to  prevent your skip from becoming overloaded:

1. Don’t fill the skip above the fill line – this is in place for a reason
2. Cover your skip with a tarpaulin – this will prevent rainwater from soaking your materials and making them heavier
3. Fill your skip strategically, with flat items layered at the bottom and against the sides
4. Speak to the experts – before you even hire a skip, speak to our team about how best to deal with your waste

While it helps ensure your skip will be taken away, it’s also worth bearing in mind that a skip that is too heavy could also cause damage to your own property if it’s sat on a driveway or a patch of grass, due to the weight. 

Skip hire specialists for the South Coast

Here at SCS Waste, we provide skip hire for domestic and commercial customers throughout Littlehampton, Arundel, Bognor Regis and the surrounding areas. We have a full range of skip sizes to meet the demands of any project and our professional team are always happy to advise you on the best option if you’re concerned about weight limits.

Book your skip online with us today or call for more details.