Dumpster Size Guide: 12, 15, or 20 Yard for Your Middle Tennessee Project
Pick the Right Roll Off Size on the First Call
Compare 12, 15, and 20 yard dumpsters by project type, pickup truck loads, and weight so you rent the right container across Coffee, Franklin, Cannon, and Warren counties.
Call for Quote- ⏱Same or Next Day Drop-Off
- $Straightforward, Up-Front Pricing
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All Three Sizes Use the Same Driveway Space
Every dumpster Dumpsters Plus rents sits on a 12 foot by 8 foot footprint. The 12 yard is 4 feet tall, the 15 yard is 5 feet tall, and the 20 yard is 6 feet tall. Only the wall height changes.
That matters because driveway space is usually the first worry, and here it is off the table. If a 12 yard fits, a 20 yard fits in the same spot. Your decision comes down to two things: how much debris you have and how heavy it is.
Dumpster Size Comparison
| Dumpster Size | Dimensions | Best Used For | Pickup Truck Load Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Yard | 12' L x 8' W x 4' H | Garage and basement cleanouts, yard debris, flooring from a few rooms, bathroom refresh | About 4 full-size pickup beds |
| 15 Yard | 12' L x 8' W x 5' H | Roofing tear-offs, deck removal, kitchen remodels, flooring from a whole floor | About 5 full-size pickup beds |
| 20 Yard | 12' L x 8' W x 6' H | Estate cleanouts, construction debris, whole-home remodels, large property cleanups | About 7 full-size pickup beds |
A heaped full-size pickup bed holds roughly 3 cubic yards. If you have ever hauled loads to the convenience center yourself, that number is the fastest way to picture each size.
Detailed specs for each container are on the 12 yard, 15 yard, and 20 yard pages, or compare all roll off dumpster sizes side by side.
How to Estimate Your Pile
Most people overestimate. Chad regularly talks customers down a size after hearing what they are throwing out. Three quick ways to get close:
- Count rooms. One packed garage, basement, or attic usually fills a 12 yard. Two or three rooms of furniture and boxes push into 15 yard territory. A full house lands at 20.
- Measure the pile. Stack your debris in one spot, then multiply length by width by height in feet and divide by 27. That gives cubic yards. A pile 10 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 4 feet high is about 9 cubic yards, comfortably inside a 12 yard container.
- Think about bulk versus weight. Couches, cabinets, and drywall take up space but weigh little. Shingles, tile, and plaster are the opposite. Bulky loads size by volume. Heavy loads size by weight, which is covered next.
Weight Is the Local Factor Most People Miss
Every quote from Dumpsters Plus includes a tonnage allowance. Stay under it and the quoted price is the price. Go over it and there is a per-ton overage fee, which Chad calls you about before charging. The sizing mistake that costs money around here is choosing a container by volume for a load that should have been chosen by weight. A few Middle Tennessee examples:
Roofing
A single layer of asphalt shingles from an average home fits a 15 yard with room to spare. Two layers, or a large roof, is a 20 yard job. Wet shingles after a summer storm weigh noticeably more than dry ones, so tear off after the rain passes when you can.
Older Homes in Tullahoma and Winchester
Many pre-1960 houses have plaster and lath walls instead of drywall. Plaster is two to three times heavier per square foot. A remodel that would be a 12 yard job in a newer home can be a 15 yard job in an older one.
Storm and Yard Debris
Green limbs and brush are heavy because they are full of water. Let cut brush dry a few days before loading if your schedule allows.
Materials no size accepts. Concrete, asphalt, dirt, block, and ash are too heavy for any of these containers and are not accepted. If a project involves a slab or driveway removal, call and ask about options before you rent.
Which Size for Which Project
The sizes Chad recommends most often for common Middle Tennessee jobs. When a project sits between two, the larger one is the safer bet.
Loading Tips for Rural Driveways and Gravel Lots
The 4 foot walls on the 12 yard let most people toss bags and boxes over the side. The 6 foot walls on the 20 yard usually mean walking heavier items in through the rear door.
Leave a few feet of clear space behind the container so that door can swing fully open.
On gravel drives and farm lanes, common across Coffee County, out toward Woodbury, and on the lake lots around Estill Springs, the driver will pick the firmest spot and set the container so the door opens toward your work area.
Every rental comes with a standard seven day period. Finish early and one call brings the truck. Need more time and an extension is usually available, so call before your scheduled pickup rather than after.
Dumpster Size Questions
What size dumpster do I need for a garage cleanout?
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A 12 yard handles most single-car and two-car garage cleanouts, including shelving, old furniture, and years of boxes. If the garage doubles as storage for a whole household, step up to a 15 yard.
How many pickup truck loads fit in a 20 yard dumpster?
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About seven heaped full-size pickup beds. For a typical whole-house cleanout, that saves an entire weekend of driving to the landfill and back.
Do all three dumpster sizes take up the same driveway space?
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Yes. The 12, 15, and 20 yard containers all sit on a 12 foot by 8 foot footprint. Only the height changes, so choose by how much debris you have rather than by how much room you have.
What happens if I go over the weight limit?
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You are charged a per-ton overage fee on the extra weight. Dumpsters Plus calls you with the amount before charging your card. Sizing heavy loads like shingles or plaster by weight instead of volume is the easiest way to avoid it.
Get Sized Over the Phone
Call Dumpsters Plus at (931) 273-4010 and describe what you are cleaning out. Chad will size the job over the phone, quote it clearly, and schedule same or next-day delivery anywhere in Coffee, Franklin, Cannon, or Warren County.
If you would rather type than talk, send a quote request and we will call you back.
