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 | Impact Level | Recommended Steel | Thickness | Why This Choice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dirt/Soil/Sand Low impact, high abrasion | Low impact, high abrasion | Hardox 500 Tuf | 5/32" floor, 1/8" sides | 18% lighter body = more payload capacity for heavy dirt loads |
Crushed Stone/Gravel Aggregate | Moderate impact + sliding | Hardox 500 Tuf | 5/32" floor, 1/8" sides | 18% weight savings critical for heavy aggregate loads |
Hot Asphalt Hauling Hot mix, paving materials | Heat + moderate impact | Hardox 500 Tuf | 5/32" floor, 1/8" sides | Weight savings important for dense asphalt loads + heat resistance |
Salt/Sand Municipal Winter road maintenance | Corrosion + abrasion | Stainless 304 | 3/16" floor, 5/32" sides | Eliminates rust, lighter weight, no painting |
Construction Debris Demo material, broken concrete | Sharp impacts | Hardox 500 Tuf | 3/16" floor, 5/32" sides | Superior toughness handles sharp impacts + 18% weight savings |
Class II Rip Rap 12-18" angular rock (~350 lbs) | Significant impact | Hardox 500 Tuf | 3/16" floor, 5/32" sides | Weight savings help offset heavy rock loads |
Class III Rip Rap 18-24" rocks (~750 lbs) | 750 lb rocks, 6+ ft drops | Hardox 500 Tuf | 1/4" floor, 3/16" sides | Only steel proven to handle 4.9x impact energy |
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.
Dump Truck Steel Options Compared
Comprehensive comparison of steel grades for dump truck bodies
Hardox 500 Tuf
SSAB
5/5
Best for Rock Bodies
Hardness: 475-505 HBW
Impact Test: 27J @ -20°C (45J @ -40°C)
Cold Weather: Superior
Service Life: 85% longer
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
4.5/5
Good Option
Hardness: 425-475 HBW
Impact Test: 27J @ -20°C
Cold Weather: Excellent
Service Life: 50% longer
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
4.5/5
Corrosion King
Hardness: 170-220 HBW
Impact Test: Excellent toughness
Cold Weather: Excellent
Service Life: 3-4x longer
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
4.5/5
Hardness: 370-430 HB
Impact Test: Min 27J @ -20°C
Cold Weather: Good
Service Life: 80% longer
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
4/5
Hardness: 430-480 HB
Impact Test: Available on request
Cold Weather: Very Good
Service Life: 50% longer
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
3.5/5
Hardness: 370-430 HBW
Impact Test: Available on request
Cold Weather: Good
Service Life: 40% longer
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
AR400
Generic
3/5
Hardness: 360-440 BHN
Impact Test: No published data
Cold Weather: Good above 0°C
Service Life: Baseline
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
2.5/5
Hardness: 430-480 BHN
Impact Test: No published data
Cold Weather: Fair (brittle)
Service Life: 30% longer
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
AR500
Generic
1/5
DO NOT USE
Hardness: 460-544 BHN
Impact Test: No published data
Cold Weather: Poor (very brittle)
Service Life: 60% longer wear
Dump Truck Uses:
- DO NOT USE
- Too brittle
- Safety hazard
Pros:
- High hardness only
Cons:
- Catastrophic failure risk
- Shatters on impact
- Warranty void risk
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.
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
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
Weight Savings1,800 lbs
Extra Payload+0.9 tons/load
Daily Increase+3.6 tons
Annual Revenue Gain~$50,000
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
Net Benefit
50:1
Based on typical 20 yd³ rock body operating 4 loads/day. Actual savings vary by application, material density, and operating conditions.
Ready to specify the right steel for your dump body?