Back to blog
Every Pound You Haul is Potential Profit
If your trailer weighs more than it has to, you’re leaving money on the road — because that extra weight cuts into every load you carry. We’ll put some real numbers behind it — use our calculator here to find out how much more you could make.
You Already Know Why Weight Matters
Aggregate haulers, asphalt contractors, and bulk material transporters all share one common goal: maximize payload and minimize wear and downtime. A heavy trailer might seem tough, but those extra pounds don’t earn revenue — they cost it. Not to mention fuel savings — according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s research on lightweight materials, a reduction in vehicle’s weight by 10% can improve fuel efficiency by up to 6–8%.
Here’s the simple math:
Every 2,000 pounds (1 ton) you can shave off your trailer’s tare weight lets you carry one more ton of material per load. Multiply that by your average miles per day and hauling days per year, and the difference becomes a measurable annual gain. The North American Council for Freight Efficiency confirms that every pound removed translates directly into additional cargo capacity.
Real-World Impact
Even modest weight savings can make a big difference.
For example, if you haul with a trailer that's 1,100 pounds lighter than your current setup and you haul 300 loaded miles per day, you could be adding over $10,000 per year in revenue — without driving a single extra mile. You get more out of every run.
Compare the Difference Yourself
Not sure what lighter weight could mean for your operation?
Use our weight savings calculator to find out.
You'll need to know:
-
The weight of your current trailer empty
-
The lighter trailer you’re considering (you can find Hicks tare weights on each product page)
-
Your typical loaded miles per day
-
Your rate per ton-mile
-
The number of days you haul per year
The calculator will show how much extra material (in pounds) you can carry — and what that translates to in additional annual revenue. While you’re running the numbers, it’s worth knowing switching from steel to aluminum reduces tare weight dramatically while still offering strength for aggregates and asphalt.
Aluminum Trailer Engineering for Lighter Solutions
Modern trailer manufacturers like Hicks are constantly finding ways to build lighter and stronger equipment. FleetOwner Magazine reports that fleets adopting lighter trailer structures are improving payload capacity while reducing long-term maintenance costs.
