Howo 12-wheeler truck: capacity, tonnage and cubic metres
The Howo 12-wheeler truck is an 8x4 dump truck with 4 axles. Its body holds about 20 to 30 m³ depending on the version, and on UEMOA roads its gross weight is limited to 31 tonnes, truck included. Here is how to read these figures to choose the right body and load safely.
Howo 8x4 dump truck: why it is called a "12-wheeler"
"12-wheeler" is the usual name on building sites. The manufacturer writes 8x4. It is the same truck:
- At the front: 2 steering axles with 2 wheels each, i.e. 4 wheels.
- At the rear: 2 drive axles with twin wheels, i.e. 8 wheels.
The 8x4 code means 8 wheel positions, 4 of them driven: a pair of twin wheels counts as a single position.
The 10-wheeler is a 6x4: one axle at the front, two at the rear. The 12-wheeler spreads its weight over four axles instead of three, which is what allows it to carry more.
How many cubic metres does a Howo 12-wheeler hold?
The volume depends on the body, not on the truck: usually about 20 to 30 m³. The body size is chosen when ordering.
The calculation is simple
Multiply the length, width and height of the body, measured inside:
Length × width × height = volume in cubic metres (m³)
Example with our Howo 8x4 28 m³ dump truck: 7.3 m × 2.3 m × 1.7 m, i.e. 28.5 m³.
Choosing the volume according to what you carry
A large body is mainly useful for light materials and off-road sites. On the road, with sand or gravel, it encourages overloading: choose the volume according to the weight you carry.
Howo 12-wheeler: what tonnage?
There are two answers: what the truck can carry, and what the law allows on the road.
Technical capacity
The axles are rated at 2 × 9 tonnes at the front and 2 × 16 tonnes at the rear, i.e. 50 tonnes. This is not the load you can put in the body: this total includes the weight of the truck, and the 12 tyres of size 12.00R20 only carry about 42 to 45 tonnes in total, depending on the model. Off the road, in a quarry for example, respect the technical gross weight given by the manufacturer for your version.
The weight allowed on the road
In UEMOA countries, regulation no. 14/2005 limits the gross weight of a 4-axle rigid truck to 31 tonnes, truck, fuel and driver included. The empty truck weighs about 15 to 16 tonnes depending on the body and equipment. That leaves about 15 to 16 tonnes of authorised load.
Always ask for the exact empty weight of your version. Guinea is not part of UEMOA: in Conakry and the rest of the country, check the national rules.
Cubic metres and tonnes: beware of the trap
The weight of a full body depends on what it contains. Orders of magnitude for a 28 m³ body filled to the brim:
| Material | Weight per m³ (approx.) | Weight of 28 m³ (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Dry earth | 1.2 t | 34 t |
| Dry sand | 1.6 t | 45 t |
| Dry gravel | 1.7 t | 48 t |
| Wet sand | 1.9 t | 53 t |
On the road, a full 28 m³ body therefore always exceeds the authorised load: 15 to 16 tonnes of dry sand is about 10 m³. For laterite, the weight varies a lot from one quarry to another: have a first load weighed. Think in tonnes, not just in cubic metres.
The Howo 12-wheeler in figures
Here are the main specifications of the 8x4 28 m³ 371 hp dump truck in our catalogue:
| Feature | Howo 8x4 28 m³ 371 hp dump truck |
|---|---|
| Axles and wheels | 4 axles (2 steering, 2 driven), 12 wheels |
| Body volume | 28.5 m³ |
| Body dimensions | 7,300 × 2,300 × 1,700 mm |
| Body plates | 8 to 10 mm floor, 6 to 8 mm sides depending on the version |
| Front axles | 2 × 9 t |
| Rear axles | 2 × 16 t, with hub reduction |
| Engine | WD615.47 diesel, 371 hp, 9.7 litres, Euro II |
| Gearbox | HW19710 manual, 10 forward and 2 reverse gears |
| Tyres | 12 tyres 12.00R20, plus a spare wheel |
| Fuel tank | 300 litres |
| Overall length | about 10.1 to 10.8 m depending on the version |
| Empty weight | about 15 to 16 t |
| Gross weight allowed (UEMOA) | 31 t |
Other versions in our catalogue have engines from 266 to 440 hp and bodies of different sizes. See all our Howo 8x4 dump trucks in the catalogue. Unsure between several versions? Write to us on WhatsApp to find out more.
Which jobs is a Howo 12-wheeler for?
The 12-wheeler is made for large sites: roads and earthworks, sand, gravel or laterite quarries, large construction sites. It is seen on sites in Abidjan, Ouagadougou, Niamey, Lomé and Bamako.
For lighter loads or in town, a 10-wheeler may be enough: it is shorter and easier to manoeuvre. See our article on the 10-wheel dump truck.
Points to check before buying
- The thickness of the body plates, for stone or ore.
- The rear axles: hub reduction and differential locks help on tracks and in quarries.
- The engine emission standard, suited to the diesel sold in your country. We explain it in the 5 questions to ask before buying a truck.
Frequently asked questions about the Howo 12-wheeler truck
How many cubic metres does a Howo 12-wheeler hold?
It depends on the body: usually about 20 to 30 m³. For example, a 7.3 × 2.3 × 1.7 m body holds 28.5 m³.
How many tonnes can a Howo 12-wheeler carry?
On the road, in UEMOA countries, the gross weight allowed for a 4-axle rigid truck is 31 tonnes, truck included. As the truck weighs about 15 to 16 tonnes empty, that leaves about 15 to 16 tonnes of load.
What is the difference between a 10-wheel and a 12-wheel truck?
The 10-wheeler (6x4) has 3 axles, the 12-wheeler (8x4) has 4. The extra axle allows it to carry more while staying within the law, but the truck is longer and less manoeuvrable.
What is the price of a Howo 12-wheeler truck?
It depends on the engine power, the body size, the equipment and the condition of the truck: new, used or refurbished. Write to us on WhatsApp, telling us what you carry, to find out about the versions that suit you.
Do you offer used or refurbished Howo 12-wheelers?
Yes, on request: in addition to new trucks, we can look for a used or refurbished Howo 12-wheeler for you. Contact us for more information.
Looking for a Howo 12-wheeler truck?
Tell us what you carry and where you drive: we will help you choose the right version. Write to us on WhatsApp to find out more.
