Hooklift vs cable roll-off
| Cable hoist | Hooklift | |
|---|---|---|
| How it loads | Winch cable pulls the container up tilted rails | Hydraulic arm hooks a bail on the container and lifts it |
| Container fit | Standard cable-style roll-off containers (the US norm) | Needs containers with a hook bail; many haulers add hooks to cans |
| Driver effort | Driver hooks the cable at the container | Mostly from the cab |
| Best for | Hauling standard 20-40 yd containers | Mixed bodies (dumpster, flatbed, other bodies) swapped on one truck |
Hoist brands that show up in listings include Galbreath, SwapLoader and Galfab. Ask the seller for hoist capacity (60,000 lb is common in the listings below) and container length range.
- Founding price: $99/mo flat, up to 3 trucks
- Your $49 deposit counts toward your first month
- Confirmation emailed to you after purchase
Your founding-member confirmation is emailed to you after purchase. Your $49 counts toward your first month and is fully refundable any time before you start. Refund policy
Asking prices: one listings-site snapshot (Sep 23, 2026)
| Truck | Hoist / rating | Asking price |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Peterbilt 567 | SwapLoader hoist | $236,900 - $237,900 |
| 2026 Kenworth T880 | Galfab hoist | $289,500 |
| 2026 Freightliner 114SD | SwapLoader hoist | $212,900 |
| 2025 Kenworth T880 | Galbreath hoist | $249,500 |
| 2023 Peterbilt 567 | Galbreath cable hoist | $199,000 |
| 2019 Freightliner 114SD | - | $125,000 |
| 2014 Hino 338 | 33,000 lb | $75,900 |
| 2011 Peterbilt 365 | Galbreath hoist, 60,000 lb | $69,000 |
| 2008 Kenworth T800 | Galbreath hoist, 60,000 lb | $69,000 |
| 2007 Autocar Xpeditor | Galbreath/Pak-Mor hoist | $59,500 |
CDL and the trailer alternative
CDL rules (49 CFR 383.91). A single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more is a Group B (Class B) vehicle. A combination with a GCWR of 26,001 lbs or more and a towed unit over 10,000 lbs GVWR is Group A (Class A). Full-size roll-off trucks are well above 26,001 lbs GVWR, so drivers need a CDL; whether a pickup + roll-off trailer needs one depends on the combined ratings of both.
That is why many starters begin with a dumpster trailer behind a heavy pickup: Texas Pride lists roll-off trailers from $13,895 (16K bumper pull) to $20,695 (26K gooseneck dual wheel).
What a truck costs per rental
Divide the truck’s all-in hourly cost - payment, insurance, fuel, maintenance and a CDL driver (BLS May 2025 median for heavy truck drivers: $28.19/hr before payroll burden) - by the rentals it runs. The pricing calculator turns that into a price per size; the startup cost calculator shows payback for new vs used.
One truck? Get software priced for it
RollOffDesk is being built with its founding operators, who get $99/mo flat for up to 3 trucks and unlimited containers, locked for life. Joining is free - tell us about your fleet and we will set up a 20-minute discovery call if you want one.
- Founding price: $99/mo flat, up to 3 trucks
- Your $49 deposit counts toward your first month
- Confirmation emailed to you after purchase
Your founding-member confirmation is emailed to you after purchase. Your $49 counts toward your first month and is fully refundable any time before you start. Refund policy
Frequently asked questions
How much does a roll-off truck cost?
In a 2026-09-23 snapshot of one listings site, new 2026-2027 roll-off trucks were asking $212,900-$289,500 and older used trucks $59,500-$75,900. Specs, hoist and mileage move the price.
Hooklift or cable roll-off: which is better?
Cable hoists handle standard US roll-off containers and are the common choice for dumpster rental; hooklifts win when one truck swaps many body types. Match the hoist to the containers you will buy.
Do you need a CDL to drive a roll-off truck?
Yes for any single vehicle rated 26,001 lbs GVWR or more (Class B under 49 CFR 383.91), which covers full-size roll-off trucks.
Should I buy new or used?
Used lowers the payment and payback time but raises downtime risk. Run both through the startup cost calculator.
Sources
- TrashTrucksOnline - Roll-off trucks listings (asking prices, snapshot) (accessed 2026-09-23)
- Texas Pride Trailers - Roll-off trailers (starting prices) (accessed 2026-09-23)
- eCFR - 49 CFR 383.91 Commercial motor vehicle groups (CDL classes) (accessed 2026-09-23)
- BLS OEWS May 2025 - Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (53-3032) (accessed 2026-09-23)