If you’ve looked at tipping trailers recently, you’ll have seen “Hardox 450” on almost every spec sheet. Here’s what it actually is, why tipper builders use it, and what it means for the life of your trailer.
What is Hardox 450?
Hardox is a brand of wear-resistant steel plate. The “450” refers to its nominal hardness on the Brinell scale, roughly 450 HBW. For comparison, ordinary structural steel sits far lower on the same scale. That extra hardness is what lets the steel stand up to sliding, grinding and impact from abrasive loads.
Hardness on its own isn’t enough, though. Very hard steel can be brittle, and brittle steel cracks. What makes Hardox 450 so popular for tipper bodies is that it combines high hardness with toughness, so it can take knocks without cracking.
Why it matters for a tipping trailer
A tipper body takes more punishment than almost any other part of a trailer. Every load of aggregate, scrap, demolition waste or recycling slides across the floor and sides when you tip. Over thousands of loads, a softer steel thins out, dents and eventually wears through.
- Longer body life: the floor and sides resist abrasion for far longer, so you’re not facing early repairs or a rebody.
- Fewer dents: high hardness and toughness mean heavy or awkward loads are less likely to leave lasting damage.
- Better weight-to-strength: because the steel is so strong, a body can be built from thinner plate than it would need with mild steel. That saves weight and leaves more room for payload.
- Holds its value: a trailer with a sound Hardox body is more attractive second-hand and better suited to refurbishment later.
Is Hardox 450 always the right choice?
For most bulk tipping work, including aggregates, scrap, waste and demolition material, it’s the go-to choice for a reason. For very light, non-abrasive loads you might not see the full benefit. But the extra durability rarely goes to waste over the working life of a trailer.
The bigger question is usually the rest of the spec: body size, sheeting, weighing and the tipping ram. That’s where a conversation with your builder pays off.
How we use it
Every tipping trailer we build at Draycott Commercials is constructed from full Hardox 450, with an 80 cubic yard body, a robust sheeting system and a four-cell weighing system as standard. We’ll tailor the rest of the spec to the way you work.
Find out more about our new tipping trailer builds, or if you’re running an older trailer with a worn body, see our refurbishment and rebody service.
Quick FAQs
What does the 450 in Hardox 450 mean?
It’s the steel’s nominal hardness on the Brinell scale, around 450 HBW. Higher numbers mean harder, more wear-resistant steel.
Can Hardox be repaired?
Yes. Hardox can be welded and repaired by an experienced workshop using the correct procedures, which is part of what makes refurbishing and rebodying trailers practical.
Is Hardox heavier than normal steel?
Not for the same thickness. And because it’s stronger, bodies can often use thinner plate, which can make them lighter overall.
Talk to us about a Hardox 450 build
Free, no-obligation estimates.