To go back to a stepdeck or not???

[BAYOU HOTSHOT]

I see 3 x the flatbed loads pulling a step a lot of my loads really for flats also with a flat I can haul 48,000 my step I'm at 46,000lbs and all the flats I see rolling down the road have easy loads

[G/MAN]

There are advantages to pulling both a flat or step. Each is a little different. You can get into more odd loads when you pull a step deck. I see more flats pulling steel, lumber, etc., than with steps. You can buy a flat for less than most step decks. I think that it would probably be better to start with a flat and then move up to a step, if you see that there are more opportunities. There are some shippers who will not load a step deck, but will load a flatbed. At the same time, there are some loads that require a step deck due to the height requirement.

[cpape]

I think SHC has the right idea. Paying attention to what ships out of the area around the house...at least when you live in a good freight area like Northern IN. I would only be able to get 25% of my trucks out of Iowa each week if I only ran flats, at least for the rates I expect.

SHC--I think you will like developing a more "standard" lane for yourself. You will be developing your own network. More of a regular schedule and better quality of life. It just might affect your ability to chase the big money load because you won't be able to dump your regular run when the $5/mi to Cali gets offered.

[G/MAN]

A step deck can be more versatile. I would look on where you live and want to run. Check around to see the type of freight that is available and look at rates.

[Grumman]

I drag a 51' Fontaine SD with the container locks and I can scale 46,800 to 47,000 k right now. The most difficulty I find is goind into the west where it's mostly 48k loads and some don't want steps. Now sometimes they'll load to capacity, the brokers just post 48k as a generic post. This trailer can get pretty close to dock height. Most flats are actually above standard dock height and I can raise the air in the back to get it within 4 to 6 inches of the dock in most cases. With a container on it actually is perfect. Sometimes you have to explain this to the shipper/broker if there is a question. Of course some a dead set against loading steps no matter what you say. I do run into issues now and then with the back end being higher than the typical "step deck" dock at a shipper. All the Keen yards have short step docks and I always have to put wood at the end to get a backhoe on. The way the trailer rides I can't lower the rear, only raise. This trailer has no arch in it so the beam is a little taller than most to deflect weight. I was told when we bought it that Fontaine designed it for landstar. This came from the salesman and I don't know if there is any truth to it.

I typically haul rolling freight and if going into a bad area get most of the money going out so I can deadhead to something if needed. I try to stay away from machinery loads as I don't carry 10' drops and most of the loads don't seem to pay enough for the hard work involved in tarping. We just sold a 2008 51' Fontaine SD for 27k to a guy in Illinois. We paid 32.5k for it new. When you think about it we probably created 1 million in gross revenue off that one trailer since inservice. It's been sitting idle for a little while since we bought a new 53'. I didn't think that was bad for $5500 in depreciation.