Levelers for a step deck

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by godgunscountry, Jan 29, 2015.

  1. godgunscountry

    godgunscountry Bobtail Member

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    phoenix, Az
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    Looking for some advice/suggestions. Just got a 48' step deck and want to put leveler bridges on it. Don't plan on using them a lot but would like to have the option. Ive priced a nice new set at about 1k. Question is can I just make stakes out of channel iron to hold the dunnage in place and stack the dunnage in the channel on each side and use that for levelers? I carry dunnage and pipe stakes anyway so I wouldn't be adding any more weight. I could weld a piece to chain down each stake and put a pin in the top to keep the lumber from going out the top. Would that work?
     
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  3. Ruthless

    Ruthless Road Train Member

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    Might want a chain or something across the top too, keep the downward force of a load from spreading your ends open away from the dunnage.
     
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  4. Oscar the KW

    Oscar the KW Going Tarpless

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    There was a guy at Mercer who used to do what you are talking about. He said that alot of shippers would refuse to load him because they weren't manufactured load levelers.
     
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  5. dclerici1

    dclerici1 Medium Load Member

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    ya know, somebody out there makes that type of bridge. I looked it up a couple of years ago, can't for the life of me remember the name. Google the phrase and even search this website because I think it's been mentioned on here before.
     
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  6. fortycalglock

    fortycalglock Road Train Member

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    I see the same thing here at Landstar. Customer will only load on manufactured bridges.
     
  7. mpd240

    mpd240 Road Train Member

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    Manufactured bridges have a working load limit. Yours don't. Just like if you were to make your own straps or chains.
     
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  8. xsetra

    xsetra Road Train Member

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    I stack 3-5"x7" beams for each of my bridges. Some brokers/shippers won't load unless you're using manufactured levelers. I always call and explain what I have before taking a load. I hold them in place with a 4"strap in winch.
     
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  9. rank

    rank Road Train Member

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    +4 on the shippers not liking those bridges.
     
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  10. eeb

    eeb Heavy Load Member

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    It's not justification for everything, but hey, you can deduct them from your taxes, right? 'Course I think that'll be eleven months away at this point, but home-made levelers won't help you if shippers won't let you use them.
     
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  11. godgunscountry

    godgunscountry Bobtail Member

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    Jul 25, 2013
    phoenix, Az
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    Thanks for the responses. I'm going to order some manufactured ones just as soon as the rates go up :)
     
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