Flat or step

O/O here , been at it for 7 yers now, mostly western frieght running a maxi set up, 4 axel truck and 4 axel trailer . 1 payment left on the pete , and i owo 10,000 on my 2008 wilson quad axel flatbed trailer . for the last few months i have been hauling lighter loads ( by choice) the maxis are not paying what they used to and im making the same money hauling lighter stuff and not working the tractor near as hard . I am in negotiation with a dealer to do a straight across trade for my Maxi trailer for a 48 ft. step . as i have been hauling alot more equipt latley . my train of thought is why pull around extra axels brakes tires and weight if i dont use them ? am i shooting myself in the foot by going to a step deck?
my 53 is very capable of hauling almost anything but the taller equipt.
but i figure ill save money on fuel with lighter lower loads, and have more versatility for other equipt i cannot haul now . Plus i would be losing the trailer payment , and next month all my equipt would be owned outright .
my trailer is like new condition , and they are offering me 35000.00 in trade for it . basicly ill be trading a 2008 for a 2005 and they will pay off my loan . any advise would be appreciated as i have very little step deck exp . get r done

 

Thank you heavyhaulerss, not quite what i was looking for info wise , i have already thought about those subjects and loading from a dock is not sompthing i do very often , i cant remember the last time i did , its always from the side with fork lifts . what i was wondering is am i going to be at a better advantage overall with the flat that i already have costing me 500.00 per month for the next two years or with a step deck that is paid for that will haul a more varied form of freight .I guess im looking for someone to make up my mid for me LOL. the 53 weighs 14,000 lbs and has three axel minimum on the ground, it seems like in a short amount of time i would make better money pulling a 10,000 lb step deck trailer with fewer axels( tires and brakes) and less wind resistance ( lower load height) .
I have also been told that a step will not drag as much wind due to the lower profile of the trailer . im just trying to do the smart thing here and make good business decisions by saving fuel costs , tire wear and brake wear, and lose a 500.00 a month payment .Its been a long hard battle to stay afloat and so far i have made it by the grace of God . When the last truck payment is made next month it sure would be nice to have the trailer paid for as well . Thank you for your reply , i appreciate it .

 

Thank you for the replys ,You were right about needing a 2nd opinion , Yes i have a gut feeling im doing the right thing going to a paid for step deck.
Alleycat , I have a 51 that i can do a trade on as well , but it isnt in as good of shape as the 48 as they demand a higher price. I want to be able to run all western states including cali and the 51 presents problems with king pin to rear axel lengths . I hauled containers for 5 years and have no desire to go into a port , been there done that not interested in dealing with the long shore if you know what i mean .