Best tractor for flatbeds & stepdecks

Id say any truck that you trust on the road and will pass dot. Cali you need a clean air truck, good luck if you can afford a newer truck.

 

Day cabs or sleepers?

COE or hoods?

What type of weight are you wanting to haul?

 

Any truck that won't be in the shop, has a long enough frame for side boxes and so u can run 55' beams on a 48' trailer.

But mainly the 1st part.

 

One steel mill I know of loves to run 60Ft beams, if you can load them legal it pays big bucks. Used to hang them off the front 4 feet and back 3 feet, flag and tag the back and off I went legal and even DOT inspected me and gave me a all clear.

If you run anywhere near Charleston, S.C. look for the stretch tractors and flatbeds, most likely the are running out of Nucor steel. Gerdau Ameristeel out of Petersburg, Va will do the same thing.

I agree also on a tractor that does not need a shop buddy, some of the new tractors are junk in the bunks.

 

I've been considering a COE mid-90's KW with a 300" frame. There is place near me that is paying $6 mile for 60' beams. I could do it legal and make a killing!!!

 

A flat top Pete.

Is Atlanta to California short haul?

For KKKalipornya you will need a CARB truck. hahaha good luck wit dat!

 

Yes you could make a killing, the rates as you know are high and 99% have to haul with a Cinderella permit. North Carloina is tough with rear overhang and to get the beams back up to Virginia and Pa with a OS load is pricey.

I never seen anyone with a 300" wheel base but most run a COE and 265" wheel base. Had a 95 362 Pete double bunk with 265" wheel base, it was longer than most but easy on cost in excellent condition.

http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=3469813&

 

No you can't, a load over 53' long requires permits. Don't believe me? Call the HH Department, either J-ville or Rockford.

 

Authority, § 32-9-29, Code of Alabama (1975), as amended

ALABAMA
STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
P.O. BOX 303050
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36130
Alabama State Trucking Permit Information website for overweight, wide load, oversized and superload transport:

http://www.dot.state.al.us/maweb/Oversize&OverweightPermitInformation.htm


PHONE: 800-449-2782
HOURS: MONDAY – FRIDAY 8:00 A.M. – 4:45 P.M
CENTRAL TIME

Legal Dimension Limits

Length 57’ Trailer Length
Width 8’6” 8’ on roads under 12’ wide
Height 13’ 6”
Overhang 4’ in the front, 5’ in the rear

Routine Permit limits in Alabama for oversized, overweight, wide loads and super load travel restrictions.
Length 150’ Maximum overhang of 20’.
Width: 14’ Over 16’ cannot use designated highway
Height: 16’
Gross Weight: Please contact Alabama Department of Transportation for Overweight, Oversized & Wide load, Super load weight limits.

Travel Restrictions for Overweight, Oversized & Wide load, Super Loads in Alabama:
1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.

Escorts needed for shipping oversized, overweight, wide loads and super loads in Alabama.

Length: Over 75’ one rear escort/ Over 105’ one front and one rear escort
Width: Over 12’ one front and one rear escort
Height: Over 16’ one front pole escort
Please contact Alabama State Department of Transportation permit office for additional information for oversized, overweight, wide load and super load travel restrictions.