Domestic Flatbed O/O's...

You say domestic like Alberta or Canada only , I would go step or flat lots a pipe, construction supplies and smaller equipment. If you run south to USA than step or DD and I would go tridem for sure. And I think going independent is a great idea, thats what I did and I dont regret it . Its hard at first but every month is getting better. I have a contact for your authority and all that stuff. I dont know if you got any prices from anyone about authority. I had gotten quotes for like $4000.00 and $7000.00 than found a outfit in Saskatchewan I think to date and this is my second year I paid less than $2000.00 for everything his fees were like a total of $200.00 bucks.

 

I am Independent as well with a couple trucks. You do not require an Authority. You need a Safety fitness cert., Insurance and plates. Alberta transportation's site has a detailed explaination of how to do your prorate for your plates should you decide to run outside of AB. IFTA is the same. I run mostly van and reefer in LCV combinations so I cannot speak to the trailer, however I sure do see a pile of tridem highboys rollin around with pipe!

 

Word on the street ( and the Ocean ) is that there is going to be another rush of pipe back and forth between NS ( port Halifax ), and AB. Just a rumor, but off shore is heating up again here with Shell and Exxon leading this charge. Most of those loads were farmed out to brokers. I have no idea who you could confirm this thru, or how you could hook up with the suppliers. I've been outta the deck and over-dimensional game for almost ten years. Just a thought.

http://www.mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/e0009687

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/01/20/shell-canada-nova-scotia_n_1220640.html

'Luck

SL

PS - Pipes were NOT the only offshore 'patch' product decked in and out of NS and NFLD. Google it. Quite often an a Western plated deck would bring an offshore patch load down and take a machine or specialty vehicle back west from AutoPort or the Port:

http://www.portofhalifax.ca/english/port-facilities/facilities/index.html#autoport

 

I'm paying $2.15 a running mile for tractors only.

 

Running mile. Empty one way, loads preloaded and tied down. Yes, your own plates insruance etc.