step deck or dd?

Texas Wide load, two identical loads, same day, Big tires going from Lubbock to San Angelo. What a crap shoot it can be. I get routed straight south and the other guy goes down hwy84 to Sweetwater. He goes right into a DOT road side inspection, and I don't even see a LEO the entire way. It's funny how that stuff works out.

But he did get the clean insp. bonus money!

 

In the front of your Rand McNally trucker's atlas you'll find a table of max heights/widths/weights allowed in each state.

 

I went and got this atlas this week so that I could study up on some of the state to state rules etc. Lots of good info in the front sections. The maps however, drive me bananas.

Lots of the maps spread over two pages. There's almost a full two inch break in the middle for the binding and a wide border for each page.

Do you guys use the maps a lot, or just for the front section of regs?

FYI - for those that want to buy one, it is about $48 on amazon with shipping, but only 29.99 + tax at flying j.

 

I don't use RM atlas for maps. I use S&T on my laptop for all mapping and routing. Then I use the atlas to check my chosen route against clearances and restrictions.

 

We frequently haul loads on steps between 13-6 to 14' tall. Anything over 14' tall gets my attention. Generally, states will allow you to go to 14-6 high without escorts. We run the Eastern 2/3 of the country...I am not sure what you can do out West. They don't always know where their low bridges are. I would say that several times per year I have drivers come up to a low bridge on the route on their permit. It is not really practical to haul loads over 14-6 if they would work on a lower trailer. Escorts generally charge at least 1.50/mi so it would be better to pay a little extra to hire an RGN.

Most double drops or RGNs have deck heights between 18-24 inches depending on the trailer and the weight of the load. A standard step deck has a height of 40-42 inches. Low pro step decks have become much more popular in the last decade. These deck heights are usually 36-38", but I have seen them as low as 34.

 

If you want to haul DD freight on a step for more money make sure your insurance carrier approves. Most basic insurance policeys don't cover OS,OW or OH.

If you want the job get the right trailer.

 

Some states will also not let you if they know it can go on a double drop and avoid the hgt. issues.
Years ago I put a ld. on a 3 axle flat that really should of been on a lowboy. Was going to Ca. and the weight thing was the issue, plus the trk. that was to get it broke down.
Permit the hgt. at 15' high. Made it all the way into Ca. First scale in Ca. on 80. Pull around back for insp.
Trk. and trl. passes. They are looking at the hgt. and looking at the permit also. They all match.
They said this should be on a lowboy. Can't do it I say.Why not to long for the well.
They make deck inserts they say. Yes but with your weight laws it then would have to go on 10 axles not the 7 with this setup.
They let me go..
So like another poster stated depends on the states and the ld.

 

I'd take the step deck over a dd or rgn any day.. then the flatbed with spread (able to close it) over a step deck