seriously thinking of buying a stepdeck. advice needed

Here's my opinion! Lease on to someone who has trailers. Pull their trailer for say 6 months to a year, see what you think of the business. It's going to be a pain pulling a Co. trailer but you will pick up pretty quick what you like and don't like and how you want things. By leasing to a carrier you can use their board to find loads, plus their agents will be calling you. The Co. chases the money you get paid on a regular basis. You can also draw advances against loads you pick up. Work on the Co's money. Also most Co's have a plate program and furnish you with permits. I would not go out and buy a new trailer until you are sure this is for you. Combo trailers are plenty tough and the more aluminum the less rust you have to deal with. When leasing to a carrier such as LS you will figure out what agents you want to work and those you don't. I've always either been leased to someone and or an agent. I don't like dealing with brokers. In my opinion they ruined the business. As far as trailers I like a step deck partially because they are easier to get up and down on. I haul LTL freight and the SD doesn't hinder me at all and I don't have levelers. I been at this a long time and I have a pretty good feel for getting freight on the trailer. If you are willing to work and are reliable you'll be fine. Like anything it just takes some time to learn.

 

Don't mean to steal this thread but, a lot of step deck pullers on here so, thought I would throw the question here. I have pulled a flat in the past and have access to a lot of securement equipment. I am going to be pulling a step in the very near future and would like if any or all of you that are pulling a step could give me a list of equipment to have. Having too much is too much weight and having too little means paying cash for something on the road, not good. So, what I am looking for is a good list, with just the right amount of securement equipment needed to haul the basics on a step. Thanks in advance..

 

Well it all depends on what your going to be haul but for the most part same as a flat might add some thicker blocking or load levers i would carry 8+ sets chains and binders 20+ straps 10+ 4x4s

 

My plan is to haul Military Equipment but, I am just looking for a list to haul everything I guess. I will have 12 3/8's chains 10 snap binders and 2 ratchet binders. Around 20 4" straps and ratchets, a couple of 2" straps and ratchets, 8 or so coil racks, 8/10 4x4's, 2 steel tarps and 2 lumber tarps. Corner protectors and etc... Anything to add?

 

I've hauled a ton of military with a flat just food for thought.

 

i hauled 65 ft aluminum extrusions and 65 ft wood laminated beams for buildings, God pay, no tarps and had a covered wagon for other loads. Kept busy. 48 ft 10 ft spread and 265 in WP Pete.

 

Pretty much the same as a regular flat.

Step deck specific gear would include Load levelers (Bridge), longer straps, tall loads may need more than 30'. Ramps come in handy,.. most double as load levelers.

Other then that I cant think of anything thats Step specific. Its pretty much just like regular flat. The majority of your loads will be on the lower deck.

Hurst:smt111

 

My step does have levelers and ramps,,,good point about the longer straps. Should I carry a certain amount or just make all 20 of them 30'?

 

All of mine are 30'. Rare,.. but I do get a load now and then that even the 30' are not long enough. I have to either combine them or use chains to make extensions.

Hurst:smt111

 

What about chains, 20' long enough for the step?