Flat or step deck

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Highwolf89, May 1, 2015.

  1. Highwolf89

    Highwolf89 Light Load Member

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    Jul 30, 2013
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    I had a oo who had a new flatbed tell me that if he could do it over again he would by a step deck... But as I look on the load board I never see loads that just say step deck always show with flatbed... What is it you guys are seeing out there more loads for a f or step....


    Thank you
     
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  3. phobos

    phobos Bobtail Member

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    Apr 24, 2015
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    As for me really important is the weight. As sometimes you can get stuck in some pretty bad area . And the only load to get out going to be only for flat. I mean 48.000 lbs.
    So make sure that you are in 32.000lbs zone and can handle that weight with stepdeck. Because some of the cam't
     
  4. abcdefg

    abcdefg Bobtail Member

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    Feb 17, 2015
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    Step only has more chance, not more money.
     
  5. Bigray

    Bigray Road Train Member

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    Tampa, Florida
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    I started with a SD I pulled for a couple years, now I have a FB, I find their to be more freight and pays just as good if not better than what I got with my SD. I can scale more wgt. center long loads with no problems on axles.
     
  6. Largecar359

    Largecar359 Road Train Member

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    I make big $$$ with step deck. However, I realize that I am the exception not the rule. If your looking to hit the load boards with your equipment I would agree with these other guys regular flat is the way to go. Most specialized work that requires a step is already taken before it ever reaches the load boards. If you have a customer that needs a step on a consistent basis then a step will make you money.
     
  7. taxihacker66

    taxihacker66 Road Train Member

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    Feb 26, 2012
    Concrete jungle.
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    I agree with largecar seems everybody has a step now and rates arent what they use to be for that type of equipment. I would go with a flat.
     
  8. rank

    rank Road Train Member

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    Feb 11, 2010
    50 miles north of Rochester, NY
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    53 ft combo step, 35" deck height, 121" spread, 4 levellers, cabover truck with ~230+ wheel base and a drom box to carry your money c'mon.
     
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  9. Largecar359

    Largecar359 Road Train Member

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    New Jersey
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    53ft step is a brokers trailer. If your lookin for a rooster cruiser its a 50ft step 10'2 spread all the way back, this way you can't bridge it to be legal. Lift axle up front, dump axle in the back. Being pulled by an 85 359. 300" wheel base, fresh paint, polished to the max straight stacks, with a 875 watt radio.

    Rank- I'll meet you at the bank man, so we can buy each other a $2.10 cup of coffee. C'mon
     
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  10. rank

    rank Road Train Member

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    Feb 11, 2010
    50 miles north of Rochester, NY
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    Hehehe. Yeah broker trailer maybe. He gets to move two DD loads on one step deck or 60 ft beams without a permit but I am on his speed dial and I to charge accordringly. :)

    $2.10...maybe, Largecar. But I walked out of a Dunkin' Doughnuts the other day rather than pay $3. A man's got to know his limitations.
     
  11. dannythetrucker

    dannythetrucker Road Train Member

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    May 26, 2011
    everywhere, man
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    I like my 53' step, but there's a lot of loads I can't haul because they are 46-48k and I can only haul 46k. Or because they are flatbed only. Most of these loads are cheap though, so sometimes not being able to haul them I wind up with something better anyways, but it takes more digging around.

    I guess I'm opposite of the guy you talked to, I like my step but I think I'd start with a flat if I did it over. Either way it's going to seem like you are missing all the good loads.
     
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