Thinking about getting a Drop Deck

My step will raise up to meet dock heights. I have been loaded that way a few times. Next time I will take a pic.

Most people scratch their head when they see it.

Hurst

 

I def want to know more about that.

 

If you are not seeing step specific loads, its because you are not looking. There are plenty of step specific loads. They dont pay any more than regular flat. As I stated previously, the beauty of the step is in its versatility.

I cant think of much that a regular flat can haul that I cant.. to include 50ft pipe, steel plate etc. I've done it. Where there is a lot that I can haul and self load where a flat can not.

The only real advantage in having a regular flat over a step is if your going after heavy freight... 46k lbs and above. I can not legally scale 48k. For the most part stay under 40k and do just fine. It has to be a good rate for me to put over 40k on my deck.

Hurst

 

My step has a sliding rear axle. To slide it the deck has to be raised so the fenders are above the wheels. Just so happens.. the height it goes to is exactly dock height.

I wasnt sure I could do it with weight on the deck. I was fearful it might damage the bags. I was in a situation where the load I was getting paid a rate that I did not want to miss out on. It required getting loaded from a dock. I was not privy to that information until I got to the shipper. He was going to send me away...he was cursing.. said he asked for a regular flat. I told him I can reach his dock. Sure enough... no problem. Win/win.

Hurst

 

Good info to have. I'm still researching what I want in a trailer.

 

You guys don't understand why I pulled a low step, then a DD, and now I have a DD with a 12" deck height, the older you get the lower the trailer so you can get on it without help.

You buy the trailer that works best with your main customer, then make it work with the others.

 

I'm emulating others, for my business plan. Granted, it's 2-3 years away, but I'm narrowing my choices and focus.

 

LOL. That was the first thing I enjoyed. Climbing up on a regular flat with my back sucked. Lifting tarps to a regular flat sucked too. Step is so much easier.

I wish I had a regular customer. I run the spot market.. so I need the versatility to be able to cover as much as possible with out putting myself into a corner by specializing for specific freight.

Hurst

 

Yeah part of the reason I got a flat is the weight. I can legally scale 52k and that will go up once I bump my registration up to 86k gross. I haul 49-50k loads quite a bit so it works out perfectly for me. The rate is higher than legal loads but lower than maxi so the maxi guys don't want them and most of the regular guys can't scale the weight.