Are Drop Decks more stable?

Yes, but some of the loads that are given to drop decks are tall and top heavy which is why they are shipped onto drop decks to begin with. If hauling something like coils or lumber then yes they are more stable then flatbeds because of their low height. As you said it really all depends on the load. If your hauling a dozer or some other oversized piece of equipment then it will feel 10 times more unstable then a taller flatbed with a load of lumber.

 

Right, and most drop decks have ramps to load vehicles and equipment for that reason. Never on a straight flatbed.

 

my bad....when I hear drop deck I automatically think flatbed!

 

There are companies that hire flatbed and stepdeck drivers with out experiance... They have a securement class and start you out small then work your way up.

Maverick, Warren, TMC (I think?).... are a few to look at. Everyone has to find their nitch where they're comfortable. But, have no illusions, flatbed work can be dirty. Dealing with tarping loads, handeling chains, binders, & straps... You will get dirty!!

 

I occasionally pull a drop deck dry van for auto loads. They're really no different than pulling a regular dry van. Usually they're loaded to maximum capacity and you still can't tell a difference. Just make sure your 5th wheel is slid all the way back or you'll hear Wheel of Fortune every time you make a turn.

 

Oh, sorry. I've never hauled a stepdeck Van trailer but again, Yes it should be more stable because the load sits lower if it's a heavy load.
Also I believe most stepdeck or HI Cube vans are made that way because Volume is more of an issue then weight. I think they haul more loads like lightbulbs, popcorn, potatoe chips, empty totes, etc, etc where volume is more the pressing issue, which in that case being so light they should be pretty stable regardless if the freight is all the way to the roof. That's my thinking but again, I've never hauled a stepdeck Van before.

As far as flatbeds go. There is more to it then Van loads but don't get into all the hype. There will times when you may get several back to back loads that don't require anything more then throwing down 4 chains and be loaded in a 10 acre parking lot with nothing around you. No backing, no tarping, no lumpers, no long truck lines to sit in, etc, etc. Then there will be days when you get mixed load of building material which will test you both loading and unloading so you don't spill the load both driving or during unloading when you take tension off the load, or oversize which is a pain because you have to drive slower or certain routes or hours depending on the permits. Both Van and Flatbed will have your challenges.....flatbed a obviously a little more but both are necassary and require a driver that takes pride in doing the best he can. Good luck.

 

I low-bed and I would have to say that my 8 axle 10' wide trailer feels very stable with a D10 on it or even a top heavy 60 ton crane. I will say that yes a flat deck would naturally be very stable but I wouldn't say it is 10 times more stable. With the rail trailer I run an ex800 at 14' wide does rock side to side but corners like a dream. It is alot of getting used to with a rail trailer but if all the chains are tight then things are good to go.