flat or step.

I swear sometimes ya'll forget that not everything out there is just like it is in the little blue star world. Believe it or not they don't control all the freight yet. I do alright at keeping a good load on the step. Can't really say that I miss my old flat. But, that's why they make chocolate and vanilla.

 

A tridem step could be ideal if you want to start running heavy. Good money in heavy loads over 50k pounds...

 

I'm not with LS, yes I can stay loaded with my step but pulling my flat I can pre book loads days in advance. There is 5.1 flatbed loads over steps and lots of times I was pulling loads that were for flatbed all the time.

My biggest problem was weight I couldn't scale 48,000 and with a rented trailer you know it won't be a light one.

 

Something for you to consider if you're looking at a 53 for use in NY. Just got cited in NY state for this yesterday.

Maximum 43' from KP to center of rear axle for trailers longer than 48' but not longer than 53. The law used to be 41' from KP to center of rear axle group, which is how I spec'd all my new trailers. Now it looks like I need to get a $420 annual permit for each truck.

We've been running NY state for 25 years and maybe more and have never had this one before. Some days, man. Some days.

 

You lost me Rank, if you spec'd your trailers with a KP/AX of 41' and the law states a max KP/AX of 43' you should be good, right?

Never mind, just saw were you spec'd for AX Group, not center of rear AX.

Thanks Stan

 

53's are allowed in CA if you have a sliding rear axle and close up the spread to a tandem, or you have a "California Legal" spread like Cluck has, with the axle way up froward on the trailer to meet the KP laws

 

It depends on where you run and where you haul. I do well with a 53' step deck, but can also do well with a 48' flat. There are some shippers who will not load a step. If it were me, I would start with a flat and if you see that you are losing a lot of loads, you can always go with a step deck. I have a good friend who has thought of getting a step deck, but he does very well pulling his flat around. A flat would be the safer bet.