What I learned about the conestoga is that a lot of places won't load them. Most brokers know nothing about them. some shippers are afraid of insurance claim cause of fork lift damage. When I do pickups I tell the operator not to hit my trailer. Some get upset but it's better to warn them first. I ask the broker if it's a legal load and if it needs tarp. If they say it's a legal load then I'll tell them it's going to get tarped anyway because I hsve a Cani. But it's like I said you have to be extra careful when you go places.
For me the stepdeck conestoga. But not for everyone. Stepdeck with ramps is the way to go for sure if you gonna get in to flatbad
With a conestoga, be sure of the height of what you're putting on the deck too. Ours is 98" of clearance and not absolutely every "legal" load will fit. I think if you're going to invest in one or the other, you need to have a regular customer or be confident in a regular lane. Spot market freight isn't worth the investment IMHO.