flatbed vs. dry van

You won't be able to haul anything with any height to it in a Conestoga. No oversize really. And there are quite a few shippers out there that a Conny won't fit in the door. That said, there are a lot of guys out there that wouldn't trade their Conny for all the flats on the planet. If you want to be able to haul almost any type of open deck load, go with a step-deck, IMO. And turn down the tall tarp loads if heights bother you.

 

If u dont like to work i wouldnt reccommend flatbed . not even a roll tite. All of what ur saying sounds good on paper but everybody in here knows its tough out here and reality is a hell of a lot different than theory or what really happen on paper.. To each there own . if u got money burnin a hole in ur pocket do what u wanna do.. Have fun chipping ice out of that roll tite track

 

No u just have to get creative with dunnage so if u have something thats longer than the first 10ft of upper deck and the freight on lower deck is below the lip . then u have to build some dunnage so the freight can be leveled out..i feel like stepdeck is a love it or hate it thing. Some guys swear by it .. Me im not a fan. Seems like if i ever get loaded overweight on axles but under gross its always on stepdeck . give me a 48ft fontaine flat and im eastbound and down

 

I would say the roll tarp decision should be based upon what type of freight u would be running. I see owner ops all the time at the steel mills in the midwest. All they run is coils. Thats where roll tarp is sweet. Throw ur chains n go. Dont even have to get dirty. Now whether they are making any money off of it , well that is another conversation. But i would say if ur just running random freight or whatever u can find , thats where a roll tarp with be limiting. Or if u ever wanted to run like say an easy os/ow load like oversize tires well now u cant get that them cuz u have a curtain on ur trailer and ive heard those tires can be big money but dont quote me im just a company driver..i think it would be best to figure out what type of freight u would like to haul before u make a decision on the equipment... The type of freight ur hauling would be dependent on the region . for ecampe midwest would be steel west coast would be lumber. Etc etc.. Every region has its commoditites.. But like i say im just a company driver my advice may not be what other ppl think . just find out what u like and go with it

 

That's what they make load levelers for.

 

Used flat beds cost almost as much as new ones. Unless it's been beat to death.
If you find a good deal on one inspect it very very thoroughly. Theee is a reason its cheap. Pay special attention to the king pin plate, where the susension is welded to the frame and use a laser sight to make sure the frame is straight.

What part of Florida are you in? I've got a barn full of extra chains and binders and tarps id let go pretty cheap. More than ill ever use in my life.


The step deck vs flatbed debate had gone on forever. If you are going to be running mainly load board freight a flat is probably better, or at least equal. 10 for spread axle 48 102. Install a dump valve on the rear axle and you are good to go. Carry 4 ft drop tarps and 8 ft. I hate my 8 fters, but they do make me a lot of money on occasion.