overheight questions

I pull a stepdeck with 3'6" lower deck. I've generally shyed away from anything overheight, I always figure that's what DD's and RGN's are for.

I'm seeing more and more stuff posted for SD overheight though. For instance, where I'm at now there are a lot of steel tanks popping up, lightweight loads. Seems like they'd be pretty easy loads if I could get decent routing. Are permits pretty reasonable for overheight ? What is the max you would want to go for height, even with a permit ? Should I just let the DD's and RGN's handle that stuff ?

p.s.- I don't mind pulling overwidth up to 12', but don't have any interest in anything requiring escorts.

 

the rates they are offering seem to be towards the low end for RGN, but darn good for stepdeck. I think they are just wanting them moved pretty bad. I'm just trying to get info. looks like South Dakota's permits for example are only $20. I just can't find out how high, can you go up to 15'6" ?? Or will that result in crazy routing ?

edit - found some info. Iowa requires a pole car if you are over 14' 4", South Dakota just says depends on routing, North Dakota doesn't require an escort as long as it's less than 18'.

Yah, they're definitely not paying enough to fool around with a pole car, that's for sure, even if you only needed it for Iowa.

 

I wound up putting a bid in on a tank that was 8' 9", but didn't get it. wound up with three partials legal starting at Sioux Falls, SD ending in San Diego, CA. I need to do more homework on overheight loads, haven't got any experience with them. FYI - seems like there are several tank manufacturers around here (Sioux City, IA, Storm Lake, IA, Lincoln, NE). seems to me they are having some trouble getting stuff moved. I can't really blame them, I'd have a hard time coughing up $4/mile for 5k loads as well. Sorta seems like a guy that would build or buy a trailer with two round tube frames to pull behind a pickup might be able to do pretty well on stuff like this and just deadhead back. But IDK if it's steady year round or anything. thanks for the tips.