Question for Flatbedders

10500-11000 lbs depending on gear.

 

It's not illegal or alot of us would have our ###es in a sling....
I frequently have a 5 foot overhang on the front and seven on the rear. Some people like more on the front....Crapy thing about the front over hang is the head sweep...Those beams stick waaaaay out there when making a turn....I wont go into a Pilot with beams cause I'd be tearing up other trucks with Pilots limited space.....

 

I see the good ones at truck stops all the time...TA,PETRO,FLY J

 

This is a true statement... when I was hauling heavy equipment or materials to get their jobs done they were alway glad to see me.

Unlike the food world with a truck full of freight that makes their company money and pays their wages! They treat you like the scum of the earth and act like they are pissed off you brought the product THEY FRIGGEN PURCHASED!!


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I now I have a comparison question. What is the best way to go... flatbed or step deck? I have seen the step deck loads just fall off here but the flat loads are holding. Also, when brokers list the load as flatbed have you step deck guys called them and is this something the trailer can handle? I am looking for the most versatile trailer that I can provide for most of the loads.

One last question.... do brokers offer trap pay and if so what is the range?

Thanks drivers!

 

I suggest checking the load boards (or brokers) to see how much step freight is running in your travel lanes. I run 48 flat. out of California, I do not see a lot of step deck loads out of my area (they do pay better and I dont look for them), although some of the brokers say you can use either, as long as you can fit it. You can get metal levelers (kind of like stacken 4x4's up) that will level off the lower deck with the upper deck, that will also give you more options. I kind of wished I would have bought a 45' flat; California has a lot of road networks (not the national network) were you are limited to 45' with a flat (they have a 65' length limit, although I still go in with a 48', puts me at 69') .There is also KPRA limits, but I dont think anyone pays attention since they are warnings, as long as you are under the length (65') you can go on the California network road.

I also dont get a lot of loads that take up all 48' so you could possibly get away with a 45' (less weight). But again, that also depends on the type of loads within your travel lanes.

Ill say it again, the key factor in considering any trailer purchase is to look at what freight is available in the lanes you want to travel!

If you are under your own authority with a broker its a flat rate (usually), there is no tarp, FSC, etc. But the rate should be a little higher if tarping is required. Some brokers pay lumper's fees for vans.

 

JasonTheRock thank you for the reply.

I have been checking the loads out of my area and there always seems to be some. I have been calling brokers to see if the flatbed listed load will work on a step and so far they all have said yes. There is also a place near the house that has a few used load levers.

Just trying to cover all the bases and thanks again for the reply.