renting flatbed trailers?

Well, hey guys a bit about me I have had my hands on big liter diesels most of my life. I started as a mechanic for a farm with only 12 articulate steer case tractors and a few green combines and worked my way up to running a shop. I left that position 5 years ago to get benefits for my wife and I at the largest rental company in the u.s.a. I have heavy hauled for them for a while now. I currently make a pretty decent wage, (mid 50k) but my wife and I have been tossing around the idea of getting into flatbed o/o work. I am close to a few brokers locally already so I think I could have an edge, but enough about me.

Anyway, I plan on purchasing a pre 2005 tractor in the next year or two, but for now I was wondering what you guys thought of me purchasing a few drop deck trailers and flatbeds and renting them out to local O/O. I was hoping to do this for the next year or two until I can come up with a LARGE down payment for my truck. I was hoping to do all the service and maintenance on the trailers myself, along with any welding or repair needed since I am a certified welder. Does this sound plausible and do you think guys would be interested? If so what would be a good rate of rental? I have been looking at reitnouer 48' 102" dropmisers and later Id like to pick up a nice rogers lowboy or something similar

Ricky M
barnhart mo