Running gear for flat/step

There are atleast 20x1 flatbed loads over steps I have ramps levelers all that also it weighs 2,000lbs more than my flat which limits me to the weight I can haul. When I first bought my step deck back in 2005 the loads paid $.50-$.75 more per mile today they pay the same.

as far as trucks go they really didn't have many 500 hp aerodynamic trucks

 

Thank you Bayou. I liked hauling oversize loads so that is one of the reasons I was leaning towards a triaxle step. I have never done RGN although I'm sure I could learn.
As far as a truck what do you recommend? I certainly don't want to go in debt for a new one so I would like to make the right choice from the start. Until I was deployed I had a '97 FLD (former Stinky Simon) with a Detroit and 10 sod. I did well with Landstar. I enjoye my freedom to choose lioads and go where I wanted, for the most part. I work for Britton Transport now pulling a 53' flatbed and driving a 2014 Freightliner with 10spd Autoshift. I enjoy working for them since they are militaary frienndly and get me home for drill weekends, however, I miss the freedom of going where I want. Not trying to get rich, just want to get paid to visit the places and people I want to see...
So back to the original question. What is a good setup for pulling an open deck: Tractor under $40,000 and a Flatbed or Stepdeck?

 

this is the same info im needing. im buying my own truck and leasing on with a company, and they have a trailer program that i can buy a trailer off them and im trying to decide wether or not i want a flatbed or a stepdeck. they told me that even if i get a step deck and im not able to find a stepdeck load at that time that i can use it as a flatbed, either way they said it will work. and im trying to decide on what kind of truck to get, everyone has told me to stay away from the pete 379's and the w900l even though those are my 2 favorite trucks lol.

 

I like my W9 but only for the specs and HP I lost over a mile to the gallon in fuel economy from my Freightliner. Best truck I ever had was a 2000 Volvo with a 500hp Detroit 13speed 373 rears midroof that was many years ago and didn't give a rats rear about MPG with out trying I did 6.8-7.2mpg if I had that truck today is be easy getting 7.8-8.2 maybe better also keep in mind flats run half the money steps do don't spend everything you have saved up front you may need it down the road.