step deck 48 or 53

Don't restrict yourself. Get a 53.

 

If you get a 53, make sure it's Cali legal since you plan to run all 48. This usually means the rear axles will slide from a spread to a closed tandem axle. The downside is that you have to make sure you only have less than 34k on the rear when going into Cali.
They do make spreads that are Cali legal for 40k but the first axle is about at the half way point of the bottom deck. Check out the third pic on this ad.
http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=2974725&
This setup can be difficult to load evenly.

 

dang talk about tail swing!



American Trucker

 

53 step decks are heavier but a lot of time you can get a third partial on a 53.
I actually got rid of my 53 for a 48 aluimium because my bobtail is 23,k and payload can mean alot.

 

53, did a lot of research on this as we looked to get another driver pulling a flat and was going to sell him mine and get a step.

But man are the prices high right now. Between oil pipe and hay, everybody is buying anything half way decent. We ended up getting another flat.

 

You mean high for a 53 or high because of a step or combo?
I have a 48 step and it seems to work well for me though I see alot more freight available for a regular flat than a step but that probably depends on where your at.

 

Exactly and thats why them trailers are pretty much worthless for anything other than light stuff. If you're gonna go 53 get the spread at the back or atleast closer to the back and just stay out of CA! I think GA and VA is also hard on long outfits too?

I was talking to the MAC salesman when I was over there a few weeks ago and he mentioned something about building the trailers at 52' 6" as a way of getting around that law, or something to that effect? I was with jfaulk so he might remember what all was said.

IMO, I wouldn't waste my money on a stepdeck. The rates are no better than flatbed rates, except in some conditions. Now if you have a customer that you can count on getting better rates out of then by all means go for it, but if you're gonna work off the load boards it will be a waste. Now if you are gonna be leasing on to a company known for stepdeck freight you will be much better off.

This is just my opinion from the few times I pulled the step. To me it was more of a hassle than anything. The one thing nice is the fact if you fall off you don't have far till you land....

 

Higher cause of price wise. For some reason people think they have a pot of gold with them trailers.

 

53' stepdeck for sure.