Stepdeck or Flatbed to start out

We typically ask the drivers how much they can scale before letting them commit to a load, but yes, they have scales.

 

45K payload and I am maxed out at 80k# so I am one of those that can't..... #### Western Star is HEAVY, but I also carry a lot of equipment and all 3/8 chains.

 

I never pulled anything over 43,000# when I used to pull flat and step deck. I told them what the weight will be.

 

My truck in the pic below full of fuel I can scale 48,500
I also pull a 53ft with with a midroof Freightliner century and yes it is a combo 46,000 max

 

what does a all aluminun 53ft step way. Let's say with 2 box's and load levelers. No tarp's or chains.

 

Roughly 10,000 pounds, give or take, depending on the options and who makes that 53'. There's many 48' all aluminums flirting around 9,000 pounds.

 

I didn't think a 48 would be that light. I was thinking 9.5k to 10k for a 48. Then again you can get a flat under 9k so that makes sense.

 

Think real good on this decision. I started out with a 48'by 96'' open flat.still pulling it. I thought about trading to a step. then 1 day years ago I was asked if I wanted a load to a new customer on a sat going to G.R. MI. it paid very,very well. it was skidded coils. real load/unload only. a step would not work on that run. loaded 15 miles from home to MI reloaded out right back to 2 blocks from home. over 40 % of my income that year was from that one particular run. could not have had that offer if I had step. the dock plates do not go down to step level at the places I loaded/unloaded. so if you have any, must rear load/unload freight, you will not be able to haul it.

 

& if you have anything over 8.5 high it won't work on a flat. 95% of the time our open deck trucks pull steps or RGNs. There are times we miss out on a load because it is flat only. Usually, we end up booking a similar load for similar money. There are many more times where we get a higher rate because we are hauling something that will not work on a flat.

 

We have 48' combo step decks that weigh 10,500. We do not have any boxes, bulkheads, ramps, or levellers carrried on the trailer. When we purchased these trailers we got quotes on all aluminum 48 steps. I believe the weight was 8500-9500...I can't remember for sure. I don't think it was much lighter because we have 48' all alum flats that weigh 8500.