FLATBED EXPERIENCE

[ISMAR132]

FOR THOSE FLATBED DRIVERS O/O WITH MORE EXPERIENCE
WOULD I STAND A BETTER CHANCE OF MAKING MORE MONEY, OR BETTER PAYING LOADS WITH A DROPDECK THAN WITH A FLATBED?

[rank]

I say yes but some disagree.

I've gotten so I don't even call on FB loads anymore (unless they are wide). If it's not a step only load, I DH home 500 miles.

[ISMAR132]

I S THERE ANYTHING DIFRENT AS FAR AS DISTRIBUTING WEIGHT OR WOULD IT BE THE SAME 20000 PER REAR EXEL AS WITH FLATBEDS.

[S. L. Schrader Co]

The dropdeck and RGN loads definitely pay more but there are less loads so it kind of evens out.

[rank]

I S THERE ANYTHING DIFRENT AS FAR AS DISTRIBUTING WEIGHT OR WOULD IT BE THE SAME 20000 PER REAR EXEL AS WITH FLATBEDS.

it's the same as flats

actuallly...the beams on a step are often sorter so in order to have the same carrying capacity as a flat, they sometimes use a stronger grade of steel.

[GMAN]

I own both. Most of the time, step deck loads pay more than those for flats. However, if you own a step deck, you will likely haul some flat bed loads. It basically depends on what you haul. I have hauled legal flat bed loads for $3/mile. That is NOT a typical flat bed rate. Usually, the more specialized you become, the higher rate you can command. On the other hand, you may find it more difficult to find as many loads when your equipment is more specialized. I have hauled loads which I would not have been able to haul with my flat bed. I have also found loads which work with my side kit or flat and not on the step deck. About a year or so ago, I have an over-sized load which required a flat bed. It paid my truck over $6/mile after paying for permits and escorts. Again this is NOT typical for a flat bed rate. There have been a few shippers who would not load my step deck. Most loads will work on either, some won't. If you have never pulled a flat bed, I would suggest starting with a flat bed first. Loads are more plentiful and it takes some time to learn how to properly secure a load. I have had some really strange loads on my step deck. Had I not have had the level of experience as I have had, I could have made some costly mistakes. For instance, a few months ago, I pulled an oversized load. Part of my route involved going down 2 lane roads and passing other 18 wheelers. There were several narrow bridges. An inexperienced driver might have tried to pass trucks on those bridges. I stopped until traffic cleared to avoid getting intimate with another vehicle. This same load required me to travel several miles down a very narrow 2 lane road to make my delivery. Had I not been careful I would likely have taken out a number of mail boxes. If I had the same width on a flat bed, the mail boxes would probably not been a problem, but it was with the step deck. It was too tall for a flat bed. This load was 10' high and 12' wide.

[LOAD IT]

As Gman said, it depends. I have flats and steps and make more money with the steps and haul a lot less weight. A good stepdeck setup should have all equipment just as a flatbed along with loadlevelers to make the step a flatbed. You should also invest in some ramps and possibly a winch. When you can find any good paying 8-10ft high freight, you can load machinery, trucks, vans, tractors or cars and make more money than hauling heavy loads of steel or lumber all while saving on fuel economy.