The advantage to having a step deck is that you can haul things which are tall without having to get a permit. I can put something as tall as 10' on my step deck without being over height. A flat bed could only haul something about 8' or so tall without being too tall. There are some loads which will not work so easily on a step deck. For instance some steel and pipe will only work on a flat since the pieces are 40'+. Some flats have bridges to raise the lower deck to accommodate this type of load. I can haul up to 42' on my lower deck which allows me to haul some of those type of loads, if needed. Most steps can only haul 38' without extending over the rear or the trailer.
I have hauled over sized loads on my flat bed, but those type of loads are usually wide, not tall. Over sized loads normally work better on a step deck since they tend to be high as well as wide. There are some shippers who will not load a step deck. If they load from a loading dock they may not be able to load a step deck because of the lower deck height. Some have lower docks which work with a step deck. I know a steel distributor who will not load a step deck. There really isn't a good reason for them not to do so since they load with an overhead crane. The shipping manager just doesn't like step decks. Go figure. :roll:
Both trailers have their advantages and disadvantages. Rates tend to be higher on step deck freight, but if you own or pull a step deck you will likely haul some flat bed freight, which means the rates will be lower. Rates are not always different for the two trailers. It depends on what you are hauling. The more specialized your trailer the higher rates tend to be, but there can also be some limitations as to what type of freight you can haul. I haven't had a problem with either trailer. I would first look at the type of freight I wanted to haul and then find a trailer which works best for that type of freight. For instance, if I mainly planned on hauling steel, I would go with a flat bed. If I planned on hauling a lot of over sized loads or in certain areas of the country, then I would consider a step deck.
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