STEP DECK

[BOOM]

How is pulling a Step Deck comparted to a flatbed? Loads pay more? How much tarping? Cost of equipment?

[Chiefwhatdahey]

How is pulling a Step Deck comparted to a flatbed?

Loads pay more?

They used to, these days it's harder to find good paying step freight unless you specialize

How much tarping?

No more or less imo, if you don't want to tarp you can buy a roll tarp system

Cost of equipment?

Steps cost more, tarps need to be bigger so they will cost more

[rank]

How is pulling a Step Deck comparted to a flatbed? Loads pay more? How much tarping? Cost of equipment?

I think they pay a little more. Not as much as they used to though.
I would say the tarping is about the same as flats...maybe a little less.
Don't know about the cost of flats. We just paid $43,000 for a 2008 Wilson 53' combo step. Also paid $10,000 for a 48' 1999 Lode King combo step. So it depends.

[heavyhaulerss]

i prefer flat over step .. the reason... i have needed a load plenty of times to get home & some of those times the only good load going right to the house was a steel load that was rear load & unload. cant back up to a dock & rear load/unload with a step. i used to do $3,500 a week. hauling skidded coils. could not have gotten on that dedicated run with a step. i also hauled for 3 years a lot of $3.00 a mile plastic pipe that needed a flat. also lumber too. if i'm going to be far away from home.. i want the best chance of getting back. that is also why i have a set up where ican haul 50,000lbs legal. i've watched a lot of drivers have to sit & me come & load around them even though they have been waiting for hours ,because they could not scale the weight.

[GMAN]

There are advantages to both types of trailers. The main advantage to a step deck is that you can haul taller loads which can pay more money. On the other hand, there are very good paying loads which require a flat. You will have tarping with both types of trailers. There are usually more opportunities to haul machinery or equipment with a step, which can pay well and often does not need to be tarped. With either type, you will need to tarp or do a lot of sitting.