Flatbed VS stepdeck

[nsxman2001]

What is the benefit of having a regular Aluminum flatbed trailer Vs a Stepdeck trailer? I'm Considering buying my own trailer in the future and wonder what would be a better choice..

Currently hauling mostly building materials but the company I'm leased to haul Various Freight...

[tracer]

STEPDECK:
-less loads (some companies will load stuff only on flatbeds backed to the dock; if you're given a long load - say 45 ft pipe - you'll need to use load levellers)
-less tarping
-lighter loads
-higher paying loads (oversize)
-easier to climb on
-easier to tarp (lower)
-trailer costs more than flatbed

FLATBED:
-more loads
-heavier loads
-be ready to tarp or shell out for a tarping system trailer
-trailer is cheaper than stepdeck, unless you go with fancy aluminum
-higher trailer: harder to tarp, harder to climb on.

I"d go with a stepdeck, but each time I ask the flatbed dispatcher - she says, "We'd prefer you had a flatbed trailer". Flatbed loads are everywhere.

[dieselmanic]

had a stepdeck for a while, but it's hard to make shippers or brokers pay extra for it's use. they want it's utility but want to pay the same as flatbed rates. everything else that tracer says applies.

[NotSteve]

I've been told by 2 brokers already that the shipper will not allow a step deck. One was Holland. They don't want a step deck because the driver will put an LTL load on top.

I'm surprised I haven't seen a day cab pulling a 53' step deck with a custom built house/sleeper with a wood stove on the upper deck yet.

[nsxman2001]

Thanks GUys for the response.. I was also wondering what Brand trailer are the lightest and best Quality and price on the market right now?

Aluminum or steel?

thanks again

[charged]

Thanks GUys for the response.. I was also wondering what Brand trailer are the lightest and best Quality and price on the market right now?

Aluminum or steel?

thanks again

I was wondering the same thing. Plus a couple other questions if you don't mind.

What is the lifespan of an aluminum or steel and is it worth it for aluminum?
Is the resale higher aluminum over steel?
Is there a fuel savings for the lighter trailers and how much?
Last, are slightly used trailers usually a good buy over new?

[hamboner]

Reitnouer makes the best all aluminum flats and stepdecks out there. A few other manufacturers include: Transcraft Eagle, Raven, and Mac. The Mac trailers are also quickly becoming popular for the looks and quality. The Aluminum trailers offer significant weight savings over steel, but are not quite as durable. Aluminum tends to crack over a period of time, but it is not that big of an issue if you maintain your equipment and make sure you are loaded properly. There are many cases in steel hauling when being payed by the hundred makes for better paying loads when you can haul more weight. Combo trailers are also very popular. They are usually made of steel beams and have aluminum crossmembers and decking. Most of your steel haulers will have either a combo or all aluminum trailer. Steel trailers are more popular with the lumber haulers and severe duty applications. My dad has a Reitnouer that is over 10 years old and still in great shape. He has had a few small cracks welded up from time to time, but nothing major that threatened the operation of the trailer. Usually guys start out with a cheaper steel trailer and then progress to a fancier aluminum or combo setup once they figure out how they can benefit from the weight savings.

[rank]

had a stepdeck for a while, but it's hard to make shippers or brokers pay extra for it's use. they want it's utility but want to pay the same as flatbed rates. everything else that tracer says applies.

They won't pay extra if you want to put FB freight on your step that's for sure. Can you blame them? But they certainly pay extra for stuff thats too tall for a flat.

Reitnouer ain't all that. Buy the one you get the best deal on. Toolboxes may be better, winches may be laid out better from one to another, one may be lighter than the other.

[GMAN]

I have both a flat and step deck. I have a side kit for the flat. Both are steel. I prefer steel to aluminum due to the durability. I also haul some loads which require wood and steel. The main advantage you have with aluminum is the extra weight you can haul. I have gotten very good rates with both trailers, but seem to have more consistency with higher rates with the step deck. I usually don't haul as heavy loads as most will on a flat bed. I think I probably tarp about as much with one as the other unless I am hauling equipment. I do haul quite a bit of equipment with my step deck. The side kit enables me to haul some loads on the flat that I would not be able to get with a regular flat and they will pay a higher rate. I would go with which ever trailer that I was comfortable. Starting out you may be better off with a regular flat. There are more loads for flats. I do better with my step deck than some due to the fact that it is a 53' with a 42' lower deck. That enables me to be more flexible with my loads.

Steel trailers are less costly to purchase than aluminum. If I lived in the rust belt I would consider buying an aluminum trailer. There are several good brands on the market. Chapparel, Mac and Reitnour are some of the popular brands of aluminum trailers. The cracking around the suspension was the primary reason I didn't buy an aluminum trailer. Another reason is that it is much easier to damage an aluminum deck.

[geomon]

Gman wrote:

The side kit enables me to haul some loads on the flat that I would not be able to get with a regular flat

What are examples of loads that you could get with a side kit that a regular flat could not? Which is more versatile...a side kit or a sliding tarp system?

[hamboner]

Gman wrote:

The side kit enables me to haul some loads on the flat that I would not be able to get with a regular flat

What are examples of loads that you could get with a side kit that a regular flat could not? Which is more versatile...a side kit or a sliding tarp system?

The biggest difference between a side kit and a sliding tarp system (connestoga), is that you can break the side kit down and load over-dimensional loads that would stick outside the rub rails. Sliding systems are more of a permanent set-up than side kits. Sliding systems require dedicated loads like coils or something similar that you know will fit inside on a regular basis. Personally side kits can be a major pain also if you have to break them down very often to accomodate other loads. Many guys get tired of breaking them down on back hauls and eventually resort back to tarping. They each have there advantages, but require freight that favors the setup to be beneficial.

I would assume loads that are critical to staying dry would offer better money to a side kit.

[nsxman2001]

Thanks for the advice I'm going most run norheast NY,CT,MA,NH,ME,NJ,PA
So I will look for the best deal possible on a regular flat bed trailer..

thanks guys

[tracer]

If you're going with a regular flatbed, one thing that might help is to get lightweight tarps, esp. if they are custom designed to have a flap. These are much easier to tackle and take less time to set up.

[GMAN]

Gman wrote:

The side kit enables me to haul some loads on the flat that I would not be able to get with a regular flat

What are examples of loads that you could get with a side kit that a regular flat could not? Which is more versatile...a side kit or a sliding tarp system?

I haul a lot of nursery stock during season with a side kit. They will sometimes load a regular flat in the spring but won't during the fall. I can also haul things like copper pipe in a side kit. Some shippers will not load copper pipe on a regular flat bed. I also usually get better rates with the side kit than the flat. With the kit up you can haul just about the same thing with either a side kit or Conestoga. A Conestoga or similar setup would be well suited for lumber where as a side kit would not. I think most everything else was covered previously as far as the advantages are concerned.

When I mostly pulled my side kit I rarely took it down. It can be a pain to constantly take it down and put it up. Some shippers will not load a Conestoga, but will load a side kit. You will mostly see the Conestoga's hauling steel around. In reality you can haul about anything in one of these that you can in a van. The difficulty you will find with a side kit is the height. If you have something that is more than about 4' tall you will not be able to use the kit unless it is one of the tall kits. The Conestoga doesn't have that limitation.

The main advantage you have with either the side kit or Conestoga is the tarp time. With my side kit, I can usually be tarped and gone by the time someone else gets his tarps out. I like pulling a side kit. A friend of mine bought a kit for his trailer and later decided to not use it most of the time. He prefers to tarp.

A side kit costs from about $1,800-3,600. A Conestoga kit costs around $17,000.

[nsxman2001]

If you're going with a regular flatbed, one thing that might help is to get lightweight tarps, esp. if they are custom designed to have a flap. These are much easier to tackle and take less time to set up.

Where can I pick up light weight tarps?

Also I've been looking at used trailers and notice some have a dump valve or lift axle. which is better? Are these useful options?

also some have a gauge on the trailer. what is that used for..Hope these are not stupid questions..

thanks again guys

[GMAN]

Most any tarp shop can make them for you. There is a company called Tri-State Tarp in E. St. Louis who sell them.

[Double L]

Actually it's called Tri-City Canvas. They are located off of Interstate 270 exit 3. I think it's 3A and you turn left at the stop light and it's right across from the Waffle House. I do believe they also ship to anywhere in the U.S. as well! Their number is 1-800-966-1662.

http://www.tricityflatbeds.com

[RostyC]

Tarps for less has a light weight set, take a look around there sight. Also Tarpstop has some good prices on equipment.

Here's what I did and if anyone has a better suggestion speak up.
From tarps4less I priced the light weight set...865.00
From tarpstop I priced:
8 chains
8 ratchet binders
4 corner protectors
16 plastic edge protectors
50 tarp straps
16 steel edge protectors............713.92

Total.....1578.92

I'm trying to find a web sight called "tow and hook" to price stuff out there but am not having much luck.

[GMAN]

Apparently I was mistaken about Tri City Tarp's name. Tri State Tarp is in Oklahoma. Tri County Tarp is in Ohio. There are other tarp shops across the country. There is another one in West Memphis Arkansas across from the old Williams Truck Stop (which is now a Pilot). I don't recall their name off hand, but I bought a couple of things from them several months ago. I felt their prices were fair.

[GMAN]

Tarps for less has a light weight set, take a look around there sight. Also Tarpstop has some good prices on equipment.

Here's what I did and if anyone has a better suggestion speak up.
From tarps4less I priced the light weight set...865.00
From tarpstop I priced:
8 chains
8 ratchet binders
4 corner protectors
16 plastic edge protectors
50 tarp straps
16 steel edge protectors............713.92

Total.....1578.92

I'm trying to find a web sight called "tow and hook" to price stuff out there but am not having much luck.

I would suggest getting 10 chains, 10 binders and 10 - 4" straps to start. You will also need a ratchet bar. There are times when you will use all 10 of them. I recently hauled a load that required 13 straps. That is not uncommon for me with the type of loads I haul. For a regular flat, 10 will usually be sufficient. 8 will not be enough. If you plan on hauling coils, you will want to get about 5 sets of coil racks along with 10 pieces of beveled wood (for the coil racks) about 4' long and 4" square and 10 pieces of belting. In addition you may want to buy some carpet for padding to protect your tarps.