Each time I check our load board for loads, the gross revenue by trailer type goes like this: double-drops - most revenue, flatbeds - 2nd place; and stepdecks - 8 or 10 positions below. However when I look at the rate per mile, the rate for DD is the highest but the next one is Step, not Flat (even though the total line haul for a run is usually higher on a flat, for some reason).
So, I came up with this simple point system to evaluate what the best trailer might be for Landstar. You never know ... that guy who called me from Toronto might be serious about taking over my Conestoga step
10 points means the best, 1 is the worst. I have 5 categories:
1. price/cost of entry: the lower the trailer's price is the higher the score is
2. potential maximum line haul (gross revenue): this is what posted on the board as 'line haul', not 'rate per mile"
3. load variety: a better trailer would be able to accommodate other trailer type loads: higher score means "better trailer"
4. comfortable work environment: here I mostly evaluate how easy it is to work with a particular trailer, especially the height of the deck
5. personal safety when dealing with loads (risk of injury, stress, etc): high score means "better trailer" and less potential injuries
6. abundance of loads: how easy it is to find a load for this particular trailer
The contenders are..
Category 1
Flat - 10; Step53 - 9; DD - 8 (DD is the most expensive trailer)
Category 2
Flat - 9; Step53 - 8; DD - 10 (gross revenue is the highest with DD, flats - next; steps are in the rear)
Category 3
Flat - 9; Step53 - 10; DD - 8 (Step53 is the most versatile as it can take many DD and Flat loads)
Category 4
Flat - 8; Step53 - 10; DD - 9 (steps are easiest to work on; flats are worse than DD because of the height)
Category 5
Flat - 9; Step53 - 10; DD - 8 (DD is bad because of all those OD loads where you have to crawl around the load with chains 20 ft off the ground
step53 is best
Category 6
Flat - 10; Step53 - 9; DD - 8 (flatbed loads are everywhere; but you might sit awhile with a step or dd)
To sum it up;
Flat - 55 points
Step53 - 56
DD - 51.
The winner is a 53 ft stepdeck trailer but only by a small margin.