Flatdeck Vs. Stepdeck
 

Looking at internettruckstop, and looking at what lanes I could run, I notice a lot of loads are listed as flatdeck, are these loads exclusively flatdeck or could you load some on a step? I know they have "FSD" for both, but who knows, maybe some people are lazy?

Considering shifting gears some time in the future.

It's either stay where I am for dry van, or get my own authority and get a flatdeck/stepdeck. I'd probably go from alberta, through winnipeg(where I live) and south from there. Constantly back and forth. Seems like there's a lot of freight. That way I could be home quite regularly.

All the van freight in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta is plugged right up. Not even considering doing that with my own authority, I know better then that.

I do make decent coin where I'm at(about 80-85 CPM net).

GMAN?

anyone?

My guess is that many/most of those loads could indeed be loaded on either type of trailer (the loads listed as flat that don't mention step) Some stepdeck O/O's carry large aluminum load levelers that are stood under a long load, like a load of long steel beams, to even the "floor height" throughout the length of the load, although to me that can look a little precarious at times.

FWIW, an O/O friend of mine who recently bought a stepdeck now says he would have bought a flat if he had known the money would be about the same. OTOH, Gman prefers his step to a flat.

Steps are generally easier tarp and strap. you also won't have to tarp as often with stepdecks. Given a choice, I would rather have the stepdeck.

The stepdeck should bring you higher paying specialized freight. But if you are just going to load lumber and coils and mulch off the load boards then you shouldnt invest in a stepdeck, you should get a 45X96 flatbed.

It really depends on what you want to haul and where you want to run. If you want to haul steel, such as coils, flats, etc., you would probably be better off with a flat bed. I like running a flat with sides. If you are hauling legal loads which need to be tarped a side kit is great. The down side to having a side kit is that it won't work with everything. However, if you haul a lot of steel it is great. You can save a lot of time tarping. There are a lot of things which will fit in a side kit other than steel. A friend of mine has a side kit but rarely uses it. He prefers to tarp. When I am pulling my side kit I rarely pull it down. There are some good paying loads which require a side kit.

Step decks can work better in some parts of the country and if you haul a lot of machinery or over-sized loads. I have done quite a bit of over-sized loads with my step deck. Other than some specialized loads the money may not be very different. A step deck is not the best choice for hauling steel on a regular basis, unless it is fabricated or over-sized. Steps tend to be a little heavier than flats. My step deck weighs about 13,200 without any tarps or chains. That is a lot of extra weight. But, I can haul some taller loads and have done well with them. There are things which I like about both of them. I suppose that I prefer my step deck over the flat, mainly due to the type of freight I primarily haul. There are also fewer step decks than flats. I think that someone starting out would be much better off with a flat bed. You can always sell the flat and get a step deck if you find that there is enough demand for it.

Choices choices.

I guess I should ask around.

There's a decent amount of steel around here.

I also have an "in" at a komatsu dealership here, I know one of the managers. I'm guessing they're mostly much larger equipment though.

Unfortunately, whether to advise you to buy a flat or step is very subjective. If you start doing business with Komatsu you could work with either or neither, depending on what you haul. I have hauled some of their excavators on my step deck. They would not work on my flat bed. There are other, heavier pieces which would require a double drop or RGN, some with more axles than I currently run. A step deck is usually more expensive than a flat bed. You do have more versatility. On the other hand, I have gotten some very good rates with my flat bed.

So what you're telling me is....

Do more research.

I think that unless you have some over-sized or flat bed experience you would probably be as well off with a flat. You can usually buy a flat for less money than a step deck.