the beauty of financing is that I wouldn't spend anything out of my pocket. It'd be $0 down with pretty low monthly payments. If I could get at least one extra load a month based on the time I"d save with the rolling tarp, it'd be worth it. However, because MacKinnon moves everything that pays, they persuaded me not to do it while I'm still with them.

That said, I really hate to roll in someone else's tracks if you know what I mean. Why tarp when we live in the 21st century? Heavy loads rarely pay better than light ones. My truck is going to be paid off in December 2010 and I should gain $1,600 a month in cash flow (minus increased maintenance on the truck with - then - 500k miles). I'll definitely put the rolling tarp on the stepdeck before then, especially if I get the authority.

I'd take the truck and trailer around the town and stop by every single machinery manufacturing/repairing shop and pass my business cards and let them look at the trailer. I might also bring a large thermos of Tim Horton's coffee and maybe even email a news release to a couple of local newspapers.. something along the lines of "FREE COFFEE COMING TO A MACHINE SHOP NEAR YOU" :)

Who knows ... it might work and I might find some local shippers, people who like keeping their freight 100% dry, 100% clean and 100% discreet.

what companies might be interested to use a rolling tarp step?
 

who else do you think might pay a bit extra to use a "covered wagon" (a roll-tight or conestoga system stepdeck)?

I've checked yellow pages for categories with the word "machine", "power", and "transformer" in them, and came up with this:

"machine"

- machine shops
- machinery (new)
- machinery (used)
- machine tools
- engines: rebuilding & exchanging
- welding
- steel fabricators
- machine tools: repairing & rebuilding
- screw machines & equipment (I wonder what these do?)
- hydraulic equipment & supplies
- lift trucks
- automobile machine shop service
- packaging machinery, equipment & supplies
- plastics: machinery & equipment

"power"

- tools
- electric contractors
- power transmission equipment
- generators
- tools: repairing & parts
- rental services: general

"transformer"

- transformers
- electric motors
- electronic equipment supplies
- electric contractors
- signs

can anyone recommend any more potential shippers for a rolling tarp step?

Pretty much all of the above. My main party was the Big3. But, I moved items for wind plants, FedEx, trade shows etc. The money was great to say the least. My last big winner was a ThyssenKrup load out of Janesville WI to Sharonville OH, it paid me $5000.00, a robotic welder with its control panel. Weighed in at rougly 8,000 lbs, but had to be there over night. No big deal @ $12.31 a mile.

I did the ConAg show two years ago? I picked up over $15,000 for ten days work, took 20,000 lbs out and brought back around 10,000 lbs. That gig started in St. Louis, went to Vegas and finised me off in Wisconson with a quick stop in Iowa. Spent/lost about a grand in the casinos and came home to MI. It was a nice trip, and no one stole my truck. So all was good.

And on edit: Most of the money loads were expedite. I was hooked up with a few brokers, yes brokers, they ain't all bad. But I had the equipment. And you being in Canada, I would think that you could do pretty good with the specialty expedite automotive with your step if you get it covered. Those steps with a slider are worth their weight in gold, especially if you have no issues coming into the states. But, the guys I know doing it are kind of shaky on how long it will last.

Just yelled at my buddy with the step conestoga/slider, $1600 for 73 miles with a load of racks... It was supposed to be a robot, but he ain't bitchin.

what are those step deck side kits and slide kits called on DAT load board? I can't find a category for it.

A side kit is called FS on DAT. I didn't see a listing for a step with sides. I suppose it could be called SS. A Conestoga is called VS.

Put some mattresses in there and have a rolling ***** house.:)

GD in L-o-n-d-o-n used to use them to move L-A-V hulls to/from L-i-m-a, OH.
EMD in L-o-n-d-o-n for locomotive parts to/from LaGrange, IL.

I feel like I chose a great post topic :) This is some great stuff people are posting here. Justruckin, these rates are amazing. This is what we should be paid :) I have no problem going into US. This is where I spend now 95% of the time. However, my step is not a slider. It has fixed axles, spaced 61" apart. I spec'ed it this way so that I can go to Western Canada, but haven't been there yet once with this trailer. Dispatch says return loads are extremely cheap and I might wait a week for one. Will definitely look into the Conestoga and specialized runs in the future, once I get my own authority.

Heck, we've got a step deck curtain side here. paid $5,000 for the ol' girl. Maybe I should start looking on DAT for whatever that trailer acronym is.