Shall I put a rolling tarp system on my stepdeck?
 

I talked to a local dealer for Conestoga "LOOK" kit (Aero-Kit Tarping Systems) and the width inside is the same, the height is not compromised either (since my trailer is very low, they can make it the inside height 10 feet). The only 2 drawbacks I can see so far are: a) 2,500 lbs of extra weight; and b) with the rolling tarp, the load would have to stay INSIDE the trailer edges (no overhang). I talked to the Load Planner and he said "he'd prefer if I didn't put it on because you won't be able to haul as many loads as you do now."

I see his point as since I got this 48" step, I"ve been hauling: lumber, dry wall, coils, oversize concrete parts, utility trailers (3 ft overhang in the rear of my trailer), transformers, metal racks, cat loaders, plant machinery, and aluminum logs - to name just a few categories. However, as many here have stated before: heavy loads usually pay less than light loads; and oversize often doesn't pay that good either. The best load I've hauled so far was a 18,000 lbs transformer which needed to be tarped. This one load paid me in 3 days what I usually make in 2 weeks hauling cheap lumber and dry wall.

I'd like to focus on the best-paying loads (especially machinery and equipment) and I'd rather wait for a good load than spin the wheels while burning fuel to haul cheap freight.

What do you guys think: is it worth it to add the rolling tarp to the stepdeck for best profits or might it affect my cash flow in a negative way? According to the dealer, the system is $0 down, with $400/mo capital lease for 4 or 5 years (the tarp on the system lasts 5 years and has to be replaced at the appr. cost of $3,500 after that).

It's obviously a personal preference and I for one would not put one on. It's heavy and restrictive in the aspect of hauling OD loads (when they pay) would be out.

Based on what you're hauling and if you don't like tarping and still want to leave your options open for hauling OD loads, then I'd suggest a side kit. They are lighter than the Conestoga's and can be set up or torn down in no time. The "light weight" kits for a flat run around $2300. I imagine one for a step may be slightly higher.

A sidekit for a step? I haven't thought about it ... how tall can the inside height be with them? any idea? thanks for the tip.

I saw a guy one time with what he said was a custom made side kit. He had a step and was at 13'6" with it assembled. I would think panels that tall would be hard to handle especially in the wind.

Plus ... where would you store such a massive side kit when you have to load both decks? What I think might work better is a setup where the step looks like a van except that the roof can be opened for crane loading and sides can be rolled up for loading by forklift from the sides. I saw once something like this on a flat. The side posts were so strong that the driver said he hauled most loads without any tie downs, just like on a dry van.

I have known a couple of owners who have had side kits and conestoga's on their step decks. You will limit your options with a conestoga. A side kit could work. I believe the sides on the lower deck are about 5' tall on a step deck side kit. That would make the upper deck sides about 3'. I am sure you could have one custom made if you wanted. You could stow it on the upper deck but would lose a couple of feet of deck when it is stowed. You could also lay it down on the upper deck for storage. I believe a light weight kit adds about 500 pounds to your trailer. I would not want to put a conestoga on my step deck for a couple of reasons. The height would be restricted as would being able to haul over sized loads. Another is the additional weight. Step decks are generally heavier anyway and adding that much extra weight could cost you some loads. One other factor is the cost. I believe a conestoga costs about $17,000. You could get a good side kit for about $3,600. A plywood kit should run around $1,500-1,800 but will weigh a few hundred pounds more than the light weight kit. I believe my side kit weighs about 800 pounds. Whatever you do it will be a trade off. You will gain one thing and lose something else.

you couldn't pay me to put one of those things on my trailer.

Last week I moved:
-2 loads 12'- 4" wide and they paid $3,750 each + permits and pilots on 600 miles.
-1 load 10' - 4" high that paid $1332 on 369 miles.
-1 load 10' wide that paid $1600 + permits on 500 miles
-1 load 10' - 4" wide that paid $1750 + permits on 603 miles.

All were no tarp. All of these loads were going into crappy areas, so that contributed to the rate....but still.

If tarping bothers you that much, increase your tarp fee and move more valuable freight. I disagree when you say OD doesn't pay well. I do realize as an o/o, you don;t have that much flexibility.

Maybe if your dispatcher doesn;t want you te get the roll system, he can pay you more to tarp.

We have a side kit that came with a Reitnouer step. We've never used it. Don't even know how tall it is.

Side kit / Roll tarp
 

I run a 48x102 flatbed, my 4' sidekit, 30" bows, lightweight panels (plastic honeycomb), aluminum carrier
weighed 1080 lbs. Setup/teardown, 1hr. 5mins.

Personally, a sidekit is great if you can leave it up but, I was constantly up/down with it and went months with it in the carrier so I finally sold it.

I also looked into a roll tarp system but as previously stated, no O.D. loads, added weight of 1700 lbs. and $16 k , yikes! Another problem is, if your freight is 101" wide it's got to be on the trailer perfectly for the roll tarp to operate. I will admit when I loaded with guys that have them they're quite impressive in the speed of covering a load.

Tracer,in a "haul everything" type operation I think the roll tarp would be a detriment more than a plus.

It depends on what you are hauling. I had two conestogas flats, my buddy right now is pulling a step with a conestoga up here in MI, OH, IN and doing quite well with it hauling automotive, which I used to do. And when I say automotive, I am speaking of robotics, controls, assembly lines, along with various machinery, dies and molds that can only be transported on a conestoga as per the the shipper/consignee. He is averaging $3.11 for all miles as of last month with his step conestoga. There is still a need for them, but like my buddy said, they have no idea how long it will last, this good paying freight. As they have been starving up until a month or two ago.

Even with my flat conestoga, it was nothing to get $3 to $10+ a mile moving these plants around along with the many emergency calls to go get this tool or die that needed to get swapped out and fixed. And they always requested a conestoga, especially in the winter.

Is it the right move for you? I don't know. Allot of the work we did was pretty much pick up, deliver and dead head back to MI asap, unless we had a load waiting, as most of our freight paid round trip. It was nothing to get say $8000 to run down to TX out of Detroit with a 10,000 lb load. And the steps actually fetched a bit more as there are not that many of them out here.

Are you guys hooked up with any of the big 3? Or any of the shops that build/repair tools, dies, molds, assembly lines or fabrication? As that is where the money is to be had with these wagons. Not to mention the time savings and virtual integrity of these set-ups to the weather in regards to protecting a valuable piece of freight.

If you have the freight, or don't mind expediting, I would give it a serious look, as they can be some nice money makers. Our motto was, the least amount of miles for the most amount of dollars, and the conestogas did just that.

And seeing that you are over in Guelph, give Verduyn Tarps in Hamilton a call. They did all of our wagons, very simple set up and very easy to maintain. Verduyn Tarps Inc. - Home Page

And the service was just incredible, along with the craftsmanship, very heavy duty especially on the rail system/trac. You could beat it with a fork lift all day long and still close the wagon. That is something that many companies cannot say. They also have full size walk in doors in the nose and they would fab up anything you needed in the nose of the trailer to hang straps, chains, ladders, you name it they would do it. Just an incredible company to do business with. Give them a call, Lloyd is the owner, he is either there in Hamilton or in their Detroit store right off I-96 Just East of Livonia MI.