
When freight is too tall to safely transport on a flatbed, step deck truck is the way to go. It’s a versatile truck that can haul loads that are 20 inches taller than on a flatbed trailer.
They’re commonly used for hauling oversized freight and other goods that exceed legal height dimensions. They also offer easier loading and unloading for forklifts.
Versatility
If you need to transport equipment that is oversized or awkwardly shaped, a step deck truck is an excellent choice. They provide a wide variety of capabilities and have many advantages over other hauling trailers.
The most important advantage of step deck trucks is that they can carry cargo that is higher than the maximum height allowed on flatbeds. In addition, they can also carry more weight than other types of trailers.
Another benefit is that they can be equipped with a variety of accessories, such as tarps and ramps. These can help protect the cargo while traveling and make it easier to load and unload.
Some of these features can cost more than other options, so it’s important to consider them before deciding on a specific model. In general, these options are a good investment and can increase the productivity of your fleet.
Price
It’s also worth mentioning that the price of shipping can be based on load measurements, so it’s important to choose a trailer that can accommodate your freight. In some cases, overweight and oversize loads may require permits or escorts such as pole cars, which can elevate your transportation costs and take more time to ship.
Choosing the right trailer for your needs can be complicated, but it’s crucial to do your research to ensure you find the best possible fit for your hauling goals. A logistics manager should be able to help you determine whether a flatbed or a step deck is the most suitable option for your cargo.
A standard step deck can haul loads up to 10 feet high, while a double drop can reach 11 feet. If your cargo is even taller, you can also purchase a lowboy, which carries loads up to 12 feet high and has a 70,000-pound capacity.
If you’re in need of a step deck truck, contact Cowtown Express today. We’ll be happy to help you find the perfect solution for your hauling needs! We offer freight transportation services in Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. Get a free quote to learn more about our service and how we can help!

Safety
When it comes to shipping cargo that is too tall or heavy to fit on regular flatbed trailers, step deck trucking can be a great solution. These trucks allow for oversized loads to be transported safely and efficiently, saving businesses time and money while providing increased safety.
Unlike traditional flatbed trailers, step decks feature two separate deck levels positioned closer to the front of the truck where the hitch is located. This makes it easier for equipment to be loaded and unloaded, especially if you have a forklift.
Additionally, step deck trailers provide a lower height than conventional flatbed trucks, which reduces the amount of detours and delays that can occur due to restrictions on transportation. By transporting cargo at a lower height, you can avoid the need for special permits and escorts, which will save you time and money in the long run.
Another benefit of step decks is that they are more flexible than conventional flatbed trailers when it comes to load size and weight distribution. This allows for a wider range of loads to be transported, which is ideal for mixed freight, which can help improve the stability and safety of the entire load.
Common Transport
The most common use of step decks is to transport cargo that is too tall or heavy to fit in a flatbed trailer. They can also be used to transport items that are shaped or sized awkwardly, such as construction or farm equipment.
When it comes to using a step deck, it’s important to keep the proper safety regulations in mind. Make sure to check the height, width, length and weight of your load to ensure that it meets the requirements for safe transportation.
DOT rules also require the loading and unloading of loads to be done properly. This includes ensuring that each item is securely placed and that the weight of all of the freight is distributed evenly on the trailer.
With the right equipment and logistics, you can ship your large freight safely and efficiently, no matter what kind of load you have to haul. Whether it’s agricultural, building materials or machinery, Joski Trucking can help you get it where it needs to go with ease and precision.
Reliability
Step deck truck is a type of flatbed trailer that is designed to haul cargo with a height that exceeds traditional flatbed limitations. These trucks are often used to transport equipment, machinery, and construction materials.
These types of trailers can be made from steel or aluminum. Steel is best for moving freight through snow and salt, while aluminium can handle ice and other harsh weather conditions.
A step deck truck can be used for any size load, but it is most commonly used to transport heavy items and machinery. The main reason for this is the fact that these vehicles are able to move through low bridges and other obstacles that might otherwise be difficult to handle.
Another benefit of this type of trailer is that it can be loaded without requiring additional permits, which can save time and money for businesses. It can also help reduce the risk of detours and delays caused by height restrictions.
Safety
While this is a good feature, it can also create a potential safety issue if the load is not properly secured. It is important to follow the DOT regulations for cargo size, weight, and wind resistance.
It is also vital to properly load the trailer in order to ensure that the load is stable and evenly distributed. This will increase the life of the tires and reduce the risk of accidents.
This is why it is essential to understand how to safely load a step deck truck. It is a good idea to load the trailer in the opposite direction of how you would normally load a normal transport. This will allow the cargo to be closer to the front of the trailer, which will make it more stable and improve the life of the tires.
In addition, a step deck truck is able to move through low bridges and obstacles that other flatbed trucks cannot. This is a major benefit for companies that need to transport heavy items and machinery, and it can help save time and money.
Cost
As the world becomes increasingly reliant on supply chains, companies are working to deliver goods faster and more efficiently. This often means hauling freight that is taller than traditional flatbed trailers can handle. This is where step deck trucking comes in.
The cost of using a step deck truck will vary depending on the size of your load and your location. However, it is typically not more expensive than a traditional flatbed.
A step deck trailer enables a driver to transport cargo that is too tall for a flatbed, without having to obtain special permits. This allows logistics managers to get freight delivered faster and saves drivers time and money.
Step decks can also be used for a wide range of other purposes, such as hauling heavy machinery and specialized equipment that can’t fit in dry van trucks. These trailers also provide increased clearance, which makes it easier to load and unload oversized cargo.
When compared to other trailer types, step decks offer the most versatility. The lower deck of a step deck can be adjusted to match the height of the cargo and provide more room for loading and unloading.
These trailers are also much easier to maneuver and can be loaded and unloaded by forklifts. This is a huge benefit for many businesses that need to haul bulky and oversized items.
Different Trucking
This type of trucking can also be more specialized, which can increase the costs associated with it. Drivers pulling these types of trailers have to be more knowledgeable about their load and how to secure it.
Similarly, the way these trucks are designed can impact their cost. A fixed-neck trailer is a bit more difficult to maneuver, while a removable gooseneck (RGN) is easier to load and unload.
In addition, there are some other differences between these trailer types. The main one is that step decks have two decks, while lowboy trailers have a single, lower deck.
These differences can be important for businesses looking to choose the right trailer type for their freight. They can help to reduce damage and improve safety for both the driver and the cargo, which can make a big difference in cost and efficiency.