Load/Unload Times
Like flatbeds, step deck load and unload times are typically dependent on the shipper’s business hours. This means most facilities are not open 24/7 and appointment times are not common.
Instead, our step deck dispatch team will give you a window of time and whatever order your truck arrives at is the order it is processed. First come, first serve. From our experience, step decks who get loaded or unloaded earlier in the day tend to make more money. The quicker your truck is processed, the more time you must drive and take another load, increasing your weekly total.
Equipment
The amount of freight available to your step deck increases drastically with the addition of equipment like ramps, load levelers, tarps, etc. Having more loads to choose from during the dispatch process makes our chances of finding higher rates even better. Although there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach on which equipment to pack, our step deck dispatch team has come up with a basic list of equipment that we have found to impact step deck income the most: ramps, load levelers, tarps, 10 chains/binders.
Freight Markets
With the right equipment, step decks can operate successfully in most major markets across the US. Because of this, our step deck dispatch team can tailor your route according to personal preference rather than simply focusing on the most money. Do you prefer the Midwest over the East Coast? Maybe you just like driving in the South? These are things we will learn and consider when booking loads for your step deck.