When a step deck beats a flatbed
A step deck, also called a drop deck or single drop, has a short upper deck over the tractor's fifth wheel and a long lower deck that sits well below flatbed height. That drop of a foot and a half or so is what lets taller freight travel at legal height, without an oversize permit, escort or travel restrictions.
If your piece stands between about 8 ft 6 in and 10 ft tall, a step deck is usually the answer. It's also the go-to for freight that drives on, because many step decks carry loading ramps.
Step deck and double drop specs
General industry figures; exact dimensions vary by trailer and carrier.
| Trailer | Main deck | Deck height | Freight height before permits (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step deck / drop deck | 48 or 53 ft overall; lower deck about 37 to 43 ft | Upper about 5 ft; lower about 3 ft 4 in to 3 ft 6 in | About 10 ft |
| Double drop | Well about 25 to 29 ft between the neck and the rear axles | About 18 to 24 in in the well | About 11 ft 6 in |
| Flatbed (for comparison) | 48 or 53 ft | About 5 ft | About 8 ft 6 in |
Legal width is 8 ft 6 in (2.6 m). Legal overall height is generally 4.15 m in Manitoba and most provinces and 13 ft 6 in in many U.S. states.
Double drop trailers for taller freight
A double drop drops twice: down behind the gooseneck and back up before the rear axles, leaving a low well in the middle. That well is where tall freight rides, often up to around 11 ft 6 in of freight height at legal overall height. The trade-off is well length: the piece has to fit in roughly 25 to 29 feet. Some double drops have a fixed neck and load by crane; others have a removable gooseneck so machines can drive on from the front. For the heaviest pieces, see lowboy and RGN heavy haul.
Common step deck loads
- Tractors, sprayers, combines and headers, and other agricultural equipment
- Skid steers, telehandlers, scissor lifts, forklifts and compact machinery
- Tanks and tank containers, like the one in the photo above
- Sea containers and site storage containers without a chassis
- Modular components, generators, compressors and electrical equipment
- Tall crated freight and fabricated steel that won't fit under a flatbed's height limit
Drive-on, crane or forklift
How your freight gets on and off the trailer decides a lot. Drive-on equipment needs a step deck with ramps, a beavertail or an RGN. Crane-loaded freight needs lift points and a crane at both ends. Forklift freight needs a machine with enough reach and capacity to get to the middle of a lower deck. Tell us which one applies and we'll match the trailer.
Where we book step deck freight
We book step deck and double drop loads across Manitoba and the Prairies, into Ontario, and cross-border both ways between Canada and the U.S., including North Dakota, Minnesota, the Midwest and Texas. See Winnipeg to U.S. freight for main routes, or flatbed trucking if your freight fits under 8 ft 6 in.
What to send for a step deck quote
- Length, width and height of the tallest piece, and total weight
- Make and model for machinery (a spec sheet is even better)
- Loading method: drive-on, crane or forklift
- Pickup and delivery cities, ready date and delivery hours
- Tarp or securement needs
Use the quote form or call or text 204-361-6765.
