What is the difference between a step deck and a flatbed?

Deck height. A flatbed deck sits about 60 in off the road and leaves about 8'6" for freight under 13'6"; a step deck's main deck sits 36 to 42 in off the road and leaves about 10'. Both load from the top and the sides.

What are the dimensions of a step deck trailer?

48 to 53 ft overall and 8'6" wide. The upper deck is 10 to 11 ft long; the lower deck is 37 to 42 ft long and 36 to 42 in off the road. Legal cargo runs 44,000 to 47,000 lb, depending on what the truck and trailer weigh empty.

When should I use a step deck instead of a flatbed?

When the freight is taller than about 8'6" and no taller than about 10'. In that range a step deck keeps it under 13'6" without a height permit; below it, a flatbed may cost less.

Can step deck trailers haul as much weight as flatbeds?

Close to it. A step deck carries 44,000 to 47,000 lb of legal cargo against 46,000 to 48,000 lb on a flatbed, because the drop adds trailer weight. Each axle group still has to stay legal, so send piece weights with the quote.

Step Deck Trucking Services

Lower deck trailers for taller cargo: machinery and equipment up to about 10' tall, without a height permit

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Step deck trailer with raised front section and lowered main deck

What is Step Deck Trucking?

Step deck trailers (also called drop deck trailers) have a lowered main deck that gives tall cargo extra room. With about 10' of legal freight height against about 8'6" on a flatbed, a step deck moves tall machinery and equipment without an overheight permit.

Key Benefits

A lower main deck for freight up to about 10' tall
No height permit for many loads that would be overheight on a flatbed
Loads from the top, the sides, or by ramp from the rear
Nationwide coverage through carriers in our network

Will your load clear on a step deck?

Set your freight's height and width and pick a state. The check runs against that state's legal height, the same check our team uses. Lower decks run 36 to 42 in off the ground, so a load near the line can depend on the trailer. Comparing trailers? The trailer guide checks all four open decks.

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Overall height

13'0" to 13'6"

Deck plus load

Legal height

13'6"

Most states

Legal height and width in most states on a step deck

13'0" to 13'6" overall, under 13'6". Tallest freight this carries legally there: 10'0" to 10'6".

Height and width only. Weight, axle limits, length and route rules aren't checked here.

Step deck

deck 36 to 42 in

State

Check every state on the route.

Height of the load10' (120 in)

Width8' (96 in)

Legal limits only. A load over any of them needs permits from every state on the route where it is over.

Step Deck vs Flatbed: Quick Comparison

Understanding when to choose step deck over standard flatbed

Step Deck Trailer

Deck Height:36–42" (lower deck)

Cargo Height:~10′ (120") legal

Length:48–53′ total (37–42′ lower deck)

Max Weight:44,000–47,000 lb

Best For:Tall machinery, tractors, equipment

Standard Flatbed

Deck Height:~5′ (60")

Cargo Height:~8′6" (102") legal

Length:48–53′

Max Weight:46,000–48,000 lb

Best For:Building materials, lumber, steel

Need help deciding which is right for your shipment?

View Full Comparison Guide

Common Freight Types

Ideal cargo types for step deck transportation

Heavy Machinery

Tractors, forklifts, excavators, and construction equipment too tall for flatbeds.

Industrial Equipment

Manufacturing machinery, presses, generators, and large industrial components.

Building Materials

Tall prefab structures, HVAC units, and oversized building components.

Vehicles & Equipment

Agricultural equipment, utility vehicles, and specialty machinery.

Industries We Serve

Step deck solutions for diverse industry needs

Construction

Heavy equipment rentals
General contractors
Excavation companies
Road construction

Agriculture

Farm equipment dealers
Tractor manufacturers
Agricultural suppliers
Implement dealers

Manufacturing

Industrial machinery
Factory equipment
Production lines
Processing equipment

What shippers say

Feedback from customers who ship tall freight on step deck with us.

All reviews

“First time using Freight Sidekick for an LTL shipment for my business, GIABELA LLC. They moved a pallet from Pompano Beach, FL to Elberta,…”

— Steven @ GIABELA

“Freight Sidekick is a great company!! Katie, the dispatcher, communicated the driver’s location throughout the trip from Los Angeles to…”

— Studio Wings

“They've been nothing short of fantastic to worth with so far.”

— Michael at Kelly Seed

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about step deck shipping

A flatbed with a lower main deck, also called a drop deck. A short upper deck rides over the tractor and the main deck steps down to 36 to 42 in off the road, so freight up to about 10' tall stays under a 13'6" limit.