Owner operators love simple answers. “Buy a flatbed, run hard, make money.” That works until you hit your first tall load, your first winter tarp fight, or your first shipper that refuses open freight.
Trailer choice controls what you can haul, how fast you can load and unload, how often you tarp, and how much stress you carry on every trip. It also controls who calls you back with repeat freight.
This guide breaks down step deck vs flatbed vs conestoga in plain language. You will get real numbers for legal height, typical deck height, and weight limits, plus a simple decision path you can use before you spend real money.
Start with the hard limits: height and weight
Most interstate freight runs under the common legal maximum height of 13 feet 6 inches. Your trailer deck height decides how much cargo height you can legally carry.
Here is the easiest way to think about it:
- Flatbed deck height often sits around 60 inches (about 5 feet).
- Step deck lower deck height often sits around 36 to 40 inches (about 3 to 3.3 feet).
- Conestoga usually sits on a flatbed style deck, so think flatbed height, but with a rolling tarp system on rails.
Now do the math:
- Flatbed: 13’6″ minus 5′ deck height gives you about 8’6″ of legal freight height.
- Step deck lower: 13’6″ minus about 3’4″ deck height gives you about 10 feet of legal freight height on the lower deck.
That 18 inch to 24 inch difference changes everything. You will see taller machinery, crated equipment, and odd construction freight all day long. A step deck opens those doors.
Weight matters too. On most interstate runs, you will work within the common 80,000 lb gross rule. Your trailer weight eats into payload.
Typical empty weights (these vary by build, axles, and options):
- Flatbed: often 10,000 to 12,000 lb
- Step deck: often 12,000 to 14,500 lb
- Conestoga: often 13,000 to 16,000 lb because the frame, rails, and tarp system add weight
If you run dense loads like steel coils, plate, or rebar, payload matters. A lighter trailer can put more money in your pocket if the shipper pays by the load and not by the mile.
Quick comparison at a glance
| Trailer type | Best for | Biggest win | Biggest pain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flatbed | general construction freight, steel, lumber, palletized loads | lowest cost, widest freight options | tarping time, weather exposure |
| Step deck (drop deck) | taller freight, machinery, crated equipment | legal height room on the lower deck | heavier trailer, load distribution rules |
| Conestoga | freight that needs weather protection but loads like a flatbed | fast cover, fewer tarp battles | higher purchase cost, heavier tare weight |
A simple decision tree you can use today
1) Does your freight sit taller than 8’6″ on a flatbed?
If yes, pick a step deck. You will stop arguing with permits and start accepting loads.
Examples:
- Skid steers, compact loaders, small excavators
- Crated industrial equipment
- Precast items with odd height
If no, keep going.
2) Do shippers ask for “weather protection” or “no tarps” more than once a week?
If yes, conestoga can make sense. You will cover freight fast, and shippers love the clean look.
If no, keep going.
3) Do you want the lowest entry cost and the widest load variety?
If yes, flatbed wins. It also gives you the easiest resale path because the market stays deep.
4) Do you hate tarping so much that it changes your mood?
Be honest. If tarping wrecks your day, conestoga earns points even if it costs more. It can also keep you moving when rain or snow hits and everyone else slows down.
Flatbed: the “most freight, least drama” trailer
Most owner operators start here for a reason. A flatbed lets you haul a huge range of freight:
- Lumber and building materials
- Steel beams, pipe, rebar, sheet bundles
- Palletized freight that needs crane or forklift access
- Odd loads that need side access
Loading and unloading
Flatbeds shine when the shipper uses forklifts or cranes. You can load from the side, from the rear, or from the top. That flexibility helps when yards stay tight.
Securement and tarping reality
Flatbed freight often demands securement discipline. You will use straps, chains, binders, edge protectors, and dunnage. You will also tarp often.
A real-world tarping estimate:
- Simple lumber tarp job: 30 to 45 minutes if you work smart
- Ugly freight with multiple tiers or sharp edges: 45 to 90 minutes
You can still make great money on a flatbed. You just need to price your time. When brokers offer “quick and easy,” you should still ask what the freight looks like and whether it needs tarps.
Who should pick flatbed?
Pick flatbed if you want:
- The broadest freight pool
- The easiest maintenance and simplest equipment
- A lower trailer payment
- A clean path to switch lanes later
If you want to jump straight into flatbed work with a carrier that understands open deck, start here: Flatbed Owner Operator Jobs
Step deck: the height advantage that opens better freight
Step deck trailers solve one big problem: height. They also solve another problem quietly: many shippers prefer a step deck for equipment because it loads easier with ramps and gives better ground clearance angles.
What freight fits best on a step deck?
- Taller machinery that exceeds flatbed legal height
- Crated industrial equipment
- Skids and fabricated structures that sit high
- Loads that need ramps and low approach angles
Loading method matters
If you load equipment, you will care about:
- Ramp angle
- Ground clearance
- Where tie-down points sit
- How you balance weight between the upper and lower deck
You can run general flatbed freight on a step deck too, but you will not always win on payload. Your trailer weighs more. Your payment needs to reflect that.
When step deck beats flatbed on income
Step deck often wins when:
- You avoid permits by using lower deck height
- You win loads that flatbeds cannot legally haul
- You build relationships with equipment shippers that pay for reliability
If you want that lane, check: Step Deck Owner Operator Jobs
Conestoga: flatbed access with “covered freight” benefits
Conestoga trailers keep flatbed-style loading but add a sliding tarp system that rides on rails. You still secure the load like a flatbed, but you cover it faster and more consistently.
When conestoga makes perfect sense
Conestoga fits best when you haul:
- High value freight that needs clean protection
- Finished materials that hate rain, road spray, or snow
- Freight that shippers reject if it sits exposed
Common examples:
- Building products that must stay dry
- Wrapped loads where shippers demand clean cover
- Industrial items where customers want protection without boxing the freight
The time advantage feels real
A good conestoga routine can save time compared to manual tarps. Instead of wrestling heavy tarps in wind, you pull the system forward and lock it down.
Typical cover time ranges:
- Conestoga cover and secure: often 10 to 25 minutes, depending on load shape
- Manual tarp job: often 30 to 90 minutes, depending on difficulty
Time matters because time equals more loads per month or fewer unpaid hours.
The trade-offs you need to accept
Conestoga costs more upfront, weighs more empty, and adds moving parts. You also need room to slide the system, and some shippers stack freight in ways that make the cover harder.
Even with those trade-offs, conestoga can win if you work with customers that value protection and fast turnaround.
If that fits your style, start here: Conestoga Owner Operator Jobs
Seasonality: what changes in winter, spring, and peak construction months
Trailer choice feels different by season.
Winter
- Flatbed tarps turn into ice blankets. You will fight wind, frozen straps, and slick decks.
- Conestoga can reduce the worst tarp battles and keep freight cleaner.
- Step deck runs strong with equipment and machinery, but you still deal with snow and ice on chains and binders.
Spring and summer construction
Flatbed and step deck demand spikes when construction ramps up. You will see more lumber, steel, and jobsite deliveries. Step deck can catch equipment moves tied to project starts.
Harvest and industrial cycles
Industrial freight comes in waves. Conestoga can catch manufacturing and building products that require protection during long-haul runs.
Money talk: match your trailer to your business plan
Trailer choice should match how you want to earn.
Choose flatbed if you want the widest freight pool and a lower investment.
Choose step deck if you want access to taller freight and equipment lanes without constant permits.
Choose conestoga if you want speed, cleaner protection, and less tarp pain, and you can handle higher cost and higher empty weight.
If you plan to step into oversized or specialized work later, you can also build a path toward heavy haul. Heavy haul involves permits, route planning, and specialized securement, but it can also open higher paying freight for the right operator. Explore that lane here: Heavy Haul Owner Operator Jobs
Practical checklist before you buy or switch
Ask these questions before you commit:
- What freight do brokers and shippers offer in your lanes every week?
- How often do they require tarps or weather protection?
- Do you see taller freight that forces permits on a flatbed?
- Do you run dense freight where trailer empty weight kills payload?
- Do you load with forklifts, cranes, ramps, or all three?
- Do you want speed at the dock or maximum flexibility?
Answer those honestly, then pick the trailer that fits your reality, not someone else’s highlight reel.
Next step
If you already own a trailer, you can still choose the lane that fits you best. If you plan your next upgrade, you can use the decision tree above and make the move with purpose.
Browse these options and see what fits your goals:
