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Equipment • Nationwide

Step Deck Dispatch for Open-Deck Carriers (and Conestoga)

Bonafide dispatches step deck carriers on freight that's too tall for a flatbed — machinery, equipment, construction materials, and over-height loads.

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Quick answer

Step deck dispatch is dispatch service for step deck (drop deck) trailers, used for freight that exceeds standard flatbed height. Bonafide books step deck loads for owner-operators and fleets nationwide.

At a glance

Bonafide provides step deck dispatch nationwide, with verified market coverage in Texas, New Jersey, New York, California. Percentage of gross, carrier keeps authority, no contracts.

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Definition
Step Deck Dispatch — A step deck (drop deck) trailer has a lower main deck so taller freight can ride legally without an over-height permit. Step deck dispatch matches these trailers with tall machinery, equipment, and oversize-adjacent freight.

What's included

  • Height/weight pre-screening
  • Permit guidance when needed
  • Tarp pay negotiation

Best for

  • Step deck owner-operators
  • Step deck fleets
  • Flatbed operators upgrading
Equipment
48-ft Step Deck53-ft Step Deck
Carrier Criteria

Is this dispatch service for you?

Before talking lanes and rates, review the equipment, operating authority, and coverage needed for this freight.

Equipment Specs
48-ft or 53-ft single-drop step deck trailer with 10–11 ft top deck and 37–43 ft lower deck (38"–40" deck height). Ramps, chains, binders, and step tarps required.
Authority Age
Open to new and established MC authorities. 90+ days authority unlocks direct industrial and machinery broker panels.
Typical Insurance

How Bonafide dispatch works

From signup to settlement — a simple, transparent process built around how owner-operators and fleets actually run.

  1. 01

    Free quote call

    15 minutes on the phone — lanes, equipment, target RPM, home time. No commitment.

  2. 02

    Sign + onboard

    Carrier-dispatch agreement, W-9, MC + DOT, and a COI listing Bonafide as Certificate Holder.

  3. 03

    Broker setup

    We get you set up under your MC with our vetted broker network and credit-check every broker before booking.

  4. 04

    Load sourcing + negotiation

    We source step deck loads from DAT, Truckstop, and direct partners, then negotiate up from the posted rate.

  5. 05

    Your approval

    We send the rate confirmation for your sign-off. Nothing books without you.

  6. 06

    Run + recover

    We chain loads 2–3 days out, track delivery, recover detention/TONU, and send weekly settlement summaries.

Freight Planning Tools

Check your numbers before booking

Profitable hauling starts with knowing your true cost per mile and break-even revenue before accepting any load. Compare your target rate against market spot averages and operational expenses.

Step Deck Rate BenchmarkCost Per MileBreak-Even Calculator

Load types we dispatch

Step Deck load types we book

Real freight, sourced from DAT, Truckstop, and direct broker partners — matched to your equipment and lane preferences.

  • Tall Industrial Machinery (>8'6" up to 10'2" High)
  • Agricultural Tractors & Implements
  • Construction Equipment (Excavators, Skid Steers)
  • Modular Buildings & Building Panels
  • Tall Spools, Reels & Cable Drums
  • Generators, Transformers & Enclosures

Why carriers choose Bonafide for step deck

Why carriers choose Bonafide for step deck

  • Percentage of gross — no setup fees, no contracts
  • Dedicated dispatcher, not a call center
  • Round-the-clock support on active loads — breakdowns + reschedules
  • DAT + Truckstop + 100+ direct broker relationships
  • You approve every load — no forced dispatch
  • Detention, layover, and TONU aggressively recovered

How we compare

Step Deck: Bonafide vs self-dispatch vs brokers

FeatureBonafide DispatchSelf-dispatchFreight broker
6–10% of gross — no setup fees
No forced dispatch
Negotiates every rateNegotiates against you
Handles broker setup + paperwork
Detention + TONU recoveryOn your time
Round-the-clock support on active loads
Keeps 100% of MC authorityRe-brokers under theirs

What carriers say

What drivers say

"Permits, escorts, oversized — they handle everything. I just drive. Net profit up 22% year over year."
Dmitri K.
Step Deck • DK Heavy Haul • Illinois
Carrier Reference Info

Quick Operations FAQ & Details

Quick answers

Concise, AI-extractable answers to the questions drivers and fleets ask most.

What is step deck dispatch?

Step deck dispatch is dispatch service for step deck (drop deck) trailers, used for freight that exceeds standard flatbed height. Bonafide books step deck loads for owner-operators and fleets nationwide.

How does step deck dispatch work?

A Bonafide dispatcher sources step deck loads from DAT, Truckstop, and direct broker partners, negotiates the rate, sends the rate confirmation for your approval, then handles broker setup, BOLs, and detention recovery — you stay on the truck, we work the phones.

Who should use step deck dispatch?

Step Deck Dispatch is built for step deck owner-operators, step deck fleets, flatbed operators upgrading — carriers who want professional load sourcing and rate negotiation without giving up their MC authority.

How much does step deck dispatch cost?

Bonafide charges 6–10% of gross load revenue for step deck dispatch — no setup fees, no monthly minimums, no contracts. Pricing is finalized after a free quote call.

What are the benefits of step deck dispatch?

Carriers who use Bonafide step deck dispatch typically see taller freight access vs. flatbed; permit avoidance on borderline loads; premium machinery rates, while keeping 100% control of their authority and home time.

Step Deck dispatch by state

Frequently asked

How much does step deck dispatch cost?

Bonafide step deck dispatch is billed at 6–10% of gross load revenue, quoted on your free consultation. There are no setup fees, no forced dispatch, and no contracts.

Do I have to accept every load Bonafide books for my step deck?

No. You set your home base, preferred lanes, minimum rate per mile, and equipment availability. We negotiate and present loads; you approve or decline every load before booking.

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

A standard flatbed has a continuous deck height of roughly 58 inches, limiting legal cargo height to 8'6" before requiring over-height permits. A step deck (single drop) features a sunken main deck (38"–40" high) that allows tall freight up to 10'2" to ride legally without permits. A Conestoga adds a rolling curtain system over flatbed or step deck frames to enclose freight without manual tarping.

When does a load require a step deck instead of a standard flatbed?

Whenever cargo height exceeds 8 feet 6 inches (such as tall agricultural equipment, industrial generators, and construction machinery), a step deck is required to keep the overall loaded vehicle height at or below the legal 13'6" limit under state DOT regulations without requiring state over-height permits and route surveys.

Do you dispatch step deck loads that require ramps?

Yes. Many motorized machinery, wheeled vehicles, and tractor loads require aluminum loading ramps for drive-on access from ground level. If your step deck carries load-rated ramps, we target self-propelled equipment loads that pay substantial rate premiums.

How do you handle step deck tarping for irregular cargo?

Because machinery and equipment on step decks have irregular shapes, sharp edges, and height transitions between the upper deck and lower deck, tarping requires step-fitted tarps, extra padding, and careful bungee strapping. We negotiate premium tarp pay ($100–$200) for tall machinery tarping.

Can a step deck haul standard flatbed freight as backhauls?

Yes. While the step deck's lower deck limits continuous 48-ft single-plane items, it easily accommodates palletized materials, lumber, and steel up to the length of the lower deck (typically 37–43 feet). This versatility allows our dispatchers to eliminate empty backhaul miles.

See all dispatch FAQs Read the blog Carrier resources

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