Service 05 / Step Deck
Step Deck dispatch
Lowered decks for taller cargo and versatile heavy hauls. Taller freight. Fewer permits.
Rates vary by state, lane, equipment, load type, market conditions, deadhead and negotiated rate, and are not guaranteed. Weekly gross is an estimate based on about 2,500–3,000 miles per week, before fuel, dispatch fees, insurance and other operating costs. It is not a guarantee of earnings — actual revenue varies by market, lanes, load availability, equipment and negotiated rates.
01What we do
Taller freight. Fewer permits.
Step deck opens freight that won't fit legal height on a flatbed. We target machinery, equipment and tall-load lanes where your deck earns a premium, and plan loading and ramps with shippers ahead of time.
Typical loads
- Construction machinery
- Tractors & ag equipment
- Industrial components
- Tall crated freight
What's included
- Machinery, equipment & tall freight
- Height and weight verification before booking
- Ramp & loading coordination
- Permit coordination for oversize
- Accessorial & tarp negotiation
Equipment requirements
- 48' or 53' step deck
- Ramps preferred
- Securement & tarps
- $100K cargo insurance
02Benefits
Why carriers run step deck with Apex
- 01
Niche premiums
Fewer trucks run step deck — shippers pay for the specialized capacity.
- 02
Legal height freight
Haul 10' tall freight legally without oversize permits.
- 03
Versatility
Book flatbed freight too when step deck lanes are slow.
03Process
From call to first load
- STEP 01
Connect
Tell us about your truck, equipment, home time and preferred lanes. Onboarding takes about 20 minutes — MC, W-9, COI and you're live.
- STEP 02
Find
We search DAT, Truckstop, and our private broker network for the highest-paying freight that fits your lanes and schedule.
- STEP 03
Negotiate
Our dispatchers work brokers hard for top rates, detention, and TONU terms — then send you the rate con to approve before we book.
- STEP 04
Move
You haul. We handle check calls, paperwork, tracking updates, and invoicing or factoring submissions so you get paid fast.
04Pricing
Straight rates. No surprises.
No contracts, no setup fees, no forced dispatch. Pick the plan that fits your fleet today — switch anytime.
Starter
For owner-operators who want a pro dispatcher without a monthly fee.
5%
per load dispatched
- Load finding & negotiation
- Rate confirmation handling
- 24/7 dispatch support
- Broker setup packets
- Up to 2 trucks
- Most popular
Professional
Flat, predictable pricing for growing carriers running hard.
$300
per truck / month
- Everything in Starter
- Priority load access
- Weekly performance reports
- Invoicing & factoring submissions
- Unlimited trucks
Enterprise
Dedicated dispatch team and integrations for serious fleets.
Custom
tailored to your fleet
- Dedicated dispatcher
- Custom lane preferences
- Fleet management
- API access
- White-label option
Yes, many flatbed loads accept step deck. We'll mix both to keep you loaded.
Yes, we filter and confirm ramp requirements with every shipper.
Starter is 5% per load dispatched with no monthly fee. Professional is a flat $300 per truck per month. Enterprise fleets get custom pricing.
Never. Every load is sent to you for approval before it's booked.
At typical freight rates of $2.50 – $3.50 / mile, a step deck carrier dispatched by Apex Truckin can gross an estimated $7,000 – $11,000 per week before fuel, dispatch fees and other operating costs. This is an estimate, not a guarantee — actual revenue depends on the state, lane, load type, market conditions, deadhead and the rates our dispatchers negotiate.
Put your step deck to work.
Get a free lane review and your first load booked within 24 hours. No contracts. No forced dispatch.