Conestoga Step Deck?

TLX has some "shorter hight" step tri axle's they use for permit steel loads. Even for that I don't understand them but they have a specific customer for that I guess. Conestoga's are nice wish I had one.

 

Those are called covered wagons or side kits. They're also completely removable if they need to haul something bigger. A Conestoga is a generic term for a sliding tarp system, whether it's made by Aero or not.

 

Taping is for sissies

 

I see the covered wagon on steps used frequently by guys hauling trees. Nursery tarp over top. Gives more available height for the trees. I guess the sides are to prevent roll of the root ball? Idk I never hauled trees that weren't cut n dried

 

From Sept of 1999 until Mar of 2005 I owned and ran a stepdeck with a conestoga type rolling tarp system.

At the time conestoga type systems were rare and on a step deck they were almost unheard of at all.

The rolling tarp system not only would roll from the rear to front but would also break open at the step and the lower deck could roll to the rear, while the upper deck would roll forwards.

I did nothing but high value frieght such as artwork, museum pieces, medical equipment, trade show loads, and specialized machinery, including secure loads from Los Alamos to Oak Ridge.

I usually ran right around 48% empty annually due to getting paid deadhead from people needing specialized equipment and handling.

During that time my lowest average rate worked out to be $1.42 per mile for the whole year. My best year I averaged $1.78 per mile, and these figures were for all miles driven per odometer loaded and empty.

Alas the days of the stepdeck conestoga fell to end as more units started coming out on the road. Rates stared to drop and it just wasn't as profitable to keep running it, so I sold it, then shortly after sold my tractor.

 

Hurst you are right. I know everyone is gonna disagree with me but I don't care. Why would a rolling tarp be a conestoga when a covered wagon looks exactly like a conesotga wagon.

Conestoga = covered wagon = rack and tarp

Now Mods please closed this thread quick.

 

My employer has a large number of stepdeck "Quick Draw" trailers as well as flats and now a couple of straight double drops with the Quick Draw tarp system.. as long as you are not hauling oversize loads they are the way to go.