I ranked the top-rated step deck carriers in Chicago based on verified broker and shipper reviews from CarrierSource. Step deck is a workhorse equipment type in this market: Chicago's manufacturing base and construction pipeline both produce freight that is too tall for a standard flatbed but doesn't need a full double-drop, and that makes a carrier's step deck fleet and securement experience worth checking before you book.
When a broker filters specifically for step deck carriers in Chicago, they are usually working against a deadline. A piece of equipment is ready to ship, a lane needs coverage because an incumbent carrier fell through, or a new customer relationship hinges on the first load going smoothly. I built this list with that reality in mind, weighing star rating and review volume together so you aren't choosing on reputation alone.
Every carrier below cleared a minimum review threshold and holds active operating authority, so you're looking at a filtered list rather than a raw directory pull. If you'd prefer to browse the full list and filter by your own criteria, you can do that directly on CarrierSource.
"I worked with Kris on a load going from Holloman AFB NM-Moses Lake WA. The driver had no issues getting on base, was there to load in a timely manner, had no issues in transit and kept me updated on their location and delivered without incident. We have used this company several times on different loads and never have any issues. Highly recommend to any broker/customer looking to move freight!"
| ⭐ Star Rating |
5.00/5 (11 reviews) |
| 🚛 Fleet Size |
190 trucks |
| 📍 Headquarters |
Elgin, IL |
| 📋 DOT Number |
2790763 |
| 🔗 Profile |
View on CarrierSource |
What stands out: Ue Line's 190-truck fleet based out of Elgin gives it real depth for step deck capacity in the Chicago area, and the reviews back up what that scale usually can't deliver on its own: consistent communication from named dispatchers, electronic tracking accepted on every load, and clean deliveries even on complicated multi-stop or base-access freight.
Best for: Brokers who need step deck capacity on short notice and want a carrier large enough to flex when a load gets complicated mid-transit.
"I appreciated the level of coordination and professionalism shown throughout this load. The dispatcher stayed ahead of updates, communicated clearly, and ensured the shipment moved exactly as planned."
| ⭐ Star Rating |
5.00/5 (10 reviews) |
| 🚛 Fleet Size |
70 trucks |
| 📍 Headquarters |
Burr Ridge, IL |
| 📋 DOT Number |
1355113 |
| 🔗 Profile |
View on CarrierSource |
What stands out: Naissus has been running freight since 2005, and that tenure shows up in a fleet built to handle truckload, LTL, reefer, dedicated, and open deck freight under one roof, rather than treating step deck as an afterthought to a dry van-heavy operation. Every review referenced here points to the same thing: a dispatcher who gets ahead of the next update instead of waiting to be asked.
Best for: Shippers who want one carrier relationship that can flex across equipment types as freight needs change.
3. Pony Express Group: A Newer Carrier Building a Clean Track Record
"Pick up and delivery were on time with no problems. Good communication, very nice and friendly. Will use again and recommend."
| ⭐ Star Rating |
5.00/5 (5 reviews) |
| 🚛 Fleet Size |
150 trucks |
| 📍 Headquarters |
Wheeling, IL |
| 📋 DOT Number |
3938729 |
| 🔗 Profile |
View on CarrierSource |
What stands out: Pony Express Group is a newer name on CarrierSource, and its review count is lighter than the carriers above it, but a perfect 5.00 rating across every review it has collected, paired with a 150-truck fleet already in place, points to a carrier that's scaling without sacrificing service quality. Reviewers specifically called out friendly, easy communication on step deck freight.
Best for: Brokers willing to try a newer carrier with meaningful fleet size and a spotless early record.
"This carrier has done many loads for us over the last couple years and haven't any issues on any of the loads. Would recommend them to anyone."
| ⭐ Star Rating |
4.99/5 (11 reviews) |
| 🚛 Fleet Size |
128 trucks |
| 📍 Headquarters |
St Charles, IL |
| 📋 DOT Number |
2842607 |
| 🔗 Profile |
View on CarrierSource |
What stands out: PIC Logistics was founded by a driver-and-dispatch family, and it runs like one: reviewers keep coming back year after year, citing repeat lanes handled without issue and dispatchers who are referenced by name across multiple reviews. That kind of continuity matters more on step deck freight, where the same securement questions come up load after load.
Best for: Brokers looking for a long-term carrier relationship rather than a one-off transaction.
"Carpathian Way has been a great partner for us on dry van loads. The driver is always on time for pickup and delivery. Carrier communicates well. Tracking is always utilized. They are a reliable carrier, which is why we continue to work with them."
| ⭐ Star Rating |
4.98/5 (7 reviews) |
| 🚛 Fleet Size |
64 trucks |
| 📍 Headquarters |
Skokie, IL |
| 📋 DOT Number |
3117083 |
| 🔗 Profile |
View on CarrierSource |
What stands out: Carpathian Way describes its own approach as working efficiently while keeping communication clear and concise, and the reviews confirm that's not just marketing copy. Every reviewer referenced here mentions tracking being used consistently and on-time performance across repeat loads, which matters on step deck freight where a driver's ETA often needs to sync with a crane or forklift at the destination.
Best for: Shippers who prioritize proactive tracking and communication over sheer fleet size.
"These guys did two back to back deliveries for me and ended up getting stuck over the weekend with a load and everything worked out and everything went as smooth as a babies behind and I appreciate them going out on a limb for me and my company and my customer even though we put them in a tough situation. Would definitely recommend this carrier to anyone!"
| ⭐ Star Rating |
4.97/5 (11 reviews) |
| 🚛 Fleet Size |
150 trucks |
| 📍 Headquarters |
Arlington Heights, IL |
| 📋 DOT Number |
1728812 |
| 🔗 Profile |
View on CarrierSource |
What stands out: U S Freight Lines runs a genuinely multi-equipment fleet, with reviews spanning step deck, reefer, conestoga, and dry van freight, and reviewers consistently note the carrier staying flexible when a load gets complicated by weather or scheduling. One reviewer specifically highlighted the carrier absorbing a tough weekend delay without dropping the ball on communication.
Best for: Brokers who need a carrier that won't walk away when a load hits an unexpected snag.
7. Tbs Express Inc: Reliable Tracking From East Dundee
"TBS Express surpassed my expectations. They kept me updated with tracking information and communicated effectively at every stage. Their approach is a refreshing change from typical carrier experiences."
| ⭐ Star Rating |
4.94/5 (6 reviews) |
| 🚛 Fleet Size |
83 trucks |
| 📍 Headquarters |
East Dundee, IL |
| 📋 DOT Number |
3671108 |
| 🔗 Profile |
View on CarrierSource |
What stands out: TBS Express has a smaller review count than some of the carriers above it, but every single review is built around the same theme: tracking that actually gets used and communication that doesn't require a broker to chase it down. On flatbed and step deck freight moving through multi-stop auto parts lanes, reviewers noted the carrier handling complexity without dropping visibility.
Best for: Brokers who weight carrier communication and tracking compliance heavily in their vetting process.
"Keep Trucking booked a flatbed load with us for a load going from California to Washington State. Carrier arrived on time and provided the correct equipment for the load. Carrier properly tarped the shipment. Electronic tracking was accepted by the driver."
| ⭐ Star Rating |
4.93/5 (13 reviews) |
| 🚛 Fleet Size |
110 trucks |
| 📍 Headquarters |
Bolingbrook, IL |
| 📋 DOT Number |
2262722 |
| 🔗 Profile |
View on CarrierSource |
What stands out: Keep Trucking builds its business model around good attitude, responsibility, and trust, and it shows: the carrier specializes specifically in dry van and flatbed, with reviewers across 13 reviews describing proper tarping, correct equipment matched to the load, and dispatchers who adapt when weather forces a last-minute change in plan.
Best for: Shippers moving freight that needs careful tarping and securement rather than a simple drop-and-hook.
"Carrier is great. They provide quality service. Handled 33 loads since 2019 and always done a fantastic job. On time loading, delivery and professional/courteous drivers. Would highly recommend."
| ⭐ Star Rating |
4.93/5 (11 reviews) |
| 🚛 Fleet Size |
1 truck |
| 📍 Headquarters |
Westmont, IL |
| 📋 DOT Number |
3172771 |
| 🔗 Profile |
View on CarrierSource |
What stands out: Prymor is based in the Chicago area and explicitly lists step deck among the equipment types it runs, alongside flatbed and refrigerated van. One reviewer has worked with the carrier across 33 loads since 2019, which is the kind of repeat-business signal that matters more than a single standout review. Note that CarrierSource currently lists a single power unit on file for this carrier, so confirm current capacity directly before booking a time-sensitive load.
Best for: Brokers with a recurring step deck lane who want to build a long-term relationship with a smaller, specialized operator.
"On time and well-coordinated. Tracking was always up to date and the communication was professional and courteous."
| ⭐ Star Rating |
4.93/5 (10 reviews) |
| 🚛 Fleet Size |
36 trucks |
| 📍 Headquarters |
Schiller Park, IL |
| 📋 DOT Number |
3262914 |
| 🔗 Profile |
View on CarrierSource |
What stands out: Pr Express runs a tight, mid-sized fleet right in the Chicago suburbs, and the reviews consistently describe a carrier that stays current on tracking and keeps its communication professional rather than reactive. Reviewers across step deck, reefer, and flatbed freight all point to the same pattern of dependable coordination.
Best for: Brokers who want a locally based carrier without the overhead of a much larger fleet.
Additional Top-Rated Carriers with Terminals in Chicago
These carriers aren't headquartered in Chicago, but they operate terminal locations within 50 miles, giving them a strong local presence for pickups and deliveries in the area. They meet the same review and safety thresholds as the ranked carriers above.
| Carrier |
⭐ Rating (out of 5) |
🚛 Fleet Size |
Overview |
| Mercer Transportation Company Inc |
4.90 (19 reviews) |
1605 |
A large, Louisville-based fleet of flatbed, heavy-specialized, and dry van trailers backed by a dedicated team of over 300 transportation professionals. |
| ARL Network |
4.87 (7 reviews) |
1628 |
An agent-based asset network out of the Pittsburgh area built to give shippers a single point of contact for nationwide logistics needs. |
| Dayton Freight |
4.40 (7 reviews) |
2278 |
A Midwest LTL carrier with 54 service centers offering 1 to 2-day regional service across a 13-state footprint. |
How I Picked These Carriers
I pulled every carrier in CarrierSource's database operating step deck equipment within 50 miles of Chicago, then narrowed that list to carriers with at least five verified reviews and active operating authority. From there, I ranked by star rating first and review volume second, since a 5.00 rating built on a handful of reviews tells a different story than one built on dozens.
I read through the full review history for every carrier that made this list, not just the aggregate score, and prioritized quotes that spoke directly to step deck and flatbed experience over generic praise. Where a carrier's reviews skewed heavily toward dry van or reefer work, I said so, because a broker booking a step deck load deserves to know whether a carrier's reputation was built on the equipment type they're actually trying to book.
Fleet size, headquarters location, and tenure in the market all factored into the editorial notes for each carrier, but none of it overrides what the reviews actually say. A smaller carrier with a handful of glowing, specific reviews earned its spot here just as much as a 200-truck fleet with a long track record.
FAQ
What kind of freight is a step deck trailer best suited for?
A step deck trailer, also called a drop deck, lowers the main deck height after a short upper deck over the gooseneck, which adds clearance for taller loads without exceeding the standard legal height limit. It is the right call for machinery, construction equipment, pipe, and palletized freight that would be too tall for a standard flatbed but does not require the extreme clearance of a double-drop or RGN. Chicago's mix of manufacturing output and construction activity makes step deck a frequently requested equipment type in the market.
How is booking a step deck load different from booking a flatbed out of Chicago?
The booking process is similar, but the details that matter shift. Confirm the carrier has step deck trailers available (not just flatbeds they are substituting), verify the upper deck length versus lower deck length against the freight dimensions, and ask how the load will be secured and tarped if it is not self-supporting. Because step deck capacity is a smaller pool than standard flatbed capacity in most markets, it also pays to book earlier once a load is confirmed, especially during peak construction and manufacturing season.
What questions should I ask a step deck carrier before booking?
Ask for the trailer's exact deck dimensions and legal height clearance, confirm whether the carrier has ramps on hand if the freight needs to be driven or rolled on, and ask how they handle securement for the specific commodity, whether that is chains, straps, or a combination. It is also worth confirming tracking capability and getting a point of contact for both dispatch and the driver before the truck is dispatched, since step deck loads often involve oversized permitting or escort coordination that benefits from fast communication.
Are there height or route restrictions to watch for with step deck freight around Chicago?
Illinois allows a standard legal height of 13 feet 6 inches, and step deck equipment is often chosen specifically to stay under that limit when a flatbed load would not. Freight that pushes close to or over that height typically requires an oversize permit and, depending on the dimensions, a route survey around the city's lower overpasses and the elevated sections of the Chicago Skyway and various interstate interchanges. A carrier experienced in the Chicago market will already know which corridors to avoid and can flag a permit need before the truck is dispatched rather than after.
When is step deck capacity tightest in the Chicago market?
Capacity typically tightens in the spring and summer months as construction projects ramp up across the Midwest and manufacturers push out equipment that was built or serviced over the winter. Harvest season in the surrounding agricultural region can also pull flatbed and step deck capacity away from the metro, since equipment haulers are in demand moving combines and other machinery. Booking a few extra days ahead during these windows, and being flexible on pickup time, generally produces better rates and a wider pool of available trucks.
Find the Right Carrier for Your Lane
The carriers above are a strong starting point, but every lane has its own requirements. If none of these ten quite fit your freight, dimensions, or pickup window, CarrierSource has a much deeper bench of step deck carriers serving the Chicago market.
