XL Specialized brought a couple of new trailers to the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, – the Mini-Deck Extendable and the Low-Profile Hydraulic Detachable Gooseneck.

The first is actually a first of its kind in the U.S. market, a mini-deck extendable trailer. The XL 110 HDE (Hydraulic Detachable Extendable) has a capacity rating of 110,000 pounds overall and 100,000 pounds in 10 feet when the trailer is closed. With a low and long main deck, XL’s Mini-deck Extendable is capable of hauling the most demanding loads in more areas, with fewer permits. The main deck features a loaded deck height of only 14 inches, achieved with a 10-inch beam design.

The trailer’s main deck expands from 27 feet to 47 feet using XL’s trusted extendable technology. Heavy-duty greaseable rollers and XL’s patented Extend-a-trac provide a smooth extension. There are extension stops every two feet, enabling multiple lengths. The trailer measures 73 feet overall when fully extended. With a detachable wheel area, the trailer can accept deck inserts to add even more length when necessary. Lining the side beams are bent d-rings, swingout outriggers, and micro lights.

The new trailer model features a unique auto-steering system in which the axles automatically rotate to keep the trailer behind the truck at all times; the kingpin rotates and prompts the axles to track with the truck using hydraulic cylinders. A wireless override remote allows drivers to take full control as needed. Auto-steering capabilities are beneficial when moving heavy loads with the deck extended, to minimize the challenges associated turning an exceptionally long unit.

The 10-foot low-profile hydraulic gooseneck offers a variable ride height, with five position options. The lightweight neck has a relief cut-out design for more clearance on the truck. The hydraulic flip neck extension can be flipped up and down with the push of a lever, cutting down on load/unload time. A single-axle power booster accompanies the XL HDE Mini-deck. The booster’s axle can lift, which is helpful when reversing the trailer.

“The Mini-deck Extendable is a great example of the innovation XL Specialized Trailers is known for,” said XL Director of Sales Matt Schattgen. “Our customers are getting asked to move more challenging loads, so we must strive to provide the best trailers possible to enable them to get the job done.”

The second trailer is the newly designed Low-Profile Hydraulic Detachable Gooseneck (HDG), which offers a loaded deck height of only 15 inches. With a capacity of 110,000 pounds in 12 feet and many operator-friendly features, the unit is ideal for adaptable hauling in commercial and construction applications, according to the company.

The 13-foot gooseneck has a swing clearance of 110 inches, and the relief cut out in the gooseneck provides additional space between the truck and trailer.

The hydraulic neck detaches and re-attaches quickly using a power unit or a wet-line kit. The redesigned sloped nose of the gooseneck protects the air and electric connections from damage.

Additionally, a new front access panel in the base of the gooseneck allows for easy engine maintenance. The neck also offers a five-position ride height. Based on neck position and load, the deck can be leveled as needed with the adjustable wheel area ride height. A work light in the upper deck increases visibility when monitoring the load at night.

With the 15-inch deck height and 4.5-inch ground clearance, this flat deck lowboy can accommodate loads that may otherwise require a dropside trailer. The new three-beam deck design offers an improved strength-to-weight ratio, keeping payload possibilities high.

The Low-Profile HDG offers enhanced main deck features. The bucket well in the rear provides an area for an excavator bucket to ride safely and a toolbox at the front serves as a storage space. The main deck offers many tie-down points with seven pairs of bent d-rings along the outer beams, 12 chain drops per side on the outer rails, four chain drops around the toolbox, and swing out outriggers on 24-inch centers.

The wheel area’s drop bolster height of 37 inches allows for machinery to be loaded on the rear.  To decrease wear on the tires, the third axle airlift can lift when it is not needed. The notched-out tail channel allows easy access to controls at the rear, and the air control valve is conveniently located in the bolster. Additionally, the frame of the XL Low-Profile HDG is prepped for a flip axle, allowing drivers to add a fourth axle when necessary. Bolt-on wheel covers are available for driving or parking on.