XL Trailer Info (Top 3)

Route One's three biggest-selling XL Specialized units

XL 80 MFG (mechanical lowboy), XL 22 FA Type A (flip axle) and XL 70 HDGSM (low-profile hydraulic mini deck lowboy).

Which of the top 3 go together as a package?

The 22 FA Type A flip axle pins to the rear of the 80 MFG. The Type A bracket is the one listed as fitting MFG trailers.

XL 80 MFG: what does MFG stand for?

Mechanical Full-width Gooseneck. A double drop lowboy with a mechanical detachable gooseneck.

XL 80 MFG: overall capacity

80,000 lb

XL 80 MFG: concentrated capacity

70,000 lb in 16'

XL 80 MFG: loaded deck height

18"

XL 80 MFG: ground clearance

6"

XL 80 MFG: main deck length

29'

XL 80 MFG: gooseneck length

10'

XL 80 MFG: overall length

48'

XL 80 MFG: standard axle count

2 axles (Hendrickson air ride on the Knight). The rear is reinforced so a flip axle can add a 3rd.

XL 80 MFG: what does 'full-width' mean?

The gooseneck gives 10' of full-width hauling space, so part of the load can ride on the neck.

XL 80 MFG: how is it loaded?

Detach the mechanical gooseneck and drive equipment on over the front of the main deck. The rear has a 45 degree transition with traction aids.

XL 80 MFG: ride height control

Manual. The Knight's front connection plate has 3 height settings (1.5" up or down, 3" total) and the rear raise/lower valve gives about 1.5".

XL 80 MFG Knight: rear deck

9' long at 40" loaded height (Route One listing).

XL 80 MFG Knight: kingpin setting, 5th wheel height, swing clearance

16" kingpin, 49" 5th wheel height, 84" swing clearance (Route One listing).

XL 80 MFG Knight: tare weight on Route One listing

15,732 lb

XL 80 MFG Knight: tires and wheels

255/70R22.5 tires on aluminum outside wheels, with TireMaxx Pro tire inflation.

XL 80 MFG Knight: decking

1-1/8" Apitong flush decking throughout.

XL 80 MFG Knight: outriggers and tie-downs

Removable swingout outrigger brackets on 24" centers (the outriggers themselves are an option), (14) 1/2" chain drops per side, 8 bent D-rings per side on main deck, pan-style D-rings on corners.

XL 80 MFG Knight: gooseneck toolbox

Toolbox in gooseneck with chain rack and work light, 18" x 24" x 60".

XL 80 MFG Knight: 2' x 2' rear transition cutout is for what?

Clearance for tractor draw bars.

XL 80 MFG Knight: when was it released and what kind of model is it?

March 2024. XL calls it a stock-style trailer built for hauling across the US and Canada.

XL 80 MFG Knight: warranty

5-year structural, 3-year paint, 1-year parts and components.

XL 80 MFG Knight: Route One list price (Oct 2026)

$89,900

XL 80 MFGA: what does the A mean?

Aluminum pullout outriggers. Same 80,000 lb / 70,000 in 16' / 18" deck, aimed at wide ag equipment.

XL 80 MFGM: what does the M mean?

Mini deck: 12" loaded deck height and 4" ground clearance, for taller loads.

MFG family: which capacities run 2 axles vs 3?

60, 70 and 80 MFG run 2 axles. 90, 100 and 110 MFG run 3.

MFG family: which models have a taller deck and shorter main deck?

100 MFG (20" deck) and 110 MFG (22" deck), both with a 24'6" main deck. 60-90 MFG are 18" with a 29' deck.

MFG family: concentrated rating pattern

On standard MFGs the concentrated rating is 10,000 lb under overall capacity, in 16' (80 MFG = 70,000 in 16'). Mini decks are rated their full capacity in 16'.

Mechanical vs hydraulic detachable: main trade-off

Mechanical is lighter and simpler (no power unit or hydraulics to maintain). Hydraulic detaches faster and makes ride height adjustment easier.

XL 22 FA: what is it?

A 22,000 lb single flip axle that pins to the rear of an XL lowboy to add an axle.

XL 22 FA: does a flip axle raise the trailer's capacity?

No. Flip axles and spreader bars only spread weight to meet axle and bridge laws. They never increase trailer capacity.

XL 22 FA: rating

22,000 lb

XL 22 FA: dimensions

54" long x 102" wide

XL 22 FA Type A vs Type B: which trailer does each fit?

Type A bracket fits MFG (mechanical) trailers. Type B bracket fits HDG (hydraulic) trailers.

XL 22 FA Type A: weight

3,004 lb (Type B is 2,631 lb)

XL 22 FA Type B: what extra prep does it have?

Prep for a power booster (ride height and top link) and 2 stake pockets in the tail channel.

XL 22 FA: suspension

Hendrickson air ride

XL 22 FA: decking

1-1/8" Apitong

XL 22 FA: lighting package

12V sealed Grote harness, 3 tail light package with aluminum cover, and a 4" amber strobe as the 3rd tail light.

XL 22 FA: why is there a 4-way plug at the front?

To run the strobe from a backup battery when the truck is unhooked.

XL 22 FA: what does the liquid-filled air gauge do?

Reads suspension air bag pressure to give an approximate axle weight while loading.

XL 22 FA: tie-downs and flags

2 bent D-rings in the tail channel and 1 pair of EZ Mount flag holders.

XL 22 FA Type A: Route One price (Oct 2026)

$27,150 including FET (Type B: $24,900). Rental: $800/month.

Why is it called a 'flip' axle?

When attached directly to the trailer it can be flipped up over the rear deck when not needed. Only a directly attached flip axle can be flipped.

Flip axle: what is needed to flip it over?

Unhook air and electric, relieve pin pressure with the raise/lower valve, pull the bottom pins, then flip with a crane or forklift chained to the rear D-rings. Chain it down once flipped.

Flip axle safety warning from the XL manual

Never run the trailer unloaded with the spreader bar and flip axle attached. It can cause loss of steering and braking.

Flip axle: who decides what setup can attach to the rear?

The trailer. The rear lugs accept a 1-axle or 2-axle booster the same way, but the trailer must be prepped and reinforced for it.

Flip axle: standard starting shim setup

(2) 1/2" shims at each shim location.

Flip axle shimming: valley vs peak

A valley at a shim point means add shim. A peak means remove shim. Shim from the wheel area rearward until wheel area, spreader bar and flip axle sit level.

Flip axle hookup: air line order

Connect red and blue air lines first, then the suspension line. The booster raises quickly, so keep hands clear of the shim pinch point.

XL 70 HDGSM: what does it stand for?

Hydraulic Detachable Gooseneck, from XL's low-profile HDGS line, M = mini deck.

XL 70 HDGSM: overall capacity

70,000 lb

XL 70 HDGSM: concentrated capacity

70,000 lb in 16' (factory spec)

XL 70 HDGSM: loaded deck height

12"

XL 70 HDGSM: ground clearance

4"

XL 70 HDGSM: standard lengths

Two standard builds: 48' overall with a 28' well, or 53' overall with a 33' well. 11' gooseneck on both. Route One's unit is the 53'.

XL 70 HDGSM: axles

2 axles, Hendrickson, 25,000 lb each.

XL 70 HDGSM: why a 3-beam deck?

XL's 3-beam mini deck design is light and strong, letting the deck sit at 12" for taller loads.

XL 70 HDGSM: ride height positions

5 variable ride height positions (low-profile HDGS line). The standard HDG has 7.

XL 70 HDGSM: what powers the hydraulic neck?

A 13 HP power unit with a steel cover in the base of the gooseneck. Standard on the mini deck.

XL 70 HDGSM: neck style on Route One unit

11' low-profile scraper neck, ramps tapered to 4".

XL 70 HDGSM: kingpin, swing clearance, 5th wheel height (Route One unit)

16" kingpin, 86" swing clearance, 49" 5th wheel height.

XL 70 HDGSM: rear deck on Route One unit

9' long at 40" loaded height.

XL 70 HDGSM: decking

Steel floor in the center deck, 1-1/8" Apitong flush in the outer bays. Durabak non-slip on the center deck is an option (Route One's unit has it).

XL 70 HDGSM: tires and wheels

255/70R22.5 on outside aluminum wheels.

XL 70 HDGSM: wheel area and outriggers (factory)

Wood-covered wheel area, swingout outriggers.

Low-profile HDG line: what helps the neck clear truck fenders?

A relief cutout on the underside of the neck.

Low-profile HDG line: how does XL position it?

The lightest-weight hydraulic gooseneck option, popular for construction lowboys.

XL 70 HDGSM: Route One list price (Oct 2026)

$118,900

XL 70 HDGSM: warranty

XL brochure: 5-year structural, 1-year paint. Route One's listing says 3-year paint, so confirm with XL.

Mini deck (12") vs standard lowboy (18-20"): what's the trade-off?

More height for tall loads, but only 4" ground clearance vs 6". Watch raised railroad crossings and driveways.

80 MFG vs 70 HDGSM: deck height

80 MFG: 18". 70 HDGSM: 12".

80 MFG vs 70 HDGSM: gooseneck type

80 MFG: mechanical detachable, full-width. 70 HDGSM: hydraulic detachable, low-profile.

80 MFG vs 70 HDGSM: concentrated rating

80 MFG: 70,000 in 16'. 70 HDGSM: 70,000 in 16'. Same concentrated number, different overall capacity (80k vs 70k).

80 MFG vs 70 HDGSM: ride height adjustment

80 MFG: manual (front plate settings and rear valve). 70 HDGSM: 5 hydraulic positions.

A customer needs to haul a tall load under 70,000 lb. MFG or HDGSM?

70 HDGSM. Its 12" mini deck gains 6" of height over the 18" MFG.

A customer wants the lowest-cost, lightest 80,000 lb detachable. Which top-3 unit?

XL 80 MFG (mechanical). Add a 22 FA Type A if they need a 3rd axle for weight laws.

XL 80 MFG Knight: axles and brakes (brochure)

(2) 25,000 lb nominal axles on 54" spacing, hub pilot with outboard drums, 4S2M ABS, 16.5" x 7" brakes, 2 pair spring brakes.

XL 80 MFG Knight: main deck structure (brochure)

T-1 flange, 80K web, (4) 12" fabricated I-beams. 6" and 4" junior I-beam crossmembers on 12" alternating centers. Ramp tapers to 4".

XL 80 MFG Knight: standard paint and wheels (brochure)

Black paint. Steel inside rims, polished aluminum outside rims, 255/70R22.5 tires.

XL 80 MFG Knight: which raise/lower valve does it use?

A Colas+ valve with a large handle. The front main deck has a 3" range, adjustable 1.5" with the rear valve.

XL 80 MFG Knight: clearance lights

Micronova clearance lights throughout the trailer.

XL 80 MFGA vs Knight: outriggers and chain drops

MFGA: aluminum pullout outriggers on 18" centers, aluminum pullout front ramps, (18) 1/2" chain drops per side. Knight: swingout brackets on 24" centers, (14) chain drops per side.

XL 80 MFGA: front connector plate

A double donut front connector plate (the Knight uses a 3-height connector plate).

XL 80 MFGA: standard paint colors

Black, IH red, CAT yellow or white.

XL MFG Mini: lengths

48' overall with a 29' main deck, or 53' with a 34' main deck.

XL MFG Mini: concentrated ratings (brochure)

60, 70 and 80 MFG Mini are each rated their full capacity in 16' closed (e.g. 80,000 lb in 16').

XL MFG Mini: air hatbox option

40"-52" 5th wheel height with 12" of travel, 82" swing clearance, 18" kingpin setting.

XL 70 HDGSM: empty weight

Base weights as low as 19,650 lb (XL brochure).

XL 70 HDGSM: what are the 3 beams?

Two 8" fabricated I-beams plus a center box beam, with 4" junior I-beam crossmembers on 18" centers.

XL 70 HDGSM: gooseneck type (brochure)

Hydraulic, low-profile and full-width, 11' long. Frame is reinforced for a flip neck, and a 36" flip neck extension is an option.

XL 70 HDGSM: axles and brakes (brochure)

(2) 25,000 lb nominal, hub pilot with outboard drums, 4S2M ABS, 16.5" x 7" brakes, 2 pair spring brakes.

XL 70 HDGSM: tie-downs (brochure)

12 bent D-rings per side on the main deck, 2 bent D-rings per side on the neck, 2 pair pan-style D-rings on rear corners.

XL 70 HDGSM: standard lighting vs Route One's unit

Brochure standard is a 2 tail light package. Route One's unit has the 3-light package and 4" amber strobe, which are options.

XL 70 HDGSM: standard paint colors

Black, IH red, CAT yellow.