53 foot flatbed

I've seen some hay haulers add length to their trailer like that.

 

U can,t load off dock after.

 

I've seen a guy with a 48' extendable flatbed and a removable 5' headboard that he uses to make a 53' wagon

 

If you do an extension you may need to transfer the lights on to the end of the extension.

 

Not only that. If its a spread it is no longer legal in states that are strict on the length law. One reason I prefer 48s over 53s. Although I'm pulling a 53 spread now set at the back. But I also don't travel to states with length laws for kingpin to rear axle.

 

Finding a fabricator willing to take the liability for a freight carrying deck might be your first problem.

 

Any type of wheeled or tracked equipment is going to be loaded from the back from a dock. If you are eliminating this type of cargo, you might as well pull a flat. There are a lot of pieces of equipment that would put 20K lbs on that back 5 feet. I have heard my drivers tell a lot of stories about watching someone drive a big tractor on the back of a 53' step and the way it sags.

 

i hate driving equipment on closed axles. i can tell you that. but the trailer seems to be built for the abuse.

i worry about my 5th wheel and trailer kingpin more though. when the back goes down. the front goes up.