RGN Dillema.....

Are you sure that XL is 53’ with only a 29’ well? Our two axle 35 ton XL’s are 48’ with 29 in the well.

 

This is the drawing xl has for their 30 ton mini deck. Do you mean 53’ with the flip?

 

I mean if you wanted to splurge you could get something like this Nelson that is actually modular. Meaning you have the mini deck when you need it and can swap out the decks for something larger. We can turn this into an 11 axle combination to haul slag pots.

 

Now we are talking!

that makes more sense.

 

is a mini deck heavier to get the strength in a shallower section?

so many decisions 53, 48, tri, flip, extendable. i know it is purpose built what do you want to do but to me it needs to be versatile

a 53 plus a flip seems unnecessarily heavy and always OD

i think this is why there are so many 48' w/ flip non extendables out there, most universal trailer

 

The deck looks to be riding about 4 or 5 inches above the road while empty.
If that is not an illusion then you will find ground clearance a problem when loaded heavy.
Larger tires may help but used taller risers may be more economic especially if your 5th could use a rebuild.