Hydraulic lift system for a semi-trailer

A semi-trailer comprising:

• a trailer portion having a first end and a second end, the trailer portion comprising:
• a pair of longitudinal beams extending from the first end to the second end of the trailer portion;
• a kingpin plate positioned at the first end of the trailer portion;
• and
• a pair of draft arms, each draft arm connected to the kingpin plate at one end and a longitudinal beam at an opposed end;
• and
• a hydraulic lift system connected to the trailer portion, the hydraulic lift system comprising:
• a mounting structure, the mounting structure connected to the pair of longitudinal beams at the first end of the semi-trailer;
• a single hydraulic cylinder mounted in the mounting structure, the hydraulic cylinder comprising a housing and a rod, wherein an end of the rod is connected to the kingpin plate and the pair of draft arms, the hydraulic cylinder having an extended position and a contracted position, wherein the pair of longitudinal beams at the first end of the trailer portion are moved away from the kingpin plate when the hydraulic cylinder is in the extended position and the pair of longitudinal beams at the first end of the trailer portion are adjacent to the kingpin plate when the hydraulic cylinder is in the contracted position;
• and
• the hydraulic cylinder having a substantially vertical position in the mounting structure upon being in the contracted position,
• wherein the mounting structure further comprises a pair of plates, each plate connectable to a longitudinal beam of the semi-trailer, a cross member connecting the pair of plates, and a padded area on the cross-member, the padded area configured to contact the hydraulic cylinder when the hydraulic cylinder is in the contracted position.