Goldhofer STZ-L / STZ-H / MPA

The STZ-L, STZ-H and MPA are semi lowloaders from Goldhofer of Memmingen, Germany, listed together as one entry in its semi-trailer range; the maker writes the third name »MPA«. Goldhofer says the three share the “same vehicle bodywork” and that different axle units offer “low loading height, extraordinary axle compensation or maximum robustness”. The figures come from Goldhofer’s English brochure Semi Lowloaders, edition 05/2026-EN (PDF created 22 May 2026), and from its undated English and German product pages, read on 4 November 2026.

Overview and generations

Goldhofer’s semi-trailer page divides the range into flatbed semi-trailers, semi lowloaders and lowloader trailers. The semi lowloader group has four entries: »STEPSTAR«; »ARCUS« P and PK; STZ-L, STZ-H and »MPA«; and STZ-L and »MPA« with wheel recess. The similarly named STZ-VL, STZ-VH and STZ-VP are listed as lowloader trailers. The low-loader body type is set out in trailer types explained.

No document opened gives a year of introduction for any of the three types or describes an earlier generation. Goldhofer’s press index names the MPA in headlines dated 23 September 2021 (“Goldhofer presents two convincing allrounders: »STEPSTAR« and »MPA« 4”), 9 June 2022 and 10 November 2022 (“Highly successful »MPA«”).

Dimensions and weights

The small print on the brochure’s back page says “Technical data in loaded vehicle condition.” The difference between a technical and a permitted axle load is set out in gross combination weight, GVW and axle loads, the rules on width in semi-trailer dimensions, and permits for indivisible loads in low-loader trailers and abnormal loads.

No document opened gives an unladen weight, a gross vehicle weight, a coupling height, an overall length or a deck length for any of the types.

Where the documents differ

Page 11 of the brochure prints the STZ-L trough widths as 754 mm, 1954 mm and 1,104 mm, where the table on page 17 prints 954 mm.

With wheel recess

The STZ-L and MPA also form a separate entry in the range with wheel recesses; the brochure calls these vehicles “forced-steered”. It lists a “Long excavator trough deck and low wheel recesses” and an “Intelligent system for covering the recesses” for them.

Page 13 of the brochure gives the MPA with wheel recess 12 t at 80 km/h, where the table on page 16 gives it 10-12 t at 80 km/h.

Gooseneck, deck and rear bogie

The gooseneck carries a fifth wheel load of 20-35 t, or 20-26 t on the wheel recess versions, with a swing clearance radius of 2,100-2,800 mm. The brochure lists it as fixed or hydraulic, and as fixed on the wheel recess versions, with outside position beams on both. How a fifth wheel load meets the tractor is set out in the kingpin and the fifth wheel.

The STZ-L, STZ-H and MPA come in three extension stages: rigid, single telescopic and double telescopic. Goldhofer lists a “Rigid and robust vehicle frame” and a “Continuous steel loading area with anti-slip coating”, and gives the surface finish as a “high-quality finish with zinc-dust base coat”. The rear bogie is specified by the axle spacing, the excavator trough width and the number of axles in the tables above.

Axles, suspension and brakes

Page 7 of the brochure describes three axle units, and page 11 prints the same three drawings beside the names STZ-L, STZ-H and MPA.

• STZ-L: knuckle type steering axle with air suspension, with a 45° steering angle and a 200 mm axle stroke. Goldhofer refers to “components from renowned manufacturers”.
• STZ-H: knuckle type steering axle with hydraulic axle compensation, with a 45° steering angle and a 260 mm axle stroke. Goldhofer says the stroke “is operated hydraulically and guarantees high lateral stability with large and heavy loads”.
• MPA: MacPherson axle technology, with a 60° steering angle and a 350 mm axle stroke. Goldhofer cites the “small number of components” and says the axle is “designed for high payloads”.

No document opened names an axle supplier or describes the brake system.

Tyres

The notation of these sizes is set out in truck tyre markings explained. The brochure names STZ-L / STZ-H among the vehicles for »CARGOPLUS« 80, the low-profile tyre Goldhofer says it developed, in size 225/60 R 17.5. Its tyre table sets three sizes side by side.

A footnote to the 8,000 kg reads “Michelin: 8,24 t”. Goldhofer says »CARGOPLUS« 80 “corresponds to 245 tires” and gives a 75 mm reduction in loading height at an axle load of 12 t and a speed of 80 km/h. The data table on page 17 and the product pages do not list the 225/60 R 17.5 size for these types.

Equipment and options

Goldhofer’s English product page lists the following accessories and options; the brochure’s list is the same except that it says “coverings” where the page says “flooring options”.

• General: Knorr “TIM” / Wabco “Smartboard”, “easyCONTROL” remote steering, »SmartControl«, wide load marker boards, storage boxes under the loading platform, working lights, lift axle.
• Gooseneck: spare wheel carrier, high front wall, sidewalls, premium tool box, loading ramp, cable winch, stowage aids for accessories, electrohydraulic or diesel power pack.
• Loading platform: long material trestle, stake pocket strip, outriggers, threaded bushes, load-securing trestle, excavator crawler deck, sliding table, insertable wheel recesses.
• Rear: various rear designs, suspension rail, hydraulic ramp sideshift, climbing pads, mechanical or hydraulic landing legs, detachable ramps, ramps in a variety of widths, lengths and flooring options.

In its ARCUS section the brochure describes »SmartControl« as operating many functions of a semi-trailer at the push of a button, among them starting up the traction unit, the electronic tracking aid and saving and adjusting driving heights, and says these can also be used from operating panels on the gooseneck and chassis.

Source notes

The figures are from Goldhofer’s English brochure Semi Lowloaders, edition 05/2026-EN (PDF created 22 May 2026), and its undated English and German product pages, read on 4 November 2026. The small print on the brochure’s back page says “Technical data in loaded vehicle condition.” Goldhofer prints ranges and not one set of figures per type: axle load depending on country-related regulations 10-12 t at 80 km/h on the STZ-L and STZ-H and 12 t at 80 km/h on the MPA, technical axle load 15.6 t at 20 km/h on all three, fifth wheel load 20-35 t, axle spacing 1,360 mm or 1,510 mm, and vehicle width 2,550, 2,750 or 3,000 mm on the STZ-L and STZ-H and 2,550 or 2,750 mm on the MPA. Axle stroke is 200 mm on the STZ-L, 260 mm on the STZ-H and 350 mm on the MPA; the maximum steering angle is 45, 45 and 60 degrees. With wheel recess, the STZ-L and MPA have 3-5 axles, a fifth wheel load of 20-26 t, axle spacing of 1,360 mm, a vehicle width of 2,550 or 2,750 mm and a loading height of 785 mm; page 13 of the brochure gives the MPA with wheel recess 12 t at 80 km/h and the table on page 16 gives it 10-12 t. The documents differ on these rows. Second STZ-L loading height: 710 mm with 205/65 R 17.5 tyres in the brochure, 695 mm with 205/70 R 17.5 tyres listed on both product pages. STZ-H loading height: 800 mm in the brochure, 795 mm on both product pages. Excavator trough width: STZ-L 754, 954 and 1,104 mm in the brochure’s table (page 11 prints 1954 mm where the table prints 954 mm) and no STZ-H figure in the brochure; 674, 874 and 1,024 mm for both on the product pages; MPA 604 and 804 mm in all three. Number of axles: STZ-H 4-8 in the brochure and 3-8 on both product pages; MPA 2-8 in the brochure and on the English page and 2-11 on the German page; STZ-L 2-6 in all three. No document opened gives an unladen weight, a gross vehicle weight, a coupling height, an overall length or a deck length for any of the types, a year of introduction, or an earlier generation. Goldhofer’s press index names the MPA in headlines dated 23 September 2021, 9 June 2022 and 10 November 2022.