Getting air cushions under a trailer

[Michael987789]

I'm a towing and recovery industry buff. How do you get air cushions under a semi van trailer that has rolled over on the highway and it's laying completely flat on the pavement or the ground on the side of the road or in the median? Is the trailer already considered a total loss at this point so it doesn't matter how you lift it? Trailers are made as light as possible so there's not many places you can hook to and pull on. As a whole the trailer is strong but it's through all the  components working together as a unit. No one part of a semi trailer is very strong by itself. You can lift it just by the framework of the rear tandems but the trailer is going to flex and cause further damage if it's loaded. It's not designed to support a load laying on the side. How would you ever get it up enough to get air cushions under it? Is there any concerns about causing further damage in the way you lift it? 

[EdsTowing]

You can lift it by the rear frame with a wrecker to gain some clearance. Yes it will twist but it won't hurt anything. A Mat Jack only needs an inch or so to slip it under a trailer...then it can be lifted & cribbed up as you move along the trailer. It's enough to get a strap or starter cushion under it. They are designed that you can litterly beat them under the trailer if needed. We also used to use a "Johnson Bar" under the corner of a trailer roof...amazing what some leverage can accomplish.