I’m going to be in Florida for the month of December and will be trailering my bike - 2018 street glide special. I have a utility trailer with a 4’ metal ramp. I use a biker bar to secure the bike while towing but the issue is that the ramp is quite steep and I tend to hit my frame when transitioning from the trailer to the ramp. I built an extension from 4’ long 3/4” plywood attached to a 6”x6” which works fine but it is heavy and cumbersome to haul around so I want to do something else. I could probably take the biker bar off before going down/up the ramp and that would give me another inch or so clearance. I’ve also backed trailer into a pitched driveway to minimize the ramp slope but there has to be a better solution.

Has anyone built a hinged extension for their ramp? Any other ideas or options?

 

I just find a slight rise somewhere to drop the gate on. Generally takes most of the jump out. I know you've said you tried this but it's what I found works best.
Be careful if you're thinking about adding to your ramp. It can quickly add a bunch of weight to the rear and seriously adversely affect the way the trailer handles. You might end up with the old "tail wagging the dog" problem. It doesn't really take much to change the trailer balance.

 

Besides trying to find a bump or driveway to put the ramp end on, I carry a 2x4 to lay the ramp on, bike can handle that little rise and it does make a difference, but might not be enough on a level surface. Those short ramps sure aren't enough for Harleys. If you have that screened kind that fastens straight up for towing, it does grab quite a bit of air, I can feel enough difference that if I'm towing for several hours, I take it off and lay it in the pickup bed. Pita to put back on by yourself, though.

 

I had the same problem with my utility trailer and this is how I got around it. I got the B&W Tow & Stow hitch. Leaving trailer attached to hitch and locked onto the truck. I attach my dolly wheel to the trailer jack stand then jack the pressure is off the hitch. If I can’t get enough height I’ll put a wood block under the dolly wheel. I then remove the two height adjusting hitch pins from the hitch. I then crank up the trailer until the trailer bed and ramp is almost straight or even with each other. I then remove the bike. With the B&W when you remove the adjustment pins the hitch remains attached by two blind pins that will slide up the grove. So the trailer is still secured to the truck and cannot roll away. Then I do it again to load up, lower jack stand until pin holes line up and replace the pins in correct holes.

 

Go like you're going to parallel park, but leave your tow vehicle a few feet away from the curb. That should allow you to turn the back of the trailer into the curb enough to lay the ramp on the curb and ride from the curb right onto the ramp. I'd think it's far easier to find a suitable curb than a properly sloped driveway.

 

there are tons of parking lots down there that have a rise in them to back it off . just have to look around.

 

I made ramps with those ramp kits you can buy at home depot for getting riding mowers and such into trucks

I needed 2 sets, I used 1 X 12 X 6' lumber, enough so I could go 4 wide at the end of my trailer ramp, or part way up, but either way the end of the ramp was raised by jack stands or 4X4 lumber to get the angle right for the transition into the trailer bed.

Lots of guys with rice bikes have ripped their drain plugs out or broken their oil pans going from the ramp to the trailer deck.

When I was done with the ramps I had the trailer set up to put them 2 to side and secured to the deck with long bolts.

Words of advice: A Condor Wheel Chock or better will save you a lot of problems.

Any straps should go to FORGED eye bolts into the trailers metal frame, not wood. If you can weld the eye hooks closed that is even better so they can't open under stress.

Transmission in N, side stand up, suspension slightly compressed. Don't forget to disconnect the battery.

Chain the bike to the trailer at night using good chain and locks, chain the trailer to the car, lock the tongue. lock the trailer gate.

 

Don't chinse out on a proper ramp. You need something easy enough to be able to put your feet down as you go up and down. Jack the trailer up to lower your angle, all should be good. Seen to many trying to get away with a lousy ramp to see their bikes on their side. Not pretty.

 

Just back the ramp up to a sidewalk curb and ride the bike on. Don't overthink it.

 

He wont need a wheel chock or straps with the bike lock system he's using.
Chains and locks maybe, depending on his personal level of paranoia.