Trailering an Ultra
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 759
Likes: 34
From: Virginia
Trailering an Ultra
For those that trailer their bagger on a utility-type trailer, how secure are those drop-down loading ramps? And are they typically sturdy enough to handle a big bike? I will be buying a trailer and was wondering if I would be better off getting a ramp-less trailer and just use a heavy-duty aluminum ramp, wide enough to put my feet down if needed, maybe a tri-fold for easy stowing. Those drop-down ramps look (and sound) like they could break loose at speed or during high wind, or maybe even fold forward onto my bike. Am I worrying about nothing?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,421
Likes: 108
From: Tennessee
I think so, but I'm not sure what trailer you're looking at.
I have a 12-ft dual axle utility trailer with 14" wheels and electric brakes. The full-width ramp is constructed of steel square tubing and expanded metal (which I'd take any day over aluminum).
The ramp doesn't drag wind and, the way it's installed, it's impossible for it to go past the upright/closed position.
Of course, trailers are like anything else - different styles and prices. I bought mine at an auction for a ridiculously low price.
I've gotten so used to mine hauling my ATV, lawn mower, tractor, Road King and anything else that I can roll up the ramp on a hand truck/two wheeler, that I would never consider a ramp-less trailer that size.
Bottom line: if it's a cheesy ramp, it's probably a cheesy trailer, too...
I have a 12-ft dual axle utility trailer with 14" wheels and electric brakes. The full-width ramp is constructed of steel square tubing and expanded metal (which I'd take any day over aluminum).
The ramp doesn't drag wind and, the way it's installed, it's impossible for it to go past the upright/closed position.
Of course, trailers are like anything else - different styles and prices. I bought mine at an auction for a ridiculously low price.
I've gotten so used to mine hauling my ATV, lawn mower, tractor, Road King and anything else that I can roll up the ramp on a hand truck/two wheeler, that I would never consider a ramp-less trailer that size.
Bottom line: if it's a cheesy ramp, it's probably a cheesy trailer, too...
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 32,562
Likes: 2,577
From: Shit Weather USA
I have both a heavy duty open landscaping trailer with a drop down ramp,and a enclosed trailer to haul both of our bikes. As long as you don't go cheap depending on which type of trailer you are talking about,both should easily hold your bike.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Keithville, La. 71047
I have all three type trailer w/ramps. 14" X 7" cargo with drop down rear door, this one is referred to haul bike. I picked the bike up new with a 22" x 7" flat bed with stand up ramps. The stand up ramps are made for heavy equipment. I also have a smaller landscrape trailer 10' X 5" with rear drop ramp. This option not as heavy duty, but is rated for over 2,000 pounds. Most built on ramps should be more than weight rated for over the bikes weight. Safe riding and Merry Christmas.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 6
From: Livingston, Texas
Got a 6x12 Utility trailer with a let down gate.
Put a Condor Pitstop trailer bracket in it.
It will slide into the trailer bracket and comes with a thumb screw to hold it in place.
Makes it easy to hold the bike in place and it is easy for you to get the bike in and out of the wheel chock.
Use strong tie straps to hold it in place .
I use 6 of them.
Put a Condor Pitstop trailer bracket in it.
It will slide into the trailer bracket and comes with a thumb screw to hold it in place.
Makes it easy to hold the bike in place and it is easy for you to get the bike in and out of the wheel chock.
Use strong tie straps to hold it in place .
I use 6 of them.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,435
Likes: 28
From: Living in open carry state :D
Did not know an Ultra would fit in a 14 inch x 7 inch cargo trailer. 
But I really would like to see a picture of the 10 foot x 5 inch trailer.
But I really would like to see a picture of the 10 foot x 5 inch trailer.
I have all three type trailer w/ramps. 14" X 7" cargo with drop down rear door, this one is referred to haul bike. I picked the bike up new with a 22" x 7" flat bed with stand up ramps. The stand up ramps are made for heavy equipment. I also have a smaller landscrape trailer 10' X 5" with rear drop ramp. This option not as heavy duty, but is rated for over 2,000 pounds. Most built on ramps should be more than weight rated for over the bikes weight. Safe riding and Merry Christmas.
Before you make a decision, I urge you to check out our trailers and or chocks. They've been rated #1 for 12 consecutive years by AIM. Tilts for easy, 1 person loading (ride on flat footed). The LA chock secures the bike so you just get off and strap down. Once you set the straps once, you never have to adjust them. As the trailer tilts down, the straps loosen. As the trailer tilts up (into riding position) the straps tighten. Here's a video and review in Rider Magazine.
Youtube video of all Baxley products in action
Youtube video of all Baxley products in action
Riding the bike up a narrow ramp onto the trailer
can be disastrous if you stall or stop halfway, and
pushing something like a full-dresser on by yourself
isn’t for the faint of heart (or weak of knee,
back, etc.) either. But there’s never anyone
around when you need them, right?
Enter the Baxley line of motorcycle trailers, which
are designed to make loading a motorcycle or
motorcycles by your lonesome a snap. It’s so innovative
and easy, in fact, those same helpers you
couldn’t find before will often appear out of nowhere
to watch. Baxley is probably best known for its line
of motorcycle chocks, like the LA Chock, which
holds any motorcycle upright for transport,
service or storage. Push the bike onto the
chock, again no helper needed, dismount
and it just stands there. For transport on a
trailer or in a pickup you would secure the
bike with a couple tie downs.
A version of the Baxley Chock on its
trailers is half of their secret. The other half
is how the trailer "lift frame" uncouples and
can be disastrous if you stall or stop halfway, and
pushing something like a full-dresser on by yourself
isn’t for the faint of heart (or weak of knee,
back, etc.) either. But there’s never anyone
around when you need them, right?
Enter the Baxley line of motorcycle trailers, which
are designed to make loading a motorcycle or
motorcycles by your lonesome a snap. It’s so innovative
and easy, in fact, those same helpers you
couldn’t find before will often appear out of nowhere
to watch. Baxley is probably best known for its line
of motorcycle chocks, like the LA Chock, which
holds any motorcycle upright for transport,
service or storage. Push the bike onto the
chock, again no helper needed, dismount
and it just stands there. For transport on a
trailer or in a pickup you would secure the
bike with a couple tie downs.
A version of the Baxley Chock on its
trailers is half of their secret. The other half
is how the trailer "lift frame" uncouples and
LOADING A MOTORCYCLE ONTO A TYPICAL
TRAILER, ESPECIALLY A LARGER STREET
BIKE, IS ONE OF THOSE TIMES YOU
GENERALLY NEED SOME HELP.
TRAILER, ESPECIALLY A LARGER STREET
BIKE, IS ONE OF THOSE TIMES YOU
GENERALLY NEED SOME HELP.
Baxley
SB001
Single-BikeTrailer
Single-BikeTrailer
62
JANUARY 2012
GEAR
LAB
lowers the bed (floorboard and wheel
channel) to the ground at the back,
allowing you to ride the bike onto it easily.
The only minor incline of the bed means
that—if you can reach the ground from
the bike’s seat at a stop—you’ll have
solid footing riding it onto the trailer, too.
The front wheel plops into the Baxley
chock and comes to rest against a strong
diamond-plate stop on the front of the SB001 single-bike model we tested. Then you can
get off and secure the bike with as few as two tie downs in back—the chock does most
of the work holding it upright and on the trailer, provided the bike has a 16-21-inch front
wheel and you have properly adjusted
the width of the chock.
On Baxley’s GT2000 double-bike
trailer, cranking a winch pulls the lift
frame back down and raises the bed
into towing position; on the SB001 single
you just reach up and pull it down by
hand. A triple-latching system secures it
in place (check out the video on Baxley’s
website). A bonus of the design is that
continuing to raise the frame once the
bed is down lifts the wheels off the
ground, like a built-in jack, allowing easy
tire changes or maintenance.
Construction of the $2,990 Baxley is
appropriately first-rate, with thick sheet
and box-section steel rails that are crinkle
powdercoated in black, and heavy
diamond-plate for the bed and front
stop. We were impressed by the 13- x
6-foot, 460-pound trailer’s adjustable
hitch height (so it can be quickly adapted
to different tow vehicles), standard
wheeled jack and the SB001’s generous
1,250-pound load capacity. And that’s
after adding options like the diamondplate
rock guard and spare shown,
and/or a storage box.
In addition to successfully and easily
loading several different bikes on the
SB001, we took it on our trailer torture
loop with a 750-pound sport tourer on
board and it passed with flying colors.
The trailer’s patented rubber-spring
independent suspension soaked up
bumps, potholes and speed bumps,
and at highway speeds it pulled so
nicely it was easy to forget the bike and
trailer were back there. If you’ve got a
heavier street bike you need to trailer
around on your own, we can’t imagine
a more deluxe way to do so than with
the Baxley.
channel) to the ground at the back,
allowing you to ride the bike onto it easily.
The only minor incline of the bed means
that—if you can reach the ground from
the bike’s seat at a stop—you’ll have
solid footing riding it onto the trailer, too.
The front wheel plops into the Baxley
chock and comes to rest against a strong
diamond-plate stop on the front of the SB001 single-bike model we tested. Then you can
get off and secure the bike with as few as two tie downs in back—the chock does most
of the work holding it upright and on the trailer, provided the bike has a 16-21-inch front
wheel and you have properly adjusted
the width of the chock.
On Baxley’s GT2000 double-bike
trailer, cranking a winch pulls the lift
frame back down and raises the bed
into towing position; on the SB001 single
you just reach up and pull it down by
hand. A triple-latching system secures it
in place (check out the video on Baxley’s
website). A bonus of the design is that
continuing to raise the frame once the
bed is down lifts the wheels off the
ground, like a built-in jack, allowing easy
tire changes or maintenance.
Construction of the $2,990 Baxley is
appropriately first-rate, with thick sheet
and box-section steel rails that are crinkle
powdercoated in black, and heavy
diamond-plate for the bed and front
stop. We were impressed by the 13- x
6-foot, 460-pound trailer’s adjustable
hitch height (so it can be quickly adapted
to different tow vehicles), standard
wheeled jack and the SB001’s generous
1,250-pound load capacity. And that’s
after adding options like the diamondplate
rock guard and spare shown,
and/or a storage box.
In addition to successfully and easily
loading several different bikes on the
SB001, we took it on our trailer torture
loop with a 750-pound sport tourer on
board and it passed with flying colors.
The trailer’s patented rubber-spring
independent suspension soaked up
bumps, potholes and speed bumps,
and at highway speeds it pulled so
nicely it was easy to forget the bike and
trailer were back there. If you’ve got a
heavier street bike you need to trailer
around on your own, we can’t imagine
a more deluxe way to do so than with
the Baxley.
Mark Tuttle
64
JANUARY 2012
GEAR
LAB
For more information:
Baxley Trailer Company, 3300
E. Cottonwood Road, Dothan,
Alabama 36301; (888) 988-8833;
www.baxleycompanies.comi38E. Cottonwood Road, Dothan,
Alabama 36301; (888) 988-8833;