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How do you trailer your outboard?

Posted: August 23rd, 2010, 7:02 pm
by Juan
Lately I've noticed that almost all the boats I see being trailered have the motors trimmed all the way down... I've always been afraid to do that because I figured with my luck, I'd hit something and brake off the lower unit..
How do you trailer yours and why? With the motor trimmed up and in the locked position or trimmed down and supported or not?
Am I putting too much strain on the transom by trailering with the motor trimmed up?

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Re: How do you trailer your outboard?

Posted: August 23rd, 2010, 7:17 pm
by Jumptrout51
YES... Too much strain on the transom trimmed up.
Plus the trim rods stay at full tilt which is not good.
We use a 3/4 board at the bottom of the motor catch to relieve the pressure on the pistons and the transom.
We run the tilt pistons all the way in so there is no pressure on them.
The motor does not flex on the transom causing stress and the pistons stay lubricated.

Re: How do you trailer your outboard?

Posted: August 23rd, 2010, 8:02 pm
by Chalk
Mine stays straight up and down....but I have a tunnel....but have always preferred up and down - tilted puts a fulcrum effect on the transom IMO

Re: How do you trailer your outboard?

Posted: August 23rd, 2010, 8:24 pm
by Tom Keels
We place 2 4 inch pieces of PVC over the pistons then lower the motor onto the pipes.

Re: How do you trailer your outboard?

Posted: August 23rd, 2010, 9:13 pm
by fishinfool
I trailer my outboard attached to a transom saver. The name says it all. With the motor tilted any at all and unsupported, the leverage created when hitting bumps and such will eventually weaken the transom. You might disagree with me but, physics does not lie. JT is right about the pistons. Keep them retracted.
FF salute1

Re: How do you trailer your outboard?

Posted: August 24th, 2010, 7:35 am
by lonesouth
mine has a half tilt support built into the mount for trailering that relieves pressure on the TnT pistons. I store it vertically though.

Re: How do you trailer your outboard?

Posted: August 24th, 2010, 7:39 am
by bman
fishinfool wrote:I trailer my outboard attached to a transom saver.
:stupid_1

Re: How do you trailer your outboard?

Posted: August 24th, 2010, 9:03 am
by wevans
fishinfool wrote:I trailer my outboard attached to a transom saver. The name says it all. With the motor tilted any at and unsupported, the leverage created when hitting bumps and such will eventually weaken the transom. You might disagree with me but, physics does not lie. JT is right about the pistons. Keep them retracted.
FF salute1
:thumbup:
Strap the boat to the trailer, then lower motor onto T-saver, boat, motor and trailer become one :thumbup: :thumbup: :beer:

Re: How do you trailer your outboard?

Posted: August 24th, 2010, 11:02 am
by Jobu
A good friend gave me one of these. Works great.

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outboard/ac ... etail.aspx

Re: How do you trailer your outboard?

Posted: August 24th, 2010, 12:01 pm
by KyTrkyHntr
I purchased one of these....


http://www.m-ywedge.com

Re: How do you trailer your outboard?

Posted: August 25th, 2010, 2:29 pm
by Juan
Thanks for the info smellers........but I'm still a little confused.. I haven't used a transom saver because the trailer is square metal where a transom saver would go and I haven't seen a square mount... There are three cylinders... two for the tilt and trim and one master cylinder....When the motor is in the up and locked position there is no strain on the two tilt cylinders and I always retract them..... The master cylinder is permanently connected to the motor so there's no way to retract it... I'm guessing the strain on the master cylinder is less when the motor is locked down.... I'm gonna try a piece of 4x4 just below the trim cylinders...that should let me lower it a little.

Re: How do you trailer your outboard?

Posted: August 25th, 2010, 4:14 pm
by Gulf Coast
99 FORD F-250 :smt005

Re: How do you trailer your outboard?

Posted: August 27th, 2010, 7:47 am
by hmaadd29
KyTrkyHntr wrote:I purchased one of these....


http://www.m-ywedge.com

for that motor this is what you need I've used one for the last 3 years

Re: How do you trailer your outboard?

Posted: August 27th, 2010, 2:05 pm
by robbankston
all the way down. yamaha mechanic told me its not good for those four strokes to stay tilted up all the time. something about keeping the oil level. not sure that is true but better safe. i have a pontoon with lots of clearance while on the trailer. my old fishing boat with the two stroke i have to tilt it up for travel, but i leave it down while storing.