Trailering - engine up or down?

[Pipe_Dream]

Typically I only trailer my boat a few miles, but will be going about 50 miles this time. When you trailer, do you tilt your engine up or down? I'm thinking it should be down.

[C YENSEN]

I got an I/O but I always leave mine up, you never know when a speed bump will sneak up on you, or pulling in and out of parking lot can sometimes be close ;)

[nipper]

It really depends, I think, on the height of your trailer. Mine is relatively low, so I have to keep the outdrive up. If you can put your outdrive or motor down and still have a foot or so of clearance, I would tow with it down. The throttle should be put in forward, however, so if you do hit something, the motor or outdrive will pop up and minimize damage.

[spareparts]

throttle position is only applicable on engines(mostly older ones and some smaller ones) that use mechanical trim locks for reverse operation. Wheather you have an I/O or an OB, its best to trailer with the drive/engine in the up position, but allway use some type of support, either trailer clips( they go on the trim cylinders) for I/O's or "transom savers"( bass boat guys use these) for outboards. Most of the time its not needed on short trips, but it never hurts.

[nipper]

Oops. I must have been thinking of the older motors on my Dad's boats. I trailer with mine up all the time, so I don't have to think about it.

[Blue_Runner]

I have no choice - has to be up or it will hit.

Also, the V21 design isn't transom-saver friendly as far as I can tell. I just tilt all the way up and lock in place.

[randlemanboater]

I have mine up w/ a transom saver. I had to modify the saver to make it work.

I went to Lowes and found a piece of square aluminuminum tubing to make it long enough.

I'm like you BR, I would have no lower unit if I left it down.

[Skools Out]

hate to tell ya never i repeat nevr use a transom saver unless you hate your boats transom and motor. if your boat should shift or as all do flex and bounce going down the road the transom saver keeps a stiff leg under the motor which in turn pushs up on the motor and cracks your transom and is another reason for transom leak and rot from bottom bolts being pulled out on and loosened in the transom which then causes either a leak or slight wet issue on your transom.

if you can tow your motor down on the trim pistons another words run motor down till it rest on the 2 trim pistons. unless your trailer is to low then tow it in the locked up position.

i have 2 i can tow down and rest i have to tow locked up i shorten a couple of there up locks.

[Mac_Attack]

When I bought the E-Tec I asked Dave (dealer) about transom savers. *His answer was, Evinrude does not suggest them and neither does Wellcraft so neither does he. *I trailer mine with the motor tilted up. *Billy Mac

[Skools Out]

billy mac your right on there, i'm not so sure that E-Tec doesn't void warranty for using them? is that right? i know logic boats will and as i remember reading in flyers several other brand boat mfg will void your warranty for using one.

[Mac_Attack]

Skools, I don't know about voiding the warranty but Dave handles more boats and motors than I could ever dream of so i will go with what he says. *Billy Mac *;D

Here is a photo of the V with the Force up in trailering position.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v130/Machockey/P1010005-1.jpg

[reyb]

Isn't it the case that when an outboard is trimmed down to rest on a transom saver that it's just dead weight? If there is hydraulic pressure keeping the motor down, then I can see where a boat shifting forward(only) can be harmful. I don't think side-to-side movements would cause any damage because the transom saver length is fixed. However, if there is no hydraulic pressure keeping the motor trimmed down, then I don't see how a transom saver can do harm because the motor would pivot with any shifting/movement.

[Skools Out]

they are pulled down with pressure you can't pick up a motor when it's half way down can you? i know none of mine will. Mac that looks good there wish my new trailer on the V and the 21 would allow that wow.

[Airslot]

Mine is mostly down, at the juncture of trim / tilt.

[randlemanboater]

I see your point SO.

But your boat shouldnt be moving on the trailer if you have it strapped down well, should it?

I'm not arguing, just thinking.

[Pipe_Dream]

Well, thanks guys for sharing your thoughts on this. I think I'll stick with my old SOP which is to trim down to within 1-1/2' of the ground. I won't be going too far, or fast, anyway. Going to pull her out for a month or so, clean and paint the bottom and fix a few things. Getting the trailer ready now. ;)

[Hammerhead]

I tow with the motor up w/o any kind of extra support.

[macojoe]

I trailer up with the stop in place to keep the pressure from bouncing up and down on the piston.
It will save the pistion seals for years!

[Pipe_Dream]

I trailer up with the stop in place to keep the pressure from bouncing up and down on the piston.
It will save the pistion seals for years!
MJ, when you put the stop in place do you bump the trim/tilt down enough to just touch the stop? Or do you completely retract the pistons? I've heard people say something about retracting them, but frankly when my engine hits the stop and that trim/tilt motor sounds strained, I stop.

[Skools Out]

well they shouldn't no but they do cause the bottoms flex on the rollers and bunks which is where the issue is at.

[jasoncooperpcola]

Here's a link to Mercury's site where they have teh FAQ's. http://www.mercurymarine.com/serviceandwarranty/outboardfaqs/#7

[macojoe]

I just put down till it is snug and thats it.

[phester]

I just put down till it is snug and thats it.
ditto

[cfelton]

I tow mine with the outdrive almost all the way up. Ive thought about trim cylinder blocks for support but as of now I dont use any support.

[macojoe]

When my boat was a I/O I did not use anything for blocks.

[mushman]

I've got an 86 evinrude, but it has a lever that prevents the engine from resting on the cylinders.I thought it was there just for trailering.
Do the newer engines not have this?.I lock it even when I keep the boat in the water.
I also have a short tie down strap I've used when towing just as a precautionary measure in case the transom gives, it's got flex since it's nylon, and I hope it would prevent the engine from crashing to the ground if It the bracket was was to fall off.I've never heard of this happening, but I'm just paranoid I guess.

[Skools Out]

I've got an 86 evinrude, but it has a lever that prevents the engine from resting on the cylinders.I thought it was there just for trailering.
Do the newer engines not have this?.I lock it even when I keep the boat in the water.
I also have a short tie down strap I've used when towing just as a precautionary measure in case the transom gives, it's got flex since it's nylon, and I hope it would prevent the engine from crashing to the ground if It the bracket was was to fall off.I've never heard of this happening, but I'm just paranoid I guess.


leveler um are you talking about the L shaped part on the mid section you tilt motor all the way up then flip it down? that the stop rest that all motors have. they will bend when trailering alot. you can cut a piece of 2x6 and lay it on top of the trim pistons then lower motor till it rest on the wood that works great too. but in the winter you better not leave your motor tilted all the way up it needs to be straight down to the ground so all water will drain and so it won't collect winter rain in the lower unit to prevent freezing.

[jasoncooperpcola]

I wish i took a picture of that 200 Mercury Verado i seen the other day with the 2x4 between the mount and engine now. $20000 engine with a 50¢ transom saver.

[mushman]

Thanks Skool I thought all motors had them.I don't tow far if ever, so the bending has never been an issue, but now I know.

[reelapeelin]

Well, thanks guys for sharing your thoughts on this. I think I'll stick with my old SOP which is to trim down to within 1-1/2' of the ground. I won't be going too far, or fast, anyway. Going to pull her out for a month or so, clean and paint the bottom and fix a few things. Getting the trailer ready now. ;)



Hope yer just kiddin' there Pipester!!...1 1/2" be a big probleemo!!...only 50 miles over the flat-lands down there, you don't need to be too elaborate, but I'd run 'er up at least half way... ;) ...

[Skools Out]

i think he has that a foot and half not inch and half lol

[reelapeelin]

i think he has that a foot and half not inch and half lol


OK...you right... ::) :P ...my bad...

[Stillrunning]

I have a 1996 Johnson and the manual says to use the flip lever (forgot what its called) for trailering.

[Pipe_Dream]

Saturday was the designated haul-out day. The day began about 65 degrees. The winds picked up steady out of the East, and by the time I backed the trailer in there were waves breaking over it and a nice little cross-wind. Fortunately I got her lined up right the first time and hauled out, tied down and secured everything, and just as I got in the truck the rain began to fall. Talk about timing!

I was so glad to have the ol' PD out, as they issued gale warnings and the rain fell heavier, and then Sunday the "cold" front came through and it was windier than all get out. She is safely put away and awaiting my attention after the holidays.

Oh, and I put the engine up. ;)