What position do you trailer your outboards
#1
Admirals Club 

Thread Starter

I see a lot of people trailering their outboards in the full up and locked position. It looks to me that this puts lots of stress on the transom. I personally like to keep the engines as far down as possible. What do you think?
Likes:
#3
Senior Member

Try these or DIY pvc pipe equivalent https://www.amazon.com/T-H-Marine-MSS-1-DP-Outboard-Support/dp/B001F0IJQ6/ref=asc_df_B001F0IJQ6/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312065655587&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1039828866357632970&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001869&hvtargid=pla-449893063320&psc=1 They are inexpensive, avoid road hazards while trailering by allowing you to travel with motors tilted up, take pressure off hydraulic tilt unit and redistribute loads from the top of the transom to the entire engine bracket.
Last edited by LeakinLena; 09-09-2019 at 05:24 AM.
Likes:
Likes:
Likes:
Likes:
#8
Senior Member
#9
Senior Member


Let me answer the question by asking a few questions.
Does trailering put more stress on the engine and transom than operating?
What position is your engine in when you are operating it?

Does trailering put more stress on the engine and transom than operating?
What position is your engine in when you are operating it?
Likes:
#10

I think when speaking of bumps and physics actually having the engine tilt all the way up puts less stress on the transom as a majority of the weight is then over or in front of the transom. Having all the weight pull behind the transom is more stress I believe. However, I trailer mine where the trim Rams just make contact as I believe if you have the ground clearance that's what Suzuki recommends.
Likes:
#14

I trailer the motors in the up position using a support wedge following the instructions on my Yamaha manual. I have my own thoughts about the stress differences on the transom between boating and trailering, but I don't know enough to challenge the manufacturer so it just made sense to follow their recommendation. The manual says you can trailer it in either position assuming you have clearance, but to use a support wedge if trimmed up.
Don't really hear any horror stories either way, probably means it makes little difference.
Don't really hear any horror stories either way, probably means it makes little difference.
Last edited by Tuvix; 09-09-2019 at 08:56 AM.
#15
Senior Member

I dont know about all new mfgs, but for older OMC, in the trim (running) position.....the hydraulics support motor in both directions...up and down
In the tilted position....they dont , ie you can lift it higher than its tilted .
if you trailer in up position, you need to secure motor against bouncing. Up and down. This can introduce large repeated shocks to hydraulic trim. The tilt is not made for these loads! Notice tilt is faster than trim, trim is much more robust.
It is ok to trailer in up position if you secure motor down , and take force off hydraulics. Bouncing back and forth aint great for transom either, as opposed to just up-down.
If its not on the trim rams it must be secured against bouncing. Sticking block of wood in there dont cut it.
Owners manuals clearly spelled this out.
In the tilted position....they dont , ie you can lift it higher than its tilted .
if you trailer in up position, you need to secure motor against bouncing. Up and down. This can introduce large repeated shocks to hydraulic trim. The tilt is not made for these loads! Notice tilt is faster than trim, trim is much more robust.
It is ok to trailer in up position if you secure motor down , and take force off hydraulics. Bouncing back and forth aint great for transom either, as opposed to just up-down.
If its not on the trim rams it must be secured against bouncing. Sticking block of wood in there dont cut it.
Owners manuals clearly spelled this out.
Last edited by mbb; 09-09-2019 at 08:42 AM.
#16
Admirals Club 


I used to use the transom saver - but heard on this forum that may not be the best.
Now I lift it all the way up & use the lock provided by Mercury. If I manage to break my transom - It is the transoms fault & I would rather it break on the road than on the water.
In any case - I doubt I'll ever have a problem.
Now I lift it all the way up & use the lock provided by Mercury. If I manage to break my transom - It is the transoms fault & I would rather it break on the road than on the water.
In any case - I doubt I'll ever have a problem.
Likes:
#17

From my Verado manual
Trailering Boat/Outboard
When transporting the boat on a trailer, the outboard should be positioned and
supported in one of the following ways:
1. If the boat trailer provides sufficient ground clearance, the outboard may
be tilted down to the vertical operating position with no additional support
required.
2. If additional ground clearance is required, the outboard should be tilted up
and supported using the outboard's tilt support bracket (trailering position)
in addition to using an accessory transom support device. Refer to
Features and Controls ‑ Power Trim and Tilt.
3. For maximum ground clearance, the outboard can be tilted to the full tilt
position and supported using the outboard tilt support bracket or an
accessory transom support device.
IMPORTANT: Do not rely on the power trim/tilt system to maintain proper
ground clearance for trailering. The power trim/tilt system is not intended to
support the outboard for trailering.
Trailering Boat/Outboard
When transporting the boat on a trailer, the outboard should be positioned and
supported in one of the following ways:
1. If the boat trailer provides sufficient ground clearance, the outboard may
be tilted down to the vertical operating position with no additional support
required.
2. If additional ground clearance is required, the outboard should be tilted up
and supported using the outboard's tilt support bracket (trailering position)
in addition to using an accessory transom support device. Refer to
Features and Controls ‑ Power Trim and Tilt.
3. For maximum ground clearance, the outboard can be tilted to the full tilt
position and supported using the outboard tilt support bracket or an
accessory transom support device.
IMPORTANT: Do not rely on the power trim/tilt system to maintain proper
ground clearance for trailering. The power trim/tilt system is not intended to
support the outboard for trailering.
#19
Admirals Club 


wow I always lock them in the up position. I never knew Yamaha says to keep them in running position.
What are the locks for then? Just trim maintenance? What is a yamaha dildo? I have 200 HPDIs
What are the locks for then? Just trim maintenance? What is a yamaha dildo? I have 200 HPDIs
#20
Admirals Club 


I have always trailed in the full up position with the lock in place. The way my boat sits on the trailer the skeg would touch the ground if all the way down. Maybe I need to rethink this...
Likes: