Trailering with trolling motor bracket

[widmn]

I am being told that you can't trailer with a trolling motor bracket with the motor attached with the typical bracket like Garelick or Panther. Seriously? How are you supposed to remove a trolling motor that weighs over 125 lbs. everytime you trailer? Is there a workaround for this issue? I see people trailering with trolling motors on brackets everywhere.

 

[MTboatguy]

I have never heard that one before, I see people trailering with their trolling motors all the time. You just want to make sure it is secured properly as the bracket with give it a pivot point that could create stress fractures and such in that area.

 

[JimS123]

I have a Garelick fixed bracket on my Whaler, with a 3HP mounted on it. Their instruction manual says "no trailering with motor attached", so I take it off when we go across the state on the interstate on vacation and put the motor in the trunk. However around town (4 miles to the ramp on city roads) I drive with the motor on, and tilted down.

My Stingray has an OMC bracket with gas cylinder and that 9.9 has never been off the bracket in 34 years. I don't remember what the owner's manual said and i don't have it any more. Nevertheless, they have never made a bracket even as good as the OMC. It is simply the cat's meow.

I guess its buyer beware. I routinely check the mounting bolts and the structure for stress cracks, so I don't worry. Also, I mounted a cleat on the deck just before the OMC bracket. I run a line between the cleat and the engine to add further security.

Now, having said that, if I ever had a Garelick adjustable bracket I would be afraid to have a motor on it even in the water! They wiggle too much for me.

 

[Alumarine]

I've noticed that in the instructions for a number of brackets.
I'm wondering if that's a liability thing. If the motors not on it can't fall off.
I put my honda in reverse so it won't bounce up.